[OT] What to do in NY
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timbreland
- Posts: 203
- Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2008 1:47 am
Williamsburg is hipper-than-thou and you just have to laugh at it sometimes. But if you're from out of town its definitely a fun place to hang - I'm not so sure the OP needs to be sent on a tour of Puerto Rican neighborhoods that haven't lost their soul - he probably just wants some good eats and pretty girls and Williamsburg has both IMHO. Get a burger or pulled pork sandwich at DuMont on Bedford. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
My favorite tip is the Upright Citizen's Brigade improv show on 26th and 8th Ave on Sunday nights - the late show is free but you have to wait for tickets really early. Its can funny as hell and they sell beer - Amy Poehler from SNL usually runs it.
My favorite tip is the Upright Citizen's Brigade improv show on 26th and 8th Ave on Sunday nights - the late show is free but you have to wait for tickets really early. Its can funny as hell and they sell beer - Amy Poehler from SNL usually runs it.
MacBook Pro; Live 8 Suite, Reaktor; '77 Fender Jazz Bass; Apogee One;
I was born and raised in NYC. I still live in NYC.
No one is more annoyed by the hipster migration than myself. Gentrification has ruined what NYC use to be. Manhattan is really just becoming a NYU college town now. The outer burroughs are becoming post-grad settlements. NYC is not nearly as culturally or ethnically diverse as it use to be. It is even less diverse when it comes to socio-economic status.
As to the comments about whether Hipsters are talented or interesting people. I think its stoopid to make any sort of judgement on people based on the way they look or dress. I know people who have the hipster look are who are boring as fuck and I've met hipster people who are actually very talented and interesting. Its just the same way when you meet any other social group. Theres dumbasses and there are interesting people.
It is true that the crowds in W'burg have basically become monotonous. Most young people that can afford to live there are trust-fund babies or friends of trust-fund babies who are staying at their friends until they can find residence of their own.
To the original poster. I say yeah check out Williamsburg. There are alot of nice places to eat, shows, bars etc. If you are at all into Hip-Hop I can suggest Triple Crown in Williamsburg. They regularly have DJ's like Evil Dee and Ali Shaheed Mohammad spinning there. But they also usually charge a $5 cover.
If you like walking. I suggest walking across the Williamsburg Bridge instead of the L train. Its a long walk but the view is nice.
Turntable Lab is overpriced. Not a great place to go if you are looking for old vintage rare vinyl and the equipment is overpriced as well.
Guitar Center at Union Square is overpriced. Furthermore, unlike other GC's you cannot bargain or talk your way to a cheaper price. For the most part the prices advertised are what they will charge you.
St. Marks use to be a really cool place to walk through. Now its just gentrified and the stores cater to such. Its become corporate and boring. Kenka is cool if you want cheap beer and annoying bright fluorecent lights in your face. The food kinda sux. For good Japanese food go across the street to "GO."
If you want good Japanese Yakitori check out Taisho or Taisho Too also on St. Mark's
Alphabet City, my neighborhood. Has become gentrified as well. But there are some nice places to eat and a few decent bars. If you like beer check out Hop Devil Grill they have a nice variety of beer from around the world.
Check out Jackson Heights Queens for somewhat of a glimpse of the kind of diversity NYC use to have and is gradually losing. You can also get a good meal in (latin cuisine, Indian, etc)
Korean food go to Korea Town/Way near Herald Sq.
For shopping for clothes n shit go to downtown B'way. If you keep walking down and walk to the east you'll hit NoLiTa some nice places to eat (not dirt cheap but good). Lombardi's is the very first Pizzeria in the United States and they still use a real brick oven (though I always tell people that Arturo's on Houston st. has better pizza). Theres also some small boutiques if you like overpriced clothes.
Touristy things to do:
Highly suggest the Staten Island Ferry for the view. Don't go to Staten Island, its a waste of time. Nothing to see in Shaolin, lots of garbage to smell.
For gear: Check out Armen's. Not the nicest looking store but he has tons of rare gear that you won't see at GC.
Rogue Music is also a decent shop to check out. Its basically in the same building as Armen's. Tho they don't regularly have the rarities that Armen has.
I could go on. lemme know if you wanna know of any specifics to check out in NYC.
No one is more annoyed by the hipster migration than myself. Gentrification has ruined what NYC use to be. Manhattan is really just becoming a NYU college town now. The outer burroughs are becoming post-grad settlements. NYC is not nearly as culturally or ethnically diverse as it use to be. It is even less diverse when it comes to socio-economic status.
