Kyle Cooke Stays in the City
The Hamptons icon talks summer in New York.
Few New Yorkers embody the city’s work-hard/play-hard ethos quite like Kyle Cooke. A DJ, entrepreneur, and reality TV staple, Kyle typically (famously) splits his summers between the office and the Hamptons—grinding during the week in order to “send it” on the weekends.
For our latest campaign, though, we managed to convince him to stay put for some R&R at the Rockaway Hotel. Over a Loverboy or two on the rooftop, Kyle shared some tips, takes, and hard-earned wisdom on summers in the city.
The first thing you think of when you think of summer in New York.
A cold bevvy on a rooftop, overlooking the best city in the world.
The quintessential New York summer event.
Governor’s Ball. Summertime in the city just screams good times, good music…Gov Ball.
Your most coveted restaurant reservation (and your go-to order).
4 Charles. And I’m probably starting with the burger with extra-thick bacon and finishing with a porterhouse…[Editor’s note: I think Kyle’s joking?]
Your most frequented bar (and your go-to order).
Gitano took over this incredible space on Pier 17. If I’m not drinking a Loverboy, I’m ordering a mezcal margarita with a Tajin rim.
Your NYC song of summer.
Calvin Harris’s “Blessings.”
Flip-flops on the subway: Yay or nay.
Flip-flops anywhere—subway included.
Best mode of summer transportation: ferry or Citi Bike.
Citi Bike, all day.
The most underrated place to be in the city during the summer.
You don’t have to look too far or get too creative, just find yourself a nice little coffee shop.
The most overrated thing to do in New York during the summer.
You really can’t go wrong with summer in New York, but try to stay away from tourist traps in the heat.
Your biggest summer pet peeve.
The beach is great. But my biggest pet peeve is sand everywhere….is it worth it? It’s debatable.
You’re mayor of New York for one day: What policy do you implement to improve summer in the city?
If it’s a beautiful day, I’m going to let every single bar and restaurant empty out into the street, serve people cold ones, and let them mingle in the concrete playground that is New York City.
Your best advice for staying cool during summer in the city.
When you’re on a New York City street that’s when you’re going to feel the hottest, because the asphalt is just radiating heat. So if you’re trying to avoid the sticky-icky, just get off the street level.
The absolute worst place to find yourself in New York during the summer (be specific).
In the subway, having just missed the train, and you’re there for another 10 minutes and sweating through your entire outfit.
The thing you miss most about New York when you’re away for the weekend.
This is going to sound pretty cliché, but the hustle and bustle—the work-hard, play-hard attitude that the city thrives off of. Every time I travel, things are just moving at a snail’s pace.
You’re famous on the show for saying “Summer should be fun.” What’s your one non-negotiable for a “fun” summer in the city?
Don’t worry about losing your summer body in the summer. Get out there, eat, drink, and be merry. We’ll worry about it in the fall.