Neighborhood
Stay In The Know
Make the most of your time in Brooklyn with our insider's guide to navigating the neighborhood. Uncover obscure art galleries, tuck into local bars and coffee shops, and make your way to live music venues and intimate fitness studios. We’ll let you in on our favorite places to drink, dine, shop, and dance.
351 Broadway, Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 24 min. walk 484 Union Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 12 min. walk 303 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 10 min. walk 366 Metropolitan Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 14 min. walk 27 Broadway, Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 9 min. walk 48 South 4th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 15 min. walk 201 Moore St., Bushwick, Brooklyn | 40 min. walk 567 Union Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 9 min. walk 348 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 12 min. walk 298 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 13 min. walk 166 South 4th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 18 min. walk 133 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 2 min. walk 50 Withers St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 11 min. walk 20 Skillman Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 13 min. walk 232 Metropolitan Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 12 min. walk 125 North 6th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 6 min. walk 160 Berry St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 7 min. walk 150 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 2 min. walk 70 North 7th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 4 min. walk 119 Grand St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 8 min. walk 94 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 1 min. walk 129 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 4 min. walk 186 Grand St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 11 min. walk 113 North 7th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 4 min. walk 66 North 6th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 4 min. walk 319 Frost St., Greenpoint, Brooklyn | 25 min. walk 61 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 1 min. walk 361 Metropolitan Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 14 min. walk 146 Broadway, Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 9 min. walk 168 Borinquen Pl., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 19 min. walk 74 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 2 min. walk 208 North 8th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 8 min. walk 211 North 11th St., 2nd Floor, Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 7 min. walk 109 Metropolitan Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 8 min. walk 133 South 2nd St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 15 min. walk 8 Berry St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn | 5 min. walkBars & Nightlife
Trophy Bar
There are a myriad reasons to love this South Williamsburg bar, popular for its daily happy hour that runs from 4-8pm. We dig the Verdita tequila chased by a shot of pineapple-jalapeno-cilantro juice, the rotating roster of live DJs, and the classic jukebox.Union Pool
If you’re looking for a scene, you’ll find it at Union Pool. The venue regularly hosts live performances and has an El Diablo taco truck parked outside most nights. This bar is best-suited for revelers who want to dance, listen to music, and drink Jack-and-cokes.Lucky Dog
There may be shuffleboard and a strong beer menu at Lucky Dog, but let’s be honest: you’re here for the actual dogs. This Williamsburg bar has a pro-pet policy, making it the neighborhood’s top spot for spending a night out with your favorite four-legged friend.The Commodore
A low-key dive bar meets pub, The Commodore’s no-frills atmosphere is what you make it. Come here for the old video games, affordable cocktails (try the namesake Commodore) and a shockingly good spicy catfish sandwich, topped with coleslaw and smoked mayo. Donna
Even a devastating electrical fire—which ravaged the bar only a year after opening—couldn’t keep Donna down. White vaulted ceilings and dark wood floors give Donna a distinctly Latin American vibe, as do the elegantly garnished rum cocktails and Eduardo Sandoval tacos.The Woods
With a backyard courtyard and incredibly cheap drinks, The Woods was bound to become an instant neighborhood hit. Locals flock here during happy hour for $3 Yuengling pints and $5 well drinks, which go surprisingly well with the famous Landhaus grilled maple-bacon stick.
