Brooklyn/Williamsburg

Martin Künzel

Tomkincaid

Tomkincaid

• Williamsburg- Take L train from Manhattan to Bedford or Lorimer. The closest water taxi stop is "North Williamsburg" via the East River Ferry. This used to be what Greenwich Village used to be - an artsy scene complete with eclectic galleries and off-beat bars. It has since gentrified with many new high-rise condos with multi-million dollar apartments. Most galleries and artists have long been priced out, moving to Bushwick and other areas. Williamsburg has become a nightlife destination with many bars, restaurants, and clubs drawing people from all parts of the city and surrounding areas. With four new luxury hotels, many foreign tourists are flocking to Williamsburg, looking for something more edgy than Manhattan.
• East Williamsburg- Centered around the Morgan Ave stop on the L train. Seemingly a desolate industrial area, this neighborhood has surprises around every corner. Try out Roberta's Pizza, which gets its ingredients for its fabulous pizzas from its own rooftop farm, and from befriended urban farms in the area. For a drink, head to The Narrows or King's County. Many of New York's underground warehouse parties are thrown in this area as well.
• Greenpoint- At the northern tip of Brooklyn, Greenpoint used to have the second largest Polish enclave in the United States (after Chicago) but gentrification by young people priced out of other neighborhoods has led to a decline in the Polish population and businesses. One publication even declared "Polish Greenpoint does not exist any more." Greenpoint is still home to a sizable Latino population (north of Huron St.) and a growing number of hipsters (see Franklin St.). L Magazine once called Greenpoint the best neighborhood in all of Brooklyn. The part that is quickly getting gentrified centers around the Nassau stop on the G train. The remnants of its Polish past are further up Manhattan Ave and on Nassau Avenue. The abandoned industrial part in the north is now zoned for luxury high-rise development.
• Bushwick- Rich in its own history, Bushwick is home to many brownstones, mansions, and projects alike. Many galleries and artists priced out of Williamsburg have moved here. It can almost be divided into two areas defined by Myrtle Avenue. North of it is the more trendy area with lots of art, bars, and restaurants along with an influx of young creative types. South of it is essentially ungentrified with more long-time residents in lower income brackets. As a low-income neighborhood, shopping can be done on Knickerbocker Avenue, whether for clothes, appliances, or food. The newly restored Maria Hernandez Park on Knickerbocker Ave. and Suydam St. is a nice spot to bring the kids and relax in the shade of the trees. While it's not like neighboring "East Williamsburg", Williamsburg, or Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick has its own sense of community, not to be confused with anything else. However violent crime is a still among the social problems in a community with a high poverty rate.

• Bedford AvenueThe area around the Bedford Avenue subway stop is one of the most lively areas and a great place to hang out and see hipsters (as well as many tourists).

• The City Reliquary

  phone: +1 718 782-4842
  address: 370 Metropolitan Ave
  Small storefront museum with random artifacts from the city's history.

• Williamsburg Art & Historical Center

  phone: +1 718 486-7372
  address: 135 Broadway
  Housed in the former Kings County Savings Bank Building, constructed in 1867. Features art exhibitions and displays of historical art and artifacts.

• Brooklyn Brewery

  address: 79 N 11th St
  The brewery has grown to buildings on both sides of 11th, and they offer tours on both weekends and weekdays. The tour is a lot of fun and educational, and you get tokens to sample some of the delicious brew. They don't have a kitchen, but some great local pizza places deliver to the brewery it may seem odd but it's encouraged. There are some no reservation tours on Saturday and Sunday, with reservations required for smaller, more private tours Monday through Thursday. On Friday there are no tours, but it's a popular hangout. More information on tours can be found at their website.

• The Bushwick CollectiveThe area all around the Jefferson stop on the L train is an open-air gallery of some of the best street art in the world.

Robertafelice

Theater

• The Brick

  phone: +1 718 907-6189
  address: 579 Metropolitan Ave
  A former garage, The Brick is home to cutting-edge independent theater, The New York Clown Theater Festival, and an annual themed festival each year (past themes included the Moral Values Festival and the $ellout Festival).

Concerts

• Knitting Factory

  phone: +1 347 529-6696
  address: 361 Metropolitan Ave
  The legendary New York concert club moved from Manhattan to Williamsburg in 2009. Check a diverse blend of live music, comedy, and special events. Main room events are all ages, bar events 21+.

