1.) French Institute Alliance Française "Bastille Day on 60th St": Roughly 60,000 French expats currently call New York home, and you're sure to find most of them at the French Institute Alliance Française's three-block bash. You can stock up on L.A. Burdick truffles, Pain D'Avignon Kalamata Olive Bread and dense, buttery tarts from CeciCela at the Parisian-style open market, or go the freebie route with a Bordeaux wine and cheese tasting at the FIAF Gallery. Shake off any food comas with some cancan dancing, or kick back with a can of 1664 and listen to—what else?—a live accordion performance of the soundtrack from Amelie.
60th Street between 5th and Lexington Ave, Sunday, July 11th, bastilledaynyc.com
2.) Bastille Day on Smith Street: Bocce, kubb, bowling...the love of throwing things at other things is universal. France's version, pétanque, is, naturellement, a bit more stylish than the rest—balls are small and silver, the courts are sand, players wear berets and St. James sweaters. On July 18th, Smith Street between Bergen and Pacific will become one giant pétanque court, hosting over 80 international teams, kirs and mergez sandwiches from Bar Tabac and Robin des Bois, and live swing music courtesy of the Baby Blue Orchids.
128 Smith St, Sunday, July 18, bartabacny.com
3.) Crush Wine's Bastille Day Tasting: A celebration isn't truly French without good wine…and hamburgers? Mais oui, say the folks at Crush Wine and Spirits. Stop by on the 14th between 6-8, and you'll be treated to vintages from Puzelat, Foillard, and Plageoles, and waygu and grass-fed burgers from Frites'N'Meats. La vie, c'est bonne!
153 E 57th St, Wednesday, July 14, crushwineco.com
4.) Parigot's "Jenlain and Pietra Bastille Day": Parigot knows the key to throwing a successful Bastille Day fête: free beer. On the 14th, Jenlain and Pietra, Corsica's only brewery, are holding a joint tasting at the petite Soho bistro. In addition to amber ale and lager, patrons can score tee shirts and steins, and dance to the accordion tunes of Gennady. Don't like beer? Diners get complimentary Rosé with their Coq au Vin and Cassoulet.
155 Grand St, Wednesday July 14, parigotnyc.com
5.) L'Orange Bleue "Monday Drums": Cheap moroccan food is always a good thing; cheap moroccan food with live "Afrozilian" music, al fresco dining, and the city's cutest waitstaff is pure heaven. Every Monday, L'Orange Bleue overflows with drum circles and belly dancers, and this week's event promises to be particularly exuberant. Get there early (the show starts at 8:30) and fuel up on couscous, tagine, and tall pitchers of sangria before unleashing your inner Shakira.
430 Broome Street, Monday, July 12, lorangebleue.com
