Brooklyn’s first “winter village” — akin to the popular Bryant Park and Union Square holiday markets — is getting ripped because its influencer-organizers are demanding a cover charge to even step foot in it.
The new Williamsburg Winter Village at the BK Backyard Bar is set to host food vendors, holiday shops and interactive pop-up activations – but unlike its free-to-enter Manhattan counterparts, the Brooklyn spot costs nearly $12 to walk into.
Brooklyn’s first “winter village” – a la the Bryant Park and Union Square holiday markets – is drawing ire from locals over its entrance fee. Williamsburg Winter Village
“Why are [we] paying to get into it to spend even more money inside when there are plenty of other “winter villages” that you don’t have to pay for,” an incensed TikTok user wrote. “Cute idea but pass.”
Another online user said, “Please don’t have insane tourist-only carnival prices.
“Tourists will pay anything, but New Yorkers know when they’re being played.”
The Internet crowd slammed food influencer Rachel Brotman, better known online as The Carboholic, and other organizers — including travel website Bucket Listers and influencer agency Nue Mvmnt — over the entrance fee for the event, which kicks off Dec. 5.
Hot cocoa is poured at the Williamsburg Winter Village in a TikTok promotional video. Tik Tok
The holiday site’s corporate sponsors include Coca-Cola and Kahlua x Dunkin’, while its upscale vendors feature Breads Bakery, pastry chef Daniel Colonel, Gnoccheria and City Bakery’s The Color of Chocolate by Maury Rubin.
Some online denizens also pointed out that the “village” isn’t actually in Williamsburg but Greenpoint — well above Williamsburg’s boundary above McCarren Park.
“I guess for a certain demographic of people, it’s cool, but I don’t think it’s cool,” Greenpoint resident Madeline Pajerowski, 31, told The Post of the event.
“[The neighborhood] has been cool in its own way, but now it has this mass appeal because of influencer culture,” she said.
Scores of commenters on Instagram and TikTok are questioning why Brooklyn’s first “winter village” warrants an entry fee to shop, Williamsburg Winter Village
“Twelve dollars is just an absolutely outrageous amount of money to just go do a thing if that thing is to spend more money.”
Another local named Allison, 25, said the entry fee would be yet another ridiculous charge added to the typically overpriced hot cocoa and trinkets found at any holiday market.
The Brooklyn pop-up will cost nearly $12 to even enter. Williamsburg Winter Village
“I’m not paying 12 bucks to walk around,” she said. “I don’t think they should charge.
“You’re already robbing us.”
Williamsburg local Trishiet Ray quipped to The Post, “We can just take the L train to Union Square, and that one is free.”
A Post request for comment from the event organizers was not returned.
