Books are Magic is a great local spot for bookworms. The staff is warm and friendly with regular events happening monthly. 

You've heard about the reading room at the New York Public Library, haven't you? Then I need not go on. Just look at it. And you're allowed to hang around in there!

When the weather is nice I love to come here with my friends and eat falafel and talk forever and lay in the sun. It’s just a short walk from my place and has a great view of Manhattan and there’s always good trash washed up on the shore.

The best selection of photography books...From novelties to rare out of prints. They are also publishers and organize books signing with photographers such as Juergen Teller or Taryn Simon.

This is one of my favorite bars in Manhattan. It has a courtyard in the middle and they only serve a large selection of Belgian beer. It's always dark with red lights so it's like a giant darkroom with everyone developing hangovers instead of film. The courtyard creates a front bar that is open on the weekends, so if you get cornered talking about architecture you can escape over to the front bar and watch people walk down 4th street.