As to the comments about whether Hipsters are talented or interesting people. I think its stoopid to make any sort of judgement on people based on the way they look or dress. I know people who have the hipster look are who are boring as fuck and I've met hipster people who are actually very talented and interesting. Its just the same way when you meet any other social group. Theres dumbasses and there are interesting people.
It is true that the crowds in W'burg have basically become monotonous. Most young people that can afford to live there are trust-fund babies or friends of trust-fund babies who are staying at their friends until they can find residence of their own.
To the original poster. I say yeah check out Williamsburg. There are alot of nice places to eat, shows, bars etc. If you are at all into Hip-Hop I can suggest Triple Crown in Williamsburg. They regularly have DJ's like Evil Dee and Ali Shaheed Mohammad spinning there. But they also usually charge a $5 cover.
If you like walking. I suggest walking across the Williamsburg Bridge instead of the L train. Its a long walk but the view is nice.
Turntable Lab is overpriced. Not a great place to go if you are looking for old vintage rare vinyl and the equipment is overpriced as well.
Guitar Center at Union Square is overpriced. Furthermore, unlike other GC's you cannot bargain or talk your way to a cheaper price. For the most part the prices advertised are what they will charge you.
St. Marks use to be a really cool place to walk through. Now its just gentrified and the stores cater to such. Its become corporate and boring. Kenka is cool if you want cheap beer and annoying bright fluorecent lights in your face. The food kinda sux. For good Japanese food go across the street to "GO."
If you want good Japanese Yakitori check out Taisho or Taisho Too also on St. Mark's
Alphabet City, my neighborhood. Has become gentrified as well. But there are some nice places to eat and a few decent bars. If you like beer check out Hop Devil Grill they have a nice variety of beer from around the world.
Check out Jackson Heights Queens for somewhat of a glimpse of the kind of diversity NYC use to have and is gradually losing. You can also get a good meal in (latin cuisine, Indian, etc)
Korean food go to Korea Town/Way near Herald Sq.
For shopping for clothes n shit go to downtown B'way. If you keep walking down and walk to the east you'll hit NoLiTa some nice places to eat (not dirt cheap but good). Lombardi's is the very first Pizzeria in the United States and they still use a real brick oven (though I always tell people that Arturo's on Houston st. has better pizza). Theres also some small boutiques if you like overpriced clothes.
Touristy things to do:
Highly suggest the Staten Island Ferry for the view. Don't go to Staten Island, its a waste of time. Nothing to see in Shaolin, lots of garbage to smell.
For gear: Check out Armen's. Not the nicest looking store but he has tons of rare gear that you won't see at GC.
Rogue Music is also a decent shop to check out. Its basically in the same building as Armen's. Tho they don't regularly have the rarities that Armen has.
I could go on. lemme know if you wanna know of any specifics to check out in NYC.
www.going.com to find events in NY
The best parties are in Brooklyn
Check out McSorley's ale house in manhattan. Awesome place to grab several brews. You get two choices: light and dark, and both are amazing.
The best parties are in Brooklyn
Check out McSorley's ale house in manhattan. Awesome place to grab several brews. You get two choices: light and dark, and both are amazing.
pretty much anytime i see a tohtruck post on the net i'm feelin itTohtruck wrote:I was born and raised in NYC. I still live in NYC.
No one is more annoyed by the hipster migration than myself. Gentrification has ruined what NYC use to be. Manhattan is really just becoming a NYU college town now. The outer burroughs are becoming post-grad settlements. NYC is not nearly as culturally or ethnically diverse as it use to be. It is even less diverse when it comes to socio-economic status.
As to the comments about whether Hipsters are talented or interesting people. I think its stoopid to make any sort of judgement on people based on the way they look or dress. I know people who have the hipster look are who are boring as fuck and I've met hipster people who are actually very talented and interesting. Its just the same way when you meet any other social group. Theres dumbasses and there are interesting people.
It is true that the crowds in W'burg have basically become monotonous. Most young people that can afford to live there are trust-fund babies or friends of trust-fund babies who are staying at their friends until they can find residence of their own.
To the original poster. I say yeah check out Williamsburg. There are alot of nice places to eat, shows, bars etc. If you are at all into Hip-Hop I can suggest Triple Crown in Williamsburg. They regularly have DJ's like Evil Dee and Ali Shaheed Mohammad spinning there. But they also usually charge a $5 cover.
If you like walking. I suggest walking across the Williamsburg Bridge instead of the L train. Its a long walk but the view is nice.
