If you’re a local, we better not catch you calling Manhattan “Work Island” around here. With so much to do and see in the borough the other four call “the City,” we asked our colleagues to share their favorite haunts. Some of these locations are tourist attractions in their own right, but that is to be expected when you live, work and play in one of the most interesting cities in the world.
The Dead Rabbit. Photo: Nicholas Lee Ruiz
The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog
30 Water St., Lower Manhattan
What it is: A few blocks from the Staten Island Ferry stands a 19th-century townhouse, now home to The Dead Rabbit, a taproom where Irish history is honored—on the walls, in the glass and on the plate. The entire area is part of a nationally recognized historic district.
Why I love it: This is a whiskey lover's paradise, with spirits to savor at various price points. DO NOT sleep on the Irish coffee—dare I say best in all of New York City. Go in hungry and indulge in their chicken pot pie, served with a side of mashed potatoes and personal gravy boat.
What’s nearby: So much history! Check out 15 of Lower Manhattan's Most Historic Sights to start building your itinerary.
When to go: The Dead Rabbit is open 7 days a week: 11am–2am on the weekdays, and 11am–3am on weekends with lunch on Saturday and Sundays. Visit their website to learn more about Irish history in Lower Manhattan and how they got their name and find information on happy hour and oyster specials and live Irish music. Reservations are needed if you want to dine in the Parlor. However, the Tap Room is first come, first served with ample bar seating and tables. -–Jen Davis
International Center of Photography. Photo: Scott Rudd
International Center of Photography
84 Ludlow St., Lower East Side
What it is: The International Center of Photography (ICP) is an institution dedicated to photography and visual culture.
Why I love it: I originally moved to NYC to attend the one-year Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism program at ICP. I had always heard about the school—everyone in the photo world knows it—and being there allowed me to not only meet photographers I never imagined I'd meet but take their classes as well!
The center has a great bookshop and hosts many events, including photo talks and one of my favorites: the ICP Photobook Fest. I saw their Graciela Iturbide retrospective last year, one of the most beautiful exhibitions I've seen in a long time.
What's nearby: It’s the Lower East Side, so everything cool is nearby. Some of my favorite food spots include Kiki’s, a Greek restaurant that’s always crowded but worth it, and Bar Belly, a great place to get a cocktail while you wait for your table at Kiki’s.
I recently discovered the shop Bungee Space, which has curated materials and books from around the world, and this bar in Chinatown with amazing cocktails. Lastly, one of my favorite things to do in NYC is to cross the Williamsburg Bridge, which you can easily do after visiting ICP!
When to go: Check their website for classes, exhibitions and events. And definitely go to the book fair if you're a photographer or love photography! —Jordana Bermudez
La MaMa Experimental Theatre. Photo: Marina Levitskaya
La MaMa Experimental Theatre
66 E. 4th St., East Village
What it is: La MaMa is one of the original Off-Off-Broadway theaters, part of the early downtown movement where artists built their own spaces to create works outside commercial rules and Broadway marketing sensibilities. Fashion designer turned-theater-producer Ellen Stewart founded it in 1961 to give experimental work somewhere to exist, a mission that has been going strong for over 60 years.
Why I love it: Can something be avant-garde and feel old school at the same time? Our job is to explain NYC to visitors, but I still have trouble explaining what I mean when I say, “La Mama feels like old New York,” even after its 2023 renovation. I really never know what to expect when seeing a performance at La Mama, and that’s by design!
What's nearby: You’re only a few blocks away from Saint Mark’s Place, Veselka, McSorely’s Ale House and lots of other East Village must-visits.
When to go: Find a ticket! —Emma Diab
Rose Main Reading Room. Photo: Will Steacy
Rose Main Reading Room at the New York Public Library
42nd St. and Fifth Ave., Midtown West
What it is: An upper-level space at the NYPL’s flagship location finished in Beaux-Arts details and painted murals overhead of a pink-hued sky. The room is open to use without an appointment for research, quiet work or study and, of course, the inspiration.
Why I love it: It’s thrilling that New York City offers such grand public spaces devoted to intellectual pursuits, especially in a town where square footage is forever at a premium.
What’s nearby: Other spaces in the building, including the map room, are personal favorites. The library also frequently features exhibitions and events. And it’s located near many of the City's biggest attractions.
When to go: It’s open seven days a week. Check their website for more. —Jonathan Durbin
Waverly Diner
385 6th Ave., West Village
What it is: The Waverly is a diner that has been around since 1979, though its warm glowing neon decidedly insists it is a “restaurant.” Everything about it is old school and of another era, down to the wood paneling and the textured red plastic tumblers that your water or soda will arrive in.
Why I love it: I love a diner—and this one has been reliably great since I started going there in college, when it was popular for late bites after the clubs closed. The menu is classic, the food is great and the people-watching is fantastic.
What’s nearby: Located at W. 4th and Sixth Ave., it’s near Washington Square Park or IFC Center theater—essentially all of the Village lies at its doorstep.
When to go: While it’s no longer a 24-hour diner, it’s still open until 1am on Friday and Saturday. There’s no bad time to go to the Waverly.—Elizabeth Daggar