There are plenty of ways to while away the day in Williamsburg. Whether you're a shopaholic, a foodie, or are just looking for a great place to listen to some live music, you'll find it in this neighborhood where "cool" rules.
Photo © post406The Brooklyn Brewery (79 N 11th St) opened in 1988 and has been serving its famed Brooklyn Lager on the East Coast (and beyond) ever since. Take a free tour of the brewery's facilities, and you'll up your beer I.Q. while learning about all things Brooklyn-beer-related. Follow up the talk with some fresh brews in the tasting room, which doubles as a friendly, picnic table-filled bar.
2. Go bargain hunting in Williamsburg's great thrift stores...
If you love vintage goods, then Williamsburg is the place for you. Beacon's Closet (88 N 11th St) sells a huge assortment of everything from slightly used jeans to designer shoes, dresses, bags, and more. The vintage chain Buffalo Exchange (332 E 11th St) often has interesting merchandise, and at Mini Mini Market (218 Bedford Ave), you can stock up on retro gifts and accessories. Furniture fiends should take a walk down Wythe Avenue, where used furniture stores like Two Jakes (320 Wythe Ave) and Cosmo Modern (314 Wythe Ave) will yield one-of-kind vintage finds for the home.3. ...Or spend some serious cash in a cool boutique.
Whatever it is that you need, Williamsburg's got it. For shoes, check out Shoe Market (160 N 6th St) for the latest footwear trends and styles. At CB I Hate Perfume (93 Wythe Ave), you can craft your own signature scent by mixing and matching over 700 essential oils, and for fashion lovers, there's Pop (308 Grand St), a neighborhood favorite that offers a wide selection of dresses, jeans, jewelry, and shoes for both men and women. Head to Jumelle (148 Bedford Ave) for high-end, designer women's fashions, and for unique gifts, try About Glamour (103 N 3rd St) or The Future Perfect (115 N 6th St).Williamsburg's
Brooklyn Kitchen (616 Lorimer St) is more than just a kitchen supply store; this popular shop hosts fun events throughout the year (cupcake cook-off, anyone?) and offers a great variety of cooking classes, some taught by Brooklyn's culinary elite. Classes range from $40 to $75 and require online registration.
Pretend like it's 1975, and you've got bowling fever at
The Gutter (200 N 14th St), a bowling alley/bar combo that, with its vintage deco and wooden lanes, is a throwback to earlier times. A great, reasonably priced beer selection makes the inevitably long wait to bowl worthwhile.
6. Eat a four-star meal (without breaking the bank).
Williamsburg's dining scene is as diverse as its residents: While you can feast at fantastic, high-end restaurants, you can also score an amazing dinner on the cheap. For melt-in-your-mouth Latin American food, try the tacos at Endless Summer (N 6th St & Bedford Ave) or La Superior (295 Berry St), or stuff yourself with stuffed-to-the-gills empanadas at Shachis (197 Havemeyer St). Peter's Since 1969 (168 Bedford Ave) dishes out delicious comfort food (roast chicken and creamed spinach for me, please), and at the Venezuelan Caracas Arepas (291 Grand St), you'll find delicious arepas stuffed with everything from cheese and plantains to spicy chorizo. Finally, the grilled pizza at Fiore (284 Grand St) never disappoints.7. Listen to live music.
Some of the country's most popular bands are Brooklyn-based, so it's no surprise that Williamsburg/Greenpoint has plenty of live music venues. The Glasslands (289 Kent Ave) hosts live music events, dance parties, and interactive art exhibits; the three-level Music Hall of Williamsburg (66 N 6th St) attracts top talent; and at Pete's Candy Store (709 Lorimer St), which boasts an intimate performance space sandwiched between a lively bar and a garden, you can hear great brands from throughout the country. Others not to miss? Warsaw (261 Driggs Ave), Sound Fix (110 Bedford Ave), Union Pool (484 Union Ave), and Studio B (259 Banker St).When Soho's artists were priced out of Manhattan, they made their way to Williamsburg's roomy industrial buildings and set up shop. Williamsburg housing may not be nearly as cheap as it was then, but the neighborhood still attracts emerging and established artists. You could easily spend an entire day exploring Williamsburg's galleries: Take a self-guided tour with this helpful
gallery map.
Williamsburg's
McCarren Park (Nassau Ave, Bayard St, Leonard St, and N 12 St) offers respite from the neighborhood's busy streets. The 35-acre park boasts baseball fields; basketball, tennis, bocce, and handball courts; playgrounds; running tracks, soccer fields, and dog runs. The park also hosts events throughout the year, including the popular SummerScreen outdoor movie festival.
Founded in 2002, the
Brick Theater (575 Metropolitan Avenue) is a performance space located in what was once a brick-walled garage. The theater hosts independent shows throughout the year and sponsors an annual Summer Theme Festival Series. Ticket prices are reasonable, and while the programming changes often, any show you see here is guaranteed to be one-of-a-kind.
