The Best of Hells Kitchen
March 31st, 2010 by Samantha Nicholson
Every non-native resident of New York City remembers their first visit to Times Square. You will notice the flashing neon lights, mobs of people, huge megastores, and often the Naked Cowboy standing in the middle of the street. After this initial visit, you will most likely try to avoid Times Square at all costs. But don’t discount the neighborhood surrounding it. There is a wealth of activities to do and things to see in the area surrounding Times Square. This neighborhood is known as Hell’s Kitchen.
The name of the neighborhood is a little off-putting, but Hell’s Kitchen isn’t some slum in the middle of Manhattan. In fact, it’s full of eclectic restaurants, fun bars, and hip lounges. Hell’s Kitchen generally refers to the area between 34th and 57th street. Many actors call this area home due to its proximity to Broadway, as well as the Actors Studio training school. Former residents include everyone from Madonna to Sylvester Stallone. Novels such as Sleepers, Sinners’ Ball, and Old Flame were all set in this famous neighborhood. If you are planning a trip to NYC, Hell’s Kitchen should definitely be on your go-to list.
One place you must visit on your trip to Hells Kitchen is the historic Radio City Music Hall (1260 Avenue of the Americas). Its nickname is “The Showplace of the Nation,” and this couldn’t be more true. For many years, it was NYC’s top tourist attraction. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is its most famous show. This annual holiday show features the Rockettes and attracts many audience members each year. The venue stays busy all year long, as it is the frequent host for awards shows, concerts, and even sporting events. There have been countless movie premieres that have taken place at the venue as well. Don’t forget to take a picture in front of its famous neon-light sign.
If TV is more your thing than live Broadway performances, try getting free tickets to see The Colbert Report, which films at 513 W 54th street. The live taping isn’t limited to what you actually see on television. There is a hilarious warm-up comic that takes the stage before Colbert goes on. If you’re the shy type, you might not want to sit front row; the comic tends to pick on certain people relentlessly. Colbert then comes out and does a short question-and-answer session before the taping begins. He does this out of character, and the difference between his television personality and real-life persona is somewhat shocking. I watch the show on a regular basis, but seeing it live is a completely different experience that all Colbert fans should try to do at some point.
The B.B. King Blues Club and Grill (237 W 42nd st) is a huge venue with good food and high-quality music acts. The club doesn’t just feature blues; you can hear pop, rock, and funk acts on a regular basis. The tourist-targeted pricing means this place gets a little expensive. However, with the amazing talent and the delicious food, you’ll soon forget about what you’re paying.
Johnny Utah’s (25 W 51st st) is a fun restaurant/bar that is a favorite of Hell’s Kitchen locals. It features Manhattan’s first mechanical bull, which always has a long line of people eager to hop on. Happy hour is always booming here, as many large office buildings surround the venue. Mixed drinks start at a cheap (for NYC) $5 and some beers are only $2. The food isn’t anything to write home about, but the relaxed country vibe will have you ordering BBQ wings and curly fries. There’s even fried pickles on the menu. Make sure you head here early. The place gets empty around 11 or so on most nights.
The famous play “West Side Story” depicted Hell’s Kitchen as a turbulent neighborhood. After a tour of Hell’s Kitchen, you will realize that its historic gritty reputation is no longer true. The neighborhood’s history may be tied to the criminal underworld, but today it is known for its luxury condos, hip restaurants, and trendy boutiques.
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