Best bites of the Apple
First published in 9TO5 magazine, Oct ‘05
Forget the Lonely Planet, here are five must-sees the tour guides won’t take you to in New York City.
Finding something fun to do in New York City is like searching for a needle in a haystack made up entirely of needles. The only problem is, which needle does one pick? The choices are endless, and quite frankly overwhelming. New York City prides itself on sensory overload. It’s a city constantly trying to kill you to let you know you are alive. If you’re planning a trip to the big apple, the two things that you’re going to start hemorrhaging as soon as you step off at JFK are time and money, and in New York no one is sure which is more highly valued. There are a lot of things to spend your money on, and there’s no time to lose not spending it. Now any old schmuck can pat you on the fanny and point you in the direction of the Empire State Building, Central Park, the Statue Of Liberty, and while iconic staples like these should not be overlooked, for a really unique experience you’re going to need some local knowledge – and not everyone has a native New Yorker in their back pocket. Until now. Eh watch it pal, I’m walkin’ here! Taxi!
Love Saves The Day
119 2nd Ave
Down on the Lower East Side sits Love Saves The Day, a memorabilia mecca dedicated to archiving every single piece of western pop culture in recent memory and sticking a price tag on it. Every square inch is taken up with 70s action figures, 50s lunch boxes, treasured artifacts from every fad for every child who to this day refuses to grow up. From floor to ceiling, it’s like a Piñata donkey stuffed with pop culture antiques exploded one day, and no one’s been bothered to clean it up. Everything is of interest, and everything is for sale. But be prepared to pay for it: these guys know the price of your childhood dreams and they’re more than happy to hold them to ransom. You either let it lie in your happy memories, or barter for it at Love Saves The Day.
Teany
90 Rivington St btwn Ludlow & Orchard
One thing that’s bound to happen in Manhattan is that you’re going to eat. A lot. Food is literally everywhere on the island. Leave your mouth open as you walk down 9th Ave and you’ll probably inhale a three-course meal. One of the better places to avoid expanding the waistline too much is Teany, a very friendly, very cool vegetarian café co-owned by dance music guru Moby. Moby and his business partner Kelly love tea, some may say a little too much considering there are actually around 96 varieties on offer. Don’t tell your nan, her head will probably fall off with excitement. But the best thing about Teany is that you don’t feel like you’re in a “vegetarians only” speakeasy. The menu is really just a backdrop for a great place to relax and let the hustle of the city pass you by.
Sound Fix
110 Bedford Ave, Williamsburg
www.soundfixrecords.com
Time to head off the island for some perspective. Take the L train across to Brooklyn, not only to witness the amazing skyline that has been dwarfing you so far, but also to hit upon a truly great record store. While record stores in New York are a dime a dozen, Sound Fix on Williamsburg’s ever-trendy Bedford Ave is the ultimate pusher for addicted record buyers. The warm red glow of it’s interior attracts with a womb like comfort, and once you’re in the grip you’ll get contractions by even thinking of leaving. Indie, pop, beats, reggae, whatever your fix – and if you’ve heard of half the bands in their racks you really need some intervention from your music addiction.
Beacon’s Closet
88 N11th St, Brooklyn
www.beaconscloset.com
If you think Sydney has vintage clothing sussed – fuggedaboudit. While you’re in Brooklyn make sure you stop by Beacon’s Closet, an enormous vintage clothing store not so much resembling a closet as an aeroplane hanger. Whether you’re looking for clothes for guys, girls, or guys who like to dress like girls, Beacon’s Closet has pretty much has the pre-loved market cornered. This is the place rock stars go to shape their next new look. Where fashion designers head for inspiration. Where you can be an individual and not spend an absolute fortune on the pursuit. It’s a fashion merry go round, which era you get off at is entirely up to you.
Siberia
356 W40th St btwn 8th and 9th
No doubt it’s getting late in the day and your thirst for shopping and eating is bound to be replaced with drinking and dancing. Unlike Sydney, New York is not so interested in “super clubs”. Diversity is lauded over convergence, and a good night out is made up more out of the sum of numerous bars than one mega-plex all-in-one dance party. Back in Manhattan, Siberia is one such stop-off. This is the ultimate “blink and you’ll miss it” underground bar – it’s entrance is noted only by a single red light shining dimly over a beaten metal door, and the interior does little to up the ante. The furniture is dilapidated, there’s more graffiti in the bar than in the alley outside, and everyone’s having the time of their lives. In Siberia not a lot is of concern, apart from two things of which you will be reminded upon entry: “no cussin’ and no trying to pick up the ladies”. Fair enough, let’s get drunk.