Restaurants | Bars

Johny’s Luncheonette

Johny’s on 124 W 25th Street is a classic, no-frills luncheonette that has flourished solely on the merits of its reputation. Signified by an old, blue awning, Johny’s serves a number of signature sandwiches that, though not as cheap as they used to be, are still a bang for their buck. Specialties include a tuna and feta cheese combination sandwich called the Dynamic Dez as well as the Famous Sloppy Johny, which features grilled chicken, bacon, onions, cheese and coleslaw on a hero. You can also buy shirts and other neat memorabilia online.

Bars

Roth New York Bar

A few years back, Chelsea’s Hauser & Wirth gallery opened in a temporary space on 18th Street, where it was housed inside a former roller disco space. Its inaugural exhibition showcased work from Swiss artist Dieter Roth, his son Bjorn and grandsons Oddur and Einar. Among other interesting installations, the exhibit includes the Roth New York Bar — an art installation/coffee bar/actual bar crafted from salvaged and scavenged parts.

Hauser & Wirth has since moved to West 22nd street, but lucky for imbibers, the Roth Bar has survived the relocation. It’s bigger and better, but still maintains its original grunge thanks to its odd arrangement of metal parts, junk electronics, plastic flowers and more.