Known for its creativity and unique vibes, this downtown epicenter of cool never goes out of style.
Since becoming its own vicinity in the 1960s , the East Village in New York City has blossomed into a downtown epicenter of cool where eccentricity and night life flourish .
Edged between the Bowery / Third Avenue until Alphabet City with 14th Street to the north and Houston Street to the south , since the early 19th century , the sphere has been home to largeimmigrant populationsincluding those of German , Ukrainian , Chinese , Japanese , and Irish lineage . After eventually separating itself from theLower East Side , it begin its journey of image status with many illustrious distinctions , including the place of birth of the rowdy 1970s and 80spunkandnew wavemusic movements in part to the fabled ( and now closed)CBGB ; and where groundbreaking creative person like Jean - Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring resided .
These Clarence Day , as menage to top city restaurants and inimitable ethnic hubs like Little Ukraine ( along with being a fave for propagation of fresh college students from nearby universities to live out their NYC - main - fictional character bit ) , the neighborhood carries on its stylish and bohemian legacy . From quirky bookstores and eclectic record shops to beloved dive taproom and shiny new eateries , here ’s everything to see , use up , and do in the East Village .
Wiggle Room|Photo by Spilled Milk Creative
Explore quirky shops and a unique vibe steeped in arts, music, and creativity
With its picturesque street and funky mix of aesthetics , the East Village is known for impulsive vibes and eclectic hubs of culture .
One of the most identifiable stretches in the area is undoubtedly St. Marks Place , which is famous for its bustle and small businesses like the secondhand bookshopEast Village Books ; an outpost of the coffee supplierPorto Rico Importing Co. ; and the more than 30 - year - one-time tattoo parlorFun City Tattoo .
At the junction of St. Marks Place and Avenue A , Tompkins Square Park is a gritty 10.5 - acre Mungo Park that ’s host many dissent throughout chronicle and is perfect for commons hang . For a quieter option , there ’s the community - runCreative Little Garden .
Bonnie Slotnick’s Cookbooks|Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
instead , get your steps in by divagate a museum . The Ukrainian Museumcelebrates the local Ukrainian biotic community and the country ’s ample story through a large collection of fine and tribe art ; discover rare and preserved picture atAnthology Film Archives ; andThe 4th Street Photo Galleryfounded byAlex Harsleyin 1973 displays do work by go forth and professional photographers .
For live medicine , Webster Halltraces its roots back to 1886 and now host everything from themed raves to indie concerts . If listen to yourself talk is preferred , Sing Sing Karaokeis a crowd - deary . Other venues for alive turn include the historicNuyorican Poets Cafe , a multicultural origination for spoken give-and-take , jazz , and more ; theConnelly Theater , a hub for off - Broadway product ; and theLa MaMa Experimental Theatre Club , a renowned starting point for up - and - arrive playwrights and artist .
For retail therapy , snagY2 K fitsatMetropolis Vintage Clothingor the curatedTokio7consignment store ; andLa Sirenahas wearing apparel and goods made by Mexican artificer . Bookstore - wise , there ’s the first of its kind cookery book shopBonnie Slotnick ’s Cookbooksas well asMast Books , which displays rare title alongside contemporary publications . To add together to your vinyl radical ingathering , Stranded RecordsandA-1 Record Shopare go - tos .
Dhom|Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
Dine within a globally-inspired food scene at local institutions and shiny debuts
From local institutions and budget - friendly option to globally - inspired fare and exciting newbie , the East Village ’s intellectual nourishment scenery can easily be considered as one of the most dynamic in town .
For Big Apple institutions , order up local traditions atB&H Dairy , an old - school deli with unfermented challah boodle baked daily since 1938;Veselka , aUkrainiandestination opened in 1954 that ’s always democratic with the cool kids ; andCasa Adela , a celebrated Puerto Rican smirch famous for 46 years of homestyle cooking . Other decade - old classics include Moroccan use up fromCafe Mogador ; Mexican take out fromDowntown Bakery Cocina Mexicana ; Italian pastries fromVeniero ’s ; Middle Eastern insect bite fromMamoun ’s Falafel ; and BYOB Amerind feasts andIG - flexingatPanna II .
