Preserving the Spirit: James and Karla Murray’s “Great Bars of New York City”

In New York City, where neighborhoods transform and iconic establishments vanish overnight, James and Karla Murray have made it their mission to freeze time. Their latest opus, “Great Bars of New York City: 30 of Manhattan’s Favorite Storied Drinking Establishments,” is more than just a coffee table book—it’s a love letter to the city’s watering holes, a meticulous archive of cultural landmarks, and a testament to the power of perseverance in both photography and marriage.

As I sit down with the Murrays, their synergy is beautiful. Married for 30 years and collaborating professionally for just as long, they finish each other’s sentences with the ease of longtime bartenders anticipating their regulars’ orders. “We’re like one person with four eyes,” Karla quips, a sentiment that becomes evident as they recount their journey from amateur shutterbugs to celebrated documentarians of New York’s vanishing face.

Their story began in the late 1990s when they photographed mom-and-pop stores as a personal project. “It was our way of remembering the places that felt special to us, that made each neighborhood of New York City the unique place that they are,” Karla explains. This passion project eventually became critically acclaimed books, including “Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York” and “New York Nights.”

But “Great Bars of New York City” departs from their previous work. For the first time, the Murrays showcase their interior photography, inviting readers to step inside these hallowed spaces. The book opens with Ernest Hemingway’s advice: “If you want to know about a culture, spend a night in its bars.” This quote perfectly encapsulates the Murrays’ approach to documenting these iconic establishments. Their photographs don’t just capture the architecture and decor; they reveal the core of New York’s drinking culture, one bar at a time.

In James ‘ words, the selection process for the 30 bars featured in the book was “a knock-down, drag-out editing process.” From iconic establishments like McSorley’s Old Ale House and Fraunces Tavern to beloved dives like Rudy’s Bar and Grill, each chosen venue tells a unique story about New York’s past and present.

As we went deeper into their process, it became clear that the Murrays’ approach is as much about preservation as it is about presentation. “We see our work as, I guess you could say, an artistic intervention to help raise awareness of the importance of these places before they’re gone,” Karla explains. “Because once they’re gone, they’re gone. You can’t get them back.”

Their advice to aspiring photographers is both practical and profound. “Don’t take anything for granted,” Karla insists. “When you see something, if you believe it in your heart, take the photo. Don’t hesitate, don’t delay, don’t wait.” James adds, “Just make sure you love it. We were doing it long before the internet. We had shoeboxes full of photos, and that’s all we ever thought they’d see.”

This passion for their subject matter shines through on every page of “Great Bars of New York City.” The book is a masterclass in architectural and interior photography, with each image carefully composed to transport the reader into the space. “We work hard to make it look easy,” Karla explains. James elaborates on post-processing, describing the delicate balance of capturing a bar’s ambiance without sacrificing detail. “You want the bar to appear dark, but you don’t want it just so dark that it’s big pools of black in the photo,” he says.

What sets the Murrays apart is their technical prowess and ability to capture a place’s soul. Each photograph tells a story, inviting the viewer to notice details they might have missed even as regulars. From the original Bell from Madison Square Garden at Jimmy’s Corner to the hand-laid tile floors at Landmark Tavern, the book is a treasure trove of hidden gems and historical footnotes.

For “Great Bars of New York City,” the Murrays collaborated with Dan Q. Dao, a seasoned culture writer whose bylines have graced publications like the New York Times, Condé Nast Traveler, and GQ. “Dan was suggested by our wonderful editor at Prestel,” Karla explains. “His experience writing about bars and culture made him a perfect fit for the project.” This collaboration adds depth to the book, interweaving historical anecdotes, cultural significance, and the personal stories of the people who make these bars more than just places to drink.

As our conversation winds down, I’m struck by the Murrays’ humility and genuine love for their craft. They speak of their work not as a job but as a calling. “We can truly say that we never work a day in our lives because we love what we do,” Karla says.

In a city constantly reinventing itself, James and Karla Murray serve as its memory keepers, their photographs a defense wall against the tide of change. “Great Bars of New York City” is more than just a book—it’s an invitation to explore, appreciate, and preserve the unique cultural history that makes New York, well, New York.

After hanging up from our interview, I flipped through my copy of the book again and was filled with a renewed appreciation for these storied establishments. I make a mental note to visit Fraunces Tavern, a bar I’ve walked past countless times but never entered. After all, as the Murrays have shown, you never know when a place might disappear, taking its stories with it. The lesson I gleaned from our conversation is that every bar is a potential time capsule, and every drink is a toast to history. And thanks to James and Karla Murray, we now have a beautiful guide to help us explore 30 of them.

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Photographs

© James T. and Karla L. Murray

Book

Great Bars of New York City: 30 of Manhattan’s Favorite Storied Drinking Establishments

by James T. and Karla L. Murray, words by Dan Q. Dao © 2024 Prestel Verlag, Munich · London · New York

Prestel

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/761768/great-bars-of-new-york-city-by-james-and-karla-murray-dan-q-dao/

James T. and Karla L. Murray

https://www.jamesandkarlamurray.com/index.html

Dan Q. Dao

 https://www.danqdao.com