The Travel Brats

Matt is a born and raised New Yorker, but moved down to the city in 2014 to pursue his artistic career. He shares great recommendations on bars he enjoys and some DE-RECOMMENDATIONS so you can avoid overpriced drinks, mediocre service, and questionable times. 

Best Bars in New York City

New York City’s bars are some of the best in the world. Classy bars on the HOT LIST include John Doe, Rye House, and Dear Irving/Rooftop Bar. A classy night club to add to your list should be 230 Fifth Rooftop. For a mix between classy and trashy with a specific vibe and “artsy” shows, visit the Box. 

Also on the hot list, for cheap drinks and a wilder night, check out The 13th Step. To enjoy mini pizza pies with every drink and a dive bar environment, you will have options like the Crocodile Lounge and the Alligator Lounge. For a speakeasy spot, the Bathtub Gin is highly regarded. To hear which bars to avoid - tune into the 63rd episode of the Travel Brats. 

Best Restaurants in New York City

Since Matt is a bartender, he is often asked where the best place to have dinner is. Matt makes sure not to steer us wrong by recommending his favorite restaurants in the city. The top dinner spots with seasonal menus include Tribeca Kitchen, Rag Trader, and Esther and Carol. 

Best Places To Stay in New York City

If you don’t live in the city, there are amazing, diverse places to call home during your stay. For classy hotel recommendations, look to Expedia for Langham Place, Baccarat Hotel, The MADE Hotel, Soho Grand Hotel, and The Pierre A Taj Hotel. To enjoy budget friendly options and to get a feel of how New Yorkers live, Airbnb in NYC has great options for boutique hotels and other neighborhoods. I recommend staying with a superhost and exploring Airbnb Experiences to make the most of your trip. 

To wrap up your New York adventures, treat yourself to delicious goodies. Two bakeries worth visiting are Carlo’s Bakery from Cake Boss and Veniero’s Italian Bakery for cannoli's. 

Thank you for tuning into our New York city podcast episode and blog. We appreciate Matt taking the time to share his experience and indulge us with his stories from brighter days. Enjoy our NYC recommendations and share some of your favorites with us. 

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1. Nashville - recommended by Gabby : This beautiful city known as the music capital of the world is also home of the top bachelorette hotspot. From the lively night activities on Broadway to relaxing strolls through its luscious parks, you just need to pack your cowboy boots, cute outfits, and your favorite friends to go explore. 
2. Denver and Boulder, Colorado - recommended by Katie : This scenic, winter wonderland was bound to make the list with endless options for hikes, exploration, skiing, and so much more. Known for their outdoor activities and delicious breweries, you can think outside the box with white water rafting, attending art festivals, and spending quality time at local mom and pop shops. Listen to our previous episode all about Boulder, CO!
3. Savannah, GA - recommended by Jasmin :This charming, southern destination with cobblestone roads, hearty meals, and rich with history allows you to unwind, appreciate the beauty, and find hidden gems on almost every corner. From noteworthy boutiques to 5 star restaurants, Savannah is an entertaining scene for all ages.  
4. New Orleans - recommended by Jasmin and Bailey : One of the funniest, most interesting, chaotic cities in the US. Whether you are going during Mardi Gras or just planning out a quick trip, there are endless activities to keep you entertained and revitalized. From karaoke at Katz to the Creole Queen on the mississippi river to history museums, there’s excitement and delicious food waiting for you. 
5. Scottsdale, Arizona - recommended by Sam : This naturally beautiful, desert inspired city is known for it’s rich architecture, outdoorsy experiences, and art-focused scenes. From their entertaining Botanical Garden to the lively Old Town Scottsdale, you will see why it’s so much more than the “World’s Finest Golf Destinations” Here’s a great website with more info on Scottsdale.
6. Key West, FL - recommended by Jenny from the Boat This tropical destination gives me life. This city has the most lively energy with insightful locals, unmatched bars, and the cutest places to stay, like the Amsterdam’s Curry Mansion Inn.  Rent scooters, do a bar crawl to Irish Kevins and Sloppy Joe’s, and convince your friends to go parasailing with you to make the most out of your trip. 

Honorable mentions are Cancun, Mexico, Las Vegas, San Diego, Charleston, and the Grand Canyon. 

Thank you so much for tuning in. Let us know which ones are your favorite or which cities should have made the list.

Follow Jared on Instagram and support his brand, the Togetherness Club. Thank you for being on the show and thank you travel brats tribe for always tuning in. 

Best Places To Eat in Fairhope, Alabama

Breakfast

2 Sisters Bakery & Deli-fun spot along bay

Julwins-diner

Biscuit King - in the country side - best biscuits ever

Egg & I - pretty good for a chain 

Lunchtime (Ash's favorite) 

Mary Ann's Deli - great sandwiches & muffuletta

2 Sisters - great sandwiches - Italian & Roll Tide & burgers

Panini Petes - great burgers & sandwiches & beneits with lemons

Dinner

Causal

Big Daddy’s at River Park - yummy friend stuff

Fish River by the Bay- Good solid seafood - love their swamp soup

Locals - good local food

Sunset Pointe- great views along with good drinks (Cool as Cucumber Martini) and food

Upscale Dining 

Thyme on Section

Wash House

Gambinos

R Bistro

Camelia Cafe

Fun Places & Things to do in Fairhope, AL

Red & White Wine Store - great flatbreads along nice wine selection

Fairhope Avenue

Page & Palette Book Store -  books & gift

Fairhope Museum

Eastern Shore Art Center

Tom Jones Pottery

Fairhope Municipal Pier

Alabama Eastern Shore Trail - bike trail

Fairhope Brewing Company

Weeks Bay Preserve

Fairhope Store - Fun fairhope items

B&B Pecan - great pecans & covered chocolate pecans

Punta Clara Kitchen - awesome pralines

Ride your bike from the Fairhope Municpal Pier to Weeks Bay & Back for 25 miles! 

Best Places to Stay in Fairhope, AL 

Grand Hotel - nice resort - restaurants are good too!

Bay Breeze - B&B -f un local place to stay - great breakfasts & pier

Hampton Inn - in downtown Fairhope - great location

Thank you for tuning in. Listen to learn all about the quaint town of Fairhope, Alabama. We highly recommend adding this place to your southern road trip for a country side, small town environment with kind people and wonderful outdoor adventures. 

The Official Travel Brats website: The Travel Brats – A Space for Travel Inspiration and Storytelling

Favorite places to go and eat on Captiva Island : 

1. Keylime Bistro - They have live music, amazing staff, better food, and great environment
2. The Mad Hatter - extremely exclusive, hard to get in, make a reservation (I haven’t even gone yet) but I’ve heard it’s amazing for date night
3. The Mucky Duck for sunset - we started out by getting drinks there, popping a squat at the picnic table towards the beach, and a great menu for sea food lovers 
4. Get a day pass at South Seas or Tween Water (south seas is more of a lavish resort on the water) and tween allows you to bounce back and forth between the pool and the beach
5. Last but not least, the Bubble Room known for their cakes, especially the infamous orange crunch cake!!!!!