Turntable Lab is overpriced. Not a great place to go if you are looking for old vintage rare vinyl and the equipment is overpriced as well.
Guitar Center at Union Square is overpriced. Furthermore, unlike other GC's you cannot bargain or talk your way to a cheaper price. For the most part the prices advertised are what they will charge you.
St. Marks use to be a really cool place to walk through. Now its just gentrified and the stores cater to such. Its become corporate and boring. Kenka is cool if you want cheap beer and annoying bright fluorecent lights in your face. The food kinda sux. For good Japanese food go across the street to "GO."
If you want good Japanese Yakitori check out Taisho or Taisho Too also on St. Mark's
Alphabet City, my neighborhood. Has become gentrified as well. But there are some nice places to eat and a few decent bars. If you like beer check out Hop Devil Grill they have a nice variety of beer from around the world.
Check out Jackson Heights Queens for somewhat of a glimpse of the kind of diversity NYC use to have and is gradually losing. You can also get a good meal in (latin cuisine, Indian, etc)
Korean food go to Korea Town/Way near Herald Sq.
For shopping for clothes n shit go to downtown B'way. If you keep walking down and walk to the east you'll hit NoLiTa some nice places to eat (not dirt cheap but good). Lombardi's is the very first Pizzeria in the United States and they still use a real brick oven (though I always tell people that Arturo's on Houston st. has better pizza). Theres also some small boutiques if you like overpriced clothes.
Touristy things to do:
Highly suggest the Staten Island Ferry for the view. Don't go to Staten Island, its a waste of time. Nothing to see in Shaolin, lots of garbage to smell.
For gear: Check out Armen's. Not the nicest looking store but he has tons of rare gear that you won't see at GC.
Rogue Music is also a decent shop to check out. Its basically in the same building as Armen's. Tho they don't regularly have the rarities that Armen has.
I could go on. lemme know if you wanna know of any specifics to check out in NYC.
Tohtruck - I'd love to read/see more about NYC. I'm in SF and have posted pics and stuff of my town. I'd love to see pics of where the locals go to enjoy NYC. I also have no clue about the layout of the town, where/what the boroughs are. fascinating town, if it wasn't MORE expensive than here and so damn cold we might've moved there. I'll admit it blows SF away.
In my life
Why do I smile
At people who I'd much rather kick in the eye?
-Moz
Why do I smile
At people who I'd much rather kick in the eye?
-Moz
Awh thanks so much guys, Tohtruck basically covered the whole week for me lol!!! Now I really can't wait to go, it'll be my second time in the states...
Sucks to hear that Pacha always checks for I.D., I was really hoping to get in...
:(:( I might try and figure something out...
so you're sure all the clubs always check for ID for everyone, even if you look 21+???
Thanks again!!!
Sucks to hear that Pacha always checks for I.D., I was really hoping to get in...
:(:( I might try and figure something out... so you're sure all the clubs always check for ID for everyone, even if you look 21+???
Thanks again!!!
You can borrow my AARP card - it entitles you a senior discount at the local cinema.Jaan wrote:Awh thanks so much guys, Tohtruck basically covered the whole week for me lol!!! Now I really can't wait to go, it'll be my second time in the states...
Sucks to hear that Pacha always checks for I.D., I was really hoping to get in...
so you're sure all the clubs always check for ID for everyone, even if you look 21+???
Thanks again!!!
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Sales Dude McBoob
- Posts: 2844
- Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2004 9:34 pm
- Location: Durham, NC. USA
- Contact:
Tohtruck - thanks for your post. I'm curious, if you don't like Turntable Lab, where is a better place to get new vinyl? It's true, the prices at TTL are not cheap, but could you imagine trying to open a vinyl store in NYC in 2008? What're the chances you'd lose your shirt if you didn't charge at least what they charge?
I'm radar is fully on the lookout for Atruros on Houston.
So, this subject is as tired as it could be, but if you're still reading this post I'd like to share my two cents on the hipster thing.
1) With the exception of old hipsters, and yes there are many (everyone riding a skateboard in Williamsburg is 47 years old) for me, it all boils back down to this:
When you hate on hipsters, it's no different from any other older generation hating the younger generation for the way they dress and the way they act.
2) Here is the other cent of my two. My style and my interests haven't changed radically in the last fifteen years. When I walk down the street, you might see me and instantly hate me because for some reason you think I'm a hipster. If you're doing that, there's no two ways about it - you're a grouchy old fart.
I'm radar is fully on the lookout for Atruros on Houston.
