Analogue

What a find... down a flight of stairs from street level on 8th Street, Arts and Crafts Beer Parlor is the "antithesis of a sports bar. " Artisan and craft beer are brought together in a friendly environment that certainly had us feeling like we were right at home. The Parlor is also named for the Arts and Crafts movement, “a cultural revolt against the ideals of industrialization. ”When we visited, we spoke to Robert, one of the two owners, with whom we thoroughly enjoyed chatting. Robert is an internationally recognized speaker and writer on dining out and traveling with special diets (he co-authored the series Let’s Eat Out! ), and he also has a background in acting and producing on Broadway. He told us that the other owner, Don, has an impressive resume working with the FBI and counterterrorism efforts both in New York and around the world - which left us wondering what brought this dynamic duo together as friends and eventually co-owners. Robert informed us it was a love of American Craft Beer and the visual and performing arts... and that they actually met enjoying a pint of beer in Manhattan. Just as intriguing as its owners, the interior of Arts and Crafts is beautifully designed; the sophisticated wallpaper is custom made by Bradbury and Bradbury, and the soft green and beige pattern was Frank Lloyd Wright’s favorite, supposedly. The constantly changing art is displayed along the wall opposite the bar, and an exposed brick wall and fireplace give the parlor a true “extension of your living room” feel. Described by Robert, as the “Bugatti of beer systems, ” the twenty plus beers the Parlor keeps on tap rotate monthly and are kept by this state of the art system at a refreshing 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Robert also astounded us with how small the carbon footprint of the Parlor is — he told us they are very conscious of keeping things compostable and earth-friendly. In addition to their rotating display of art from both established and up-and-coming artists, the Arts and Crafts Beer Parlor also hosts a monthly lecture series on the subjects of art as well as culinary topics. We could not get enough of how interesting this place is — both the concept of art and beer coming together and the two fascinating minds behind it.

Over many months, we had the pleasure of observing the construction of Amelie through each stage of its creation. To experience the ambience of this spectacular bar and restaurant alone is worth the visit... but then there is also the impressive wine list and a full French menu. The award-winning team behind Amelie in San Francisco opened their east coast wine bar in early 2012 and all we can say is tres delicieux.

“We are one of the oldest gay bars in the city, ” said Helen Burford. The owner of Julius’ considers it an honor to be a part of this history and to allow others to share in it. Many who stop by are keen to dip their toes into an earlier, more troublesome period. “We are a good reminder of the struggles people went through for those of us today. ”What better way for young men and women to learn about landmark events like the renowned “Sip-In, ” where gay activists challenged New York’s prohibitions on gay bars? The patrons who have been frequenting Julius’ for decades are happy to provide a history lesson. Every day around 4 p. m., they sit in a corner and share stories of what it was like back in the day. “This is their home. To them, Julius’ is not a bar — rain or shine, they need to be here. ” The old group, now in their seventies and eighties, enjoy having a drink and chatting with one another, but they also invite “guests” into the conversation — passing the baton, as this is their legacy. “They are always trying to bring young people into the fold, ” Helen commented.

Having lived in England for a year and a half, and always delighted for an excuse to return, I was perfectly thrilled to walk into Wilfie & Nell. At times it is filled with Brits and you will feel like you have been transported back across the Atlantic as you dine on Shepherds Pie, or a Ploughman's Cheese Plate, or just browse through their extended list of beers and enjoy the pub atmosphere with a Manhattan twist.

We, literally, came in out of the rain to have a drink here late one Saturday afternoon. What a nice experience we had while sampling their "kick ass" bloody Mary and a refreshing pint of Guinness. John, the bartender could not have been kinder sharing the history and philosophy of this eight year old bar. There is an amusing story that explains how this pub got its unusual name. Essentially, a four-faced clock in Cork, Ireland fails to keep the same time on each of its faces, so the locals deem it "The Four-Faced Liar, " and the folks who run this bar appreciate the lesson the tale reveals about time. By extending open arms to their customers, they have enjoyed a constant repeat clientele all these years. We loved seeing a group of guys playing cards and having a drink at one of the corner tables, while others were watching the Yankees on the flat screen TV's, and a group of girls were catching up... but no one leaves without a quick, friendly conversation with John. As the rain let up, we finished up our drinks, said our good-byes and headed on our way. Perfect timing!

