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BAYLI

Brooklyn-based artist and songwriter BAYLI, would describe New York City (particularly Brooklyn), as "the best place on earth." It's a place that has been intrinsic to her coming-of-age experience, with the energy there both inclusive and exciting. "It’s community-run, vibrant and has a perfect mix of peace and spontaneity. Its aura would be like a pastel or neutral rainbow. A spectrum of brown."

In her guide, BAYLI shares with us the places she cant get enough of in her local area: "These are the spots that I actually go to and use on a weekly basis so I wanted to try and drop the reader right onto my block and into my hood." From a Senegalese cafe serving the best cold brew in the city to gallery spaces focused on empowering the local community, BAYLI's suggestions gives us a glimpse into the "abundance" of Brooklyn, and all that it has to offer. 

Le Paris Dakar is an incredibly cozy coffee shop with a super clean and modern design. It is owned by the most beautiful Senegalese family and they have the best homemade cold brew and croissants in all of New York City. I promise you!

Kiki’s is my absolute favorite spot to go for dinner in NYC. Whether I’m going out on a sexy date night or having a girls night out with friends, Kiki is a perfectly lowkey environment with spacious seating and low-lighting. It is very well priced for such an amazing and 1-of-1 menu. It’s a Mediterranean restaurant that is owned by a beautiful and brilliant Greek woman, who the restaurant is named after. The best part about Kiki’s is they have really delicious and inexpensive wine carafes.

GUSH is a party that happens in unique, secret locations all over the city. GUSH parties feel like a safe space for queer-identifying people especially femme-identifying people and that is a rare commodity even in the most “liberal” city in the world! The parties last all night and include incredible DJ sets and performances by all different types of queer artists. It gets super hot and steamy at GUSH parties. If you attend you’ll probably have one of the best nights of your life! 

Cafe Select is the perfect place for a breakfast meeting. The staff is always incredible and it’s just a beautiful restaurant with a great menu and cozy seating. It’s in the heart of Soho so it’s the perfect place to start your day off if you have a busy work day in the city.

I live in the Fort Greene area of Brooklyn and a big part of my morning routine is taking early walks through my neighborhood and into Fort Greene Park. It’s a super peaceful walk and the park is always filled with locals and dog-walkers but it somehow never feels crowded. There is always an empty bench, in Fort Greene Park, to rest on while you eat your breakfast or people watch or meditate.

Pioneer Works is a gallery and artist-space that focuses on empowering community through art and sciences. They have really cool events that include inspiring exhibits that show incredible artists in their mastery and innovation, as well as educational panels that touch on social and environmental awareness and activism.

D70 is my go-to studio whenever I need to get high quality vocals or production. They’re one of the only studio’s in NYC that hold a large live room (called Studio A) that can host a whole orchestra, which I’ve done there with them for my Orchestral Version of “Sushi For Breakfast”! Their staff is incredibly eco-aware and covid-safe, making sure that each guest is temp checked before entering and has their own reusable water bottle while using the studio. If you’re in NYC and looking for a place to record I would most definitely recommend Dimension 70!

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A Guide to Brooklyn's Best Spots with Local Musician BAYLI

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