Things to do in the East Village in New York City
Things to do in the East Village in New York City and some of our favorite places to shop, eat, and stop in for some sweet treats.
The East Village is a neighborhood that blends the old with the new. It’s an eclectic area that’s definitely worth seeing and a great way to spend a leisurely afternoon. It’s best known for its artistic heritage and bohemian spirit. From historic landmarks and vintage shops to trendy cafes and coffee shops, there’s something for everyone in this part of the city. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or back for more, exploring the East Village will be an adventure filled with a few unexpected finds.
There is also a rich history connected to the East Village and if you’re interested, I’ve included that in the last part of the post. But for now, here’s a short list of the best things to do, at least some of our favorite things to do, some great places to shop, and some spots to grab a bite to eat.
Where to shop in the East Village
St. Mark’s Place might just be the most well-known street and place in all of the East Village. It’s a great spot and located at 8th Street between 3rd Avenue and Avenue A and somehow, despite the gentrification of the East Village in general, it has managed to maintain some of its grittiness of the early days. It’s full of interesting retail shops, restaurants, street vendors, and nightlife.
A few of my favorite places to shop
John Derian Company, Inc.
John Derian was officially launched in 1989. In addition to his store, John has a small studio in NYC where he does all of his artwork with a small staff of artisans and production people. His store is a work of art itself. Inside you’ll find vintage and antique imports, bed and table linens, stationery, plate-ware, and lighting. It’s worth a visit even if you are not planning on buying anything.
Niko Neco Zakkaya (Japanese stationery store)
Nikoo Neco Zakkaya is a unique Japanese stationary store. They have everything imaginable from pens (fountain and ink), to envelopes, crafts, stationery, letter sets, notepads, and wax seals just to name a few. If you find yourself in the area, and even if you’re not, this place is definitely worth a visit.
Salter House
Salter House is a store that focuses on small things and embraces natural materials in comfortable clothes and housewares. They have two locations, the East Village and Brooklyn Heights.
Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks
Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks is one of the few (but for sure not the only one) independent bookstores left in Manhattan. What makes it different though is that it only sells used, out of print, and antique cook books. But make sure you call ahead before your visit as the closed days vary from week to week and she’s usually only open between 1:00 and 6:00.
Vintage Clothing Stores are an East Village Staple
You can find a variety of vintage and thrift shops all throught the East Village. Here are just a few that are worth a visit:
- East Village Vintage Collective is a store with two floors full of vintage clothing, tchotchkes, home goods and records from all genres.
- L Train Vintage is a family-owned business that boasts having buyers spread out throughout the United States searching for great vintage merchandise from clothing to shoes and accessories at affordable prices.
- 9th Street Vintage is a woman-owned business that focuses on clothing from the 1880s to the 1980s. They pride themselves on keeping wearable history alive with an eye toward sustainability.
Restaurants in the East Village
Just recently, the New York Times released its 100 Best Restaurants in New York City for 2024. Seven of those top 100 are in the East Village and another seven are in the nearby Lower East Side. Here they are in no particular order.
- Superiority Burger (Diner)
- CheLi (Chinese)
- Szechuan Mountain House (Chinese)
- Claud (New American, French)
- Raku (Japanese)
- Foul Witch (Italian)
- Foxface Natural (New American, Seasonal)
For a quick, fun lunch, Bob White Lunch & Supper Counter
Here are a few of our favorite sweet spots in the East Village:
From Lucie Cake Shop
Duo Cafe
Supermoon Bakehouse
Rice to Riches
Economy Candy
787 Coffee
Tompkins Square Park
Much like the East Village itself, Tompkins Square Park has been transformed from a once hotbed for crime and drugs into a beautiful 10.5 acre green space and a safe haven for locals and visitors alike. It has basketball courts, a large dog park (complete with several doggy swimming pools), and you’ll often find live bands playing. It also hosts a stop of the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival. The event is free admission to the public and runs August 23-25 and Tompkins Square park and its green spaces is one of the locations. If you’re planning to attend, make sure you check and see which day they will be at Tompkins Square park.
What’s the best way to get to the East Village?
The east village is a short cab ride or Uber ride from almost anywhere in Manhattan. If you’re taking mass transit, the 4, 5, or 6 subway lines will get you there. Or, you can take the M101 or the M102 buses. It’s a great place that’s easily accessible with lots of options.
What is the current-day vibe in the East Village?
Over time, the tree-lined streets of the East Village have become much more gentrified and filled with young professionals. But it still maintains some of its original roots of artists, music, and writers. It’s still home to many galleries and continues to have a vibrant music scene with places like the legendary Bowery Ballroom and Mercury Lounge, a classic Indie venue. It’s the perfect place to take in some fun music.
It’s also home to several historic landmarks. St. Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery is architecturally stunning and has a rich history. The East Village is also home to Tompkins Square Park which has a lot of greenspace and hosts many cultural events. And if you find yourself hungry for a bagel, pick one up at Tompkins Square Bagels and enjoy it in the park. You may even find some live music while you eat.
Coffee shops, restaurants, and small shops of all kinds (including many record shops) are part of what makes the East Village so interesting. From different vantage points you can also get a city view of the Empire State Building, the World Trade Center, and the Brooklyn Bridge.
A little history of the East Village
To appreciate the East Village in New York City, it helps to understand a bit of history that has created the current-day vibe and feel of the area.
Until a few years ago, I had never been a big fan of the East Village. To be fair, I hadn’t really spent any time there nor did I feel the need to spend any time there and I certainly didn’t know its rich history. That is, until our son moved from midtown to the East Village. And only after I started spending some time there, did I begin to appreciate its gritty but charming and busy nature.
Today, the East Village boundaries are defined by 14th street. on the North to Houston Street on the South and The East River West to to 3rd Avenue. To the south is the Lower Manhattan and the Lower East Side. To the east it borders Greenwich village. To the west is the West Village.
The neighborhood has three subsections: Alphabet City (because of the area made up A, B, and C streets over to 1st Avenue), Little Ukraine (near 2nd Avenue around 6th and 7th Streets), and The Bowery because it is located around the street named Bowery.
What is the East Village famous for?
In the very early days during Prohibition, it became most famous for all of the Speakeasies that called the East Village home. The speakeasies had hidden and secret entrances so that the locals could stop in and have a drink without getting arrested. Today, it’s still full of great dive bars that vaguely resemble some of the ealry-day establishments.
The 1960s
Until around the 1960s, the East Village didn’t really exist and was just part of the Lower East Side. In the early days, the East Village was known to be a very poor area. Then, for some reason, ithe early Beatnik movement of counter-culture begin to get some traction there. That caught the attention of artists, musicians, and writers. As they moved in, they wanted to shed the reputation of poverty and renamed the area the East Village. It quickly became the epicenter of the underground culture of New York. If fact, the East Village is the birthplace of punk rock and the movement that started here.
Today, music is still a big part of the neighborhood
Here are a few venues with live music and performances:
- C-Squat R
- 11th Street Bar
- DROM
- Bowery Ballroom (technically, it’s in the Lower East Side)
- Mercury Lounge
- The Red Room
- Nublu Classic
- Tompkins Square Park
One fun fact about the East Village
In the mid-19th century, East 7th street between Avenues C & D was called “political row” because of the number of influential politicians that lived in the three-story row houses that lined the street.
Interesting reading. I love these little pockets that can be found all over the world (I’m in Australia). Once were gritty and now they are trendy areas. St. Kilda and Fitzroy come to mind in Melbourne. East End in London another.