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SEPTEMBER 2019 INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM
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THE NEW VOICE OF NEW YORK
Mama D's perfect night out is a perfect night in by Roderick Thomas
T
here are a ton of parties that spring up (and disappear) throughout the city. In New York, plenty of weekends are a tug of war between your FOMO (fear of missing out) and pestering indecisiveness. There are so many options, your bed, takeout and Netflix usually being a staple and comfortable one. If you’re too lazy to go out clubbing or bar-hopping, but feeling upbeat enough for a night out, head over to a new event that will give you all the takeout, with Netflix in bed feelings, while curing your FOMO. Imagine all-night cocktails and gourmet treats, lounge chairs and movies, its Mama D’s Sneaky Speakeasy.
Diana Mino is a gourmet chef, photographer, community organizer and total cinephile, but who is Mama D and what the heck are her Sneaky Speakeasies? Mama D: [laughs] Well, Mama D is Diana, that’s me. I grew up outside of Philadelphia, in the rural suburbs. They were originally farms, so there’s a tiny country girl in me. Don’t get me wrong though, the moment I could make it to New York, I said “bye! Hello NYC.” Roderick: Tell me about your Sneaky Speakeasy. Mama D: Mama D’s Sneaky Speakeasy is a host of
events throughout the month that brings artists, music, food and film together for a great party.
ity. On a scale of Rachel Ray to Anthony Bourdain, she’s somewhere in the middle.
My first night at Mama D’s Sneaky Speakeasy, I arrived at the venue, inconspicuously located in a gem of an area called Bushwood, a name for the not-so-famous Ridgewood, Queens and Bushwick, Brooklyn border. I walked up to the tall brown doors. “I’m here” I texted. Outside of the cozy establishment, I stood waiting and listening to the muffled chatter of guests and then Mama D opened the door. In front of me was a smiling young woman, petite but with a strong and comedic personal-
Inside was a well-decorated scene. The walls were covered with art, red brick and blackboards. I stared at the perfectly placed cocktail glasses, sprinkling light over the neon bar; it was like I walked onto a set of an HBO show. As I took a sip of my first cocktail and sank into one of Mama D’s pillowy couches, the evening was off to a great start. The DJ began her set, scratching on real records, a refreshing departure from the Youtube playlist DJ’s
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SCOTT PFAFFMAN IS EVERYWHERE Interview page 25