Guidebook for New York
Drinks & Places to drink them
From quiet speakeasy to loud sing alongs, this list is full of every kind of watering hole.
A trendy speakeasy located in the basement of a fun sports bar. Get a cocktail and enjoy the people watching!
6 locals recommend
Sugar East
1125 1st Ave.A trendy speakeasy located in the basement of a fun sports bar. Get a cocktail and enjoy the people watching!
$10 tickets to hilarious shows where many famous comedians got their start
81 locals recommend
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
555 W 42nd St$10 tickets to hilarious shows where many famous comedians got their start
The best gay bar you've ever been to. Incredibly talented wait staff serves up sass and songs to accompany the piano player. Two drink minimum and guaranteed good time. Go early, it's a small bar and fills up fast on weekends.
36 locals recommend
Brandy's Piano Bar
235 E 84th StThe best gay bar you've ever been to. Incredibly talented wait staff serves up sass and songs to accompany the piano player. Two drink minimum and guaranteed good time. Go early, it's a small bar and fills up fast on weekends.
Reservations only upscale cocktail bar. A gorgeous speakeasy with a 1920's mobster vibe.
14 locals recommend
Garfunkel's
67 Clinton StReservations only upscale cocktail bar. A gorgeous speakeasy with a 1920's mobster vibe.
Other Half Brewing Company
195 Centre StGreat IPAs and a fun place to spend an afternoon
German Restaurant with a funny twist. October-May it's a quirky Christmas themed bar. I designate it a drinks and nightlife place because it is best known for its Holiday beverages and great beer list
17 locals recommend
Rolf's
281 3rd AveGerman Restaurant with a funny twist. October-May it's a quirky Christmas themed bar. I designate it a drinks and nightlife place because it is best known for its Holiday beverages and great beer list
17th Century style cozy bar with live jazz, snacks, and truly amazing cocktails
15 locals recommend
Le Boudoir
135 Atlantic Ave17th Century style cozy bar with live jazz, snacks, and truly amazing cocktails
Death & Company
433 E 6th StCool speakeasy with great drinks
Grand Banks
Creative high end cocktails on a boat docked on the river
Artsy & Cultural Endeavors
Tour my personal favorites in the Arts & Culture space- the places I take my own friends and family when they come to visit.
can't miss collection. the sunsets are GREAT on the roof and you can even enjoy a cocktail after a long visit
2653 locals recommend
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th Avecan't miss collection. the sunsets are GREAT on the roof and you can even enjoy a cocktail after a long visit
Heavy subject matter but important history and a well done memorial
26 locals recommend
9/11 Tribute Museum
92 Greenwich StHeavy subject matter but important history and a well done memorial
Commemorates the heroes of the day, and communicates the gravity of what New York experienced on that tragic day
24 locals recommend
9/11 Memorial & Museum
180 Greenwich StreetCommemorates the heroes of the day, and communicates the gravity of what New York experienced on that tragic day
the 3 story former mansion of Henry Clay Frick featuring European Masters like Vermeer and Rembrandt. Pay as you wish Wednesday from 2PM-5PM fill up quickly so go early.
307 locals recommend
Frick Collection
1 E 70th Stthe 3 story former mansion of Henry Clay Frick featuring European Masters like Vermeer and Rembrandt. Pay as you wish Wednesday from 2PM-5PM fill up quickly so go early.
An aesthetically pleasing museum building with a focus on living artists. It claims to have an unsurpassed collection of modern and contemporary American art. Founded by an American sculpture and member of the famous Vanderbilt family, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. Located right by the High Line.
884 locals recommend
Salmagundi Museum of American Art
An aesthetically pleasing museum building with a focus on living artists. It claims to have an unsurpassed collection of modern and contemporary American art. Founded by an American sculpture and member of the famous Vanderbilt family, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. Located right by the High Line.
Incredible, real skeletons of dinosaurs and interesting rotating exhibitions. One of the largest museums in the world.
35 locals recommend
81 Street-Museum of Natural History Station
Incredible, real skeletons of dinosaurs and interesting rotating exhibitions. One of the largest museums in the world.