• Music Hall of Williamsburg

  phone: +1 718 486-5400
  address: 66 N 6th St
  Hosts larger indie rock concerts for the 18+ crowd. 600-person capacity.

• Silent Barn

  address: 603 Bushwick Ave
  Cooperatively-run DIY all-ages music venue and exhibition space in Bushwick.

• Warsaw

  phone: +1 718 387-0505
  address: 261 Driggs Ave
  Music venue located inside the Polish National Home in Greenpoint. Events are 18+.

• Union Pool

  address: 484 Union Ave
  This is a bar and concert venue. In the summer, they host free live music in their back courtyard.

• Brooklyn Bowl

  address: 61 Wythe Ave
  This is a large and popular bowling alley that hosts concerts and other events.

• Brooklyn Bazaar

  address: 150 Greenpoint Ave
  In addition to live music, this multi-level venue has a bar, restaurant, pool, ping-pong, mini-golf, and local craft market.

Nightclubs

• House of Yes

  address: 2 Wyckoff Ave
  This eclectic club hosts a variety of events from dance parties to burlesque.

• Good Room

  address: 98 Meserole Ave
  One of the best electronic dance clubs in the city, with no pretentiousness.

• Bembe

  address: 81 S 6th St
  This small club spins African and Latin beats.

• Schimanski

  address: 54 N 11th St
  Another large electronic dance music club.

• Academy Records Annex

  phone: +1 718 218-8200
  address: 85 Oak St
  Fairly large selection of vinyl records.

• Earwax Records

  phone: +1 718 486-3771
  address: 167 N 9th St
  This record store has operated at various locations in Williamsburg since 1990.

• Beacon's Closet

  address: 74 Guernsey St
  A big thrift store focusing on clothes, they buy and sell and have lots of variety for men and women. Also lots of shoes.

• Rough Trade NYC

  phone: +1 718 388-4111
  address: 64 North 9th Street
  The sole American branch of the London-based independent record stores. It is the largest record store in New York. Also features a live music venue, photo booth, and ping-pong table.

• Artists & Fleas

  phone: +1 917 488 4203
  address: 70 N 7th St
  A large indoor market with many different local craft vendors selling jewelry, clothing, art, housewares, and more. Open on Saturday and Sunday.
• Toys 4 U Located at 232 Lee Avenue, meeting all your toy and game needs. (718) 643-3400.

Jim.henderson

• Fornino

  phone: +1 718 384-6004
  address: 187 Bedford Ave
  Great wood-fired pizza with an inside and an outside seating area near the Bedford Ave L train. They also have pitchers of Sangria, 3 types of beers, and wine by the glass and by the bottle. Service is a little inattentive, but the large portions of great food make up for it.

• Peter Luger Steak House

  phone: +1 718 387-7400
  address: 178 Broadway
  Rated New York's No. 1 Steak House for 23 years in a row by Zagat! Located near the entrance to the Brooklyn side of the Williamsburg Bridge, this over 100-year-old establishment offers what many connoisseurs consider the best steak in America and it is priced as such. Reservations recommended. Does not accept any national credit cards; debit cards OK.

• SEA

  phone: +1 718 384-8850
  address: 114 N 6th St
  In a spacious and lively setting, complete with a reflecting pool and Buddha statues, you'll find what some consider among the best Thai fusion food, especially for the money, though sticklers for authenticity complain the food is too sweet. All of the curries are highly recommended, as are the emerald vegetable dumplings with black plum sauce and the green salad with mesclun, bean sprouts, taro chips and peanut dressing. DJs join the fray in the evenings.

• Roberta's

  phone: +1 718 417-1118
  address: 261 Moore St
  Some of the best pizza in the entire city. Great inside and outside. Ingredients taken from rooftop farms around Brooklyn and Queens.

• Five Leaves

  phone: +1 718 383-5345
  address: 18 Bedford Ave
  One of Greenpoint's most popular new restaurants. Great, original food, place with vintage feel and a cocktail bar across the street. Coffee to go sold out the window. This place is very popular, so prepare to wait a little.

• Kabob Shack

  phone: +1 718 387-7111
  address: 182 Havemeyer St
  Shockingly cheap for New York, even in Brooklyn. Kabob Shack serves up a simple menu of kabobs and falafel with fries, rice, and a few other side dishes and appetizers. The cooks pay attention to the food and you can feed two people quite well for less than $20.

