This week I was fortunate enough to be in the room for two insane moments: Roger Federer returned to Arthur Ashe to play an exhibition match at the US Open on Tuesday, and John Mayer performed a 250-person concert at a dive bar in Amagansett on Wednesday. Both deserve their own deep dive (the scenes were meaningful and hysterical), and I’ll get there. But first, some context on what New York was like this week.

It’s the week before the US Open, which means the city is at peak bonkers. There are tennis parties everywhere thrown by fashion brands and hotels parading around the players they’ve signed as ambassadors. Usually these are spread across the week, but the new mixed doubles format means players are only free for a night or two, so this year everything collided at once.

On Monday, Jess Pegula played champagne pong (beer pong with champagne) at Carbone, while Aryna Sabalenka posed for photos with fans at the St. Regis. Taylor Fritz threw a party for Dobel Tequila in Brooklyn.

Last night Novak Djokovic was at The Plaza, where Lacoste set up a tennis court on carpet, while Naomi Osaka played ping pong against Gayle King at the Baccarat. The best event was at the Waldorf Astoria, which set up a play court in its ballroom - the same room where Grace Kelly had her engagement party, and where horses once pranced around for the Viennese Opera Ball - and had Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul play a real match. The crowd drank champagne while they watched from opera balconies under gigantic crystal chandeliers, which felt like something out of a movie.

But it’s also still summer, and the Hamptons is still in full swing. This week, for example, was the Hamptons Classic, a horse show which pulls in billionaires from every corner of the globe.

Still, Federer and Mayer stole the show in both places. Here’s the inside scoop on both.

Roger Federer Returns

The USTA has been sneakily prolonging the US Open by adding can’t-miss events to the calendar the week before the tournament even officially begins.

This year they brought Roger Federer back to Arthur Ashe Stadium for a brilliantly named evening: “Roger Federer: An Icon Returns to New York.” Roger played a set against Andy Roddick, the last American man to win the US Open, back in 2003. Then Federer and John McEnroe teamed up for a doubles match against Roddick and Andre Agassi. There were souvenir tickets, special merch, the whole thing. And from the first point, it was clear the night would be less about the score than about watching two old friends be ridiculous together - they joked about their bad knees while still cracking serves that topped 130 miles per hour.

Roger’s star power only seems to have gotten bigger with his retirement. Anna Wintour watched with Serena Williams, and Savannah Guthrie didn’t get up from her seat once.

But he’s also still deeply respected by his peers, with plenty of current players and athletes in the crowd. I spotted Felix Auger-Aliassime, the world number four, watching with Casper Ruud, who’s been ranked as high as two. There was also at least one Knicks player in attendance (and by the way, in case you were worried, no one is over “Knicks in Five.” The MC brought up the win while talking about what a summer it’s been for New York, and got a roaring applause. I saw Knicks hats and jerseys everywhere in the stadium.)

The night itself was a little cheesy - they had a dancer in red pants hyping up the crowd, which felt unnecessary for a stadium full of tennis fans about to watch the GOAT. The light show with Roger’s face hovering above the Manhattan skyline was kind of a cool touch.

But it was also charming and nostalgic. Federer and Roddick talked about the first time they played one another on that same court, and how it felt like no time had passed at all. They were giggling the entire time, which made me giggle. It was joyful and infectious.

John Mayer on Stage at a Dive Bar

The funniest part of the John Mayer evening was when the singer, from the stage, started making fun of how hard it was to get tickets to this tiny, invite-only concert. He said everyone had gone around asking everyone they knew, “If you happen to have a ticket by chance, let me know.” And it was so true.

There was a lot of hype around this concert. It’s an annual event put on by SiriusXM - the first one was Coldplay in 2016, and since then it’s been Ed Sheeran, Dave Matthews, the Killers, Mumford & Sons, etc. Last year it was Metallica, and this year: John Mayer, who actually spends time in the Hamptons.

I think the reason it’s so sought after is that it’s held at Stephen Talkhouse, a legendary dive bar that’s attracted Jimmy Buffett, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi - all the legends. As the Hamptons gets fancier, this place has stayed the same. There’s dust on the floor, and the bathrooms are kind of gross. The crowd wears jean shorts, flip-flops, and baseball hats. It’s the casual vibe you’d expect from a beach town but don’t often get these days out East.

Because the concert is held in a tent outside, you can hear the music from the street. I know very posh women who camped out in the parking lot across the street just to hear John Mayer. The farm next door lets friends congregate on their land, in an area locals lovingly call “the side stage.” (Honestly, it looked like the most fun place to be.) Those with tickets were packed into the main tent, or into the VIP area in the corner, where Andy Cohen held court alongside Howard Stern and Paul McCartney. Even Josh Hart and James Dolan were there (I wonder how that went.) Everyone had an open bar and walked away with a complimentary concert hoodie.

