The Gaits High Line Soundwalk
The holiday season just isn't the same without music, and this holiday you can join in and be a part of the festive atmosphere by experiencing The Gaits - a High Line Soundwalk. Put on by Make Music New York, this unique event is scheduled for 5pm on December 21, and will see you and a group of like-minded folks gathering at the Southern end of the High Line, before trekking north on a unique musical walk. Using your smartphone, an event-specific, and a small portable speaker, you'll become an instrument yourself, creating a symphony of twinkling sounds, guitar chords, dulcimer strikes, splashes, horns, and applause, simply by walking — and so will everyone else walking with you, creating a one-of-a-kind communal holiday musical experience.
Pouring Ribbons
Unless you're a hardcore cocktail nerd, one of the most difficult parts of ordering a complex drink is understanding how the ingredients work together — and what they taste like. Pouring Ribbons makes it easy. This second-floor East Village bar — created by the minds behind such well-regarded watering holes as The Violet Hour and Bradstreet Craftshouse — uses a simple set of scales to give you a clue as to each drink's personality. Less boozy, more accessible drinks will have their markers placed closer to "refreshing" and "comforting", while wilder, more potent concoctions lean towards "spiritous" and "adventurous". The bartenders are more than happy to help out with recommendations — be sure to ask about their Chartreuse collection — and the atmosphere strikes a good balance between inviting and overly dim, making it an ideal place to begin or end your night.
Turntable Lab
Opened in 2001, Turntable Lab isn't just a store — it's a destination for DJs and music lovers alike. Set in the East Village, this tiny store offers an excellent of turntables (of course), speakers, and other audio equipment, as well as a vast collection of vinyl, ranging from new releases to undisputed classics. Having trouble making a decision on your purchase? Not to worry, as the store also boasts some of the most knowledgeable staff around. Oh, and be sure to keep your eyes open for well-known musicians — after all, they have to shop somewhere, too.
Sneaker Con
Odds are you might have trouble if you're looking for boat shoes or wing tips, but if all you want are sneakers, Sneaker Con is the place to go. This occasional event is the premiere gathering for buying, selling, or trading hard-to-find footwear. The latest installment is scheduled for Saturday, November 23 at Basketball City, and will no doubt play host to thousands of sneaker connoisseurs and an even higher number of actual shoes. And don't worry if you can't make it to this one — there are already Cons scheduled for Houston and New Orleans in the coming months.
Do Hwa
Quentin Tarantino's love of all things Asian is well-known and obvious to anyone who's every watched his films — so it's no surprise that he'd be a co-owner of a Korean restaurant. Do Hwa is its name, it's located in the West Village, offers delivery, and features a modern interior that would serve as a fine backdrop to a samurai or kung-fu throwdown. The menu includes plenty of Bibimbop options, as well as spicy favorites like the Duk Boki and a barbecue menu featuring rib-eye, short ribs, and pork belly. The drink menu is also solid, with a selection of wines, draught and bottled beers, Korean spirits, and a cocktail menu with names like "The Flying Bicycle" and "Battle Royale" — sadly, Mr. Blue is no longer listed, although we hear they'll still mix you one up if you ask nicely.
Clover Club
In an area that's filled with great choices for drinking and dining, it truly means something to be one of the best. And rest assured, the Clover Club is among the top options not just in the borough, but in the whole city. Named after a group of Philly journalists who met monthly at the Bellevue Hotel, the Clover exudes the feel of an intimate club, with a laid-back atmosphere that makes both regulars and newbies alike feel at home. The food is very good, but the real draw here is the cocktails, which range from the familiar to the exotic but each of which is crafted with all the care one can muster. Our recommendation? Grab a seat, settle in, and prepare to be here a while — after you've had your first sip, you'll want to try more than just one.
Strand Book Store
We're not sure what constitues a mile of books — there's several ways you could calculate that — but we are sure that when the Strand Book Store says they have 18 miles of books, they're mean a lot. Opened in 1927 and still owned by the same family, this Greenwich Village is the only remaining survivor of the city's previously thriving Book Row. Inside, you'll find over 2.5 million new, used, rare, and out-of-print books, covering topics as diverse as cooking and the occult. With a friendly, knowledgeable staff and good prices, it's a must-see for any bookworm.
Buffalo Boss
Given his reputation for enjoying the finer things in life, you might be a little surprised to find out that one of Jay-Z's favorite spots in NYC is a simple wing place. Yet that's the case with Buffalo Boss, a Brooklyn-based joint that's tiny in size but big on flavor. As with any quality wing purveyor, the Boss offers a variety of sauces, ranging from the subdued Mild and Honey BBQ all the way up to F.I.T.H. (Fire In The Hole) and the scorching N'Sinerator. Wings, tenders, wraps, salads, and fries make up the bulk of the menu, but should you start to feel bad about your grease intake, you can at least rest easy knowing they use organic and hormone-free wings.
Crest Hardware & Urban Garden Center
You'd expect to find an old-timey hardware store in middle America — but not in one of the hippest spots in the country. In business for 50 years, the Crest Hardware & Urban Garden Center is a family-owned hardware store in the heart of Williamsburg. In addition to offering nearly everything under the sun, from flowers and paint to plumbing and electrical, the store also plays host to Crestfest, a Summer festival celebrating art, community, and life. Oh, and be sure to ask if Franklin — the store's pet pig — is in when you stop by, and be sure to go out back and say hello if he is.
Harry's Corner Shop
We know they know their stuff when it comes to shaving, but it turns out that Harry's has plans on caring for more than just the hair on your face. Harry's Corner Shop is a new neighborhood destination from the same guys, featuring talented, friendly barbers experienced in dishing out quality haircuts, shaves, and banter, as well as a carefully considered selection of essential man stuff like Makr leather goods, Geneva speakers, Trusco toolboxes, and Sleepy Jones boxers. Oh, and of course, all the Harry's shaving products you could ever need.
Fellow Barber
A great barbershop should be more than just a place to get your haircut. The guys behind Fellow Barber agree. Founded by former motorcycle racer Sam Buffa, this small chain of shops was started on the Lower East Side of NYC as a place for men to come and "discuss sports, politics, and culture while getting a haircut or shave." Indeed, that's what the shop — originally called F.S.C. Barber — was, and what it continues to be, with uniquely designed outposts in the West Village, SoHo, Williamsburg, and San Francisco's Mission District. Along with haircuts, trims, and shaves, be sure to browse the selection of grooming products from the likes of Baxter of California, Malin + Goetz, MCMC Fragrances, and others.
Renegade Craft Fair
At most markets, you're lucky to find a handful of stands offering interesting handmade goods. At the Renegade Craft Fair, you'll find nothing but. Held every Summer and Winter in Austin, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and London — and with upcoming dates scheduled in all six cities — this curated independent craft marketplace features a huge array of goods from talented artisans, spanning everything from clothes and jewelry to furniture, lighting, and artwork. Food and drink will likely be on offer as well, so all you really need to bring is yourself — and your wallet.
