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UPSTAIRS NYC INC
BROOKLYN, NY · EIN 920910061 · Form 990EZ · FY2023 · NTEE P20 · Human Services · Micro (<$100K) · upstairsnyc.org
revenue
$37K
expenses
$36K
net assets
$1K
employees
—
mission · from form 990

We are committed to telling the story of New Yorks diverse culture while strengthening connections within and outside of New York City. We endeavor to establish ourselves as pioneers in supporting international exchanges in arts and culture, business, and education.

profile · synthesized from sources

Upstairs NYC Inc hosts SAKECON, an annual cultural event in New York City celebrating Japanese sake and craftsmanship. The organization aims to strengthen cultural connections by showcasing premium sake, traditional arts, and Japanese culinary offerings through immersive experiences. It supports small and medium-sized sake breweries in Japan by promoting their products globally and fostering appreciation for Japanese heritage.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Japanese Artisan Marketplace
Venue for Asian artisans and vendors to sell handcrafted accessories, apparel, food, and crafts during the SAKECON event.
SAKECON NYC
Annual sake-tasting and cultural event featuring over 40 breweries and 65 sake varieties, live entertainment, artisan marketplace, and educational components about Japanese sake and traditions.
Super Premium Tasting
Exclusive tasting experience for premium ticket holders to sample high-end sake typically served only by the bottle at fine restaurants.
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • U.S.-Japan Cultural and Educational Exchange 2 activities
    • Produces large-scale sake-centered cultural events
      Organizes SAKECON NYC and SAKE-CON, large-scale events featuring over 40 Japanese sake breweries and more than 75 varieties of premium sake, welcoming over 500 guests annually; includes partnerships with organizations like Japan Village.
    • Promotes global appreciation and sustainability of Japanese sake culture
      Supports small to medium-sized Japanese sake breweries by promoting sake globally through events and outreach to increase awareness, appreciation, and long-term sustainability of traditional sake production.
  • Cultural Exchange and Mutual Understanding Programs 1 activity
    • Facilitates international cultural exchange in arts, business, and education
      Supports international exchanges connecting New York City with global partners in the fields of arts and culture, business, and education to strengthen cross-cultural ties.
  • Charity Event Organization 1 activity
    • Funds sustainability and food waste reduction initiatives through event proceeds
      Awards grants or donates portions of event proceeds—such as from the Spring Gala 2024—to nonprofit organizations like GROWNYC and City Harvest to support urban sustainability and reduce food waste.
  • Professional Theatrical Production 1 activity
    • Hosts immersive cultural and theatrical productions in New York City
      Produces and hosts ongoing immersive theatrical experiences, including "MASQUERADE," a production of The Phantom of the Opera, at 218 West 57th Street in New York City.
  • Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
    • Hosts themed social and networking events across New York City
      Plans and executes diverse public and private events including the Rooftop Rosé Soirée, Sonsie Summer Solstice Celebration, The Wimbledon Court-Central Park, and Tribeca Gallery Night 2026, featuring food, drinks, music, art, and community engagement.
  • Uncategorized 4 activities
    • Hosts specialized cultural events celebrating Japanese ingredients and traditions
      Organized the Yuzu Buzz event, a one-day cultural celebration featuring yuzu-inspired food, drinks (including over 20 types of yuzu beverages), calligraphy by artist Taisan, on-site portrait drawing, and a VIP wagashi-making workshop.
    • Hosts weekly immersive art and scent experiences in Manhattan
      Hosts Hazy Blue Happy Hour, a weekly event at ELOREA’s New York flagship store that combines modern Korean perfumery with art for an immersive sensory experience.
    • Organizes curated marketplace and lifestyle events in the Hamptons
      Co-hosts The Hamptons Bazaar and similar curated marketplace events in Bridgehampton, NY, featuring brands in fashion, beauty, wellness, and lifestyle.
    • Provides subscriber-exclusive access and curated product content
      Offers newsletter subscribers early access to events, exclusive invitations, handpicked gifts from premier brands, and curated content highlighting artisan products and editor-selected discoveries.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$37K
Contributions & grants$2K6%
Program service revenue$11K30%
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$36K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$1K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$1K
1 years on record · 2023–2023
relationships · 50

