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13 Places that Prove NYC has a Latino Heartbeat

@visitelbarrio / Instagram
By June 24, 2015 at 2:29 pm

New York City is packed with SABOR. Dominicans, Cubans, Boricuas, Colombians, Peruvians, Mexicans – you name it, we’re there – coexisting from the tip of Harlem to the last grain of sand on the Rockaway Beach. NYC’s heart beats to the rhythm of salsa, merengue, bachata and punta. These 13 spots prove NYC is, indeed, the Latino capital of the world.

Lucky 7 Tapas Bar

Elvis Martinez?? #lucky7tapasbar

A video posted by Lucky 7 Tapas Bar (@lucky7tapasbar) on

Dominicans like it loud. Anyone who is not Latino will complain he can’t even talk over the bumpin’ beat. Dominicans will say you just gotta scream your conversation.

1455 St Nicholas Ave, Manhattan, NY 10033

Casa Adela

Pelando aho

A photo posted by casaadelarestaurant (@casaadelarestaurant) on

For Boricuas, Casa Adela is home. Those who swear by Adela’s food call her mofongo the best anywhere – including Puerto Rico. Don’t tell your abuelita on the island about that.

66 Ave C, New York, NY 10009

READ: Mexican Restaurants in New York that Will Blow Your Mind

Camaradas El Barrio

If you don’t get the urge to break out those dance moves, you may have to check your Latino chromosomes. Salsa lovers find a spot filled with personality and culture in this East Harlem hole in the wall.

2241 1st Ave, New York, NY 10029

La Sirena Mexican Folk Art

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Photo Credit: La Sirena Mexican Folk Art/Facebook

This jam-packed store in the East Village is as Mexican as a nopal. La Sirena carries arts and crafts from all over Mexico. You can fin altars of the Virgencita de Guadalupe, rosaries, hand-painted glasses, Frida Khalo portraits and Dia de los Muertos figurines.

27 E 3rd St, New York, NY 10003

Café D’Antigua

Yelp hasn’t caught up with this place just yet but Colombianos know it’s the place for delicious perros calientes (hot dogs). A Colombian que se respete knows a real perro caliente MUST have crushed potato chips, shredded cheese, ham and pineapple sauce. Add a hard boiled quail egg and you’ll have a life-long customer. They also sell the best arepas de choclo in the five boroughs.

84-16 Northern Blvd, Jackson Heights, NY 11372

Bonus: D’Antigua Bar

https://instagram.com/p/k_UaEJFdOZ/

Music fans can dive next door from el café to D’Antigua Bar for drinks and some good ol’ rock en Español. Listen to classics from acts like Soda Stereo, Fabulosos Cadillacs and Fito Paez.

READ: Pupusas, Empanadas and Churasco: There’s More Than Just Mexican Food in L.A.

La Casa Azul Bookstore

It’s not just books. This East Harlem spot celebrates and embraces Hispanic cultural diversity. La Casa Azul hosts writing workshops, illustration exhibits and live music.

143 E 103rd St, New York, NY 10029

Jackson Heights, aka Little Colombia

Colombians everywhere ???? @djchuckie

A photo posted by SZ ?? (@stephyyyy421) on

No, the name isn’t official. Yes, it should be. Jackson Heights is the Chinatown for Colombians. Ride the 7 train to 82 St – Jackson Heights and indulge in baked goods, restaurants, shops and Aguila beer.

Roosevelt Ave.

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Photo Credit: Kos K./Yelp

When you’re yearning to be in Mexico, or California, there’s a whole avenue filled with food trucks and restaurants selling delicious tacos that will satisfy your wanderlust. 100% Mexican approved!

Bembe

Salsa!

A photo posted by Bembe (@bembebrooklyn) on

Bembe nightclub feels like a night trip to the Caribbean – even in the winter. Forget about sitting down, staying dry or having any kind of a meaningful conversation. Bembe is three things: great music, booty shaking and drinks!

81 S 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Tabaré

From both owners’ taste for classic rock en Español, to the mouth-watering chivito sandwiches, everything about this hip South Williamsburg gem will give you a taste of Uruguay.

221 S 1st St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Caracas Arepa Bar

With locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn and a summer-only spot in Rockaway Beach, this gourmet restaurant is famous for its traditional Venezuelan stuffed arepas. Sweet plantains, beef, beans and cheese stuffing are merely the start; the possibilities are endless.

93 1/2 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009  and  291 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Havana Alma de Cuba

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Photo Credit: Havana Alma de Cuba/Facebook

Their ropa vieja, plátanos and flan never disappoint. This place has two rooms and they’re always blasting great sounds. Prepare to scream over the music, Cuban style!

