East Village

The East Village is a quintessential New York neighborhood that represents the epitome of lower Manhattan life. Popular with artists, students, and night-life seekers, the stylish neighborhood brims with activity all night long from its great number of bars and restaurants and throngs of people roaming its streets. Long ago it was known as a cheaper and rougher area, it has matured into something more mainstream, with lower crime rates and more variety in housing options. And the excellent and healthily sized Tompkins Square park provides a great green respite from the concrete jungle.

The East Village truly offers a diverse mix of longtime residents--many still living in a dwindling supply of the neighborhood’s rent-controlled or rent-stabilized buildings--and fresh, creative newcomers drawn to the neighborhood’s constant activity.

Nightlife, nightlife, nightlife. The neighborhood is filled with some of the city’s best unpretentious eating options, and an endless number of bars and clubs to dance the night away. There’s a great energy to the neighborhood that can be both seen and felt. And while not exactly cheap, the East Village is one of the most affordable lower Manhattan options. There are also more and more condos for those not interested in one of the area’s many walk-ups.

The East Village is the wrong place to go for peace and quiet--it’s busy and active at all hours of the day. And the housing is mostly walk-ups and many of the buildings--originally tenements--are older and somewhat worn down.

The East Village is an entirely gridded neighborhood of broad commercial Avenues bisected by narrower residential Streets. Most of the building are walkup apartments and on the avenues they feature restaurants and shops on the ground floor. An energy of youthfulness, creativity and a sense of fun pulse through the neighborhood. People come from all of the city and out of town at night to experience the nightlife.

Core to the East Village’s identity is Tompkins Square Park--a large public space with ball courts, open areas, and a dog park. More than just a park, Tompkins Square is a place to hang out, hear street musicians and get a great sense of the local community. In addition, there are also a number of small but beautiful community gardens that are great for taking a break from the bustle.

There are very few hotel options in the East Village and--outside of local jewel The Standard East Village--those seeking higher-end options should look elsewhere. The other recommended option is the East Village Hotel.

Rather frustratingly, no subway lines run through the East Village, leading to lengthy walks to the L train on the northern border, F/M trains on the southern border and 6 train to the east in Astor Place. A long-promised line running down Second Avenue is set to open later this decade and should help somewhat. In the meantime, buses are relied on more heavily here than in other parts of Manhattan.

Transportation options: L M F 6 Bus service

The East Village is the only neighborhood in lower Manhattan offering regular weekly street parking, so parking a car on the street is a possibility here--though competition for the few number of spots is heavy and can be onerous to move for weekly street cleanings.

Yellow cabs for passenger pickup are also readily available just about anywhere.

Distance from main airports by car:
LaGuardia: 30-45 minutes
JFK: 45-60 minutes
Newark: 35-45 minutes