Speaking Whatever

Want to forget you are in America when in New York? Try one of these two places:

Centro Espanol

La Nacional, The Spanish Benevolent Society

239 W. 14th Street

When I first walked into this place, I thought it was a homeless shelter. It actually might be. It’s a smoky basement room, lit with fluorescent light, and filled with ancient men in berets playing Dominos and speaking Spanish.

I couldn’t figure out what was going on so I took my father who speaks Spanish and he couldn’t figure it out either. The best guess he came up with was an expat hangout for Spaniards. They’re friendly enough – one old guy invited me to the Tango lessons they have on Thursday Night. I assume he wanted me to bring a partner.

Decibel Sake Bar

240 E. 9th Street, between 2nd and 3rd

Two different people told me this place felt like a traditional sake bar in a small fishing village in Japan. I’ve never been to Japan, but if they are right, small villages in Japan are run by punks.

This place certainly seems to be – everyone has massive tattoos, dyed hair, and, of course, they all speak Japanese. You sit on a wooden log as a bar stool. They have over forty Sakes on tap; it’s very cool.

The entrance is a bit off-putting – you have to go down these stairs into a basement and ring a bell to get in. The really scary thing is that you have to ring the bell to get out.

The Author

Clinton Mainland is a freelance writer living in New York. You can reach him at his email.

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