Resources
Useful Things for UK Alumni in New York
A directory curated by the UK Alumni Group of New York for UK alumni in the city: the British and Commonwealth organizations worth knowing, business and networking groups, social and cultural communities, places to gather, and a proper taste of home in and around the city.
New to New York?
Just arrived from the UK, or about to make the move? A few starting points to help you find your feet and your people.
- Find your community. Join our mailing list, and browse the organizations below to meet fellow Brits and UK alumni.
- Get oriented. The British Consulate-General, New York (listed under Community Organizations) is the first stop for consular questions.
- Settle in. The groups and venues in this directory are a good way to find others in your field, a familiar local, and a proper cup of tea.
- Come to an event. Our get-togethers are a low-pressure way to start building a network. See what’s coming up.
Community Organizations
British and Commonwealth community groups, charities, and official bodies in New York.
- The American-Scottish Foundation — promotes Scottish-American cultural and business ties.
- British Consulate-General, New York — the UK government’s presence in New York.
- British Council — the UK’s international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities, working in more than 100 countries; its US programs span the arts, education and English-language teaching.
- Daughters of the British Empire in New York — charitable society of women of British or Commonwealth heritage; social and philanthropic activities.
- The English-Speaking Union of the United States — educational membership organization fostering ties across the English-speaking world; scholarships, debates, and cultural programs.
- The New York Caledonian Club — Scottish cultural and social club in New York.
- New York Welsh — promotes and unites Welsh interests in New York; events around St David’s Day.
- Saint Andrew’s Society of the State of New York — Scottish heritage and benevolent society, among the oldest charities in the city.
- St George’s Society of New York — community charity supporting people of British and Commonwealth heritage in the New York region. hello@stgeorgessociety.org
Business Networking
Professional and business networks connecting the British community in New York.
- British American Business (BAB) — the leading transatlantic business chamber, with offices in New York and London; breakfasts, evening events, and an SME-focused dinner series.
- Brits in Tech — the community for British technologists, founders, and operators in New York.
- Department for Business and Trade, USA — the UK government’s trade and investment arm in the United States.
- Great British Business Club (GBBC) — run through the Consulate; free for UK-headquartered companies with a New York office, with quarterly events.
- The Knowledge Shop — brings British founders together in person to build connections and counter founder isolation; coworking days, happy hours, and a dedicated British Founders Group.
- London & Partners — London’s growth agency, helping companies expand to or from London.
Schools and Education
British schools in New York and the Tri-state area, whether teaching a British curriculum or carrying a direct link to a British school. Listing is not endorsement, and UKAG has no commercial relationship with any school here.
- The British International School of New York — an independent day school at Waterside Plaza, teaching the English National Curriculum alongside the International Baccalaureate, from nursery through to IGCSEs and A-Levels.
- Harrow International School New York — a day and boarding school for grades 6 to 12 at Oakdale on Long Island, opened in 2024 under the Harrow School name and teaching the International Baccalaureate.
- Nord Anglia International School New York — part of the Nord Anglia Education group, teaching the English National Curriculum to children aged 2 to 14 from a Gramercy campus opened in 2025.
Social, Cultural & Events
Event calendars, social meetups, and cultural groups where Brits and Anglophiles in New York actually show up.
- BAFTA New York — the New York arm of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts; screenings, talks, and scholarships.
- Captain’s Knock — British-run event series bringing business leaders together with sports legends from rugby, cricket, and soccer since 2008; its signature Rugby Legends Dinner NYC supports the charity Play Rugby USA.
- Down In Albion — Radio Free Brooklyn show spotlighting new and emerging UK and Irish bands and artists for New York audiences; hosted by David Rogers, live Mondays at 11am.
- Founder Events NYC — British Startup Events — a regularly updated calendar of British tech and startup events across the city.
- New York British Expats & Anglophiles — social group for British expats and friends of UK culture; pub nights and outings.
- NYC Tartan Week — annual celebration of Scottish heritage around National Tartan Day, culminating in the Tartan Day Parade.
- Uniteds — US and UK inspired transatlantic networking events championing cross-Atlantic collaboration; well suited to UK brands launching in the US.
- Your Event People — British-run events company offering full event management for corporate and nonprofit clients; runs the Captain’s Knock and Uniteds series and produces the British Bash and British Ball for the St George’s Society.
Venues
Bars, private rooms, and event spaces around New York that work well for alumni gatherings, many of them with a British or Scottish connection. Several offer a reservable area or a full upstairs space; ask the venue directly about private hire.
Midtown
- The Central Park Tavern (327 W 57th St) — relaxed American bar near Columbus Circle; a lively sports-watching spot.
- Grisly Pear Midtown (243 W 54th St) — comedy club with a large events space.
- The Long Room (120 W 44th St) — reserve an area (no full buyout).
- Maggie’s Place (21 E 47th St) — bar, food, and event space; a Scottish-society favorite after the Tartan Day Parade.
- Megan’s Bar & Kitchen (7 W 45th St) — good upstairs event space.
- The Shakespeare (24 E 39th St) — side room good for small groups.
- Tailor Public House (505 8th Ave) — function room with bar, available for per-head hire.
- Tanner Smith’s (204 W 55th St) — hosted the post-parade party in 2023.
Flatiron & Kip’s Bay
- The Churchill Tavern (45 E 28th St) — British pub and restaurant; the upstairs event space holds up to 100.
- The Dog & Bone (383 Third Ave) — UK-inspired pub with outdoor seating; same owners as The Churchill.
Upper East & Upper West Side
- Caledonia (1609 2nd Ave, UES & 424 Amsterdam Ave, UWS) — Scottish whisky bars, good for small gatherings of around 20. No food.
- The Hunterian (413 E 70th St) — relaxed spot for small gatherings of around 20; limited food menu.
Downtown & Brooklyn
- Grand Street Social (155 Grand St, SoHo) — cocktail bar, good for groups of 10 to 50.
- Iona (180 Grand St, Brooklyn) — laid-back bar with a garden.
- The Winslow (243 E 14th St, East Village) — large bar with a back area reservable for around 50.
A Taste of Home
British pubs, restaurants, and shops in and around New York. Several of the venues above also serve proper British food.
- A Salt & Battery (West Village) — traditional British fish-and-chip shop.
- Butchers Block (Sunnyside, Queens) — British grocery with a wide selection of imports, just off the 7 train.
- Deans — traditional pub food from British chef Jess Shadbolt.
- The Hawksmoor — British steakhouse known for outsized Yorkshire puddings.
- Jones Wood Foundry (Upper East Side) — family spot with a British-focused menu; good for larger groups.
- Myers of Keswick (West Village) — British grocer, butcher, and bakery: bangers, pies, and imported staples.
- The Pie Store (Montclair, NJ) — Cornish pasties, shepherd’s pie, and more.
- Pig & Whistle (W 36th St) — the rugby pub in New York.
- Tea & Sympathy (West Village) — British tearoom and restaurant with an adjoining shop.
Submit a Resource
Know a community organization, a business network, a social or cultural group, a good event venue, or a great British spot we’ve missed? Send it our way and we will review it before adding to the list.