From Third Rail to Bar Rail: Exploring NYC's Transit & Cocktail Connection

How have New York City's transit hubs shaped its legendary food and drink culture? From an opulent dining room in Grand Central Terminal to both historic and current watering holes near Penn Station and the High Line, it's time to uncover the delicious intersection where New York transportation meets cocktail and bar history.

Join New York Adventure Club for a guided exploration through some of New York City's iconic transit hubs and their railroad-inspired cocktail and bar legacies.

Led by licensed New York tour guide James Hoffman, our unique walking and transit experience will include:

• A dive into the histories of Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station and Moynihan Train Hall, including the architectural marvels, cultural significance, and hidden secrets of these historical landmarks
• The High Line’s transformation from an old freight rail line into one of the city’s most beloved green spaces
• Insights into the city's transportation legacy including the PATH, LIRR, Metro-North, and subway systems
• Highlights of legendary bars and nightlife spots from the Campbell Apartment and Grand Central Oyster Bar to the Knickerbocker Hotel and Tunnel nightclub

Our experience ends inside Porchlight Bar, which will have a special cocktail menu with historical cocktails like the 20th Century, The Red Cap, and The Vanderbilt available for purchase. Non-alcoholic beverages and food will also be available to purchase. While enjoying the beverage of your choosing, James will connect the history of the themed cocktails with the sites visited on the walk.

See you there!

*Please bring a water bottle and a comfortable pair of shoes as we’ll be doing a lot of walking!

**Since our tour includes accessing the subway, a MetroCard swipe or credit card / OMNY card tap will be needed to enter the subway system.

***This tour concludes at 11th Avenue and 28th Street.

About James

James Hoffman is a seasoned licensed New York City tour guide with over a decade of experience. He’s set up an array of sightseeing walks and bike tours that span from iconic landmarks like Grand Central Terminal to the historic Green-Wood Cemetery.

When he's not leading tours he runs open board game nights at victorypints.com and donates his time to the Guides Association of New York City (GANYC), working alongside fellow guides to promote live tour guides.

Testimonials

"The guide was so calm and pleasant. He spoke clearly and was very interesting. I had taken the Penn Station Tour and the Grand Central Terminal Tour in past, so I appreciated he spoke about different things than those other tours. It was a unique tour idea." -Lorraine

"A lot of the station content I had heard before, James debunked a lot of previous knowledge, and managed to show us new information. A deeper dive into a specific topic." -Joy

"The guide was very knowledgeable, spoke clearly, and managed everything smoothly. I would definitely do another event with this guide!" -Heather

Disclaimer

Event takes place rain or shine.

By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.

Categories: In-Person, Neighborhood Tours