In the basement of a fancy 1904 apartment house on 54th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue --- on the street where Frank Loesser’s ‘Guys and Dolls’ played their games --- is one of their refuges, now called Flute. In Damon Runyon's short stories about the 1920s Broadway scene, a nightclub operator, “Miss Missouri Martin” was a character based on Texas Guinan, the actual operator of this authentic, unchanged speakeasy. Flute is the real deal and a time capsule, to boot.
It serves me as a rendezvous point with lovely Samantha, whom I take to watch Alvin Ailey’s Dance Company perform at City Center, just a block or so away. She and I sip Champagne Mojitos, arriving at the performance just in the nick of time.
Slink down the sidewalk stairwell of a dozen iron steps, turn left into the low-ceilinged, dimly lit room --- romantic, mysterious --- let your eyes adjust then ask for an alcove, a lover’s alcove where you can drink Flute's champagne potions and contemplate the magical positions that being in a lover’s alcove tends to generate. No one will see you.
Flute has Champagne Happy Hours (Tuesday, until 8pm) during which all drinks, including champagne, are half price, and live jazz Wednesdays, 7-10pm.
Oh---on another historical note, Studio 54 was located across Broadway, just one block west, on the other side of the street. Originally an Opera House, it became the home of televisions’s The Johnny Carson Show. Still named Studio 54, it is now an outreach of the Roundabout Theater Company.
Find your way with 308 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Loved this Spot? And love your city? Join your local team. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
"Silvana" is a large cafe, boutique, shawarma and falafel bar in NYC that also offers live music performances on their downstairs stage. Great acts!
by
The menu is simple: hamburgers, French fries & toppings. No over-the-top ingredients, no superfluous adjectives, and high-value food at rock-bottom prices.
by
"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.
by
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...
by
After, "Anthony & Son" Panini Shoppe's Italian-style super-sandwiches, no regular New York sandwich will ever taste as good again...
by
"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!
by
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...
by
"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!
by
"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.
by
"Star Polish Bakery" in New York makes the best Polish desserts and cakes, especially the makowiec. Here they make it exactly the way I like it...
by
"Vite Vinosteria" in New York is the Italian restaurant where, ever since I moved to Astoria, I've celebreated nearly every birthday & anniversary...
by
308 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 308 Insider Tips