Strolling uptown on St. Nicholas toward 125th Street --- down-coated, warm despite the cool, breezy April night air, settling my Seasoned Vegan stuffed belly --- I'm wondering what I will find.
There. A tiny bar with big plate-glass windows, bright, full. Turns out to be a ‘juice bar and lounge’ named New Life. While reading the window menu, I'm beckoned inside by two patrons. We engage in conversation. Someone mentions drinks for sexual rejuvenation.
It turns out that this is a ‘new’ bar, for those who don’t want alcohol, but want to hang out, to socialize. Not sure yet about the rejuvenation.
My next conversation is with one of the owners, who tells me that they have just opened up a couple of months back, and intend to modify their offerings to suit their clientele if only they can determine who their clientele is, or might become.
All very interesting --- especially the sexual rejuvenation part --- and, I think, a place to go to meet local residents, to find out what’s up, up there, to get high on love potions and exotic additives like aloe, cayenne, chia seeds, acai, seaweeds and mosses.
Finally I reach 125th, check out The Apollo, chat with a ticket taker, ask ‘what’s up tonight?’---she gives me an unclaimed ticket, free, to the upper balcony and I catch the last number of Ledisi's tribute to Nina Simone. Three great backup singers, a pumped five-piece band and an enthusiastic full house.
My return trip led to further long, interesting conversations.
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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