All of the places in NYC offering perks to furloughed federal employees
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New York City is stepping up to help furloughed federal employees who have been affected by the government shutdown, now on its 35th day. Federal workers who have missed paychecks due to the shutdown, the longest ever in history, qualify for perks at various spots across the five boroughs. With a valid government ID, federal workers can enjoy complimentary goodies, including free admission to museums, a free Broadway show, free food, and even free hotel rooms. And after filling up on freebies, join federal employees and their supporters at a rally to end the shutdown on Friday in Lower Manhattan.
There are 18,000 federal employees, as well as a number of federal contract workers, in the city affected by the shutdown, with none of them receiving paychecks since the week of Jan. 7. Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration has compiled a list of resources and services available to federal employees that can be found here or by calling 311.
Museums
The Museum at Eldrige Street– The museum is offering free admission for all federal employees currently on furlough, as well as three guests, during the government shutdown. It extends to federal employees residing in all states and territories of the United States.
The Met (Fifth Ave, Bruer, and Cloisters)– The Met will offer free admission to all federal employees and one guest each for the duration of the federal government shutdown. Visitors may redeem admission by presenting a federal government ID at any of its three locations.
Brooklyn Museum– Federal government employees get one free general admission ticket to the Brooklyn Museum with a valid ID.
New-York Historical Society– Free museum admission to all furloughed federal employees affected by the government shutdown is being offered by the society, plus one guest. (Note: Harry Potter: A History of Magic is not included and requires a separate timed-ticket)
Museum of the Moving Image– The Astoria-based museum is offering complimentary museum admission to furloughed employees, with the presentation of valid ID.
MoMA– Furloughed federal employees and one guest receive free admission for the duration of the shutdown.
EntertainmentÂ
BAM– Federal staffers on furlough are offered free admission to the first show of the day of any film currently playing at BAM Rose Cinemas, Monday through Thursday.
Madame Tussauds NY -During the shutdown, show a valid federal worker ID for one free ticket.
Metropolitan Opera– The Met Opera is offering free tickets to people with government IDs through the end of the month.
Stand Up NY– The comedy club at 78th Street and Broadway is giving federal workers a LaughPass membership for free for one year. The pass provides access to unlimited comedy shows at Stand Up and 30 other clubs around the country.
Beautiful- The Carole King Musical– Free admission is available to “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical” for select Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday evening performances. To claim a ticket, eligible federal employees must present valid ID at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre’s box office on the day of the performance.
Meals
Food Banks– The Food Bank for New York City has created an interactive map that lists all soup kitchens, food pantries, SNAP centers, and other resources nearby. The organization will also be hosting pop-up distributions across the city with food, vital products, and information for federal workers.
Sweet Chick– The Nas-owned restaurant is giving federal employees impacted by the shutdown free chicken and waffles Monday through Friday, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m, at all locations.
Brother Jimmy’s– The BBQ joint is offering federal employees free lunch Wednesday through Friday at its Murray Hill or Eighth Avenue location.
Sweetgreen– The salad chain is offering a free signature bowl to federal employees with their government ID on Saturday, Jan. 26, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Roccos Tacos– The beloved taco restaurant in Downtown Brooklyn is giving a one-time $20 credit to furloughed government employees after a valid ID is presented.
Other
Hotel Association of NYC– The Hotel Association of New York City will provide free hotel rooms to furloughed federal workers who need to travel to the city for personal emergencies during the shutdown. Affected federal workers in personal emergency situations interested in applying for a free hotel stay should send an email explaining their circumstances with the subject “GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ROOM APPLICATION” to [email protected].
Pay it Furloughed– Any federal employee (21+ years old) can get a free beer at multiple locations across the country. On Thursday, Jan. 24, it’s officially “Pay It Furloughed Day,” a nationwide call for Americans to buy a beer for furloughed employees. In New York City, Bar 169 is offering a free brew between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Generous, non-furloughed employees can also fund a beer, starting at $7.50 per beer.
Brrrn– The “cool temperature fitness experience” is providing one free class at its West 20th Street studio to federal employees affected by the shutdown, because “working without pay is so not cool.”
6sqft will continue to update this list as we learn of more perks available for furloughed federal workers in NYC. Â
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