Classic Car Club Manhattan

Originally located in SoHo, the Classic Car Club recently moved its operations to a new 40,000 square foot member's club on Pier 76 along the Westside highway. Designed by longtime member and architect Marc Thorpe, it epitomizes the club's transition from a purely driving-focused offering to a gathering place for those with a love of motoring. Housed inside are an 8,000 square foot showroom and event space, a lounge and bar, a kitchen, a workshop, a semi-public park, and a 3,000 square foot riverfront terrace, all of which are tied together by the tasteful use of dark materials and subtle auto-inspired details.

Photos: Marc Thorpe Design

Loro Asian Smokehouse

From the minds of two of Austin's favorite chefs — barbecue legend Aaron Franklin and Uchi founder Tyson Cole — comes its latest foray into fusion. Loro Asian Smokehouse sees Franklin manning the meats while Cole combines the smokey flavors with Asian influences. As such, you'll find brisket mingling with papaya salad and Thai greens, pork shoulder rice bowls, and Texas sweet corn rubbed in miso-yuzu butter. Find a seat at the skylit bar, grab a four-top, or head out to a picnic table on the expansive patio and enjoy.

Reigning Champ La Brea

Vancouver-based retailer Reigning Champ is crossing the border to open their first flagship store in the U.S. Located on Los Angeles' La Brea Avenue, the 6,000-square-foot space is a reflection of the brand's athletic mindset. The interior's lofty ceilings and polished concrete floors lend themselves to a gym-like atmosphere. Clothes are displayed on custom-made modular shelving suspended from exposed concrete beams. Using the same design philosophy in their store as in their clothes, the combination of glossy white subway tile, steel, and Western Hemlock — a nod to their Canadian roots — creates a minimalist aesthetic that both respects the details and masters simplicity.

The Porsche Effect

Few auto companies have had a bigger impact, both in technology and culture, than Porsche. The Porsche Effect is a new exhibit at LA's Petersen Automotive Museum that celebrates this legacy, via 50 of the most notable Porsches of all time. Highlights include one of just three 1939 Type 64 60K10s built — widely considered to be the start of their signature aesthetic — Steve McQueen's black 356 Speedster, an Arova-Porsche 212 Skibob from the early '70s, and the modern gas-hybrid 918, all accompanied by various artifacts and documents. The exhibit opens this weekend and will be on display through next January 29.

Photos: Petersen Automotive Museum

The Campbell Bar

Once the private office of railroad exec John Williams Campbell, The Campbell Bar is a grand old bar befitting its location. For years, it was known as The Campbell Apartment, tucked away in a second-floor corner of Grand Central Terminal. After a brief closure and ownership change, it has reopened in all its former glory, complete with the hand-painted ceiling, stone fireplace, and enormous leaded glass window. The tree-flanked entrance is now home to a second, small bar called the Campbell Palm Court and a taxi stand outside has become the Campbell Terrace, but for all that's changed, you'll still find Paris DuRante behind the counter, a holdover from the bar's more obscure days who's as adept at conversation as he is at mixing up a Negroni, Old Fashioned, or Manhattan.

The Battery

Founded by the husband-wife team behind Bebo, The Battery is a unique San Francisco club designed to give the area's innovators a place to meet and mingle in private. Members must be nominated by a current member and get approval. Once in, they can enjoy amenities like a gym, restaurant, library, spa, garden, and multiple bars, as well as the ability to bring up to three guests with them and book rooms at the on-site hotel. In addition, the club hosts exclusive dinners and wine tastings, live music performances, and cultural talks.

Photos: The Battery / John Bedell Photography

Roman and Williams Guild

Roman and Williams are known for their impossibly authentic designs for Ace Hotels, The Chicago Athletic Association, and Greydon House. Now you can bring a piece of their aesthetic home at the Roman and Williams Guild. The SoHo-based shop offers furniture and knick-knacks, including the pair's own Founding Collection, as well as vintage pieces. It's also home to a French café run by chef Marie-Aude Rose, a flower shop by Emily Thompson, and a bookstore/library stocked with editions from Phaidon. Unlike most establishments, everything from the door hardware and water fixtures to the plates and display vases is available for purchase, but you'll be equally rewarded by simply showing up, grabbing a spot on a couch, and flipping through an inspirational tome.

Bubbledogs

Located in the Bloomsbury area of London, Bubbledogs is proving that opposites attract. The 35-seat restaurant is coupling exclusive grower Champagnes with American-style dogs. But these aren't your average franks. They're dressing up the ballpark staple with toppings worthy of its high-end pairing. Starting with a pork, beef, or veggie sausages that are crafted by their on-site butcher, each dish is served on a fresh-baked bun and smothered with made-from-scratch condiments like truffle mayo, whipped feta, and fresh tomato salsa. Items of the non-hot dog variety include sloppy tots, Thai sticky and maple chipotle wings, and Frickles with ranch sauce.

