Zinester's Guide to NYC

Zine Scene: Zinester’s Guide to NYC

Zinester's Guide to NYCAyun Halliday: Zinester’s Guide to NYC: The Last Wholly Analog Guide to NYC (Microcosm, 11/1/10)

The Zinester’s Guide to NYC claims to be “the last wholly analog guide to NYC,” but more importantly, it’s a wonderful corrective to the Fodor’s and Frommer’s of the world.  Chock-full of secret spots, advice, and things to see and do and eat, Zinester’s Guide is truly like having a best friend (or several dozen of them with competing viewpoints) show you around their native boroughs.  Edited by Ayun Halliday (of East Village Inky fame) and created with comics, suggestions, and submissions from more than 50 other zine writers, Zinester’s Guide is an amazing amalgam of personal stories, rants and raves, and more.

Deeply familiar with where to go (and, more importantly, where not to), these natives know the city like no one else, as evidenced by a description of Art Bar in Greenwich Village: “This place is stellar.  It’s not a scene bar.  The wait staff is helpful and attentive.  The back room, complete with fireplace, feels like someone’s basement.  The Last Supper painting, featuring Jim Morrison as Jesus, is intriguing. – Heath Row.”  This book truly seems like it would help the novitiate find places and things to do that they never would otherwise.