11’s: Places to Take a Friend You're Trying to Convince to Move to NYC
Peronis on Canal Street and late-night yuba-verde sandwiches
Connor is a great guy — one of my best friends. He’s hard-working and ambitious. He has great style and appreciates nice things. He’s thoughtful, a great storyteller, and an even better listener. Every time we’re together, we lift each other up (the ultimate sign of a great friendship, IMO). The only problem I have with the guy is that he doesn’t live in New York. Selfishly, he’s just someone I wish were around all the time. But also, I know he’d fit in so well here.
Every time Connor is gearing up for a visit, my friend Sam and I have a half-joking dialogue about the things we can do to convince him to move. None of it has worked (yet). But you better believe we’ll keep on trying.
Weekends with Connor often revolve around some of the greatest hits — restaurants, bars, concert venues, and scenes I want him to experience.
But the New York pitch itself isn’t about the individual hits — it’s about the space between them. It’s about the feeling of being in New York.
When I first visited the city in 2020, that’s what quickly sold me on moving here. The spontaneity, the lack of predictability, the possibility! It was the characters I crossed paths with, and the energy and passion they had for their work, hobbies, and interests. It was the pace and hustle of everyone around me as I walked down 1st Ave. The way people dressed — fitted up for absolutely no reason. And most importantly, it was how I felt being in it.
That’s the spirit of today’s list: not just a roundup of spots, but a collection of situations worth immersing your visiting friend in. Slices of city life that capture the wonder, the pace, and the possibility that make the city lovable and livable. Scenes that might just convince someone to pack their shit and get in here.
11’s: Places to Take a Friend You’re Trying to Convince to Move to NYC
01] Have a slow morning at the neighborhood cafe
New York has a tremendous cafe culture, which is in part driven by people’s desire to spend most of their time outside their apartments. Start the day slow with a leisurely cafe hang, preferably at a warm, welcoming place where you’ll get a friendly hello from the staff. There’s a misconception that New York is too big to be personable, but the regular, routine coffee hits — places like Villager, IXV, and Cafe Mado — help make the city feel a little tigther. Abraço is a place I write about a lot for good reason — it’s always filled with characters, interesting conversation, excellent music, and it has an aura that leaves you feeling grounded and connected to the community (and the coffee is damn good).
02] Lean into the chaos
Specifically, go out to dinner on the Lower East Side. After living here for a while, the Dimes Square scene and the kickflipping teenagers might start to make you roll your eyes, but with a fresh perspective, it’s a pretty unbelievable rush of chaotic energy and life. Put your name down at Kiki’s and wait for your table at Time Again, sitting on some tiny plastic stools, drinking a bunch of Peronis. You could also deploy the unstoppable one-two punch of Cervo’s to Cellar 36. Embrace the hectic, convivial nature of the city’s sceniest neighborhood.
03] Go dancing
I mean, really go dancing. A night out at Good Room or an afternoon session at Nowadays are both excellent showcases of the city’s club scene — places where music is the priority. If the calendar aligns, catching a show at a larger-scale venue, like Forest Hills Stadium, is the absolute best. The crowd at Forest Hills always has an infectious vibe that’s unlike anywhere else in the world.
04] Spend an afternoon in Greenpoint
Greenpoint showcases a side of New York that’ll have even the most “I could never live in New York” people thinking, Damn, this is kinda nice. Post up on a drink ledge at Bar Americano and have a vermouth with orange foam (or two). Stop by Lot Radio to see who’s in the DJ booth. Have a pastor taco at Ramirez. Draw on some tablecloths and sip on a Bud heavy at Bernie’s.
05] Get up on a rooftop, or just find a nice view
An organic rooftop, though. One where the roof is a nice feature, not the whole point. A place like Cherry on Top in Bushwick, where you can drink good wine and take in some decent views. Or better yet, a friend’s roof in Williamsburg, where you’ll likely get killer views, and it doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard — unlike the Edge or god forbid, Mr. Purple. I just think hanging on the roof, taking in the scale of the city, is pretty awesome and inspiring. If you’re afraid of heights (or just don’t want to go to Bushwick), the Brooklyn Heights Promenade has a similar effect on me.
06] Go somewhere that feels incredibly New York
I’m talking an on-the-nose, New York City you see in the movies kinda vibe. Sit at the bar at Minetta or JG Melon and crush a burger. Slip into Keen’s or Peter Luger for a martini (even if you aren’t sitting down for steaks). Have a beer at a pub decked in history like Fraunces Tavern, Old Town Bar, or Ear Inn (just don’t get a Guinness). You’d think these classic New York vibes were made up — but they’re not. And they’re just as cinematic as you would have hoped and dreamed.
07] Go somewhere that doesn’t feel like New York at all
I think it’s important to showcase the range we’ve got here. Hang in Ridgewood, which feels more like a suburban subdivision than the big city. Venture out to Salty Lunch Lady for a sandwich; drink a beer at Jones Bar. Or head down to Red Hook, which feels like an old seaside town. Have brunch at Cafe Kestrel, get a burger at Red Hook Tavern, or listen to some bluegrass music at Sunny’s. The number one thing that makes NYC “unlivable” is the constant noise and stimulus. But all it takes is a short trek off the main drag to really settle things down.
08] Get a bunch of your friends together for a pow-wow
Flex your social prowess and show your visitor how great your New York circle is! Pick a bar with plenty of room for people to saunter in and out. The back room at Swift is perfect for these situations. Sharlene’s is another place where you can gather a big crew and hang around for hours. I love a pow-wow: tell a bunch of people where and when you’re going, tell them to bring whoever. It’s the best. There are so many connections to be made and experiences to be had in this city. I love that any given night can introduce you to a new friend for life.
09] Get a late-night bite
New York might not have the late-night dining scene it once did, but it’s still impressive to have something tasty after midnight when most cities are ghost towns by 10 pm. Slide into Sunny and Annie’s for a sandwich on a hero that’s somehow freshly-baked, no matter the hour. Stop into Lil’ Frankie’s Grocery for a hidden gem Sicilian slice (only from 12-4 am). Commodore and Superiority Burger both hit hard in the late-night hours with kitchens open ‘til 2 am.
10] Head to the park
I don’t often engage in many touristy activities, but posting up in Central Park is an exception. It’s certainly an attraction, but it transcends the tourist designation. It’s awe-inspiring and really special — accessible, useful, endlessly explorable. Bring some sandwiches and have a quick picnic; cut through on a walk from Upper West to Upper East; just get in there and soak in the magic. No city has anything quite like it.
11] Leave for the day without a plan
The best thing about New York is that there’s always something to do and always somewhere to stumble into. Some of my favorite days in the city have been the ones where I walk out my door in the morning and don’t come home until after dark. Instead of scripting all your moves and filling the day with reservations and obligations, just bounce around and see what happens. Do what sounds good, follow your heart! Drink a beer at 1 pm. You don’t have anywhere you need to drive! Walk into the tiny French bistro and eat a hanger steak. Follow the rhythm of jazz pouring onto the street outside a gritty-looking bar and see what’s happening. Entertainment will find you in New York. That’s the biggest difference-maker here: You’ll never be bored because something is always happening. Demonstrating that you can turn a blank slate of a day into something packed with good things is incredibly powerful.
Thanks for being here, thanks for reading. If you feel inclined, you can support my creative process by upgrading to a paid Flood’s subscription. You’ll also gain access to Flood’s Worldwide — all my favorite places from around the world in a concise list and Google Map.
This is the best guide I’ve seen for New York yet ! Wow
You’re completely right, Greenpoint was the only place where I instantly thought exactly that