Between Delancey and 14th street, Manhattan bulges into the East River, ultimately piercing Brooklyn via the Williamsburg Bridge. In the old days, the bulge --- named ‘Alphabet City’ because of the presence of Avenues A B C and D --- might have been described as a boil, but nowadays it contains the village-y atmosphere of neighbourhoods rediscovered, but so far not ruinously redeveloped. In the very old days it contained the shops of Jewish immigrants, including the knife shop of the father of my former father-in-law.
Now though --- apart from a few reminders of the old days, like sun-baked rat corpses pressed into the tarry streets --- the widely seen charm impresses during any stroll or bike route one decides to create.
For some reason the bulge includes nine or so tattoo parlours all of which present for your viewing pleasure surprisingly creative, diverse imagery and the resident artists who produce it. That, along with clinics at which you can have your body pierced and your facial appearance enhanced with ‘microblading’ which for years I have misread as micro balding, and wondered what in the world it was.
Celebrities (check out the page 'Familiar Faces' on their website) bearing East Side Ink tattoos include Susan Sarandon, a hulking man with a fist-size skull on his larynx and flames bursting up onto his cheeks, Cate Blanchett, Scarlett Johansson and possibly Woody Harrelson with a downward hanging noose tattooed around his neck.
Find your way with 304 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"The Elevated Acre" is in the middle of the Financial District in NYC, but you would never see it when passing by - this park is hidden above street level!
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John's Pizza is situated inside a former tabernacle with a domed stain glass ceiling about 50 feet above, and ‘sliced’ into 8 sections, just like a pizza.
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On Broad Street stands a bronze sculpture named Fearless Girl which exudes bravery, pride and strength but not, according to the artist, 'defiance'...
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The space functions day to day as a bright and modern-looking upscale deli and on certain evenings, it doubles as a performance space for stand-up comics.
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It’s all free, on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll get a life jacket, a paddle, a 'kayak', and a locker, for a session of approximately 20 minutes.
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"Amsterdam Billiards" in New York has a nice bar, nice service and soft couches. It's a well-known place to play (and watch!) billiards, darts, foosball...
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The Cage in West Village is a chain link fenced, bagel-sized basketball court in New York. Here you can also find handball, a citywide spectacle...
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"TAP - NYC" makes Brazilian tapioca from yuca! I really love their Pão de Queijo, tangerine-sized, feather-weight bread-puffs with molten cheese...
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"The Seasoned Vegan" in New York is crowded (in a good way), energizing and really fun. I got the Harlem Chopped Cheeseburger, and I'd order it again...
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"Bethesda Terrace" in New York's Central Park is home to Bethesda Fountains, sculptural balustrades and breathtaking magical depictions of wild animals...
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"Bodegas" are NYC convenience stores that are as much an essential part of urban culture as are chippies in Whitley Bay or curry shops in London, England...
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You can see eight of the thirty-six paintings by "Johannes Vermeer" in New York City. There's a ninth one, but it's behind closed doors...
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