Porto Rico Coffee "Since 1907"

An old school, old world coffee shop that offers the best ground coffee in the Village. And perhaps the oldest. Definitely the best. A Bleecker Street staple for decades. So where do you have your coffee ground?

Cinema Village Theater

“Build in 1963 in the shell of a turn of the century fire station, Cinema Village is the oldest continuously operated cinema in Greenwich Village and one of the oldest continuously operated art cinemas in the city.

“Through most of its first three decades of life Cinema Village was one of Manhattan's several repertory cinemas. Showcasing a canon of vintage classics, cult and contemporary critical favorites on double bills that would usually change three times a week, this once essential programming format has now largely died out in commercial cinemas in the city and around the country. Before the video revolution, short of a private film collection, going to a repertory cinema was virtually the only way to see many films after their initial theatrical run. Rep houses like Cinema Village were the autodidacts' film school and favorite haunts of cineastes for decades. 

“Cinema Village is proud of its longevity and thankful to have survived the pitfalls that have taken down so many other independent cinemas. Notwithstanding our resourcefulness, our ability to survive is testimony entirely to the New York City audience. We could probably only exist where we are: in the midst of most diverse, cosmopolitan and cine-aware of cities” 

Peter McManus Cafe

Peter McManus Cafe is among the oldest family owned and operated bars in New York City. Located in the heart of Chelsea at 152 Seventh Avenue at 19th Street this bar was written about in the book, "The Hundred Best Bars in NYC" and placed very highly.

The newspaper clipping on the wall is headlined PETER MCMANUS AND SONS: TAVERNMEN FOR MANY YEARS. The date August 23, 1948 -- when the bar had already been in business for twelve years. This explains McManus's Tiffany glass, wooden phone booths, and overall time-capsule atmosphere. These days, neighborhood workers from bike messengers and electricians to lawyers and musicians drop in to chat with James "Jamo" McManus, the founder's grandson, who is on hand nearly every night.

When Peter and Mary (Gorman) McManus left Ballinamuck, Longford, back in 1906, they could hardly have imagined that a century later, "Peter McManus" would appear in the films of Woody Allen and TV shows like Seinfeld, and be a part of New York City lore. But that's the case with The Peter McManus Cafe, the famous watering hole located at 19th Street and Seventh Avenue since 1936.

analog telephone booths!
Tiffany glass... 

rock stars, jazz giant, '70s style

Took this shot of jazz genius Miles Davis on my first visit to NYC, 1978. My sister said, "Miles lives down 78th Street," and there he was. This was during his lost, underground period so I was lucky.  Miles 1959 album, Kind of Blue, remains the best selling jazz album of all time.  
This woman was yammering non stop, but Miles was polite to her. And to me.  
ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, backstage at Charlotte, NC's Memorial Stadium, 1973. 

Greg Allman at same....

Miles' cavelike apartment is no longer there, razed for a blue glass condo....surprise.... 

Better for You?

Strolling the aisles at Target near Princeton this fine and lovely weekend I spotted this curious sign. Notice the junk food below? There were five aisles of potato chips, candy bars and cookies all bearing the celebratory 'better for you' sign,' and one portion of a row with healthier crackers. And we wonder why Americans are obese and getting obese-r?? I asked a nearby Target worker,"Can you believe these signs?" She said, "Well, don't you feel better after you eat a candy bar?" You can't make this stuff up.

Walking Morton, Commerce & Barrow

Famous faces at 42 Morton...whom I know not!
Splendid archway..
Love on Morton
No. 72
Those fabulous caryatids...Praised by AIA.

Drink Unto Others?

Hudson Street 2694391861

Dapper Dan Uncovered

Removal of a 70s era sign revealed this stunning, 1940s era sign. Dapper Dan, we hardly knew ye...

P&G Cafe - rubble

The iconic 67 year old P&G Cafe on the Upper West Side was leveled and carried off yesterday. Gone is its ancient neon signage and Austrian wall murals (painted in 1943 by a patron who couldn't pay his tab - Jeremiah). The vanishing of New York continues.

Battered birdbath

Morton near Hudson..

Old Tribeca, Pt. 5 Old Folks, Young Lions

Located on an old Spring Street block of ancient Irish bars, including Emerald Inn, EAR Inn, and McGoverns, old grand old stands guard while gentrification surrounds him on all corners.

Old Tribeca, Pt. 4

Full frontal! 

Tribeca, Pt. 3

Same as last two days, profile view....the "scaffold" near the first floor noted by super west coast blogger Altadena Hiker is actually the fire escape staircase. The old buildings featured a mechanical firescape; once you'd fled to the second floor level, you'd use a pulley or chain to lower the moveable part of the firescape to street level..

Tribeca Storefront, Pt .2

Same building as yesterday, wide angle view....I think it is a beautiful structure, especially so amid the modern blue glass condostrosities that have cornered it..

Old Tribeca Storefront, Pt. 1

...and one of my favorite buildings, the last of its kind below Canal and above the Financial District...

At Madison Square Park...

It was a dark and spooky night in the city that never sleeps....

Lincoln Center 2

Inside the Starr cafe looking to Broadway and 66th Street.

Favorite West Village Buildings, Pt. 1

Water station on the Hudson, freaked out in Photoshop...

Grand Central

Every New Yorker has their Grand Central photos...here's mine.. 

Lincoln Center

Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center has recently been renovated (rebuilt) and the results are spectacular.

City Opera in the background..

Cool!

Dig those angles!

MADE IN USA

Industrial refuse on Hudson River Whitehall Pier....14th street 

so much beer so little time!

in the east village....

Lage Lund 55 Bar

55 Bar is one of Greenwich Village's great music bars. Last night Swede guitarist Lund performed with Bill Stewart, Ben Street and Aaron Parks.   

Charles Lane

Charles Lane, one of the oldest alleys in the west village, now cornered by blue glass towers and fashionistaS ...