Sights Worth Seeing
The touristy spots I enjoy even when I don't have friends in town.
a railway trestle converted to a walking park. Absolutely beautiful
119 locals recommend
The High Line
a railway trestle converted to a walking park. Absolutely beautiful
Don't miss the gorgeously painted ceiling of the main terminal (with the signs of the zodiac), the whisper wall, the largest Tiffany's clock in the world, and the historic Campbell Apartment (now a wonderful cocktail bar)
8 locals recommend
Grand Central Station
East 41st StreetDon't miss the gorgeously painted ceiling of the main terminal (with the signs of the zodiac), the whisper wall, the largest Tiffany's clock in the world, and the historic Campbell Apartment (now a wonderful cocktail bar)
Restaurant from the movie! Definitely need reservations to enjoy the famous frozen hot chocolate.
123 locals recommend
Serendipity 3
225 E 60th StRestaurant from the movie! Definitely need reservations to enjoy the famous frozen hot chocolate.
A stunning transportation hub and shopping area built near One World Trade Center.
14 locals recommend
The Oculus
A stunning transportation hub and shopping area built near One World Trade Center.
Wonderful sailing trips around Manhattan. Options include Jazz or sunset tours.
6 locals recommend
Clipper City Tall Ship - Operated by Manhattan By Sail
89 South StreetWonderful sailing trips around Manhattan. Options include Jazz or sunset tours.
A design marvel with incredible views of the city skyline. A historic landmark and a classic NYC photo spot. Walk over to Brooklyn and enjoy the park on the other side!
1505 locals recommend
Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge PromenadeA design marvel with incredible views of the city skyline. A historic landmark and a classic NYC photo spot. Walk over to Brooklyn and enjoy the park on the other side!
Unique Shopping Experiences
These places will pique your interest and take your money. Proceed with curiosity and caution and pray your suitcase will close at the end of the trip.
The flagship store is beautifully decorated for every season and is actually the largest in the world with gorgeous antique escalators
696 locals recommend
Macy's
151 W 34th StThe flagship store is beautifully decorated for every season and is actually the largest in the world with gorgeous antique escalators
a modern shopping experience with a mix of boutiques, eateries, and outdoor spaces
1123 locals recommend
Chelsea Market
75 9th Avea modern shopping experience with a mix of boutiques, eateries, and outdoor spaces
Only open on select weekend dates, but a GEM of a local shopping experience. The lamp in the guest room was purchased here!
10 locals recommend
Green Flea Market
100 W 77th StOnly open on select weekend dates, but a GEM of a local shopping experience. The lamp in the guest room was purchased here!
Terrific thrift store famous around New York for on trend modern and vintage pieces at a wide range of prices.
454 locals recommend
Beacon's Closet
74 Guernsey StTerrific thrift store famous around New York for on trend modern and vintage pieces at a wide range of prices.
Upscale, curated vintage with a flair for all things camp. Find incredible deals on couture and ready to wear looks.
9 locals recommend
Screaming Mimi's
240 West 14th StreetUpscale, curated vintage with a flair for all things camp. Find incredible deals on couture and ready to wear looks.
Tax free outlet shopping in New Jersey- super close to the city and connected directly by bus.
227 locals recommend
The Mills at Jersey Gardens
651 Kapkowski RdTax free outlet shopping in New Jersey- super close to the city and connected directly by bus.
Housing Works Thrift Shop
245 West 10th StreetGreat thrift supporting an amazing cause
Food Scene: Upper East Side
Walkable food moments just a few blocks from the apartment
Americana fair with a nice happy hour and delicious French fries. Several locations around the city
137 locals recommend
5 Napkin Burger
630 9th AveAmericana fair with a nice happy hour and delicious French fries. Several locations around the city
Americana fare with eco friendly commitment. Several locations around the city
465 locals recommend
Bareburger
33-21 31st AveAmericana fare with eco friendly commitment. Several locations around the city
Pig Heaven
1420 3rd AveOne of a kind Chinese spot with shareable portions. Try the pancakes and the duck!
Old Fashioned Sweets Store featuring cookies, candies, and ice cream. Delicious vegan options. One of a kind.
36 locals recommend
The Supply House
1647 2nd AvenueOld Fashioned Sweets Store featuring cookies, candies, and ice cream. Delicious vegan options. One of a kind.
Vietnamese/French fusion- awesome small plates and sharable mains (very generous portions on all their large plates). Absolutely stunning decor and atmosphere.
8 locals recommend
Le Colonial
149 E 57th StVietnamese/French fusion- awesome small plates and sharable mains (very generous portions on all their large plates). Absolutely stunning decor and atmosphere.
fast casual- organic salads and hot grain bowls. Free delivery through Seamless. Locations all over the city
130 locals recommend
sweetgreen
162 N 4th Stfast casual- organic salads and hot grain bowls. Free delivery through Seamless. Locations all over the city
24-7 Grocery store with a deli and great to-go options. Locations all over the city.
