Offbeat Finds
Updated: March 12, 2009
Tired of frequenting the same old hangouts? Walk on the wild side with strange brews, outlandish eateries and odd establishments of all kinds with our list of New York City treasures that offer a few surprises.
On this page:Where to Drink, Where to Visit, Where to Stay, Where to Eat.
Where to Drink
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Metropolitan
Read Reviews559 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (map)
On Sundays during the winter, a rollerskating "Tamale Girl" fuels the crowd at this gay bar in Williamsburg.
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Pressure
Read Reviews110 University Pl, New York, NY 10003 (map)
Ever wanted to have a drink in a former rooftop tennis court? Now you can.
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Beauty Bar
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Circa Tabac
Read Reviews32 Watts St, New York, NY 10013 (map)
Plenty of New York bars still sell cigarettes--few let you smoke them inside.
Where to Visit
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Christopher Brosius Ltd
Read Reviews93 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (map)
This Brooklyn scent master can re-create everything from boiled rice to suntan lotion.
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Coney Island
Read ReviewsSurf Ave at Atlantic Shore, Brooklyn, NY 11224 (map)
Visit this shrine to offbeat American entertainment before it undergoes corporate sanitizing in the next few years.
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Lower Eastside Tenement
Read Reviews97 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002 (map)
Orchard Street's museum documents both everyday family lives and the broader history of immigration.
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New York Doll Hospital
Write a review787 Lexington Ave Ste 2, New York, NY 10065 (map)
A collection of rare dolls is on display (and for sale) at this toy repair shop.
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Micro Museum
Read Reviews123 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (map)
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Museum of the City of New York
Read Reviews1220 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10029 (map)
The giant 3D model of the city and the impressive toy collection are some of the highlights at this unique museum.
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Museum Of Sex
Read Reviews233 Fifth Avenue @ 27th Street, New York, NY 10016 (map)
Porn for educational purposes.
Where to Stay
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Dylan Hotel
Read Reviews52 E 41st St, New York, NY 10017 (map)
This gorgeous Beaux Arts building was formerly the home of a chemists organization.
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Chelsea Hotel
Read Reviews222 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011 (map)
Some rooms have wood-burning fireplaces at this funky hotel where everyone from Eugene O'Neill to Jimi Hendrix has stayed.
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Library Hotel
Read Reviews299 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10017 (map)
The hotel layout is organized by the Dewey decimal system, and a collection of books reflects the literary theme of each room.
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Maritime Hotel
Read Reviews88 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011 (map)
Each room of this nautical-themed hotel has a window shaped like a porthole.
Where to Eat
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Zenkichi
Read Reviews77 North 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (map)
The booths at this secluded Williamsburg Japanese spot have blinds that can be lowered for privacy, and call buttons to summon the staff.
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W D 50
Read Reviews50 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002 (map)
Oddball flavor pairings--oysters with olives, foie gras with anchovy--prove NYC's still on the cutting edge of culinary artistry.
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Rice to Riches
Read Reviews37 Spring St, New York, NY 10012 (map)
Flavors at the world's only all-rice pudding restaurant include Take Me to Tiramisu and Sex, Drugs and Rocky Road.
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Peanut Butter & Co
Read Reviews240 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012 (map)
An eatery devoted to the peanut butter sandwich in all its glory, whether it be the Elvis--grilled peanut putter, honey, bananas and bacon--or a straight PB and J.
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Peep
Read Reviews177 Prince St, New York, NY 10012 (map)
From the bathrooms, patrons get full views of the dining room through one-way mirrors.
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Mars 2112
Read Reviews1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019 (map)
Kids love this space-themed restaurant with a simulated rocket ride to the dining room.
