Friday Night in Manhattan, Sep 4

Stumblday's hand-checked ranking of the best things to do in Manhattan on Friday night, Sep 4: 28 picks, refreshed weekly.

28 picks Β· checked Sep 2

#8
Pre-Existing ConditionGreenwich House Theater, West Village, Manhattan
Fri–Sat Sep 4–5 at 7 PM, Sun Sep 6 at 3 PM (previews; runs through Oct 25)From $77

Pre-Existing Condition

Marin Ireland's acclaimed play returns with Lupita Nyong'o opening a rotating star cast β€” this is its first full weekend of previews at Greenwich House.

Off-BroadwayPreviewsLupita Nyongo
#8Fri–Sat Sep 4–5 at 7 PM, Sun Sep 6 at 3 PM (previews; runs through Oct 25) Β· One Weekend Only
Pre-Existing ConditionGreenwich House Theater, West Village, Manhattan
From $77Off-Broadway

Pre-Existing Condition

Marin Ireland's acclaimed play returns with Lupita Nyong'o opening a rotating star cast β€” this is its first full weekend of previews at Greenwich House.

#9
HommaliHommali, West Village, Manhattan
Now open

Hommali

Three friends from Bangkok open a contemporary Thai restaurant built around jasmine rice, which arrives free with every meal. Labor Day is its first weekend.

ThaiOpens Sept 2Book on Resy
#9Now open Β· Limited Run
HommaliHommali, West Village, Manhattan
ThaiOpens Sept 2

Hommali

Three friends from Bangkok open a contemporary Thai restaurant built around jasmine rice, which arrives free with every meal. Labor Day is its first weekend.

#10Friday Β· Final performance Fri, Sep 4 at 7:00PM Β· One Day Only
The PassLa MaMa (The Ellen Stewart Theatre), East Village, Manhattan
$49-$99 by sectionOff-Broadway

The Pass

John Donnelly's Royal Court play about two closeted footballers gets its American premiere at La MaMa, directed by Max Hunter. Friday at 7 is the last performance of the run.

#12
A Murder of Crows 2026Bowery Ballroom, Lower East Side, Manhattan
Friday September 4 and Saturday September 5, doors 7pm; two-day passes availableTicketed by night or as a two…

A Murder of Crows 2026

A two-night punk gathering takes over the Bowery Ballroom, with a combined pass for anyone planning to do both evenings.

PunkTwo-day festivalBowery Ballroom
#12Friday September 4 and Saturday September 5, doors 7pm; two-day passes available Β· One Weekend Only
A Murder of Crows 2026Bowery Ballroom, Lower East Side, Manhattan
Ticketed by night or as a two…Punk

A Murder of Crows 2026

A two-night punk gathering takes over the Bowery Ballroom, with a combined pass for anyone planning to do both evenings.

#14
Shanghai BluesMetrograph, Lower East Side, Manhattan
Friday, September 4 at 7:20pm; also Sunday, September 6 at 12:00pm$18 general admission

Shanghai Blues

Tsui Hark's 1984 screwball-musical-romance in a 40th-anniversary 4K restoration he supervised himself, anchoring Metrograph's Tsui Hark series.

4K restorationTsui Hark retroHong Kong
#14Friday, September 4 at 7:20pm; also Sunday, September 6 at 12:00pm Β· One Day Only
Shanghai BluesMetrograph, Lower East Side, Manhattan
$18 general admission4K restoration

Shanghai Blues

Tsui Hark's 1984 screwball-musical-romance in a 40th-anniversary 4K restoration he supervised himself, anchoring Metrograph's Tsui Hark series.

#16
Barbara ForeverFilm Forum, Hudson Square, Manhattan
Friday, September 4 at 7:45pm (Q&A); also Saturday, September 5 at 7:30pm$18.00 general admission

Barbara Forever

The Berlinale Teddy winner about queer avant-garde filmmaker Barbara Hammer opens Friday, with director Brydie O'Connor in person for Q&As on both Friday and Saturday.

Opening nightDirector Q&ADocumentary
#16Friday, September 4 at 7:45pm (Q&A); also Saturday, September 5 at 7:30pm Β· Limited Run
Barbara ForeverFilm Forum, Hudson Square, Manhattan
$18.00 general admissionOpening night

Barbara Forever

The Berlinale Teddy winner about queer avant-garde filmmaker Barbara Hammer opens Friday, with director Brydie O'Connor in person for Q&As on both Friday and Saturday.

#21
Rizo: Serving CultJoe's Pub, NoHo, Manhattan
Friday September 4 at 7pm, doors at 6pm$42 including advance service…

Rizo: Serving Cult

Downtown cabaret force Rizo builds a show around charisma and belief, promising a lush room, low lights and absolutely nothing to worry about.

CabaretDowntownJoes Pub
#21Friday September 4 at 7pm, doors at 6pm Β· One Day Only
Rizo: Serving CultJoe's Pub, NoHo, Manhattan
$42 including advance service…Cabaret

Rizo: Serving Cult

Downtown cabaret force Rizo builds a show around charisma and belief, promising a lush room, low lights and absolutely nothing to worry about.

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