United States

New York City 

Vinyl

Record Store

Tim Sweeney is a figure who needs no introduction.

 when he was a music student at New York University, taking over the AM show broadcast on WYNU. Every Tuesday evening, Sweeney captured the zeitgeist of the city with his shows, playing a one-hour mix followed by an additional hour with a guest. Beats In Space has featured some of the biggest acts in electronic music – from Ben UFO to Four Tet, Prosumer and more – and even art world icons such as Wolfgang Tillmans.

In 2019, Sweeney launched the Beats In Space imprint, kickstarting it with a release from Powder. Later, in 2021, he moved the much-loved radio show to Apple Music, launching it on the platform with Planningtorock. Now, it airs every Friday at 9pm (GMT) on 

As a key cultural figure and tastemaker within New York's dance music scene, Sweeney knows the city well. With an extensive knowledge of where to go record digging, grab a coffee or Greek food, and where to get a haircut, Sweeney comes through with his top picks on how best to experience the city – as he would.

I’ve been visiting A1 Records almost every week since 1999. Lots of inspiration for what to play on the radio show comes from talking with Jeremie [Delon] and Shef who run things at the shop.

A night out starts (or ends) with a Manhattan made by Ivan Berko over at Clandestino. He’s got the best music playing in the bar too.

If you’re hungry in Dime’s Square, stop by Kiki’s for some Greek food. Favourite dish: branzino with the lemon potatoes!

When I’m over in the East Village and I’ve got time after stopping by A1 Records, then I head down the street to Mast Books. Amazing selection of new and old books. I love checking the rare books section.

I love searching out a good farmers market whenever I’m on tour. When friends come to New York, I send them to the Union Square Greenmarket. You’ll find something fun to eat.

If you need to tighten up that haircut, go see Coco. She takes no bullshit – and don’t forget to bring cash.

New York loves a good bagel. Russ & Daughters has your bagels, your lox, your cream cheese and an amazing chocolate babka if you’ve got a sweet tooth.

A new favourite that just opened at the start of 2023 in the Lower East Side on 191 Chrystie Street. Bringing quality music back into Manhattan.

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Tim Sweeney's Guide to New York City 

35s & 45s

35s & 45s was born, in part, to broaden the avenues outside of the mainstream gallery system, while sharing love of film photography and records. The mission of the first exhibition was to provide a space where these mediums could be celebrated by and for their community. It quickly became a large monthly gathering for creatives to network, share ideas and support analog. That original mission carries through still today, but exceeding expectations. Check out 35s & 45s' guide to the best places to find analog in NYC.

Owned and operated by local DJ Fatik, I go mainly for the new house/techno/re-issue etc stuff and to kick it. He has an ill plant collection too!

Owned and curated by the DJ's DJ Tom Noble - they carry everything but for me - solid funk, soul, world, disco and house + massive 45 collection. They throw fun in store parties a lot - I walked in on Antal & Tom playing once.

Big, big collection and neighbourhood staple of Williamsburg. Big and super well priced collection of jazz, soul, funk, rock, house, world, etc.

Really dope record store and cafe (great coffee) with rare and well curated collection of used and new disco, house, techno, jazz, brazil, world/brazil and soul.

A solid buy, sell, trade record store with mostly rock, reggae, funk etc - but also a pretty good selection of house joints.

A neighbourhood staple in East Village with the best, consistent rotation of affordable and absolute heat on wax - everything from RnB, soul, disco, hip-hop, techno, house and more house.

A very important space, shout out to owners Vanessa & Bowen. This is one of the most inclusive clubbing spaces in NYC right now with some of the best up & coming, forward thinking DJs as well as staple locals and parties. Good priced drinks, with a totally fun and loose atmosphere - one of my favorite places to be. Also astrology themed cocktails!

Best large club in New York right now, no phones on the dance floor!!! Amazing outside day parties in Spring/Summer with consistent local and international talent I always love to see - Honey Dijon, Theo Parrish, DJ Marcelle, Soul Summit, Marcellus Pittman, Galcher Lustwerk, Stud1nt, Analog Soul etc.

