Harlem's Heaven Hats New York

Famous milliner 1

Geoffrey from New York

About me I travel to discover how people elsewhere live, how they manage living with low incomes in expensive cities, how they grapple with hard times and failing economies, how they deal with ageing or crumbling families and how they themselves age and adapt. Knowing and loving New York comes from having lived through many of its manifestations while witnessing its changes....
""Harlem's Heaven Hats" in New York, run by Evetta Petty, has been selling hats for 35 years, both for hatniks & beginners, and she's famous for it..."

Presenting Evetta Petty: Ferrari red lips, mahogany eyes, a cheek splitting smile and a personality broad enough to support the fascinator she wears this morning: a luncheon of Japanese favourites like shrimp and tuna sushi, a pale green ‘dessert’ and chopsticks scribing an angular dash under the soft-looking, felt sushi forms.

On every hand are hats backed and framed by even more hats, reminding me of Bartholomew Cubbins’ moshka in Dr Seuss’ story about his 500 Hats.

Evetta pulls this off for the last 35 years and everyone seems to know but me. Those ladies of the Ascot and Churchill Downs race tracks, know. Harvey Fierstein knows, and requires her to attend him in order to fit the hat he wears when he channels Bella Abzug on Broadway, where Evetta is already a credited artist.

Her hand made, gros grain ribbon fedoras flirt with the men, coming in at least four shades of blue. Other forms are represented by Stetson which even presents a sombrero brimmed black fedora trimmed in red with yet another red fascinator atop its crown, a personal roof while driving your lime green Lincoln along Broadway at four in the morning, top down.

These are hats for both hatniks and beginners. Evetta tells me many young women have walked out empty-handed, unconvinced, only to call in the next day from Louisville's Churchill Downs' Kentucky Derby, to confess a mistake had been made—the hat is now desperately needed and must be FedExed today, if possible.

Wonderful video here.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

Buy one, Give one!

Share your 💚 this December

*on all products

New York Spotter Geoffrey

About me I travel to discover how people elsewhere live, how they manage living with low incomes in expensive cities, how they grapple with hard times and failing economies, how they deal with ageing or crumbling families and how they themselves age and adapt. Knowing and loving New York comes from having lived through many of its manifestations while witnessing its changes. Why New York I love New York because of its broad cultural spectrum realized in all forms of the arts, food, technology, politics and transportation, and its easy access to the beautif...

About this spot

Adam Clayton Powell Junior Boulevard 2538

Red felt cloche:

US$

70

+1

2124917706

Dec 4, 2025

Our New York City Guide

Find your way with 308 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our New York guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in New York

Silvana

Live music, café, boutique

"Silvana" is a large cafe, boutique, shawarma and falafel bar in NYC that also offers live music performances on their downstairs stage. Great acts!

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Dec 8, 2025

Mo's Famous Burgers

Hamburger Food Truck

The menu is simple: hamburgers, French fries & toppings. No over-the-top ingredients, no superfluous adjectives, and high-value food at rock-bottom prices.

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Dec 7, 2025

Elizabeth Street Garden

Sculpture garden NoLita

"Elizabeth Street Garden" New York: formerly the site of a large, important school house, it was reclaimed in the '90s and turned into a sculpture garden.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Dec 7, 2025

UWS Phone Booth

Last payphone booth

One block away from a 21st century LinkNYC WiFi tower on Broadway sits one of three West End Avenue working telephone 'booths', the last in NYC...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Dec 6, 2025

Anthony & Son

Old-school sandwich shop

After, "Anthony & Son" Panini Shoppe's Italian-style super-sandwiches, no regular New York sandwich will ever taste as good again...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Nick

Papa

Dec 6, 2025

Dutch Kills

Upholding cocktail culture in Queens

"Dutch Kills" in New York isn't hiding it's one of the best bars in the city, but it isn't publicizing the fact, either. No password to enter, however!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Nick

Papa

Dec 6, 2025

Montero's

Quirky Brooklyn dive bar

"Montero's" (est. 1939) in New York is one of the weirdest bars I've ever visited, in the best way possible; it takes you back to working-class Brooklyn...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Nick

Papa

Dec 6, 2025

Bund on Broadway

Soup dumplings

"Bund on Broadway" is one of the most popular restaurants on Astoria's restaurant row in New York. I always go straight fo the famous pork soup dumplings.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Paula

Ryszkiewicz

Dec 4, 2025

Conference House

Pre-Revolutionary history

The "Conference House" in New York is a perfect place to escape modern life if you're interested in what life was like in the 1600s...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Paula

Ryszkiewicz

Dec 4, 2025

Vite Vinosteria

My special occasion spot

"Vite Vinosteria" in New York is the Italian restaurant where, ever since I moved to Astoria, I've celebreated nearly every birthday & anniversary...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Paula

Ryszkiewicz

Dec 4, 2025

Hunter's Point Library

Waterfront reading room

"Hunter's Point Library" in New York, on Long Island City's waterfront, is definitely for you if you're a fan of books, architecture and skyline views!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Paula

Ryszkiewicz

Dec 4, 2025

House of Yes

Uninhibited fun

"House of Yes" is a colorful, eclectic space in New York that houses everything from roller skating to trapeze artists. Free entry on Fridays before 11pm!

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Victoria

Yang

Dec 4, 2025

Heading to New York?

308 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

New York app Home
New York app Home
New York app Map
New York app Home

Heading to New York?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

308 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite New York

Our team loves New York

Get to know our other Spotters from New York

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
63
Made with the 💚 of 498 Spotters.
Filters