What a find... down a flight of stairs from street level on 8th Street, Arts and Crafts Beer Parlor is the "antithesis of a sports bar. " Artisan and craft beer are brought together in a friendly environment that certainly had us feeling like we were right at home. The Parlor is also named for the Arts and Crafts movement, “a cultural revolt against the ideals of industrialization. ”When we visited, we spoke to Robert, one of the two owners, with whom we thoroughly enjoyed chatting. Robert is an internationally recognized speaker and writer on dining out and traveling with special diets (he co-authored the series Let’s Eat Out! ), and he also has a background in acting and producing on Broadway. He told us that the other owner, Don, has an impressive resume working with the FBI and counterterrorism efforts both in New York and around the world - which left us wondering what brought this dynamic duo together as friends and eventually co-owners. Robert informed us it was a love of American Craft Beer and the visual and performing arts... and that they actually met enjoying a pint of beer in Manhattan. Just as intriguing as its owners, the interior of Arts and Crafts is beautifully designed; the sophisticated wallpaper is custom made by Bradbury and Bradbury, and the soft green and beige pattern was Frank Lloyd Wright’s favorite, supposedly. The constantly changing art is displayed along the wall opposite the bar, and an exposed brick wall and fireplace give the parlor a true “extension of your living room” feel. Described by Robert, as the “Bugatti of beer systems, ” the twenty plus beers the Parlor keeps on tap rotate monthly and are kept by this state of the art system at a refreshing 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Robert also astounded us with how small the carbon footprint of the Parlor is — he told us they are very conscious of keeping things compostable and earth-friendly. In addition to their rotating display of art from both established and up-and-coming artists, the Arts and Crafts Beer Parlor also hosts a monthly lecture series on the subjects of art as well as culinary topics. We could not get enough of how interesting this place is — both the concept of art and beer coming together and the two fascinating minds behind it.

The Village Party Store, also known as Balloon Shop NYC and Halloween Headquarters, is a one-stop shop bursting with festive finds. From Christmas baubles to Pride parade supplies, this humble hole-in-the-wall has everything needed to throw a bash to remember. Inside, the shop feels like a dollar store, with packed aisles full of plates, cups, banners, costumes and more. But the real gems are the memories made here. Since 1993, New Yorkers have flocked to this party supply store to prepare for life's celebrations, big and small. For many, it's a family tradition to pick up graduation balloons or new year's hats. For others, it's the perfect place to find a last-minute baby shower gift or bridal shower decor. What makes the Village Party Store stand out is its focus on customer service. The knowledgeable staff help each customer find what they need for their perfect party. Next time you're planning a special event, check out this Greenwich Village gem. You'll find what you need for a celebration to remember.

We love Buon Italia in Chelsea Market for all their fresh ingredients imported directly from Italy, and what better way to enjoy those ingredients than prepared in a traditional Italian-style panini? La Panineria offers just that since it was opened by Mario Pesce, whose uncle is the owner of Buon Italia over in Chelsea Market. La Panineria is a quaint, authentic little Italian deli that offers sandwiches, pastries and desserts, soups, cheese plates, beer, wine, soda, and coffee, in addition to their small selection of Italian groceries. The shop is small, with just a couple of barstools in the window and one central table for people to eat around, but the food is absolutely delicious. We sampled the Parma Panini — a perfect combination of prosciutto and robiola cheese, along with the Cornetto — the Italian’s take on the croissant filled with Nutella and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Needless to say our taste buds were satisfied as we chatted with Mario about the subtle but notable differences between “American” Nutella and authentic Italian Nutella (Italian Nutella is apparently slightly healthier! ).

Warhammer is the retail branch of an online British company that has been providing its unique gaming service for thirty years. The 8th Street location is New York's hotspot for miniature table-top war gaming. Eager workers will walk customers through every step - how to assemble the models, paint the pieces, and how to play the game itself. It takes a certain kind of patience and skill set to contract one's army and may appeal to a customer who enjoys strategy games such as chess. While it is recommended that kids begin learning the game at age twelve, we met a half a dozen men from ages eighteen to fifty who were sitting around the large table, chatting and toiling away on their magnificently detailed pieces.

Over many months, we had the pleasure of observing the construction of Amelie through each stage of its creation. To experience the ambience of this spectacular bar and restaurant alone is worth the visit... but then there is also the impressive wine list and a full French menu. The award-winning team behind Amelie in San Francisco opened their east coast wine bar in early 2012 and all we can say is tres delicieux.

