East Village
The neighborhood east of the Bowery that birthed punk at CBGB and still runs on venues, dive bars and immigrant kitchens.
Example
The unplanned night starts by walking St. Marks Place east toward Avenue A and following whatever bar, venue or pierogi counter looks right.
Related terms
Parks
Tompkins Square Park
The East Village's storied square, from riots and punk history to hardcore shows, dog runs and farmers markets.
Restaurants
Veselka
The East Village Ukrainian diner since 1954, famous for pierogi and borscht, back to 24-hour weekend service.
Ice cream
Ray's Candy Store
The East Village 24-hour counter since 1974 slinging soft serve, egg creams and fried Oreos to night owls.
Neighborhoods
SoHo
The cast-iron district south of Houston Street, where 19th-century lofts became art studios and then a shopping mecca.
Frequently asked questions
Is the East Village still edgy or fully gentrified?
Gentrified but unbowed. The institutions that survived carry the attitude, and the bar and venue density still beats anywhere south of Harlem.
East Village or West Village for a night out?
East for dives, music and cheap late food. West for cocktails, jazz and prettier streets. They are twenty minutes apart, do both.
East Village or West Village for a night out?
East for dives, live music and cheap late food. West for cocktails, jazz and prettier streets. They are about twenty minutes apart on foot, so many nights cover both.
