The Main Man: Father’s Day Gift Ideas for NYC Dads

For the Dad Who Truly Loves Your Child’s Handmade pottery

Lucky for us, the Painted Pot can bring paint-your-own pottery to you. So get ready to paint a mug, bowl, baseball, mug or beer stein and have it ready for dad. All you have to do is pick out your desired pottery from the online shop and add it to your cart. Then choose your paints and brushes and select which location (Smith Street or Park Slope) you would like to pick up your Pottery To Go Kit (or you can select free—local—delivery). Once you’re finished painting, wait three days and then bring your pottery to the studio for glazing and firing. Pick-up can then be arranged once the pottery is fired in the studio’s kilns. Call 718-222-0334 to order. 

Order by: ASAP; $25-$40

Online: paintedpot.com

For the Gluten-free Dad

If the dad in your life is gluten-free, treat him to a custom Snack Box from The Goods Mart in Soho and watch him go crazy for the curated selection of non-GMO treats such as Pam’s Mushroom Jerky, Karma Nuts and Siete Grain-Free Tortilla Chips. Food is the lifeblood of our mind, body, and spirit,” says Rachel Krupa, founder. “The gift of healthy snacks creates a moment and a memory that will spark a smile.” This is a feel-good gift as well as the company is currently donating snack boxes to Memorial Sloan Kettering, NYU Langone, and Mount Sinai, as well as a handful of other hospitals in New York, Queens, and the Bronx. The company is also donating food to those that need it through the Food Bank For New York and donating 10% of snack box sales to the Restaurant Worker’s Relief Foundation.

Order by: June 15th; Boxes include $20, $40 or $60 worth of snacks

Online: thegoodsmart.com

PS!: During Monday’s protests in Soho, The Goods Mart was looted and damaged—storefront glass smashed through, and products stolen. Krupa quickly responded and with the support and help from the local community so that she can stay open to continue to support healthcare workers and provide goods to neighbors and essential workers. To add life back to her block, Krupa asked Muralists' Eric Friedensohn (@efdot@muralists) and Jessie Mordine Young (@jessiemordine), for help and they donated their time and created a uplifting and positive mural reading “Look Out For Each Other” for the boarded up storefront.  

For the Dad Who’s All About Accessorizing

Nikki Gersten, the owner of Robot Bunnies, a baby blanket company in Phoenix, left her heart in New York City so when she pivoted to creating face masks, she vowed to donate one whimsical face mask (made of artist-created prints) to a Tristate area front-line hero for each one she sells (our fave, frankly is Strip ’77, which features a ‘Breaking Bad’ character). “Our cool patterns look good on guys,” Gersten says. “If a dad wants to, he can even twin with his kids since our masks are available in kids and adult sizes.”

Order by: June 16th; Adult Large, $23; Kids masks, $21

Online: robotbunnies.com

For the Dad Who Loves Creating Atmosphere

Any ole candle won’t do right now. That’s why we love the ones created by the team at Brooklyn Candle Studio in Industry City. And every guy will go for Tobacco, which features notes of tobacco, black tea, sandalwood, amber and leather. Plus every candle created here features sustainable soy wax and cotton wicks and comes with a box of long matches to strike up an eco-friendly smell at home—where we’re spending most of our 24/7 days.

Order by: ASAP: $24 + $7.95 flat rate shipping (free shipping for orders over $50)

Online: brooklyncandlestudio.com

For the Dad Who Lives to Eat a Healthy Breakfast

When no mere cereal will do, consider this: A gift bag from Granola Lab, a small batch granola company based in Sunset Park, might just be the thing the dad in your life will love, thanks to such varieties as Activation Energy, Get Gingersnapping and Tropical Utopium. “Getting through the day when the kids are at home requires extra energy,” says Alex Crosier, owner and founder. “Granola Lab’s six super-flavorful varieties of granola are just the fuel your body needs at breakfast or anytime for a healthy snack.” Bonus: You’ll love the Mason Jar collection and Granola Lab tote bag—which is sturdy, made of 85 percent organic recycled cotton and is wide-bottomed making it perfect for grocery shopping once the plastic bag ban goes into effect again.

