Category Archives: Travel

My Top 10 Favorite Bars

Posted on November 20, 2014 by fromabrooklynbasement

The continuing gentrification of San Francisco recently claimed another victim, one that’s near and dear to my heart: The Elbo Room, a longtime dive bar and music venue on Valencia Street in the Mission, will be closing, as the owners … Continue reading →

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Ein Name Macht Frei

Posted on January 27, 2014 by fromabrooklynbasement

It is raining. I’m riding on what the woman at the bus station in Krakow called, in surprising English, a minibus. Maybe five rows of seats. I am sitting next to an Asian woman. She must be going where I’m … Continue reading →

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One of My Favorite Places: Finnerty’s

Posted on September 5, 2013 by fromabrooklynbasement

I have gotten to spend most of my life in New York and San Francisco, which I consider to be the two coolest cities in America. (I love New Orleans too, but I can’t move there–I wouldn’t survive six months.) … Continue reading →

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Ghosts of New York: Max’s Kansas City and the Fillmore East

Posted on July 3, 2013 by fromabrooklynbasement

I’ve long described New York as being like the girl you’re desperately in love with who doesn’t even know your name. It’s not personal; New York doesn’t stop for anyone, doesn’t care what anyone’s name is. It’s a place that … Continue reading →

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One of My Favorite Places: City Lights Bookstore and Vesuvio Cafe

Posted on June 25, 2013 by fromabrooklynbasement

Let me tell you about my favorite way to spend an afternoon in San Francisco: I walk up the easy slope of Columbus Ave, starting at the base of the Transamerica Pyramid, passing the copper green flatiron building owned by … Continue reading →

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My Favorite Ballparks

Posted on June 12, 2013 by fromabrooklynbasement

Inspired in part by Jonah Keri’s story on Grantland, I thought I’d write a post about my favorite ballparks. It’s hardly as comprehensive as Keri’s; I’ve only been to twelve Big League stadiums (that includes two that have been demolished, … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Sports, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

One of My Favorite Places: Sunny’s Bar

Posted on April 29, 2013 by fromabrooklynbasement

From the outside, Sunny’s Bar is the very picture of unassuming. A lonely building, identified with a yellow “BAR” sign, on a dark cobble-stone street at the very tip of Red Hook, a Brooklyn neighborhood cut off from the rest … Continue reading →

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Gone to Look for America: An Epic Road Trip (Part 8)

Posted on April 2, 2013 by fromabrooklynbasement

Previous Posts: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Day 15: Whiskeylandia I got up early on Tuesday, needing to get to Frankfort, Kentucky by 2 p.m., a three-and-a-half hour drive that also … Continue reading →

Posted in Drinks, Road Trip, Travel, Whiskey | 2 Comments

Gone to Look for America: An Epic Road Trip (Part 7)

Posted on March 29, 2013 by fromabrooklynbasement

Previous Posts: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Day 13: Tennessee Blues Sunday morning I hit Route 40, headed for Nashville. Saw more highway patrol officers than I’ve ever seen anywhere, including on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Road Trip, Travel | 2 Comments

Gone to Look for America: An Epic Road Trip (Part 6)

Posted on March 27, 2013 by fromabrooklynbasement

Previous Posts: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Day 12: Music and MLK Saturday was another big sightseeing day. My first stop was the Gibson guitar factory (after being harassed by a homeless guy when I … Continue reading →

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