Photo by Gail

For two weeks in June, Grillo’s Pickles brought a burst of vinegary joy to Manhattan’s Lower East Side with PickLES NYC, a limited-time pop-up experience at 2 Rivington Street. Running from June 6th through June 21st, the event transformed the storefront into a pickle lover’s paradise — complete with exclusive snacks, art installations, merch drops, and one truly unforgettable attraction: a kiddie ride shaped like a giant pickle with a saddle on it.

The pop-up dished out free samples of both classic and experimental pickle products, including pickled grapes, asparagus, garlic, and Grillo’s cult-favorite Pickle de Gallo. Select days featured complimentary food collabs with vendors like 7th Street Burger, DM Dinners, and Island Creek Oysters, drawing crowds eager for a salty snack fix. Inside the space, visitors could explore a plush pickle wall by John Scharbach and a colorful mural by artist Jon Burgerman, both designed for optimal selfie potential. Limited-edition apparel and accessories created in collaboration with indie designers made this a hot spot for collectors and streetwear fans alike.

But the true star of the show sat just outside: a giant, green Kiddie Ride in the shape of a pickle — saddle included. The ride was free to all who could fit in its saddle, quickly becoming the unofficial mascot of the pop-up. Kids climbed aboard with glee, while adults couldn’t resist snapping photos or taking a turn for the ‘gram. The pickle ride perfectly encapsulated the pop-up’s playful, all-ages vibe and gave fans a literal way to ride the pickle.

Grillo’s PickLES NYC waa an immersive, tongue-in-cheek celebration of all things brined, where you could taste, wear, admire, and even ride the brand’s crunchy, dill-packed world.