Marie Laveau wrote:I skimmed everyone's posts so I may have missed this.
If you are a reader, and visiting shrines is in your purview, don't miss the Algonquin Hotel, the milieu of Parker, Benchley, etc.
And, yes, I realize it's "just" a table.
I haven't been to NYC in ten years. Great town.
The Algonquin is closed for renovations until May, which is unfortunate, because it's a great place to enjoy a well-mixed drink in a quiet, civilized environment.
For live music and hipster watching, I suggest
Cake Shop in Manhattan, and
Glasslands in Brooklyn.
For great views of lower Manhattan, take the Staten Island ferry back and forth, which will only take you an hour or so, and best of all, it's free!