Signaled by a saxophone hanging above the door, we headed down the winding staircase into the basement of a West Village building to find Smalls Jazz Club, which has been honoring New York City’s romantic past with jazz music since its opening in 1994. Named for the Sandlot character, Smalls is an apt name for this intimate, dimly lit space with a charmingly eclectic collection of mismatched chairs and stools arranged around a tiny stage at the forefront. Founder Mitch Borden, who owns the space with partner Spike Wilner, is quick to claim that nothing compared to early Smalls. “I never locked the door and everyone had a key anyways. There was nothing to steal down here - it was like the Little Rascals club, ” he recalled. One particular memory that stood out was their opening: “Our first show was on May 20, 1994. We didn’t have a liquor license and we stayed open ‘til eight am. It was ten hours of jazz with free food and free beer, and the free beer was really awful. ” Since that first show, Smalls has established itself as a central fixture in the West Village jazz scene, featuring a number of notable artists such as Peter Bernstein, Bruce Barth, and Kurt Rosenwinkel, who wrote “Homage to Mitch” about Smalls' beloved owner. At the height of the jazz movement’s popularity, the West Village was home to over seventeen jazz clubs, so Smalls was in good company. In the 1990s, after Mitch opened his doors, many tried to follow suit, but few have endured aside from Smalls. “A lot of people see me doing this without a liquor license and think, ‘Oh, this must be easy, ’” he says, “and it is easy, but it can take a while to make a profit. ” Borden and his staff have also adapted well to the Internet age, being one of the first clubs to live stream their shows, and they now sell an archive of all of their performances since 2007. This type of innovation is reflective of what Mitch describes as the constantly changing nature of jazz music itself, with certain virtuosos coming out with a song that will change the whole scene. He remarks, “That’s something I guess a jazz musician wants to do - make his mark - even though not that many songs stick. ” He cites Kenny Barron’s “Voyage” as an example of this kind of phenomenon.

Just down the street from Smalls is their sister club, Mezzrow, hidden underneath Te Company. Every ten minutes or so, one can feel the A Train pass by and shake the entire bar, which only adds to the underground speakeasy feel of the space. On the evening that we stopped by, the staff was preparing for owner and jazz pianist Spike Wilner’s birthday party. Named after famous clarinet player Mezz Mezzrow, this club, which opened in 2014, is described as the more intimate and piano based side of Smalls, both of which are owned by Wilner and Mitch Borden. Mezzrow has hosted the likes of Brad Mehldau and Kurt Elling, among others. Like Smalls, all of the performances at Mezzrow are live streamed and archived. Guests are invited to stop in any day of the week for a relaxing night of live jazz and drinks.

The cocktails, beers, and wines on offer at Zinc Bar make a fine accompaniment to the entertainment, which encompasses all genres of live music and comedy sets. One can drink away the evening at the stainless-steel bar, or go behind the red velvet curtains to watch a show inside the more private nooks. Already offering a wide variety of music - including African, Brazilian, and Japanese - Zinc Bar has recently partnered with the GetClassical series to help bring live classical music back to the New York bar scene. Created by Ilona Oltuski, amateur classical pianist turned music journalist, GetClassical is an endeavor of "passion and awe for classical music and the young musicians who create it today. " Ilona is aware that concert hall audiences are declining and primarily represent an older demographic. The GetClassical performances are "edgy, young, but never compromise music quality, ” and Ilona hopes that having these intimate presentations will be a way to reintroduce classical music to a new group of people. Manhattan Sideways was invited to attend the first evening in the series featuring Adrianne Haan, a German-born vocalist. In an informal and interactive cabaret-style performance of incredibly high quality, Ilona remarked that Zinc Bar is the "perfect place" for her series: luxurious enough to transport people - in this case to Berlin of the 1930s - but low-key enough to not be intimidating. There is no doubt that GetClassical and Zinc Bar make an exciting combination for music lovers. Zinc Bar is also host to New York City Chess Inc., which hosts games, tournaments, and classes daily at Zinc Bar. This added feature makes the space a chess club during the day, and a jazz club at night. Walking in, the Manhattan Sideways team was introduced to Michael, Russ, and Jenny, who, sitting in a booth across from the bar, explained that the bar was their office, where all the organization and operation of New York City Chess takes place. “We’re kind of like Tony Soprano, you know, who does all of his business out of the bar, ” Michael joked. We were encouraged to stop by again to sit down for a quick game. It is free and in their words, “we’re always happy to have opponents. ”