• Smorgasburg

  address: 90 Kent Ave
  Open from spring to fall on Saturdays, this large outdoor food fair is in East River Park with many different gourmet food vendors.

• Arrogant Swine

  address: 173 Morgan Ave
  A North Carolina BBQ joint with large indoor and outdoor bar areas covered in street art.

• Champs Diner

  address: 197 Meserole St
  A retro-style diner with vegan American comfort food.

• Two Boots Pizza

  address: 558 Driggs Ave
  The Williamsburg location of the New York-based Italian-Cajun fusion pizzeria.

• Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop

  address: 727 Manhattan Ave
  This is a time capsule of a 1950s donut shop with delicious pastries.

• Krolewskie Jadlo

  address: 694 Manhattan Ave
  One of the few traditional Polish restaurants left in Greenpoint.

• Zenkichi

  address: 77 N 6th St
  A Japanese (not sushi) restaurant with an amazingly romantic atmosphere where people dine in private booths. Reservations highly recommended.

• Barcade

  phone: +1 718 302-6464
  address: 388 Union Ave
  Features at least 30-40 classic 1970s and 80s arcade games, all for 25 cents! Also has 20 microbrews on tap and specialty beer nights.

• Surf Bar

  phone: +1 718 302-4441
  address: 139 N 6th St
  A tiki bar, true to form with sand on the ground, coconuts and all kinds of other beach artifacts. They serve tiki cocktails plus your usual bar drinks. A fun place, especially in flip flops.

• Westlight

  address: 11 N 12th St
  On top of the new William Vale hotel, this upscale lounge is the highest bar in Williamsburg with panoramic views of Manhattan.

• Brooklyn Barge

  address: 3 Milton St & West St
  Open only during the summer, this outdoor bar floats on the East River.

• The Well

  address: 272 Meserole St
  A large bar with a huge outdoor area. They sometimes host events and concerts.

• Maison Première

  address: 298 Bedford Ave
  An oyster bar with old-world charm that specializes in Absinthe drinks.

• Spritzenhaus33

  address: 33 Nassau Ave
  A large indoor beer garden with a wide selection of craft beer. On weekday afternoons, it's a popular place for parents with children. On weekend nights it becomes very packed with young people who come into Williamsburg.

• Jackbar

  address: 143 Havemeyer St
  A small divish bar with a large collection of vintage pinball machines.

• Radegast Hall & Biergarten

  address: 113 N 3rd St
  A large indoor beer garden that often has live old-time jazz.

• Lot 45

  address: 411 Troutman St
  A large lounge with a quasi-outdoor area and some games like ping-pong.

• Freehold

  address: 45 S 3rd St
  This is a coffee shop during the day and a stylish lounge in the evening. In warm weather, they have a large courtyard with various games.

• Biba

  address: 110 Kent Ave
  Only open during the summer, this is a casual outdoor bar set in the middle of East River Park.

• Greenpoint YMCA

  phone: +1 718 389-3700
  address: 99 Meserole Ave
  Economy and deluxe rooms daily, weekly and monthly rates; higher prices during peak period. $99 for a double room.

• NY Moore Hostel

  phone: +1 (347) 227-8634
  address: 179 Moore St
  Located in East Williamsburg and covered with street art.

• Red Carpet Inn

  phone: +1 718 417-4111
  address: 980 Wyckoff Ave
  A 3-star inn.

• The William Vale

  address: 111 N 12th St
  This luxury hotel is the tallest in Williamsburg.

• McCarren Hotel

  address: 160 N 12th St
  On McCarren Park.

• The Williamsburg Hotel

  address: 96 Wythe Ave

• Wythe Hotel

  address: 80 Wythe Ave
  An industrial-chic hotel with a trendy roof bar.

• BKLYN House

  phone: +1-718-388-4433
  address: 9 Beaver St
  2.5 star hotel

• Brooklyn Public Library

  phone: +1 718 602-1348
  address: 340 Bushwick Ave

• Brooklyn Public Library

  phone: +1 718 455-3898
  address: 790 Bushwick Ave

• Brooklyn Public Library

  phone: +1 718 349-8504
  address: 107 Norman Ave

• Brooklyn Public Library

  phone: +1 718 486-3365
  address: 81 Devoe St

• Brooklyn Public Library

  phone: +1 718 628-8378
  address: 360 Irving Ave

• Brooklyn Public Library

  phone: +1 718 302-3485
  address: 240 Division Ave