Who they work with

  • 914 Pop-Ups Partner — Co-hosts The Hamptons Bazaar curated marketplace event.
  • 914 Pop-Ups Partner — Co-hosts The Hamptons Bazaar with Upstairs NYC.
  • Akira Hiratsuka Partner — Created exclusive yuzu-miso salmon and US Wagyu onigiri for the event.
  • Audio-Technica Partner — Hosted the event at TECHNICA HOUSE, Audio-Technica’s space in SoHo that celebrates Japanese aesthetic and analog audio culture.
  • Brooklyn Kura Partner — Co-created a special Yuzushu with Japan Village for the event.
  • City Harvest Partner — Recipient of donated proceeds from Upstairs NYC's Spring Gala 2024 to support sustainability and environmental awareness.
  • Diamond Dogs Partner — Created special Heart Lemon and yuzu cocktails for the Yuzu Buzz event.
  • ELOREA Partner — Hosts the Hazy Blue Happy Hour event at its New York flagship store in partnership with Upstairs NYC.
  • ELOREA Partner — Hosts the Hazy Blue Happy Hour immersive scent and art event at its New York flagship store.
  • Ehime Prefecture Partner — Brought yuzu products and team members to the Yuzu Buzz event for U.S. debut.
  • Elly’s Pastry Partner — Created a special collaboration menu with yuzu almond bar and yuzu focaccia for the event.
  • Emi Tachibana Partner — Leads the Furoshiki workshop at SAKE-CON, teaching traditional Japanese fabric wrapping techniques.
  • GROWNYC Partner — Recipient of donated proceeds from Upstairs NYC's Spring Gala 2024 to support sustainability and environmental awareness.
  • Hamptons Social Partner — Co-hosts The Hamptons Bazaar curated marketplace event.
  • Hamptons Social Partner — Co-hosts The Hamptons Bazaar, a curated marketplace in Bridgehampton.
  • Izak Zenou Partner — Collaborated with illustrator Izak Zenou for exclusive event merchandise and in-person appearance at SAKE-CON NYC.
  • Japan Village Partner — Co-hosts the SAKECON NYC event with Upstairs NYC at Industry City in Brooklyn.
  • Japan Village Partner — Collaborated on a special Yuzushu with Brooklyn Kura for the event.
  • KANKITSU LABO Partner — Provided Japanese citrus-based products for the event.
  • KUU Ramen Partner — Offered limited-time yuzu pepper poke and yuzu mayonnaise bun at the event.
  • Kankitsu Labo Partner — Co-presented the Yuzu Buzz event with Upstairs NYC.
  • Kato Sake Works Partner — Collaborated on a Brooklyn-made sake using Kawakami yuzu for the event.
  • Keiko Fukuda Partner — Provided original hand-drawn portraits at the Yuzu Buzz event.
  • Keki Partner — Provided purple-themed treats, including ube cakes and bouncy cheesecakes, for the Purple Soiree event.
  • Kochi Prefecture Partner — Featured authentic yuzu products from Kochi at the Yuzu Buzz event.
  • Kuramoto Ice Partner — Supplied premium clear ice for cocktails at the Purple Soiree event.
  • Lady M Partner — Collaborated with Lady M for free sampling of Dassai Blue Sake Mille Crêpes at SAKE-CON NYC.
  • Lady M Partner — Sponsored mille crêpes cake samples at the Spring Gala 2024 event.
  • Laura Giannini Partner — Performed an electric violin set at the Purple Soiree event.
  • Le Moné Partner — Featured an all-natural citrus apéritif at the Yuzu Buzz event.
+ 20 more
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Community-Driven Cultural Programming Without Corporate Influence
    methodology: community-driven_programming
    By avoiding corporate sponsorship in favor of grassroots organizing and donor support, the organization maintains artistic independence and authenticity, because financial independence from commercial interests preserves the integrity and mission focus of cultural programming.
  • Immersive Cultural Experience Model
    methodology: cultural_immersion
    By creating multisensory, site-specific cultural events centered on traditions like sake and yuzu, the organization fosters deeper appreciation and authentic community connections, because embodied, experiential engagement strengthens cultural understanding more than passive observation.
  • Immersive Storytelling Through Theater and Environment
    methodology: immersive_theater
    By staging narrative-driven, immersive theater in physical environments tied to the story, the organization increases audience engagement and emotional impact, because spatial and sensory immersion transforms passive viewers into active participants in the experience.