Large club in south Brooklyn with 2 rooms, 1 with a large wooden dance floor and custom hi-fi sound system the other shared with a cafe and more for listening and hanging - although, dancing occurs fo sho - another great place to see the likes of Theo Parrish, Francois K, Ron Trent etc.

Hi-fidelity sound system with high quality vegan tacos, the club is in a cool basement built out with wooden sound treatment and Klipsch system + home rotary mixer - vinyl sounds fantastic here.

The consistent home of techno in Brooklyn for some time now - this is a medium/small size space with heavy hitting lineups on a regular basis, well priced and fun. This is one of my favorite places to hang.

Cocktail bar and fusion sushi restaurant with local disco, funk, rnb and soul DJs. Also home to the birth of 35s & 45s.

Manhattan staple true Discotheque style club with views of New Jersey & New York on the top floor of the Standard Hotel - always good DJs - great place to catch Eli Escobar, Sadar Bahar or local parties from Brooklyn that make their way to Manhattan.

A very small futuristic Star Wars outpost kind of space-themed bar with a custom built hi fidelity sound system and rotary mixer.

Best place for development, hi-res printing, framing, etc - all around full service shop in Soho.

DIY film development in Bushwick, a great space to meet others in the neighbourhood and a good place to learn about new spaces or local exhibitions.

Super fast and fairly cheap place for solid development in LES / Chinatown.

Cheap place in Greenpoint to buy film and develop, best for fast turn around on developing - but the quality is not always the top notch. You get what you pay for, its bottom dollar and fast!

35s & 45s Guide to NYC Crate Digging

Devine Blacksher

 to highlight the businesses that are changing the cultural fabric of four key cities: from London to New York via Paris and Berlin. Here, we have Devine Blacksher on her favourite cultural spaces in New York.

Devine Blacksher is a journalist who, through her work, aims to uplift the Black community. As a journalist and editor, she’s written for a plethora of high-profile New York-based titles, such as 

in the role of Associate Fashion Editor. She’s currently the Senior Fashion Editor at Essence and aside from her editorial work, she’s the co-founder of the community-based initiative To Many More, which curates experiences for communities of colour. She’s also a guide for Hike Clerb, an intersectional women’s outdoors club centring BIPOC.

It’s an exciting time to be in New York, Blacksher points out to us, as there’s a wide spectrum of independent and grassroots initiatives launching in the city that has a reputation for, well, never sleeping. “A lot of people are seeking spaces,” she says, “whether new or old that are niche.” Advising travellers and seasoned New Yorkers alike to take the bus instead of the subway to see the city, Blacksher is a community-focused creative who’s proud to be a part of New York’s scene. It’s one that’s thriving and ever-growing. Below are her highlights in the city.

 to access all four travel guides and more.

Squarespace

I love the fusion of community and food Sugar Hill Creamery offers. The story behind the brand and the stories being told at each location provide you with more context about the community you’re living in. I’d recommend ordering the mint ice cream or the non-dairy chocolate ice cream.

If you’re into music and want to go to an OG spot in town, A1 Records is the spot. A lot of DJ legends have frequented the East Village staple. The team that works there is also super helpful and serious about the music. My tip would be to look up at the ceiling and just take your time going through the selection of music.

If you’re into smelling good and looking for a cool NYC experience, then you should definitely check out Kismet located in a basement in lower Manhattan. I love this spot because they have tonnes of essential oils to experiment with if you’re seeking to develop your own fragrance with them. If not, the core fragrances they offer will satisfy you just as much. Kismet’s merch would be a great souvenir to take home to a friend or to keep for yourself.

I like going here on Sundays around 11:30am, 12pm. Browsing the magazines and books then playing a couple rounds of Mancala with my boyfriend while drinking a glass of sparkling tea. The people who work here are super chill and great to talk to as well.

A1 Records

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