We’re back for a new round of NYC Best Weekday Bets! Each day will feature a top pick in the areas of 1. fitness (active), 2. comedy, 3. culture, 4. film, 5. food + drink, 6. free, 7. music and 8. staying in (because let’s face it, sometimes you just want to not leave your couch). Get ready for lots o’ 4th of July stuff, like hot dog eating contests and Independence Day screenings (our GIF theme) // details as follows:

Monday, July 2

ACTIVE: Got $20? Grab a ticket to tonight’s “beer yoga” class over at The Well! Beer makes everything, especially yoga, way better!

COMEDY: It’s a new round of Battle of the Divas at Union Hall, and tonight’s contenders are Fergie and Gwen Stefani! Lineup features Matteo Lane, Mo Fry Pasic and more, and tickets are just $8-$10 each.

CULTURE: Head to Videology for a new edition of Ladies w/ Lenses ($10), and stick around for a screening of Jean-Luc Godard’s Weekend ($12)!

FILM: You can scope A League of Their Own outdoors at Bryant Park, or catch Austin Powers outdoors at Our Wicked Lady! Both are free!

FOOD + DRINK: The Humane League will host a vegan happy hour at PS Kitchen tonight, and you’ll be able to grab drinks on special AND complimentary appetizers!

FREE: Free comedy AND free pizza? It’s true! 2A will host Chloe Radcliffe, Lorelei Ramirez and more tonight for all of zero bucks.

MUSIC: Bodega will play a show at Rough Trade tonight, and the best part is that it’s TOTALLY FREE! That’s some mega-value.

STAY IN: You could watch The Bachelorette, or you could watch Antiques Roadshow. (Obviously I choose the latter, but you do you!)

Tuesday, July 3

ACTIVE: Broke? Take advantage of free pilates at Hudson River Park tonight!

COMEDY: Get to UCB East for ALL OF THE GOOD THINGS! So Into It: A Fanatical Variety Show is first, followed by Woke AF: A Mind-Opening Variety Show w/ Julio Torres, Sydnee Washington and more, and then last but not least Jacqueline Novak: How Embarrassing For Her! Each one is $9.

CULTURE: Check out Lincoln Center’s presentation of Garba In The Park tonight! Free to attend!

FILM: Catch a free screening of Mamma Mia at The Rosemont ft. ABBA-inspired drag shows after, duh!

FOOD + DRINK: Kick off your BBQ vibes early at Brooklyn Crab’s Summer Fest, where $50 gets you unlimited burgers and hot dogs, plus unlimited beer and wine samples.

FREE: Metropolitan is hosting a new round of Genre Reassignment, which is a trans open mic night and is THE BEST. Free to attend!

MUSIC: Hit up Bowery Ballroom for an $18-$20 Blac Rabbit show!

STAY IN: Inglourious Basterds is on Showtime tonight, and I’d recommend that one as a solid pre-4th viewing option.

Wednesday, July 4

ACTIVE: Head to the Bhakti Center for yoga and veggie BBQ on the roof from 6pm until 9pm! $55 per person.

COMEDY: It’s Indie-pendence Day at PIT! Twelve hours of improv, pot luck BBQ (hot dogs and hamburgers provided), and each show is $10, or grab a pass for $20.

CULTURE: Is it the opposite of culture? Is it PEAK culture? I don’t know, but I’m still going to slot the annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4th as my top CULTURE pick.

FILM: I can think of nothing more patriotic than to watch Independence Day on loop at Videology, which will be happening on all four of their screens starting at noon sharp.

FOOD + DRINK: Lucky Dog is the place to be – free hot dogs all day, plus a free beer chugging contest at 4:30pm! (And as always, probably a lot of good dogs!)

FREE: Get out to the Rockaways for a free beach party ft. tunes by Tall Juan and more! Action starts at 1:30pm. (AND it’s The Lot Radio’s annual block party from noon until 11pm ft. all of the tunes and all of the good fireworks viewing.)

MUSIC: Spend your 4th groovin’ out with Nancy Whang at Good Room for $15-$20, or hit up Schimanski for a $35 time w/ Klingande!

STAY IN: You can watch the Hot Dog Eating Contest on ESPN2, the Macy’s fireworks display on NBC, and/or Jaws on AMC for all your stereotypical 4th of July needs!