A dark (and decidedly hip) bar on the LES, the only light at Beverly’s comes from the glow of its neon signage. The walls of this watering hole are lined with artwork by local artists, but only those whose art has previously been exhibited in galleries. The drinks are cheap and the music is good, and the vibes are perfect for hanging out, chatting, and maybe even getting drunk enough to start a dance party.

The Christmas light House in the Bronx is a neighborhood fixture that is hard to miss. It is decorated year round with life size statues and is painted  bright pink. Though it draws most of its audience during the holidays it is an anomaly throughout the seasons. Such a bizarre place with such exuberant colors and vibrancy attracts an artists eye and will draw you in.

This is my favorite bar in the city: original cocktails, an unpretentious crowd and live jazz.

For all book aficionados who dream of finding First editions and Rare books.

Petra “Petee” Paradez’s pies don’t just taste amazing—they’re made with amazing ingredients, like seasonal local produce, organic flour, grass-fed butter, and natural fair-trade sweeteners.