142 locals recommend
Morton Williams Supermarkets
130 Bleecker St24-7 Grocery store with a deli and great to-go options. Locations all over the city.
Best bagels in Manhattan! No seating, casual hole-in-the-wall experience. Highly recommend the everything bagel with cucumber dill cream cheese and lox. Don't worry if there's a long line- during peak hours they have 5 cashiers and it moves really fast. One of a kind spot.
20 locals recommend
Bagelworks
1229 1st Ave.Best bagels in Manhattan! No seating, casual hole-in-the-wall experience. Highly recommend the everything bagel with cucumber dill cream cheese and lox. Don't worry if there's a long line- during peak hours they have 5 cashiers and it moves really fast. One of a kind spot.
Absolutely delicious Thai food. Gorgeous atmosphere, tiny one of a kind local spot, and a friendly staff. Free delivery to the apartment with Seamless
58 locals recommend
Up Thai
1411 2nd AveAbsolutely delicious Thai food. Gorgeous atmosphere, tiny one of a kind local spot, and a friendly staff. Free delivery to the apartment with Seamless
A local roaster with delicious coffee. Buy a pound and they'll treat you to a drink. Several locations around the city
237 locals recommend
Oslo Coffee Roasters
328 Bedford AveA local roaster with delicious coffee. Buy a pound and they'll treat you to a drink. Several locations around the city
Scrumptious small plates and a great seasonal menu. Get the garlic shrimp and relax with their house made sangria or craft cocktail. Several locations around the city.
117 locals recommend
Boqueria
1460 2nd AveScrumptious small plates and a great seasonal menu. Get the garlic shrimp and relax with their house made sangria or craft cocktail. Several locations around the city.
Texmex and great margaritas. The grilled chicken salad is the best I've ever eaten. One of a kind location.
52 locals recommend
Two Lizards Mexican Bar and Grill
1365 1st Ave.Texmex and great margaritas. The grilled chicken salad is the best I've ever eaten. One of a kind location.
New American with delicious cocktails and steaks, and fabulous brunch. Several locations around the city.
103 locals recommend
The Smith
956 2nd AveNew American with delicious cocktails and steaks, and fabulous brunch. Several locations around the city.
Sarabeth's
381 Park Avenue SouthAbsolutely scrumptious brunch.
Drinks: Rooftop Bars
Drinking on the roof is a favorite pastime in this city (particularly enjoyable in late Spring and early Fall). Enjoy a beverage (or two!) with a view
Gardenlike and trendy with tons of seating on top of a historic haunted hotel. During the winter, this rooftop bar is heated and still open
75 locals recommend
Gallow Green
542 W 27th StGardenlike and trendy with tons of seating on top of a historic haunted hotel. During the winter, this rooftop bar is heated and still open
Classy and cool with a dress code. This bar has incredible views of the city and delicious, upscale drinks
7 locals recommend
The Standard, High Line
848 Washington StreetClassy and cool with a dress code. This bar has incredible views of the city and delicious, upscale drinks
A gorgeous rooftop garden overlooking the High Line. Delicious late night food and a great happy hour
32 locals recommend
The Park
A gorgeous rooftop garden overlooking the High Line. Delicious late night food and a great happy hour
Upscale sports bar with multiple levels and a roof deck. Also great happy hour and dancing
37 locals recommend
Tonic East
411 3rd AveUpscale sports bar with multiple levels and a roof deck. Also great happy hour and dancing
Drinks: & Dancing
NYC has a history of strange cabaret laws that cause most bars to avoid having a dance floor. These are the exception- loud and fun you are more than welcome to shake your moneymaker at these spots.
Marquee New York
289 10th AveCool, spacious multi-level nightclub with oldies and new music
1 Oak NYC
453 W 17th Sta fancier nightclub with fun dancing
Mercury Lounge
217 E Houston StSmall music venue with indie headliners
Hair Of The Dog
168 Orchard StLoud, cheap bar with fun dancing that gets crazy late at night
From quiet speakeasy to loud sing alongs, this list is full of every kind of watering hole
107 locals recommend
Webster Hall
125 E 11th StFrom quiet speakeasy to loud sing alongs, this list is full of every kind of watering hole