On Saturday, August 11th, a whole bunch of Arab, Middle Eastern, & North African Queers will be taking over the northern part of RIIS beach, and this guide will answer any questions you might have:
How Can I Help?
Thanks for asking! Send an email to Reem Ramadan, and we’ll make sure you have something to do. We could use all the help we can get, including set up, tear down, transportation, etc.
What Should I Bring?
- Beach blankets or chairs (you need something to relax on)
- Sunglasses (Only if you want to see, it’s going to be sunny hunny)
- Sunscreen (No you do not have magic skin that does not burn)
- Snacks (There will be concession stands, but they’re expensive. Bring something to share!)
- Drinks (Try to avoid glass, it’s not allowed on the beach and nobody wants to get cut)
- Plenty of water (Stay hydrated boo.)
- Ice (Not the immigration assholes, frozen water, oh aned bring a cooler to keep it in)
- Plastic Cups/Plates (Ya know, so you can share)
- Games (Beach Ball, Tawle, Card Decks, oh girl you should bring twister.)
- Towels (duh) & a beach blanket or sheet to lay on.
- That sexy swimsuit of yours. (you know, that one that makes everyone come to your yard.)
- $5, (Now this event is free but does cost a bit to produce, a donation of $5 or more is welcomed and appreciated.) 🙂
What Should I NOT Bring?
- Grills are not allowed. (Unless they are on your teeth, that’s cool)
- Pets, they can’t be on the beach unless they are Service Dogs. (Unless you sneak them in and nobody says anything – it happens)
How Do I Get to Jacob Riis Beach?
Subway/Bus: While Google Maps will give the best directions and the MTA will always provide the most up to date information on train status, we recommend the following when using mass transit…
For most people: Get to a Brooklyn bound “2/5” train to Flatbush Ave, then take Q35 (Near Target) to Jacob RIIS Beach. OR “A” train to Shuttle to Far Rockaway to the last stop (116th Street) then transfer to the Q22 or Q35 Bus to Jacob RIIS Beach 149th Street.
Queens: From Woodside take the B53 bus to Rockaway and transfer to the Q22 to Jacob RIIS Beach.
North Brooklyn: B46 or B44 (Williamsburg) B47 (Bushwick) Bus to Flatbush Ave, then transfer to Q35 to Jacob RIIS Beach.
Keep an eye on the Weekender to anticipate any planned subway outages!
Car: Take the Belt Parkway to Exit 11S, then Flatbush Avenue south across the Marine Parkway Bridge (toll) to the park. Alternate: Woodhaven Boulevard to Cross Bay Boulevard, then west on Beach Channel Drive to the park. Parking is $10. For best directions visit Google Maps.
Ferry & Shuttle Bus: Check out the NYC Ferry with pickups at Wall Street and Sunset Park – though we recommend you take the Wall Street Ferry as it fills quickly. Take the ferry to Rockaway park then get on the free shuttle bus to Jacob Riis. Costs $2.75 per trip.
Alexis Van Lines: If you live or can easily get to the the Lower East Side, Williamsburg, or Grand Army Plaza, then check out Alexis Van Lines! $7 or $8 per direction, or $14-$16 round trip. Last departure from Riis is at 9PM!
How Do I Find Everyone Once I’m at the Beach?
When you arrive to the beach, head north/east (when you face the beach, north/east is left boo boo), towards the end of the beach before you see houses that start at 149th Street. Look out for Middle Eastern and North African flags, canopies and listen for Arabic music, you can’t miss us! We will be sending locations the closer we get to the date.
I heard Riis beach changed and there is a large police presence now…
Our area is still queer and amazing, but since the introduction of Riis Beach Bazaar we have been inundated with police harassing beach goers in the queer beach area. Luckily, communities have come together and have formed cop watch groups and have created guides like these: Staying Safe at Jacob Riis Beach & Staying Safe & Sexy at The Queer Beach. Members of the Tarab NYC community have been keeping an eye on this and have been at the beach volunteering long hours bathing in the sun making sure that the space is safe and overall, it has been pretty great, especially since Cop Watch Units have begun patrolling the area.
While at TOTB, Shaku Maku?
Honey, you made it, enjoy yourself, set yourself up in or near the Tarab NYC area, enjoy all the sexiness around you and have an amazing time! Party ends at sunset, which means we will be packed up by sunset and lingering around and saying good bye to each other numerous times until we actually leave. For more information about RIIS beach visit the NY Harbor Parks website.
Where Can I Get Updates?
Facebook!
See you on the beach!
~Tarab NYC