Order by: June 16th; $59

Online: www.granolalab.com

For the Dad Who Wants to Stay Firefighter Fit—Even if His Gym is Closed

Originally designed for FDNY firefighters, the three-piece FitFighter Steelhose Home Gym Set is made from real firehose and steel shot and has the functionality of a dumbbell, kettlebell and more rolled into one. “New York City dads are the family frisbee teachers, hot dog grillers and gear haulers so we’re here to keep that beat steady, strong, and ready, 24/7,” says Sarah Apgar, founder and CEO, an Army veteran who joined her local volunteer fire department in Huntington, New York, after her service. “We can all use that right now especially.” Best of all: A portion of sales go to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation supporting veterans, first responders, frontline healthcare workers and their families. 

Order by: 6/16; $159 plus shipping

Online: fitfighter.com

For the Dad Who Loves a Stiff Drink

We’re not judging—isn’t it five o’clock somewhere? So why not gift that dad in your life with a Father’s Day package from Van Brunt Stillhouse in Red Hook. These range from the New Dad ($50) to the Big Poppa ($200), which come with a range of bottle sizes, snacks and tasting glasses. You’ll get hand sanitizer, too, which is perfect for this moment. “This gift is 100 percent Brooklyn,” says Daric Schlesselman, craft distiller. “It’s a perfect way to celebrate New York City and it’s a luxurious treat for any dad in your life.”

Order by: June 19th; you can also pick up the day before; $50-$200

Online: vanbruntstillhouse.com

For the Dad Who Loves Supporting Local Businesses

At Shop Stay Forever, a must-stop shop in Ridgewood, Michelle Delgado is cooking up some super-creative boxes for dads like Quarantine Papa and Self Care Papa that come gift-wrapped and contain New York City treats that are sure to delight. “These boxes not only look good but they feel good as well,” she says. “Every product featured is from an independent maker and, right now, people feel good supporting small businesses. That’s what makes these such a great gift for those NYC dads on a mission to support local businesses (because that’s what New Yorkers do!).”

Order by: June 15th; $45-$70

Online: shopstayforever.com

For the Dad with a Sweet Tooth

If you just don’t feel like baking this Father’s Day, let the team at Bake Me A Wish do it for you. “Dads are making sacrifices throughout the year and especially now,” says Joe Dornoff, president. “He deserves a treat that lets him feel like a kid and there’s no better way to indulge and celebrate him than with a cake.” Best of all, a percentage of all purchases will be donated to the Meals on Wheels COVID-19 Response Fund, which helps ensure that seniors (our most at-risk population), will receive the services they need including a nutritious meal.

Order by: June 14th (overnight delivery is guaranteed for last-minute gifts); Prices start at $24.99

Online: bakemeawish.com

For the Dad Who Lives for His AM Coffee

Anyone can dump coffee grinds into a filter and make coffee but to take it up a notch, consider ordering a Phin Kit from Nguyen Coffee Supply, a Brooklyn-based company. This kit comes with your choice of coffee plus a stainless steel, single-serving Vietnamese coffee filter (a phin) so dads can create a ca phe sua da (Vietnamese iced coffee) at home using the handy recipe card included. “Gifting coffee is the perfect gift to bring dads joy and comfort each morning,” says Sahra Nguyen, founder. “Plus he’ll think of you every time he makes coffee!”

Another option: Set up your fave dad with a recurring Vietnamese coffee subscription and choose Courage (100% Arabica), Loyalty (Arabica-Robusta Blend) or Grit (100% Peaberry Robusta).