The Upside Down

Party like a Demogorgon at Chicago's The Upside Down. The Stranger Things-inspired pop-up bar pays homage to the show by dropping a paranormal Hawkins, Indiana right in Logan Square. The space is loaded with references from the series so you can sip on cocktails like "Eleven's Eggo's" and "She's Our Friend & She's Crazy" beneath the subtle glow of Joyce's Christmas light wall. Who knows, maybe you'll even run into Barb. Not to mention. there's an arcade filled with 80s classics. The pop-up is open through September, just in time to get you totally jacked for the series' October 27 the return.

Standards Manual

Not content to just reissue outstanding manuals of the past, designers Jesse Reed and Hamish Smyth have launched their own design office — with a unique store up front. North Brooklyn's Standards Manual is named for the duo's past work but isn't limited to selling their own books. On their Vitsoe 606 shelves, you'll find carefully curated graphic design titles from imprints like Chronicle, Phaidon, Hartley and Marks, Prestel, and the UK's notoriously hard to find Unit Editions. The selections are in constant rotation, so while it might be the only dedicated graphic design bookstore in NYC, you can rest assured it won't get stale.

Nerdstrong Gym

Gyms can be intimidating places, especially if your body type is more gamer than athlete. Nerdstrong Gym is a new take on the typical gym, combining a love of geeky topics like Star Wars and Doctor Who with physical fitness. During workouts at this North Hollywood hangout, you'll find yourself doing push-ups to defeat a monster, or planks while you dodge the all-seeing Eye of Sauron. Cosplay is also acceptable, although you'll obviously have to mix your creativity with some gym-friendly materials, and thanks to the members' shared interests, it offers a sense of community you won't find at your neighborhood Gold's.

Moscot

Spanning five generations and 100 years, the history of Moscot is a true American success story. Family patriarch Hyman Moscot arrived at Ellis Island in 1899 and soon began selling eyeglasses from a pushcart on Orchard Street. Over a century later, the company retains its roots in the Lower East Side. Although the address has changed a few times, step into their flagship at 108 Orchard, and you'll still find the same level of service and care that Hyman displayed decades ago. Over the years, the family name has become iconic, not due to branding, but due to the quality of their product, with many silhouettes becoming classics in their own right. Stop into their LES shop — or one of their two other New York locations — to experience them for yourself.

Photos: Ray Spears / Uncrate

Wittmore

The grandest store in the world is nothing without curation. It's exactly what makes Wittmore stand out in a fashion-obsessed town. Founded by industry vet Paul C Witt, this inviting store stocks offerings from the usual suspects, unexpected places, and emerging brands, with a focus on staples that won't be out of style in a matter of months. We visited their shop downtown at One Santa Fe, but there's also an outpost near The Grove if you happen to be in the neighborhood.

Photos: Jamison Aweau / Uncrate

3sixteen

Located in Downtown LA's Arts District, the new 3sixteen flagship store gives the brand's quality wares a space to shine. Essentials like jeans, shirts, and jackets are on display next to accessories like rings, candles, and colorful socks, and garments lucky enough to earn a space on the racks rest on the best-looking hangers we've ever seen. The simple aesthetic of white brick, concrete, and exposed natural wood creates a soothing space that gives each product — and more importantly, customer — a chance to breathe, and helps make this a must-stop if you're in the neighborhood.

Photos: Jamison Aweau / Uncrate

Apolis Community Centre

Already one of the best boutique menswear shops in Los Angeles, Apolis recently went bicoastal with the opening of the Apolis Community Centre. Located in the Little Italy District of New York's Soho neighborhood, the new space features the complete Apolis collection, accessories, books, and of course, Uncrate Magazine. Apolis has always set its sights higher than just retail though, and is already using the new Community Centre to host skill-building workshops, live music, advocate keynotes, and collection releases. Nobody blends retail and hospitality like Apolis, and New York is fortunate to play host to its second flagship store.

Photos: Ray Spears

Snake Oil Provisions

One of the rare stores that had an online presence before it opened a real-world location, Snake Oil Provisions offers an expertly curated selection of men's fashion. Self-described as a tour of the owners' closets, every shirt, shoe, accessory, and pair of denim is built to last and part of their own wardrobes. The Long Beach space is cozy but never cramped, giving you just enough selection without overwhelming you with unnecessary options. A must-shop for those that value timelessness over trends.

Photos: Steven Clouse / Uncrate

Harry's Bartershop

No, that's not a typo. The name Harry's Bartershop is a playful take on the "barbershop", but instead of using blades to trim your hair on-site, it lets you trade out your tired, overpriced blades for some fine Harry's equipment. Located at 79 Greene Street, the pop-up will give anyone the chance to trade-in one (or more) traditional blades — think Gillette Fusion — for two (or more) Harry's blades, and trade their cartoonish handles for one of Harry's more mature options. It'll run from October 20 to the 26th.

Lone Flag

Opening a progressive, upscale mens' shop in a beach town known for its flip flops and shorts wasn't exactly a sure thing. Yet with its well curated selection of jeans, shirts, boots, and other essentials, Lone Flag has become a lasting presence in the San Diego-area clothing scene. Although the emphasis is on premium denim crafted in the USA and Japan, the store also offers apothecary solutions, EDC items like pens, notebooks, keychains, and knives, and a certain familiar magazine. Whether you're taking a leisurely drive south from LA on the PCH or need an emergency denim repair, it's well worth the trip.

