Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Fraunces Tavern, New York City’s oldest & most historic bar and restaurant.
Fraunces Tavern, New York City’s oldest & most historic bar and restaurant. Fraunces Tavern, which is housed in a National Landmark building on Pearl Street near the South Street Seaport, played a very important role in USA’s history, serving as headquarters for George Washington & after the American War of Independence ended, the Tavern hosted a dinner on December 4, 1783 for George Washington where he bade farewell to the officers of the Continental Army in the building’s Long Room.
Let us know if you have visited @frauncestavern & @frauncestavernmuseum which we feature in our new book “Great Bars of New York City” as it is popular among tourists but often overlooked by New Yorkers.
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Sunday, September 6, 2026
Ergot Records is one of the fabulous New York City indie record stores which we feature in our book “Vinyl NYC: 33 1/3 of the Best Record Stores Across All Five Boroughs”.
Ergot Records on 32 East 2nd St between 2nd Ave & the Bowery was founded in 2021 and is one of the fabulous New York City indie record stores which we feature in our book “Vinyl NYC: 33 1/3 of the Best Record Stores Across All Five Boroughs”.
Ergot specializes in secondhand vinyl as well as a limited number of new and reissued records, in a variety of genres including punk, jazz, disco, hip-hop, salsa, and house with a concentration on experimental music. Small tables outside the shop daily sell LPs for $1 and up and crates inside along the floor also sell $1 and up vinyl. Bobby Watlington is an Ergot Records Customer.
Friday, September 4, 2026
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Please Don’t Tell (PDT), East Village, NYC
Please Don’t Tell (PDT) is hidden behind a vintage telephone booth within the East Village hot dog shop, Crif Dogs on St Mark’s Place.
When PDT opened in 2007, it was among the first bars inspired by the infamous Prohibition era, when bars operated in secret to avoid discovery by the law. Its unmarked entry drew in curious drinkers but it also soon became known globally for its cocktail menu using fresh ingredients & measured pours to make classic drinks like Old Fashioneds, Manhattans and Daquiries.
PDT @pdtnyc with its taxidermy-adorned walls, handful of tables and only 15 seats at the bar, is one of the bars we feature in our new book “Great Bars of New York City” which is available at your local bookseller and online worldwide.
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Monday, August 31, 2026
Record Shop at 360 Van Brunt Street in Red Hook, Brooklyn
Record Shop at 360 Van Brunt Street in Red Hook, Brooklyn is a true NYC hidden in plain sight gem.
It’s known by locals as equal parts community space and record store and although it’s been open for 10 years, owner Bene Coopersmith never formerly gave the shop a name, just calling it simply “Record Shop”.
@360recordshop is one of the fabulous NYC indie record stores which we feature in our book “Vinyl NYC: 33 1/3 of the Best Record Stores Across All Five Boroughs” which is available at your local bookseller and online!
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Lanza's, in the East Village, NYC
Lanza's, in the East Village, NYC, is reported to have been a favorite #Italian 
restaurant of the Genovese, Bonanno and Gambino crime families. 
In 1993, Woody Allen used the restaurant to film a scene for his movie "Manhattan Murder Mystery.
We love its #vintage stained glass windows and #sign. Sadly, the restaurant has been closed for a while and its status is uncertain. Photo appears in our book "Store Front NYC: Photographs of the City's Independent Shops, Past and Present."
Friday, August 28, 2026
Tim Curry, the flamboyant actor who famously portrayed Dr. Frank -N-Furter in the cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” sadly passed away on August 25th at the age of 80. We loved spotting the tribute “Sleep Well Dr Frank N Furter” on the overhanging signage at the vegetarian restaurant Superiority Burger yesterday.
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Fanelli Cafe
Fanelli Cafe on Prince Street in SoHo is not only the city’s second-longest continuously operating drinking establishment dating back to 1847 but it has a long mahogany bar, which runs almost the length of the narrow front room where you can eat a very reasonably priced breakfast, lunch or dinner. For example two eggs 
& bacon served with fries, salad or toast is $16 and a B.L.T. & Fries is $18.
& bacon served with fries, salad or toast is $16 and a B.L.T. & Fries is $18. We feature Fanelli’s in our book “Great Bars of New York City” which is available in booksellers and online worldwide.
Let us know if you have visited Fanelli’s and eaten at its bar!
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
If you are looking for Dolly Parton vinyl to remember her by, Deep Cuts has a large selection.
Deep Cuts Record Store was founded in 2012 by Brandon Perry and John Allen. Although the shop, located on a quiet side street in Ridgewood, Queens is small in size, it carries an eclectic and wide mix of used vinyl and select new releases.
An alter dedicated to Selena and a large framed portrait of Dolly Parton (R.I.P.) can be found hanging on the wall over the register, along with unique ephemera.
If you are looking for Dolly Parton vinyl to remember her by, Deep Cuts has a large selection.
Photo appears in our book "Vinyl NYC: 33 1/3 of the Best Record Stores Across All Five Boroughs" which is available at your local bookseller on online worldwide.
Monday, August 24, 2026
Marietta, Brooklyn
Marietta was a family-owned clothing store in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn which was founded in 1940. We loved its gorgeous signage made of porcelain tiles.
When we interviewed the 2nd-generation owner, Giuseppe Chirico in 2009 he told us that he first started working at the store after he returned home from World War II.“
We included our photo of it in our book “Store Front NYC: Photographs of the City’s Independent Shops, Past and Present” which is available at your local bookseller and online worldwide.
Sunday, August 23, 2026
Saturday, August 22, 2026
P.J. Clarke’s
P.J. Clarke’s is located on the corner of 3rd Ave & 55th Street and has remained virtually unchanged since it opened in 1884.
Singer-songwriter Johnny Mercer wrote his 1943 song “One for My Baby” (and One More for the Road”) on a napkin while seated at the bar.
To see & find out more about its unique history and gorgeous original interior, please check out our book “Great Bars of New York City” at your local bookseller and online.
Let us know if you have been to this historic bar & share your stories with us.
Friday, August 21, 2026
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Deep Cuts Record Store, Ridgewood, Queens
Deep Cuts Record Store although small in size carries an eclectic & wide mix of used vinyl & new vinyl in a variety of genres including Latin rock, salsa, reggaeton, classic rock and pop. This Ridgewood, Queens shop was founded in 2012 by Colombian American Brandon Perry & John Allen and is known for its self-described “Warhol Rasta banana” logo & its handwritten dividers, some with cleverly-named categories, helping organize the vinyl swipe.
@deepcutsrecordstore is one of the fabulous NYC indie record stores which we feature in our new book “Vinyl NYC: 33 1/3 of the Best Record Stores Across All Five Boroughs”. Our book is available at your local bookseller and online today.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
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