Repping hard
CAROLINE MCKAY • Caro
WORK • Friday Routine
CAROLINE MCKAY • founder • Caro
Neighborhood you live & work in: Soho
It’s Friday. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Friday afternoons are my favorite; things finally start to breathe a little. I have my own PR studio, Caro, and we work with brands across hospitality and design (and some other categories!) — we get genuinely excited by cool founders and their stories. The weeks can get pretty hectic, which I love, but by Friday afternoon, I’m ready to shift gears. I go to my co-working space, The Malin in Soho, and I’ll tie up any loose ends or grab a coffee (or tea) with a client, editor, or colleague, which is my favorite way to end the week.
Where are you drinking or dining this weekend?
You caught me on a good one! Okay, so I know I’m late to the game, but Bartolo was one of my favorite meals of 2025, and I finally have another reservation there Friday night; very excited. Before that, though (and I debated sharing this because it feels like a bit of a best-kept secret), Moonflower on West 11th has the most incredible happy hour Monday through Friday, 4-6p, 50% off all bottles of wine. You walk out with a $30 bill, and it’s become my favorite way to kick off a weekend with friends.
Saturday, I have a reservation at Dean’s (intel), which recently opened right near me, and if the weather holds up, I might get there early just to stand outside for a drink first (channeling spring in London). Later that night, I’m hoping to pop into Stars (intel) before a party in the East Village; it’s only 12 seats, though, so that might be wishful thinking on my part.
As much as I love chasing new spots, my Sundays are when I like the classics. Lately, I am on a breakfast rotation between The Waverly Inn (my dream if it’s even a little rainy, is there anywhere cozier?), Commerce Inn (newer but it feels like a classic, and the club sandwich!!), or Balthazar if I wake up in a particularly social mood.
I’ve been itching for a proper afternoon in Bed-Stuy and Clinton Hill with my friend/colleague McCall, who lives over there. Don’t Call Me Shirley and Golden Ratio are both on the list.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I ran the Brooklyn Half Marathon in May. I ran the New York City Marathon two years ago, and that was my first bigger race since. It was so fun to end at Coney Island. And then there’s the well-known walk, which I think now most people have probably done, but I’ve been dying to get to: 16 miles from the top of Manhattan down to the bottom. Start at the Cloisters, end at The Dead Rabbit, with a bunch of good stops in between.
I also have a membership at Lore Bathing Club, and it’s the perfect addition to my wellness routine. It’s simply a beautiful sauna and cold plunge, but I’ve run into so many people I’ve known from over the years in New York. Plus, it’s such a nice alternative to bring a friend to rather than drinks or dinner.
Any weekend getaways?
Livingston Manor in the Catskills. Shameless plug, but I bought an adorable A-frame cabin up there in 2022, and it’s become one of my favorite corners of the world. And a great weekend reset from the city.
Recs there: The Kaatskeller for pizza, Upward Brewing Co. for beers, The DeBruce when you want a fancier, special dinner, Main Street Farm for stocking the fridge with local goods, Sunshine Colony for natural wine, and Somewhere in Time Farm for Saturday morning farm boxes and yoga.
What was your last great vacation?
Egypt, two years ago, for my cousin’s wedding. I learned about ancient Egypt in school, but nothing prepared me for actually standing in front of the pyramids, walking through the temples and tombs, and seeing how extraordinary that civilization was (and the level of preservation + detail!).
The highlight was a hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings in Luxor at sunrise. And if you ever go, stay at Al Moudira Hotel. Every room is completely unique; the whole place feels like a dream. It’s genuinely one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed at. If I go back, I have the Nour El Nil Nile River Cruise as number one on my list, and also hope to make it to Siwa Oasis.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
The Demi from Terra Kaffe: a bean-to-cup super-automatic machine, design-forward, makes your apartment smell great, and saves you so much on going out for coffee. And for the ladies, the La Ligne Colby Pants in satin: best clothing purchase I’ve made all year.
What store or service do you always recommend?
Buccal facial massage from the Spa Thermae at Sui Yoga in Soho. A hack if you get TMJ. And also their regular deep tissue massages with Leonore; she’s incredible! Also, my friend and acupuncturist Thalia, who owns The Muse in Flatiron, just opened the space this year. She also offers amazing facial acupuncture (a rare find), cupping, etc. I leave feeling never better!
Where are you donating your time or money?
I’m a big dog and animal person and found out that Best Friends Animal Society in Soho, has an Adventure Buddy program, which I had just started to do. Basically, you can volunteer by taking dogs in the shelter out on walks. Unfortunately, the space is currently under construction, but it’ll be back soon; it’s such a good chance for the pups to decompress and get noticed by potential adopters!