Photos: Rafael Ortega / Uncrate

Stag

Mixing the modern and traditional in both its selection and architecture, Stag is a must-visit shop for any fashion-conscious man. Carefully curated, the products that sit upon their shelves include selections from both high- and low-end manufacturers, with timeless classics sitting next to the latest trends. You'll also find a delightful range of vintage goods, including everything from furniture and accessories to albums and taxidermy. Our most recent visit was to the Austin store, but they also have outposts in Dallas, Houston, and Venice, and you can grab a copy of our magazine at any one of the four.

Photos: Steven Clouse / Uncrate

Period Correct

Named after the term for ensuring that things are a chronological match, Period Correct is a clothing store that's perfectly suited to current times. Housed in a former Porsche parts store, their Costa Mesa flagship has racks holding the brand's USA-made tees, hats, jackets, and accessories, as well as a solid selection of magazines and vintage cars from the collection of company founder Bryan Calvero. Whether you're looking for some new duds, some automotive reading material, or just want to talk cars, it's well worth the stop.

Photos: Jamison Aweau / Uncrate

Swift & Sons

Chicago has some legendary steakhouses, Morton's and Gibsons chief among them. Swift & Sons makes a strong argument for inclusion on the list. Designed by AvroKO, who used the 10,000 square foot space's past as a cold storage locker in the old meatpacking district as inspiration, it has a past-meets-future, Tomorrowland-like aesthetic that's nearly as notable as the food. Speaking of which, the steaks are all sourced from small, bovine-friendly farms, while the sides are reinterpreted takes on the classics, and the desserts — should you have room — are decidedly modernist. There are also multiple bar areas, serving up an impressive cocktail menu and the requisite massive wine list boasting over 600 bottles and 30 wines by the glass. Become a regular, and you'll get to enjoy one more detail: a brass nameplate set at your table, just to make your meals that much more memorable.

Highland Park Bowl

Housed in a 1920s-era building, Highland Park Bowl continues the venue's history as a bowling alley while taking advantage of its rich history. During the year-long restoration and revamp, the current owners discovered a ton of unopened spirits from the 1970s that will help augment the cocktail program, while a wood-fired oven churns out Neapolitan-style pies. There's also a live music venue, named Mr. T's Room after the former longtime owner, and an eight lane bowling alley that's backdropped by a huge mural that dates back to the 1930s and exposes the vintage Brunswick pin machines to help tie the area to the rest of the space's retro-industrial setting.

Photos: Wonho Frank Lee / Highland Park Bowl

Revival Cycles

Set on the ground floor of a hotel, Revival Cycles isn't where you'd expect to find the epicenter of Austin's custom motorcycle scene. Yet there it is, with some Revival-branded gear, a selection of curated riding gear, and, of course, bikes. We were also invited to shoot the company's workshop in a warehouse on the east side of Austin where the real magic happens. Unless you're commissioning a custom bike, odds are you won't see it, but the craftsmanship is as impressive a display as any shop in the country, and the proprietors as down to earth as you'd expect, even if one of them did ride into town sporting a mohawk.

Photos: Steven Clouse / Uncrate

Supreme Paris

For the skatewear brand's second European outpost, Supreme founder James Jebbia knew he needed someone special — and local — to make it work. Thus Samir Krim, himself a founder (of French skateboard firm Minutia), was tapped to manage Supreme Paris. Located in historic Le Marais, the shop follows the same basic formula as the company's other destination-worthy boutiques, with wood floors, white walls, and an assortment of goods that includes Supreme's latest threads, all of its special releases, and a collection of skateboards and footwear. Be sure to scope out the Mark Gonzales sculpture and wall installation from Weirdo Dave before you leave.

Taylor Stitch

Some flagship stores are designed and built by people the founders never even meet. The Taylor Stitch shop on Valencia in the Mission District is the total opposite. Housed in a building that used to sit across from the old Recreation Park (of San Francisco Seals and Mission Reds fame), it formerly served as a Latino AA spot. It was transformed in a mere two months by the company's founders, who used old scaffold boards for the fixtures, and split and laid the floor themselves using an old half horse table saw. Now it's an inviting space that mixes vintage knick-knacks with the company's fine threads, paying homage to its past while making room for repairs, custom tailoring and hemming to all be done onsite. While you're there, grab a copy of our favorite magazine, and head next door to Four Barrel for a great cup of coffee.

Photos: Luke Beard / Uncrate

The Wheelhouse

A great coffee shop can bring a neighborhood together. So can a healthy bicycle scene. The Wheelhouse combines both in a single Arts District location. The picture-friendly spot is an open, industrial two-story space, with a coffee bar downstairs, plenty of seating at both tables and couches, and some roll-up doors to give it an indoor-outdoor feel. Along the walls are carefully curated bikes and accessories, leading up to the second floor loft where the service department offers everything from quick fixes to serious restoration jobs. Worth a look whether you live your life on two wheels or just want a good cup of coffee.

Photos: Steven Clouse / Uncrate