It was a magical night. His music was so soulful the whole tent seemed to go quiet during his encore, when he broke into a guitar solo of “I Will Always Love You” as a tribute to Dolly Parton. The weather was crisp, and the crowd - a group with access to nearly every experience imaginable - felt incredibly lucky to be there. Even Andy raved that “It was the golden ticket.”

Pet Baby Goats in the Hamptons

I was staying in East Hampton last week when we visited a friend of a friend who has two pet baby goats (baby goats are called kids!) They were rescued from a petting farm down the road. Mother goats sometimes reject their young, they are left to fend for themselves. So this remarkable woman took them in.

Puppies, watch your backs; these might be the new must-have pet of the Hamptons. They’re soft and cuddly; one rested its little paws on my lap for a solid amount of time. They drink goat milk out of a baby bottle and wear diapers and onesies (embroidered with “Sag Harbor,” naturally.)

My crew was so besotted, I’ve decided every Hamptons host who wants to win over their houseguests needs a pair of pet goats.

Happy tail end of summer, by the way! I’ve been running around juggling family time, work, and trips to the Hamptons. It’s a lot of back and forth, but I get so happy the second I arrive (whether that’s Montauk or back in the city) that it’s worth it every time. Plus, something about the Jitney puts me in such a serious work mode that I get heaps done every ride.

Single Events Are Back With a Vengeance

Great news for New York City’s single readers: there’s a wave of new singles events happening this week, and some of them look genuinely fun. The most interesting ones, to me, are being hosted by New York City’s sports teams.

On Thursday, the New York Mets are hosting their first-ever Singles Night Out. Singles will head to a game, with mixers and “interactive game day experiences” beforehand. There will even be wristbands marking your relationship status, so you know for sure the person you’re flirting with is actually single.

On Saturday, the New York Red Bulls (the soccer team) are hosting their “Match Before the Match.” Tickets are $99 and include a pre-match mixer with food and non-alcoholic drinks for singles to meet.

If left-wing politics is your thing, the New York City Democratic Socialists are throwing a singles mixer on September 3. Even Bumble, the dating app, is hosting an IRL singles event at Brooklyn Crab. I’ve seen signs all over the West Village advertising it, which feels like the right place to market.

There’s clearly a desire from singles to meet in real life, and different organizations are rising to the occasion. Getting a bunch of single people in a room is a smart, effective idea, as long as they’re quality people. But these venues are cool, and it takes some nerve to show up to a singles event, so I’d bet they attract open-minded, curious, fun people. I might check out the Red Bulls one on Saturday - I miss the World Cup, and it sounds fun to watch soccer and wear my merch.

Where Every Tennis Player Will Be This Week (the goats aren’t only in the Hamptons!)

The US Open is underway in Queens, with fan week and qualifiers in full swing. This week brings mixed doubles (I can’t wait to see how Carlos Alcaraz and Serena Williams do as partners!) and an exhibition match tomorrow featuring Roger Federer (!!!!!!!!!!)

Every year during this week, the big-name players make the rounds across New York City making appearances at cocktail parties, pre-tournament events, even padel tournaments. Sometimes it’s part of the deal for a complimentary hotel stay (these luxury hotels reportedly comps entire teams’ rooms in exchange for an hour of VIP photos). Other times, it’s a brand deal. Either way, it’s always fun to see the players face-to-face around the city before they hit center court.

For paid subscribers, here’s where every player will be this week. Enjoy!

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I can’t believe it’s already time for the US Open. It’s always a bittersweet moment - it means summer’s ending and fall’s creeping in. But this year it also means the summer of sports isn’t over yet. And if the rest of NYC’s summer is any indication, this is going to be the buzziest tournament yet. The season’s been so good here that people are literally bottling the air to try to hold onto it.

Every year, more brands get in on the US Open - activations, pop-ups, limited-edition everything, both at the tournament and around the city. And because any event these days is an excuse for fun, there are parties galore, plenty of them with actual tennis players in attendance.

For my paid subscribers, I’ve got a running list of who’s doing what for the US Open. If I missed something, let me know. I’m going to keep updating this, because a lot of information is still coming in.

Happy Summer of Sports!

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The Hamptons is in overdrive right now. Every night of every weekend, there are at least four can’t-miss parties competing for the same crowd. Take Friday: Diplo was playing Surf Lodge at the exact moment the Crane Club, the members’ club owned by Tao founder Noah Tepperberg, and Prada were throwing a cocktail party in East Hampton; Guild Hall, a presti…

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This week I had the extreme privilege of spending three days on the beach surrounded by the most impressive group of women I’ve ever been part of.

