The Secret Lair

Hobby shops in Manhattan rarely have the space to sprawl, but The Secret Lair manages to carve out a niche below street level. The address—133 Mulberry St Lower Level, New York, NY 10013—places it in a stretch of Little Italy where the scent of espresso still lingers on the sidewalks, though the inventory inside leans more toward tabletop gaming and collectibles than cannoli. They stock everything from miniatures and terrain pieces to role-playing sourcebooks and strategy guides, making it a practical stop for anyone assembling a campaign or hunting for that elusive expansion pack. The phone, unlisted, leaves the map as the only reliable way to confirm they’re open before descending the stairs. Directions to the shop can be found here, though the route is simple once you spot the green awning above the subway grating. The neighborhood itself feels like a quiet pocket between the tourist-heavy blocks of SoHo and the financial district’s glass towers, a reminder that some of the city’s most interesting spaces exist just below eye level. If you’re navigating by foot, keep an ear out for the clatter of dice rolling on folding tables—it’s often the first clue you’ve arrived.