Greenwich Village is blessed with an especially dense concentration of vintage neon signs. Signs like these advertised businesses large and small throughout the city beginning in the 1920s and 1930s. They fell out of favor in the 1960s due to rising costs, restrictive zoning ordinances, and the appearance of less costly forms of outdoor advertising. In recent years, they have all but disappeared as old, independent businesses across the city have succumbed to rent hikes and old age.
This new tour with Tom Rinaldi, author of "Neon New York,” will take us past about a dozen signs dating to the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, marking the locations of some of the neighborhood's most stalwart restaurants, bars, and small businesses. We will see them at dusk, as they start to come to light and when they look their best. While some have been beautifully restored, all are in perpetual danger of disappearing. We will discuss their materials, design, origins and future.
The tour will conclude at 8:30pm and we will all gather for a happy hour at Monster Bar in the West Village, 80 Grove Street.
Purchase Your Ticket Today!
This exciting tour is being offered for $35 per person and is capped at 30 people. Be sure to sign up to join before tickets are sold out!
About the Tour Guides
Thomas Rinaldi is a talented author, photographer, and architectural designer whose passion for the historic preservation of the built environment shines through in his work. His book, "New York Neon," is an exploration of the city's vintage neon signs, and his guided tours offer a unique opportunity to experience the city's hidden gems in a new light. Thomas’s photography has been featured in top publications such as the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. With his extensive knowledge and enthusiasm, Thomas is the perfect guide for any exploration of New York City's rich architectural history.
Kyle Supley is a collector, host, entertainer, and licensed New York City tour guide. A design curator and consultant specializing in mid-century items, Kyle has been studying and collecting items from the World’s Fairs since he was a child. He has an Associates of Applied Science degree from the Fashion Institute of Design, and a Bachelor of Fine Art in Fine Art Photography from the College of Saint Rose. He is a member of the City Reliquary Museum (where his 1939 NYFW collection is on permanent display).