So, this subject is as tired as it could be, but if you're still reading this post I'd like to share my two cents on the hipster thing.
1) With the exception of old hipsters, and yes there are many (everyone riding a skateboard in Williamsburg is 47 years old) for me, it all boils back down to this:
When you hate on hipsters, it's no different from any other older generation hating the younger generation for the way they dress and the way they act.
2) Here is the other cent of my two. My style and my interests haven't changed radically in the last fifteen years. When I walk down the street, you might see me and instantly hate me because for some reason you think I'm a hipster. If you're doing that, there's no two ways about it - you're a grouchy old fart.
example for me is the burningman crowd, it's not a young crowd, but it's a 'scene' with hipsters and geeks. there's the geeks I've met, holy fuck smart amazing creative hard working mostly non assuming people, some are total freaks on the outside too. they do 90% of the work, all the visual bling bling. the rest are worried about themselves, their costumes, coordinating which designer drug to take each night, sleeping all day, seeing the sunrise every morning, being totally worthless by the end of the week to help clean up. but they know where the parties are, which is a point towards .lm.'s earlier post.
also TBH there's the urge to judge someone by their looks, which is wrong. he's looks so hip he's a twat! just wrong.
but a proper NYC thread would be more interesting than this.
also TBH there's the urge to judge someone by their looks, which is wrong. he's looks so hip he's a twat! just wrong.
but a proper NYC thread would be more interesting than this.
In my life
Why do I smile
At people who I'd much rather kick in the eye?
-Moz
Why do I smile
At people who I'd much rather kick in the eye?
-Moz
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Sales Dude McBoob
- Posts: 2844
- Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2004 9:34 pm
- Location: Durham, NC. USA
- Contact:
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knotkranky
- Posts: 4336
- Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2006 7:08 pm
- Location: la
Wow thanks for the positive feedback everyone!!
I'm really not use to people being nice to each other on forums. Live forum users rock!
About the ID thing, yes unfortunately the majority of the bars in NYC will check your ID. You might get lucky with the smaller unassuming hole in the wall bars that are either on down time or not quite "happening." Definitely be prepared with an ID on Thurs, Fri, and Sat nights.
Tone Deft, I've been to San Francisco before when I was a kid (not incredibly long ago) and even then I really thought it was a beautiful city. I found the cleanliness in SF to be remarkable. Everything seemed so pleasant the picture perfect really seemed like a great place to raise a family.
Anything local in the city is basically going out of business, losing their lease, or have just recently become the jump off last week.
Btw, I'll also throw this out there as a possible activity if you happen to come by at the beginning of a month. The first Sunday of each month, the Nuyorican Poetry Cafe in the LES has a monthly producers' battle.
They're kinda silly since they just have the producers set-up their gear on stage and play beats and let the crowds choose who wins based on the loudness of their cheers. But they're entertaining and sometimes the competitors get colorful and overly-animated. You also get to see and hear some pretty talented cats. Its hosted by Sucio Smash who hosts the legendary KCR Hip-Hop radio show (the show Bobbito use to host).
If you like spoken-word poetry then yes of course check out Nuyorican and the Bowery Poetry Club before it closes down (I think it might be closing down soon at least). Nuyorican has a monthly hip-hop show called Words! They usually have 1 or 2 headlining acts that are ocassionally well-known and then they also have open mic freestyles (they get kinda boring but sometimes you hear some really talented heads).
Yes McSorley's is kik ass. It has become somewhat of a tourist spot because it has such a rich history but you have to at least stop in one time for the house brew.
MacDougal St. and Bleeker st. in the west village is basically for the NYU kids. All college bars basically. But if you happen to decide to do that sort of thing and/or find yourself in that area go to Mamoun's for a falafel. Its the best in the city and has been around since the 70s (possibly earlier, I forgot). There's also a Mamoun's on St. Mark's (same owner) but not the same as the original on MacDougal.
Dude McBoob, you are actually completely correct. I hadn't even considered that. If you are looking for new vinyl then yes TTL makes sense (gear is still overpriced tho). I'll also recommend Mondo Kim's on St. Mark's (also great if you are looking for cult, rare, or foreign movies). If you like hip-hop then of course I have to recommend Phat Beats on 6th ave. right off of 8st.
If you want breakbeats, DNB, jungle etc. there's a couple places in the LES like Breakbeat Science which is actually owned and run by DJ Dara.
Lots of places for vintage vinyl in alphabet city, williamsburg, greenpoint, and the east village. Really good places for vintage vinyl are a bit harder to find. A-1 records and Academy records have several locations throughout NYC.
