8it brings Family Meal back with Puerto Rican pool party for NYC hospitality workers

8it will host Family Meal Vol. 21: Puerto Rican Pool Party on Monday, Aug. 17 at Aliya in Brooklyn, followed by a late-night after-party in Williamsburg. The invite-only event spotlights Puerto Rican food, music and Hennessy’s new Ready to Serve cocktails for New York City’s restaurant and bar industry.

Why it matters: - Family Meal is built as a free, industry-only thank-you event for New York City restaurant and bar workers. - The Brooklyn event also gives Hennessy a targeted launch moment for its bottled Very Special Cocktails with hospitality professionals. - The programming puts Puerto Rican chefs, music and food culture front and center for an audience that helps shape New York dining.

What happened: - 8it is bringing Family Meal Vol. 21: Puerto Rican Pool Party to Aliya in Brooklyn on Monday, Aug. 17. - The invite-only event is for New York City food and beverage industry workers. - The day starts with pool hours from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. - Dinner service runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. - Family Meal After Dark follows at Mr. Melo in Williamsburg from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

The details: - Chef Danny Garcia headlines dinner. - Garcia won Top Chef Season 21, was a 2025 James Beard Emerging Chef semifinalist and founded Only Goods, his 100% halal Latin-American food concept. - Garcia’s menu includes guava BBQ lamb ribs with sofrito rice and pickles. - Chef Frances Roman of Cocotazo is contributing a bite. - Pastry chef Valerie Figueroa is delivering dessert. - Curly Nez and Sunny Cheeba are handling music during the evening. - Chef Scotley Innis is leading the poolside grill menu during the afternoon pool session. - Hennessy Very Special Cocktails will be served at the pool party. - Hennessy’s lineup includes Henny Berry, Henny Rita and Henny Iced Tea. - Liquid Chefs Genesis Cruz and Ashli Martin will make additional Hennessy specialty cocktails for dinner service. - Limited-edition Family Meal kitchen ticket towels and terrycloth bucket hats will be available during pool hours on a first-come basis. - Perreo Intenso is hosting the after-party. - WOOF b2b Loly Roots will play a vinyl set. - Chef Dylan Golden of Chino Grande will provide a late-night food drop with Mike’s Hot Honey. - San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna will provide water throughout the event. - Hennessy Very Special Cocktails are the cognac house’s first bottled Ready to Serve cocktail line. - The Brooklyn event is the third New York appearance for the product line after Governors Ball and 8it and Arroces’ Paella Rave Vol. 4.

Between the lines: - Family Meal continues to function as both a community-building event and a brand showcase for beverage and food partners. - The Puerto Rican theme aligns the event with a specific cultural influence on New York City food and nightlife. - The mix of chef dinners, pool access, music and an after-party extends the event beyond a single meal into a full-day hospitality gathering.

What's next: - 8it will carry the Family Meal format forward as a recurring industry series. - Hennessy’s Ready to Serve cocktails are likely to keep appearing in selective New York hospitality settings after this stop. - The after-hours programming at Mr. Melo closes out the event with late-night food and music for industry guests.