When many people think of the East Village, images of contemporary art galleries, barely lit music clubs, and vintage shops come to mind. While the neighborhood does offer all of the above, there’s plenty more as well.
Take green spaces. In addition to Tompkins Square Park and the northern portion of John V. Lindsay East River Park, the East Village is home to dozens of community gardens. These once-abandoned lots now offer concerts, sculpture displays, community get-togethers, and of course, plenty of flora to admire.
McSorleys credit_ Andrea Baldassarre
Veselka credit_Veselka
First Ave credit_ New York City Tourism + Conventions
Live entertainment isn’t limited to concerts, though if it’s music you love, you’ll find everything from hard rock to folk music at the Bowery Electric, Webster Hall, Nublu, Berlin, and numerous other venues. Cutting-edge and experimental theater continues to thrive at La MaMa and Theater for the New City. Then there are difficult-to-describe entertainment options such as Batsu!, where comedians compete in a series of physical challenges while the audience sips sake, slurps noodles, and cheers them on. For a quieter evening out, head to Book Club, a bookstore/café/bar that also hosts readings, book clubs, and other events.
Tree credit_ Friends of Tompkins Square Park
Dog Run credit_ Tompkins Square Dog Run
St Marks credit_ Nestor Galina_Wikimedia
You might not associate the East Village with tearooms, but the neighborhood is home to a surprising number of them. At Cha-An afternoon tea takes on a Japanese flavor, while Prince Tea House incorporates Eastern and Western influences. For a different sort of brew, head to McSorley’s Old Ale House, which has been pouring out its house lager and ale since 1854—even Prohibition couldn’t stop them! And a meal at Veselka is a must. Though a century younger than McSorley’s, this Ukrainian eatery is an East Village institution nonetheless. One taste of its pierogis or borscht, and you’re bound to come back for more time and again.
Church Garden credit_ St. Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery
Webster Hall credit_ Megan Mucknall_Unsplash
Batsu credit_ Batsu!
Forget any preconceived notions about the East Village. It’s a friendly neighborhood bustling with fashion-forward shops, restaurants galore, restful parks, and plenty to entertain everyone, day or night. To visit the East Village is to love it.
READ ON TO DISCOVER MORE ABOUT EAST VILLAGE
— Culture —
— Shopping —
— Dining —