Touristy thing to do:
Of course walk through Chinatown, which is always crowded during the daytime. It is annoying if you like having elbow room. Chock full o tourists especially on Mott st. and Canal st.
For Chinese cuisine in Chinatown: Joe's Shangai is one of the best known places for dim-sum. Joe's Ginger is on the same block (same owner) but not dim-sum. Order the soup dumplings everyone loves soup dumplings if you don't love em then you haven't tried them. Joe's Shang tends to be crowded and you will have to wait and most likely share a table with strangers (just the way dimsum works folks).
Goodie's which is on East B'way is also great for soup dumplings.
If you like Vietnamese food and especially Pho noodle soups check out Pho Bang. They have a few locations in chinatown and 1 in little Italy. They're all basically the same in terms of the food.
Again I could go on all day with more great eats and things to do in the city.
Sorry for the long-ass post as I am so prone to doing.
I'm really not use to people being nice to each other on forums. Live forum users rock!
About the ID thing, yes unfortunately the majority of the bars in NYC will check your ID. You might get lucky with the smaller unassuming hole in the wall bars that are either on down time or not quite "happening." Definitely be prepared with an ID on Thurs, Fri, and Sat nights.
Tone Deft, I've been to San Francisco before when I was a kid (not incredibly long ago) and even then I really thought it was a beautiful city. I found the cleanliness in SF to be remarkable. Everything seemed so pleasant the picture perfect really seemed like a great place to raise a family.
Anything local in the city is basically going out of business, losing their lease, or have just recently become the jump off last week.
Btw, I'll also throw this out there as a possible activity if you happen to come by at the beginning of a month. The first Sunday of each month, the Nuyorican Poetry Cafe in the LES has a monthly producers' battle.
They're kinda silly since they just have the producers set-up their gear on stage and play beats and let the crowds choose who wins based on the loudness of their cheers. But they're entertaining and sometimes the competitors get colorful and overly-animated. You also get to see and hear some pretty talented cats. Its hosted by Sucio Smash who hosts the legendary KCR Hip-Hop radio show (the show Bobbito use to host).
If you like spoken-word poetry then yes of course check out Nuyorican and the Bowery Poetry Club before it closes down (I think it might be closing down soon at least). Nuyorican has a monthly hip-hop show called Words! They usually have 1 or 2 headlining acts that are ocassionally well-known and then they also have open mic freestyles (they get kinda boring but sometimes you hear some really talented heads).
Yes McSorley's is kik ass. It has become somewhat of a tourist spot because it has such a rich history but you have to at least stop in one time for the house brew.
MacDougal St. and Bleeker st. in the west village is basically for the NYU kids. All college bars basically. But if you happen to decide to do that sort of thing and/or find yourself in that area go to Mamoun's for a falafel. Its the best in the city and has been around since the 70s (possibly earlier, I forgot). There's also a Mamoun's on St. Mark's (same owner) but not the same as the original on MacDougal.
Dude McBoob, you are actually completely correct. I hadn't even considered that. If you are looking for new vinyl then yes TTL makes sense (gear is still overpriced tho). I'll also recommend Mondo Kim's on St. Mark's (also great if you are looking for cult, rare, or foreign movies). If you like hip-hop then of course I have to recommend Phat Beats on 6th ave. right off of 8st.
If you want breakbeats, DNB, jungle etc. there's a couple places in the LES like Breakbeat Science which is actually owned and run by DJ Dara.
Lots of places for vintage vinyl in alphabet city, williamsburg, greenpoint, and the east village. Really good places for vintage vinyl are a bit harder to find. A-1 records and Academy records have several locations throughout NYC.
Touristy thing to do:
Of course walk through Chinatown, which is always crowded during the daytime. It is annoying if you like having elbow room. Chock full o tourists especially on Mott st. and Canal st.
For Chinese cuisine in Chinatown: Joe's Shangai is one of the best known places for dim-sum. Joe's Ginger is on the same block (same owner) but not dim-sum. Order the soup dumplings everyone loves soup dumplings if you don't love em then you haven't tried them. Joe's Shang tends to be crowded and you will have to wait and most likely share a table with strangers (just the way dimsum works folks).
Goodie's which is on East B'way is also great for soup dumplings.
If you like Vietnamese food and especially Pho noodle soups check out Pho Bang. They have a few locations in chinatown and 1 in little Italy. They're all basically the same in terms of the food.
Again I could go on all day with more great eats and things to do in the city.
Sorry for the long-ass post as I am so prone to doing.