White Horse Tavern has been in operation since 1880. It was ‘business as usual’ during Prohibition at Greenwich Village’s White Horse Tavern because Jimmy Walker, the Mayor of New York City, had given instructions to the local precinct to ‘leave the tavern alone.’ (Courtesy James and Karla Murray. Visit their site: http://www.jamesandkarlamurray.com/ and buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/New-York-Nights-James-Murray/dp/1584235039)

The Carnegie Delicatessen was established in 1937 and is best known for its pastrami, corned beef and brisket sandwiches, which are overstuffed with at least one pound of meat. (Courtesy James and Karla Murray. Visit their site: http://www.jamesandkarlamurray.com/ and buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/New-York-Nights-James-Murray/dp/1584235039)

Empire Diner in Hell’s Kitchen was located inside a 1946 Fodero Dining Car. In late 2009 the diner closed after lease renewal negotiations with the landlord failed. White Horse Tavern. (Courtesy James and Karla Murray. Visit their site: http://www.jamesandkarlamurray.com/ and buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/New-York-Nights-James-Murray/dp/1584235039)

The Wonder Wheel was erected in Coney Island in 1920 and still operates today as part of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park located on the Boardwalk by Denos Vourderis Place. The father of the current owner of the Coney Island Wonder Wheel often told his wife that one day he would buy the Wonder Wheel for her as a wedding present ‘a ring so big that everyone in the world would see how much he loved her, a ring that would never be lost. (Courtesy James and Karla Murray. Visit their site: http://www.jamesandkarlamurray.com/ and buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/New-York-Nights-James-Murray/dp/1584235039)

Radio City Music Hall has a gold stage curtain, extending from the ceiling to the floor, which is the largest in the world.(Courtesy James and Karla Murray. Visit their site: http://www.jamesandkarlamurray.com/ and buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/New-York-Nights-James-Murray/dp/1584235039)

Bleecker Bob’s Records was founded by Bob Plotnick in 1967 on Bleecker Street. The store is considered by many to be a New York City landmark as it is one of the city’s oldest independent record stores, packed with wooden bins and milk crates of records with handmade cardboard and masking tape dividers.(Courtesy James and Karla Murray. Visit their site: http://www.jamesandkarlamurray.com/ and buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/New-York-Nights-James-Murray/dp/1584235039)

Lenox Lounge was founded in 1939 by the Greco family and named for its location on Lenox Avenue. It became a hot spot for after-hours jam sessions, boasting performances by jazz legends such as Billie Holiday, John Coltrane and Miles Davis. Due to a steep rent increase, it recently closed on December 31, 2012. (Courtesy James and Karla Murray. Visit their site: http://www.jamesandkarlamurray.com/ and buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/New-York-Nights-James-Murray/dp/1584235039)

Eddie’s Sweet Shop in Forest Hills, Queens has been in business for over 65 years and is famous for its homemade ice cream. (Courtesy James and Karla Murray. Visit their site: http://www.jamesandkarlamurray.com/ and buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/New-York-Nights-James-Murray/dp/1584235039)

Papaya King was founded in 1932 and named by a famous Brooklyn Dodger player who called the owner and his store the ‘Papaya King’.(Courtesy James and Karla Murray. Visit their site: http://www.jamesandkarlamurray.com/ and buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/New-York-Nights-James-Murray/dp/1584235039)

Loew’s Paradise Theatre on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx was built in 1929 at a cost of $4 million and had a lavish auditorium with seating for 4,200. (Courtesy James and Karla Murray. Visit their site: http://www.jamesandkarlamurray.com/ and buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/New-York-Nights-James-Murray/dp/1584235039)