Vintage NYC

[ThesFlishThngs]

Next weekend we're taking our newly-21 daughter to New York for a whirlwind few days. Since there are no event at Wit's End, I'm asking for any and all suggestions for vintage activities, speakeasies, secret treasures, shops, etc. The places in guide books don't really appeal, and I'd hate to learn, after the fact, that I had been in the vicinity of something wonderful and missed it. So if you have any hints or tips, please share away.
(We'll have an apartment in Midtown East.)

 

[skyvue]

Which dates will you be here?

 

[ThesFlishThngs]

Feb. 8-11.

 

[skyvue]

If you're here the evening of the 11th (I'm guessing you're not, alas), you must catch Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks at Club Cache below Sofia's at the Hotel Edison in Times Square.

I'll put together more recs for you shortly.

 

[ThesFlishThngs]

I wish, but that day will pretty much be breakfast and getting to the airport.

 

[ThesFlishThngs]

But now that she's all grown up & the Mister has a spiffy new job on the horizen, I predict more travel in our future. Therefore, I'll happily lap up your recommendations, saving the overspill for next time.

 

[skyvue]

I can come up with more suggestions if you need 'em, but here's a quick list:

The Tenement Museum -- http://www.tenement.org. It's a tenement on the Lower East Side that was boarded up from the 19th century until well into the 20th century, so it's a sort of time capsule. They have guided tours of the building that, as they say on their website, "recreate immigrant life in the 19th and 20th centuries."

Everyone I've ever sent there has really enjoyed it.

I love classic eateries, spots that have been there for decades, and here are a few:

Eisenberg's, a sandwich shop/luncheonette on Fifth Avenue between 22nd and 23rd Streets, just across from the Flatiron Building (which you'll want to see) -- http://eisenbergsnyc.com. It opened in 1929 and looks pretty much as it did the day it opened. Open for breakfast and lunch and possibly dinner (it seems to still be open these days when I walk past it on my way home from work at 6:30 or so, but that's a relatively recent developement).

21 Club -- http://www.21club.com/web/onyc/21_club.jsp. It's pricey but if you feel like splurging a little, this spot has such great history to it. If you're going to go there, rent The Sweet Smell of Success before you get here -- much of that classic NYC movie was filmed at 21.

Bemelmens Bar at the Hotel Carlyle -- http://nymag.com/listings/bar/bemelmans_bar, also http://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/carlyle/dining/bemelmans_bar. A must-see if you want a sense of old NYC. It's been there since the 1930s and is little changed. It's named after Ludwig Bemelmans, the artist who illustrated the Madeline children's books. He painted murals throughout the room in return for a year's free rent at the hotel, and it's just a classic space. It's pricey (drinks from $15 to $20), but my wife and I get there at least once a year (and we are not made of money, believe me). There's always a pianist (or a trio) playing standards and the mood is just unbeatable, if you want a bit of old-fashioned casual elegance. Go early and leave early to avoid the $20 cover charge (it kicks in at 9pm, so you'll have plenty of time). Even if you just have one drink, it's worth experiencing the place. You'll feel like you stepped back in time. And across the hall is Cafe Carlyle, which is even pricier. They have cabaret style shows (Woody Allen plays jazz there every Monday).

Sardi's is a classic spot in the theatre district; famous for the caricatures of famous performers on the walls, it's been there since the 1920s. I'm not sure how good the food is, but there's a bar upstairs that is great for a late drink after you take in a Broadway play. We always take out-of-town friends there, and they always enjoy it. http://sardis.com/

For pizza, head downtown. You can't go wrong with any of three classic spots, each of which has a long history:

John's of Bleecker Street (since 1929) -- http://www.johnsbrickovenpizza.com/
Arturo's -- http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/arturos/
Lombardi's -- http://www.firstpizza.com/

A few classic spots to get a drink (all downtown):
McSorley's Old Ale House (since 1854) -- http://www.mcsorleysnewyork.com/
P. J. Clarke's (since 1884, and one of Sinatra's haunts) -- http://pjclarkes.com/
Old Town Bar (since 1892) -- http://www.oldtownbar.com/
Pete's Tavern (since 1864; allegedly where O. Henry wrote Gift of the Magii) -- http://www.petestavern.com/
White Horse Tavern (since 1880) -- http://www.newyorkontap.com/reviews2show.asp?show=120

You can take tours of Grand Central Station, Radio City Music Hall, and Carnegie Hall, any of which would be worth doing, I think (I've done none of them, I'm embarrassed to admit). Definitely check out the Empire State Building (the lines to go to the top can be daunting; you'd be better off at Top of the Rock -- http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/) and the Chrysler Building, two classic Art Deco skyscrapers. Be sure to step in and admire the lobbies of each.

And though it's not vintage, I would also recommend you stroll the High Line. It's a new park that was constructed on an abandoned elevated rail line that used to carry freight up and down the west side of Manhattan. The line was slated to be torn down, but some people got together to pursue the idea of turning it into a park, and, after years of effort, they succeeded. It's a one of a kind park and makes for a great stroll (and you get interesting views of the city from "up there"). It's free, of course, and you can stroll the whole thing or any part of it. It goes roughly along Tenth Avenue from 30th Street to the Village (a few blocks below 14th Street). It's open till 10pm (perhaps even 11pm) and really is a delight. http://www.thehighline.org/

 

[Tomasso]

Here's an old thread with lots of good recs. One of my faves is having cocktails (try the Bellinis) Cipriani Dolci (upper left on photo) which overlooks the main concourse at Grand Central Terminal.

Have fun!!

BTW, if you make it to GCT (please do) make sure to check out the Campbell Apartment as well.

 

[GoldenEraFan]

I'd highly recommend a great piece of NYC history, The New York Transit museum, located in Downtown Brooklyn. A very short subway ride from Manhattan.
http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/New_York_Transit_Museum

 

[Two Types]

And don't forget the Oyster bar at Grand Central Station. The tiled, vaulted ceilings are a thing of simple (but true) beauty.

 

[ThesFlishThngs]

Thanks, all. Notes have been taken, but with my impeccable timing, I'll be lucky to find my way out of the sun belt & into the heart of the blizzard....

 

[dhermann1]

Oyster Bar is wonderful, but a bit pricey. Be prepared.
BTW, our friend Skyvue is also an Oklahoman. Proud of it, too.

 

[vitanola]

Slightly off topic, this thread brings to mind Pete Hammill's excellent 1987 article on the wonders of Old New York:

http://nymag.com/news/features/48277/

In the 1930's there were those who waxed rhapsodic over Gotham in the Gay 'Ninties, Rectors, Delmonicos, Luchows, The Victoria, Pastor's, Weber and Field's Music Hal, and the old Academy of Music, the days of un-subdivided Brownstone Fronts, Boarding Houses, and Horse-cars, the city of Tammany and Old Man Morgan, but I really think that that magical period between the Wars was the city at its apogee, though perhaps reaching its climax of style and the simple value of living in the immediate post-WWII years. It's all been downhill from there.

 

[Feraud]

If one finds the Oyster Bar menu is pricey take a look at their lunch counter specials.
You can bask in the beauty of place and enjoy a crab cake or po boy sandwich.

 

[ThesFlishThngs]

Well foo. The flight from Cleveland to JFK is already cancelled.