The East Village is many things to many people—it's the birthplace of punk, a haven for artists, an oasis for the odd, where to go for a fun night out, and for over 65,000 New Yorkers, it's home.
The neighborhood, which is bound by the Bowery and Third Avenue to the west, 14th Street to the north and Houston Street to the south, used to be considered part of the Lower East Side, but it was rebranded in the mid-20th century when beatniks and artists moved in. The downtown nabe has undergone many changes over the years, and while we've seen many quintessential East Village businesses fold (R.I.P. Gem Spa), the area is still loaded with dives, grungy tattoo shops, and old-school record stores. Whether you're in the neighborhood to have a picnic in Tompkins Square Park, slurp drinks at tiki bars, or scoop up sweet throwbacks at vintage clothing stores, the East Village still has so much to offer for people of all walks of life, and that's the beauty of it. Best of all, it has some of the best bars and restaurants in the city, including my favorites, Nowon, Cafe Mogador and Veselka.
Grab a bagel from Tompkins Square Bagels and then walk down St. Marks place from Tompkins Square Park to Astor Place and stop in every small shop, bar, clothing store or bookstore that catches your eye.
Stuyvesant Cove is lovely waterfront green space on the other side of the FDR just north of 14th St. You can also hop on the NYC ferry from a ferry stop there.
Hang out with friends or read a book you bought at the Strand over at Union Square. The construction over at East River Park is not yet complete.
Peruse the book selection at Book Club Bar (order a drink!), Strand or East Village Books or pick up some spell books and magic candles at Enchantments, Inc., some vintage sports gear at Mr. Throwback or a new going out fit from Spark Pretty.
Fourth Arts Block is a great resource for all the theatrical and arts offerings in the neighborhood at the moment or check out the Barnes Foundation's programming both in person and online.
Pick up some authentic teas that are sourced directly from China or do a tea tasting at Tea Drunk. Or if you want to shop cannabis and check out an art exhibit at the same time, head to Gotham.
Take the train to Astor Place or Second Avenue, but the Broadway-Lafayette Street and First Avenue subway stations are nearby, too.
The Lower East Side is just south of the East Village and is chock full of live music venues and bars along Orchard, Ludlow and Essex streets between Rivington Street and Stanton Street. The gritty but historic Bowery lies to the southwest for those who want to hang at trendy bars and restaurants and still see remanants of its punk rock history.
Although you could walk its whole perimeter before your shoes start to pinch, it would take several trips around the sun to sample everything there is to eat in the East Village. So, we put on our shoes less likely to not kill our feet and got to stepping (and eating). Check out the best neighborhood staples and new restaurants and bars the East Village has to offer.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the East Village in NYC
The dive bars are still there, sure, but the best East Village bars have expanded to include acclaimed cocktail dens, on-tap wine bars and relaxed beer halls and beer gardens. Whether you’re craving a beer-and-shot combo or a composed cocktail, these are the neighborhood’s best drinking spots to try right now.
Note: Make sure to call ahead or check to see if the bar is open before going, given the citywide shutdown.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in NYC
The East Village has always been a place of innovation and creativity—it was the birthplace of punk music, a haven for artists, and a home to immigrants. So there's a lot to learn and know about the area, from historical happenings to the coolest speakeasies and much more.
These incredible shots come courtesy of Tony Mangia, who in 1980 began publishing an independent newspaper called The Other Paper that covered community issues, news and the arts. During the '80s, he captured stunning images of New York streets and an East Village made of "abandoned tenements, drug raids and overdoses, the homeless on the Bowery, social change without social media."
You can find a charming restaurant or cool hangout on just about every corner.
Be one step closer to finding the best fashion as well as one-offs that sell everything.
When you want a comfy bed and room service, the East Village delivers.
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