How to Be Outside, Inside Featuring Fred T. Joseph

Few people love calm in chaos more than writers, and three-time New York Times/USA Today bestselling author Fred T. Joseph is a prime example. Yonkers-raised and Queens-based, he maps the city by quiet nooks to write, catch a jazz set, or walk his dog, Stokely. Off the page, he’s loud where it counts, organizing rent relief, advocating for LGBTQIA+ communities. This week, Fred shares his favorite low-pressure haunts — a Greenpoint Italian hideaway, a dim booth in LIC, a late stroll by the river — that keep the work flowing and the nervous system regulated. 

Okayplayer: When you want to be “outside” without being OUTSIDE, where do you go in NYC?

Fred T. Joseph: I’m a homebody, and I really thrive in relaxed atmospheres, especially as a writer. When I want to be outside without actually being outside, I usually go to Milk & Roses in Greenpoint. It’s a little Italian spot with décor so rustic and inviting, it feels like a different world. I’ve been going for about 3 years, often during the day to write. In fact, I wrote two of my books there. It’s the perfect place to unwind and imagine you’re somewhere beyond the city.

Where do you go when you want to be around people, but not overwhelmed by crowds?

When I want to be around people but not submerged in crowds — which is hard these days, thanks to social media attention everywhere — I head to Dutch Kills in Long Island City. It’s a bar with a relaxed vibe, intimate booths, and a sense of privacy. I’ve done a lot of writing there, too. It gives off a dive-bar energy that’s still grown and sexy, and it offers the company of others without the chaos of a packed nightlife scene. I also love jazz, and so I try to visit restaurants and lounges to hear live jazz whenever I have time. Dizzy's in Columbus Circle and Smoke Jazz & Supper Club are two favorites. 

What does your perfect NYC day look like, from morning to night?

My perfect New York City day looks like this: I wake up and walk my dog, Stokely, from Long Island City to Greenpoint. We stop at For the Record cafe for a green tea and an almond croissant. Then we stroll along the East River back toward home. 

Once back, I put on some relaxing music and sit down to face a blank page, writing until mid-afternoon. Later, I jump in my car and take Stokely to Forest Park in Queens for a trail walk to be around trees and fresh air. After that, we head home, and I make a salad, and either watch a documentary, or sometimes end the evening at Stuart Cinema & Café in Greenpoint, a cozy Black-owned indie movie theater.