Order by: June 10th; Phin Kit starts at $27

Online: nguyencoffeesupply.com

For the Dad Who Wants to Take a Day Off From the Grill

Mighty Quinn Barbecue’s popular gifts like the Sampler (half a brisket, burnt ends and spare ribs) or the giant Brontosaurus Ribs are easily assembled at home. Add mix and match sides and desserts like sweet potato casserole and s’mores bread pudding and you have all the makings of a barbecue without standing over a hot grill. “Although this year’s Father’s Day will most likely be socially distanced, we can all agree to the communal and celebratory power of BBQ,” says Micha Magid, co-founder of the East Village hot spot. “It’s both nurturing and comforting and reminds us of our favorite gatherings past. In this time of social separation perhaps the gift of BBQ on Father’s Day will not only bring a smile to his face but also conjure up memories of past gatherings, which we are all looking back on ever so fondly at this point.”

Order by: ASAP; Prices start at $69 

Online: goldbelly.com

For the Dad Who is Missing Baseball

If only we could all sit in a baseball stadium, hot dog and popcorn in hand. Until that day, why not aim for the next best thing and give the dad in your life a piece of Handwritten Yankee Stadium or Shea Stadium Word Art from Art of Words. This is more than just a picture: If you look closely, you’ll see that word artist Dan Duffy has handwritten the names of every player to create this image. “We can’t see live sports right now, but you can still bring the stadium to dad,” says Duffy. “Families can spend quality time finding their favorite players and reminiscing about ballpark memories. Just like New York sports fans, there's nobody more passionate and dedicated than a NYC dad!”

Order by: 6/15; $49.99 (includes wrapping and a card)

Online: artofwords.com

For the Dad Who Has Always Wanted to Brew His Own Beer

From the homebrewing experts at Brooklyn Brew Shop, in partnership with Evil Twin Brewing, this user friendly kit contains all the equipment and ingredients needed to brew a well-balanced, light-bodied, and heavily hopped beer that’s just as fun to make as it is to drink. “With most of us spending more time indoors these days, our easy-to-use Beer Making Kits are a great gift for NYC dads,” says Stephen Valand, co-founder. “From stouts to sours, we offer a variety of kits so that dad can recreate his favorite craft beers at home. All of the one-gallon kits include everything needed to brew, and their compact size makes them ideal for small NYC spaces.”

Order by June 14th; $48

Online: Brooklynbrewshop.com

For the Sharp-Dressing Cool Dad

Cool socks can make a statement and the ones created by N/A are extra special since they’re made by a father and son who paired up to start the Harlem-based company in 2017. So this Father’s why not send your guy a creative (and durable) pair so he can skip the black socks this summer. “Our socks have the quality and comfort built to withstand NYC parks, scooter rides and chasing the kids around the apartment,” says Nicholas Lewis, N/A co-owner. Sounds like a match for a NYC dad.

Order by: June 14th; Single pairs and packs range from $10-$95

Online: www.na-nyc.com

For the Dad Who is Antsy to Get Back to Work

With the recyclable Hakuba backpack from Lo & Sons, a mother-son(s) luxury bag company in Brooklyn, any dad will look fashionable and put together once the office doors open. “My Hakuba holds everything I need and is always with me,” says John Ryu, a consultant for the company, who is the dad of two young daughters. “I absolutely love the separate compartment for my gym shoes!”

Order by: 6/10; $208

Online: loandsons.com

For the Dad Who is Always on Time

There’s never been a better time to keep time with an Armitron watch. After all, you’ll be supporting this family-owned and operated company headquartered in Queens (and Armitron is the official time-keeper of the Yankees, after all). “Giving dad an Armitron watch is a great way to show appreciation for all he does given its style, quality and practicality,” says Matthew Shell, vice president of product development. “As a father of a 13-year-old and a 10-year-old, it’s always important for me to be on time, especially in these challenging times while juggling Zoom classes and work calls."

Order by: June 14th; $20-$50

Online: armitron.com