It was an event put on by The DealmakeHers, an exclusive community of influential female dealmakers who are shaping the future of the retail and consumer industries. The network was co-founded by Stacy Berns, …

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I felt a little lost this weekend.

Ever since April 18, when the Knicks playoff run started, I have centered my life around sporting events. I scheduled dates, interviews, meetings, trips, and plans with friends and family around Knicks games. Then the World Cup started, and it was the same thing all over again. I rushed back from Cannes Lions to attend …

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But the other 8 million New Yorkers didn’t do badly either. There were watch parties at locations so incredible, I genuinely wonder if it was better to take in the match there than in the stadium (the commute was definitely easier.)

I’ve been saying this since the Knicks playoffs: it’s amazing where you can put a screen in this city. And there is something so beautiful and communal about watching a game in public with strangers. When the summer of sports is over, I know I’m going to miss it.

Read on for some of the coolest spots, and thank you to everyone whose Instagram stories I screenshotted for this piece (without permission lol.)

For those wondering where the celebrities were partying during finals weekend, I’ve got the most exclusive party roundup below the paywall.

1,131 Feet in the Air

The Edge is a viewing platform on the 100th floor of Hudson Yards — so high up my ears pop in the elevator. American Airlines threw a watch party up there, followed by a set from Grammy-winning DJ Zedd. I genuinely don’t know how you top that. Literally.

On a Yacht

Don Julio threw a finals watch party on a 206-foot mega-yacht docked at Chelsea Piers. You can read about the full setup here, but watching the World Cup Final in white fluffy slippers is a pretty extraordinary way to experience it. A few other yachts were docked nearby, and you could hear cheering across the water between them.

At the Airport

Someone I know was stuck at JFK during the final and found crowds sitting on the terminal floor watching a big screen in one of the atriums. Honestly, if I had been there I would have gotten so swept up in the match that I’d have missed my flight.

On the Beach

Not technically New York City, but Sunset Beach, the beloved party restaurant on Shelter Island, set up a screen right on the sand. People were stretched out in lounge chairs, in their bikinis, watching the game, no doubt with french fries and magnums of rose. Sunday Funday!

On an Aircraft Carrier

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum set up 15 screens on the flight deck of a retired WWII aircraft carrier. When someone asks where you were for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, that’s a pretty decent answer.

At the Library

Brooklyn Public Library threw a free watch party. Libraries are such an important community resource, and this feels like exactly the right use of one. Also — air conditioning in July. Underrated.

At an All-You-Can-Eat Restaurant in Chinatown

100 Feast in Chinatown hosted an all-you-can-eat watch party for the matches. Honestly, the appeal is obvious — all that cheering works up an appetite.

On an Island

Governors Island hosted a watch party at its historic parade ground, with the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop. The ground itself used to be used for military demonstrations back when the island served as an army and coast guard base — which adds a pretty remarkable layer to the setting.

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One of the hardest (first world problem hard!) parts of this summer in New York City has been figuring out where to watch the games, first for the Knicks, and now the World Cup. With every restaurant, bar, park, sidewalk, and apartment screening the matches, it’s an impossible choice. And the stakes feel high, because these all seem like once-in-a-lifetime moments. You want the right vibes, with the right people, at the right time.

But a clear winner has emerged just in time.

There is a 206-foot mega-yacht docked at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan this week, hosting World Cup viewing parties - and dance parties - every day and night through the finals.

It’s not often you see a yacht this size in Manhattan! This one is named Utopia IV, has six cabins that can sleep 12; a master suite with a private balcony; a sundeck with loungers; a barbecue station; an open-air cinema; an office (with excellent WiFi); and a hot tub. It has been owned by the same family for 30 years, who rented it out to Don Julio, the sponsors of the yacht, for the week. Before docking at Chelsea Piers it was in Sag Harbor, and before that, Miami.

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Wimbledon is a very special time for me. Last year it’s when I first started this Substack, sitting in my friend’s kitchen in Kensal Rise, a hip neighborhood in northwest London. For all of you who were my first subscribers - and who have just renewed for another year - thank you. I can only do what I do because of you, and it means the world to me.

Bein…

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Someone very influential in the influencer and creator world recently told me that Alex Cooper, host of the Call Her Daddy podcast and CEO of the Unwell Network, is still the woman everybody wants to be. Despite the controversies about her workplace culture, the rumors about a domineering husband, and her public feud with Alix Earle, she remains the person 20-somethings look up to and want to emulate.

Objectively, I get it. She has nearly 8 million Instagram followers, she’s interviewed Michelle Obama, Hailey Bieber, and Simone Biles, and her company is valued at $125 million.