94 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014

La Cabaña Salvadoreña

Domingos sin #pupusas no son domingos

A photo posted by Karen Gutierrez (@karenegrey) on

Your search for an authentic Salvadorian meal in NYC will end here. It’s not all pupusas, though. Fried yuca, fried pork bites, tamal de elote and beef tripe soup are among the most popular dishes at this Hudson Heights spot.

4384 Broadway, New York, NY 10040

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Life after College: Expectation vs. Reality

#mitúLIFE

Life after College: Expectation vs. Reality

College
By Natalie Barba June 25, 2015 at 9:23 am

We were so eager to graduate college because we thought we’d have our dream job, a social life and would be swimming in money. Man, were we wrong.

Expectation: You’d have a chic loft to yourself.

https://instagram.com/p/4MmXFjkVMY/

Reality: You still have roommates and it’s a dump.

https://instagram.com/p/qaaEyfyumD/

If they aren’t your siblings, it’s a weirdo you found on Craigslist. Either way, your room is still crammed and looks like it belongs to a kid.

Expectation: Living in vacation mode.

Reality: Life is more stressful than finals.

https://kubaiplis.tumblr.com/post/76768113136

You thought managing school and life was tough. Who knew work would be worse?

Expectation: Freedom! With no one to report to.

http://fiercegifs.tumblr.com/post/101092488140

Reality: You still have to check in with mom.

https://xflawlesskourt.tumblr.com/post/95126040751/me-all-the-time

She still needs to know what you eat every day.

Expectation: Living a luxuriou$ lifestyle.

http://be-your–own-hero.tumblr.com/post/107819252810/me

Reality: It’s a paycheck to paycheck kinda life.

http://elizjum.tumblr.com/post/52712213343

Now you’re faced with pesky bills and you’ll have to ask yourself if the shoes you want are worth eating ramen for a week.

Expectation: You’d be hot and fit.

http://fitness-bodybuilding.tumblr.com/post/112406186753/fitness-bodybuildingtumblrcom

Reality: You’re still trying to burn off your Freshmen 15.

http://worstsimpsonspageever.tumblr.com/post/118711861839

With a 9–5, it’s almost impossible to squeeze in a workout or cook healthy meals. Your twenties are supposed to be your hot bod years. Maybe it’ll be your thirties…

Expectation: With no schoolwork, you’d have a ton of free time.

http://midnightrider1.tumblr.com/post/80578928531

Reality: Free time is scarce.

http://plumkat.tumblr.com/post/86922471747

You have to plan when you’re going to call home, do laundry, eat, sleep and work just to make sure you get everything done. When you do have free time, you choose to stay in and rest because life is exhausting.

Expectation: The dating pool is an instant upgrade.

https://goodvibbbbbrations.tumblr.com/post/27383944721

READ: 9 Mistakes to Avoid After College Graduation

Reality: Dating isn’t classier.

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Weirdly I don't think it's going to happen for Jason

A post shared by Unspirational (@tindernightmares) on

With no free time, it only makes sense to turn to Tinder. Unfortunately, it’s the equivalent of meeting someone at a frat party.

Expectation: You can hang with the big kids.

https://wecandrinktillwedrop.tumblr.com/post/113522468672

Reality: Hangovers are worse than ever.

http://caitchaos.tumblr.com/post/116058425618

You don’t have that 21-year-old bounce-back rate anymore. And hangovers during an eight-hour work day are much worse than during a two-hour lecture where you can hide behind books.

Expectation: You’ve reached your squad goals.

https://ryanseacrest.tumblr.com/post/121053656083/happy-best-friends-day-tag-your-bff-to-let-them

Reality: You have no friends.

https://cryinginside7.tumblr.com/post/117530297251

It’s impossible to keep in touch with friends when they’ve halfway around the world. And how are you supposed to make new ones when you’re always trapped in the office?

Expectation: You have a sick job.

https://thatblokematti.tumblr.com/post/84284190708

Reality: Work sucks.

https://instagram.com/p/y439IVFEZs/

Being micromanaged and staying indoors for nine hours is making your miss your three-hour lecture.

Expectation: You have somewhat of a five-year plan.

http://postgradnej.tumblr.com/post/61502040513/when-someone-tells-me-they-have-the-next-few-years

READ: Stressed Out? Reasons You Should Have Chilled in College

Reality: You have absolutely no clue what you’re doing.

http://howdoiputthisgeekily.tumblr.com/post/47816962134/my-life-plan

It’s okay. Life after college is still better.

Goals, College, fails