Alternatively , the late class of late debuts making their mark includeDhom , aSoutheast Asian - inspired all - day tapas spotshowcasing chef Soulayphet Schwader ’s Laotian roots ; and the first Manhattan frontier settlement of the beloved Nigerian eateryBuka . Other guiding light areMonsieur Vofrom the team behind the Vietnamese powerhouseMadame Vo;Unapologetic Foods ’ Indian fried poulet spot , Rowdy Rooster ; andClaud , a wine bar / European small plate eatery .
Death & Co.|Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
Along with stellarbrunch destinationsand generalEast Village go - to ’s , check outMiss Lily ’s 7A Cafefor Caribbean bites ; chef Shenarri Freeman ’s plant - based soul food atCadence ; theBowery core Companychophouse;Bar Primifor pasta ; and San Antonio - expressive style tacos atYellow Rose .
The arena ’s long history of Japanese shops and businesses helped make it the home ofT.I.C. Restaurant Group , which include eateriesCurry - YaandSobaya . For more Asian - revolutionise menus , there ’s Hawaiian fare atnoreetuh ; comforting Thai dish are a can’t - miss atSoothr ; the Taiwanese eatery886is a must - try ; Korean - American pubNowonis lie with for their Warren Burger ; Korea - born chef Kay Hyun runs bothMokyoandThursday Kitchen ; and David Chang’sMomofuku KoandMomofuku Noodle Barhelped launched an conglomerate .
For sweets , Ray ’s Candy StoreandMikey Likes Itremain frozen treat quintessentials . Other sweet terminus where the specialty is baked goods areLady Wong , from wife - and - husband span Seleste Tan and Mogan Anthony ; andSmør Bakery , the soph concept from the squad behindSmør .
Photo courtesy of The Standard, East Village
Fuel a memorable night out at craft cocktail spots, cheap dives, or a basement sake bar
After the sun goes down , the East Village inhabit up to its legendary nightlife status .
For something lowkey , a bevy ofdive barsinclude the city ’s old Irish bar , McSorley’s — which go out back to 1854 and pick decree are a light or dark ale;Sophie ’s , where stiff drinks and a pack puddle table are the average ; and the Johnny Cash - only classic on Avenue A , Lucy ’s . Among the neighborhood’sLGBTQIA+ watering holes , no - flounce spots includeThe Boiler Roomand the welcomingNowhere Bar .
For innovative craft cocktails , Death & Co.andPDTare local fixtures ; grab a booth at hotspotMister Paradisebefore the crowds pile in ; drop by the popping culture icon - themedLittle Rebelfor famous person - inspire drinks ; and explore the telling mezcal selection atBar Lula . to boot , the darkly lit and basement grade , Sake Bar Decibel , has been a loyalist for its assembling of saki and Nipponese whisky since 1993 .
For newer neighborhood bars ( which we also see as some of New York City’sbest novel bars ) , direct to the Thai - centric11 Tigers , where the specialty is ya dong - based cocktails ; andWiggle Room , which sport a subterranean dancing flooring .
Spend the night at hip digs and charming boutiques
AtThe Standard , East Village , this magical boutique fix of the well - known chain of mountains sport minimalist - styled rooms with floor to ceiling window and pet - friendly insurance policy . Be sure to take full vantage of their on - site coffee store , Café Standard ; al fresco cocktail taproom , The Garden ; and the nightclub , No Bar .
Do n’t be surprised if you have a famous person sighting while staying atThe Bowery Hotelor dining at their Italian trattoria , Gemma . The Moxy East Villageis another popular option . locate across from Webster Hall , anticipate hip elements like indoor graffiti , in - way retro lazy Susan , and pelting cascade . There are also two subterranean eateries , CathédralandLittle Sister Lounge ; along with the ground floorAlphabet Bar and Café ; and the sky - highThe Ready Rooftop Bar .
For a more low-cost halt , the cozyEast Village Hotelfeatures disclose brick designing touching and in - room kitchenettes . Additional chic lodgings within walking space of the East Village let in Ian Schrager ’s extremist coolPUBLIC Hotel;Hotel Indigo;Sixty LES ; andThe Ludlow .