But I didn’t really understand her appeal until I saw her speak at Cannes Lions, during a live taping of Semafor Media’s “Mixed Signals” at Google Beach. She was so bold about her vision and so unapologetic about who she is and how she operates. It was impressive and, honestly, a little intoxicating - what woman doesn’t want that level of confidence?

Read on for the best parts of the conversation, lightly edited for clarity.

Monetizing Haters

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250 years feels like a big freaking milestone. Objectively, a quarter of a millennium is a huge number (I know it barely registers in Rome, but still.)

I’ve been watching closely to see which brands and organizations lean into it, especially in a moment where flying a flag or putting on red, white, and blue can feel like a political statement. It’s a weird time for America, and a lot of companies seem to be sitting this one out.

Still, there are some fun things happening. Ralph Lauren designed postage stamps. Uber is throwing a massive party in DC (no one throws a party like Uber right now. if you get an invite, don’t hesitate). The Hamptons is selling a $1 million Statue of Liberty sculpture.

There are some funny collaborations. I’m dying to know how the Ring Pops/Serendipity3 partnership came about. New York City is going all out by dropping the famous Times Square Ball on non-New Year’s Eve.

Read on for the full list.

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I have returned - and sort of recovered - from Cannes Lions, which took place last week in the south of France.

One morning I dragged myself out of bed to catch Alex Cooper being interviewed by Ben Smith, the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Semafor. It took place at Google Beach, a beachside lounge where you sit in a sports car and watch a drive-in mov…

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For the last few months, New York City has been completely consumed by the Knicks, who clinched their first NBA championship in 53 years last week.

There were New Yorkers who spent every other night for months eating chicken wings, drinking beer, and hoping and cheering and praying their hearts out on game day. Lifelong city dwellers say they’ve never fe…

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Cannes Lions started in 1954 as a small advertising festival. It’s now one of the world’s greatest gatherings of the rich, famous, and powerful. It’s where celebrities, athletes, and influencers negotiate brand deals, and media executives lock in advertising budgets and talent partnerships.

The party scene reflects that. I’ve attended some lavish events in my time (F1 Monaco, the Super Bowl, the coronation of a British monarch) but nothing compares to the money thrown at parties here. Think yachts, helicopters, headline musical acts, and free-flowing top-shelf champagne. People bring extra suitcases for all the swag.

It doesn’t hurt that the soirees unfold against the backdrop of the French Riviera, and attract people who are, for the most part, genuinely charming and interesting (marketing people have to be right?)

Below is my running list of the best parties at this year’s Cannes Lions (most of which are invite only so work your contacts.) If you’ll be there, let me know; I’d love to meet up.

And if I’m missed anything, please send it my way.

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Anyone who has spent real time at the tip of Long Island will tell you about the moment you turn the corner on Route 27 and see the town and the glittering ocean spread out below. Especially when the sun is out, like it was this weekend, it feels like anything can (and will!) happen.

I just got back from Montauk, and let me tell you what I found.

Friday …

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UPDATE: This list was updated on June 1 with numerous very fun additions

I’m finally getting my head around the 2026 World Cup, the largest in history, with matches across 16 stadiums in 16 cities in three countries (look at this chart above!) More than 5 million soccer-crazed fans are expected to attend in person, and brands, hotels, and restaurants are going all out with watch parties, limited-edition merch, themed experiences, and more. This is what happens when you stage the World Cup in the world’s capitalist superpower.

I’ve sifted through hundreds of listings and pulled out the most interesting, funny, and exclusive offerings. I’ll keep updating this list as more come in, so check back for new additions.

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Last night I had the extreme privilege and good fortune of being in the right place at exactly the right time.

I went to Madison Square Garden to report on the elusive standing-room-only tickets, a great New York City hack that lets people see playoff basketball for “cheap.” There are only a handful available and they sell out almost instantly, but at ar…

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This spring I’ve had some serious quality time with my eight and eleven-year-old nieces, who I love so much. They always teach me about the trends. I am now deep in the world of dumpling and butter squishies. I also wouldn’t be caught in heels around them, as only sneakers are cool.

They are now teaching me the new range of words that Gen Alpha (people …

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I’m finally getting my head around the 2026 World Cup, the largest in history, with matches across 16 stadiums in 16 cities in three countries (look at this chart above!) More than 5 million soccer-crazed fans are expected to attend in person, and brands, hotels, and restaurants are going all out with watch parties, limited-edition merch, themed experiences, and more. This is what happens when you stage the World Cup in the world’s capitalist superpower.

I’ve sifted through hundreds of listings and pulled out the most interesting, funny, and exclusive offerings. I’ll keep updating this list as more come in, so check back for new additions.

Read more