The List That Never Sleeps

The latest installment of the List That Never Sleeps comes from John Marshall, who blogs at both Buzy Guy in da NYC and Diary of Fools. John is one of my favorite smartasses in the city.

1) Spot for a Drink 

With so many bars closing down and opening up seemingly every day, it’s been very hard for me as a twentysomething to come up with a dedicated spot for drinking. So I’ll give you two from the mind of one of the biggest NY drinkers I’ve ever known – me dear ole Dad. So go check out Nancy Whiskey or the Ear Inn for a good time.

2) Bite to Eat

I’m a burger guy and you can’t find burgers much better than they make ‘em at Jackson Hole. Of the 5 Manhattan locations, I prefer the 64th Street location for its cramped quarters and intimate feel.  

3) People Watching

A ride on any NYC subway line is definitely the best place to people watch. It’s like a giant science experiment – let’s see what happens when we jam people together in dirty corridors and add funny smells, bright lights, and loud noises. Humanity at its’ finest, I tell ya.

4) Historic New York

Albert Einstein Hospital. Birthplace of John Marshall... Okay, I’m sure that doesn’t quite qualify for landmark status so I’ll leave you this nugget. Boston Road in the Bronx actually goes to Boston!. All the way. Swear to God. Here goes the verification, care of the NYC Parks Department:

“In 1783, Lewis Morris (1726-98), an influential American political leader and landowner, created a new and final route that passed through his land, known as Morrisania in what is now the Bronx, on the way to Massachusetts. Boston Post Road remained a major postal route in New York City until the 1840s, when it was phased out following the rise in popularity of railroads for commercial transportation. In the present day, the former Boston Post Road has become U.S. Highway One from Boston to New York City; it follows Boston Road in the Bronx, and Park Avenue, the Bowery, and Broadway in Manhattan, leading to Battery Park at the island’s southern tip.”

5) NYC Secret 

They say the best way to hide something is to leave it right out in the open. With that in mind, I’ll offer up Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. Packing every bit as much action and fun per square inch as Central Park, it is relatively unvisited anyone outside of its’ cozy neighborhood.

The List That Never Sleeps

Today's list comes courtesy of Sara from To A Bright Yellow. Thanks for taking the time out of your busy law school schedule to share your thoughts on the city.

1) Spot for a Drink

My favorite place to get a drink is Marie's Crisis in Sheridan Square.  Only for those with a Broadway diva in their hearts, on Friday nights Marie's turns into a sing-along with a pianist and some of the best amateur singers in the city.  Come prepared and know your stuff - this is as hardcore as Broadway gets.

2) Bite to Eat

Jacques Torres has three locations in the city in which he sells his magical chocolate confections.  The best is the earl grey chocolate - rich dark chocolate infused with a tea flavor.  Sounds strange, but the flavors work really well together.

3) People Watching

My favorite spot for people-watching is the 4th-floor cafe in the Lincoln Square Barnes and Noble.  There is a row of seats facing the window, and you can look down on Broadway and watch all of the cars and people go by.  

4) Historic New York

Historic New York, to me, means something a little different than it might to others.  To me, I look for the New York of my mother, who grew up in Flatbush and came into Manhattan every day for ballet lessons at the old Met.  I love going to St. Thomas' Church on 5th avenue.  My mom knew the person who installed the organ, and it has an incredibly rich, warm tone.  On Sundays at 5pm, they have free organ concerts performed by various visiting performers.  The quality and variety of the music is worth a frequent trip.

5) NYC Secret

If you take the number 6 train all the way downtown, you can take it around the loop that will turn it back into an uptown train.  They say you have to get off of the train, but you really don't.  What you will see on that loop is something very few people get to experience - the first subway station ever built in New York City.  It was the original City Hall station, with Guastavino tile ceilings and chandeliers.  Originally the gem of the subway system, they closed the station when it could no longer accomodate the number of cars on the standard subway train.  But the station is still beautiful (if decaying) and you can catch a great view from the right side of the train.

The List That Never Sleeps

This is the first of what will be a recurring feature here. I'd like to focus on five NYC highlights in each post. In the future, many of these will be written by guests contributors from around the city. The first one is all me.

1) Spot for a Drink

Just a couple of nights ago, I tried the St. Andrews on 44th. Beer Menus told me they had Bellhaven on tap, so away I went. Good appetizers, nice atmosphere (a Scottish pub that plays the Pixies gets bonus points in my book), and a stellar beer selection. I drank quite a few pints of the Bellhaven Scottish Ale. I also sampled some of the Bellhaven Wee Heavy, which is a favorite.

2) Bite to Eat

I used to work over at Rockefeller Center. One of the best spots for food around there is this fantastic little halal food cart on 49th and Sixth Avenue. There are two such carts on that corner. Try the one closest to the curb. In my experience, that's the better of the two. The chicken & lamb combo platter is fantastic.

3) People Watching

Santacon! Tomorrow the streets of NYC are flooded with Santas. Want to know where? Visit the NYC Santacon website at 10 PM to find out. 

4) Historic New York

One of these days I'm going to get off my ass and actually check out one of the Big Onion walking tours of New York City. These are not your standard tourist fare, with most of the tour guides being at least grad students or doctoral candidates. They offer over a dozen different tours, each focused on a particular neighborhood or historical theme Worth taking a look at.

5) NYC Secret

Sympathy for the Kettle (109 St Marks, between First and Avenue A) isn't just a great little tea shop, but it also has the best hot chocolate known to man. Do you remember when you were a kid and your chocolate ice cream would melt? Did you ever slurp up the melty bits from the bottom of the bowl? Sympathy's hot chocolate is like that, but, you know... hot.