Stoop
The front steps of a brownstone or townhouse, used by New Yorkers as porch, social club and summer living room.
Example
On a warm Saturday in Park Slope, half a block will be sitting on their front steps and one house will have books and lamps out for a stoop sale.
Related terms
Neighborhoods
Greenwich Village
The bohemian heart of Manhattan, crooked tree-lined streets that hosted the folk revival, Stonewall and a century of...
Neighborhoods
Harlem
The capital of Black American culture, home of the Renaissance, the Apollo, gospel Sundays and soul food royalty.
Parks
Prospect Park
Olmsted and Vaux's Brooklyn park, considered by its designers their masterpiece, with the borough's best meadow and...
NYC slang
Bodega
A corner convenience store found on nearly every NYC block, selling snacks, coffee, sandwiches and household basics...
Frequently asked questions
Where can I see classic brownstone stoops?
Walk Park Slope near Prospect Park, Fort Greene or Harlem's Strivers Row. Late afternoon light makes the sandstone glow.
What is a stoop sale?
A weekend sale of secondhand stuff on the front steps, common in spring. Great for cheap books and NYC apartment castoffs.
Can I sit on a stoop to rest my feet?
Only if you are invited. Stoops are private property attached to someone's home. Use a park bench or a public plaza instead, both are plentiful in brownstone neighborhoods.