Restaurants
Brooklyn Bread Lab
Sister biz to The Williamsburg Hotel, Brooklyn Bread Lab is a Bushwick-based warehouse for all things fresh out the oven. Breads, pastries, pastas and pizza doughs are all made in-house using a 10,000-pound stone mill, and the lab hosts cooking classes for those that want to learn.Lilia
Italian restaurants aren’t hard to come by in New York City—or Brooklyn, for that matter—but Missy Robbins’s pastas and inspired plates give relative newcomer Lilia lasting power. This restaurant is a classy yet approachable place you can take a first date or group of friends.Sundays in Brooklyn
Three gastronomy veterans and team man the take-out window, elegant walnut bar, and full-service restaurant in a three-story corner building on Wythe. Like the name suggests, Sundays are best for malted pancakes with hazelnut maple praline, smoked salmon grain bowls and more.Maison Premier
Be instantly transported to New Orleans at this upscale Brooklyn oyster bar. It’s particularly irresistible during the summer, when the secret garden-style backyard is open for diners. Start with one of the signature absinthe cocktails, and indulge in a full, seafood-centric menu.Pies ‘n’ Thighs
Pies ‘n’ Thighs serves classic Southern fare, and recently ditched its counter-only for an actual brick-and-mortar restaurant, with a vibrant red awning, exposed brick, and schoolhouse chairs. The menu might seem a bit overwhelming, but that’s just because there’s something for everyone.Cafe Mogador
The Williamsburg outpost of this popular Moroccan restaurant has somehow improved on the original East Village location. The restaurant is a network of cozy rooms and an open, greenhouse-style space filled with flora—but you’re here for the brunch—and it’s well worth the wait.Llama Inn
Inside Llama Inn’s imposing, carved wooden doors, you’ll find a light-filled space finished with Andean crafts and colorful lanterns. Chef Erik Ramirez conjured memories of his childhood trips to Lima to deliver authentic Peruvian cuisine—think ceviche, anticuchos, and pisco sours.King’s County Imperial
King’s County Imperial has a contemporary, decidedly Brooklyn interpretation of the Far Eastern cuisine. The popular dim sum menu includes Berkshire pork dumplings, wok-fried bowls of gulf shrimp, chicken with roasted Georgia peanuts, and a section dedicated to street noodles.</pCoffee Shops & Treats
Sweatshop
Sweatshop coffee doesn’t just serve caps and brekkie. The part shop, part studio was designed to bring creative Brooklyners together. Grab a seat at the communal table and don’t feel bad about lingering to get work done—that’s exactly what two Melbourne pals/owners are doing, too.Partners Coffee
Australia’s coffee scene continues to woo Brooklyners, and there’s no greater proof than the success of this Sydney-born coffee company. Order a cup of the house Bedford Espresso blend while enjoying baked goods from local purveyors, including Balthazar Bakery and Doughnut Plant.Blue Bottle
Don’t come to this petite Blue Bottle café for a quick coffee to-go. The Oakland, California-based brand is known for taking its time with every individual order. Your coffee might come from an impressive, three-foot-tall Japanese slow-drip device or the intricate pour-over bar.Bakeri
Vintage accents and the aroma of fresh-baked breads give Bakeri a warm, homey atmosphere. Head to this North Williamsburg cafe and linger over coffee served in teacups and specialty baked goods (try the skolebrod, a Norwegian sweet roll with custard and coconut).
Shopping
Artists & Fleas
One of Brooklyn’s most famous shopping venues is a year-round indoor market that welcomes hundreds of vendors every weekend. The marketplace, founded by husband-and-wife team Ronen Glimer and Amy Abrams, specializes in vintage wares and products from local designers.Antoinette
Named after the store owner’s mother, Antoinette focuses on vintage finds, though there are new items for sale from local Brooklyn designers too. Look out for items under $20 and fun mod frocks (secondhand items were typically created between the 50s and 90s.)Kinfolk Store
Upscale menswear is the focus of this hip boutique. Shoppers can find edgy takes on Hawaiian shirts, Tokyo threads from Bedwin & The Heartbreakers, contemporary sunglasses and glossy coffee table books. In addition to international labels, Kinfolk sells their own branded wears too.IGWT
In God We Trust owner Sasha Tabor studied fashion and jewelry at FIT, and her creations are all expertly (and ethically) designed and produced in neighboring Greenpoint. Standouts are delicate, geometry-driven pieces like brass and silver pendants as affordable as $20.Life Curated
Come here to browse from a selection of independent, and notoriously hard to find labels. There are also on-trend home furnishings and accessories, like porcelain antlers and unicorn bottle openers. And with the shop’s playful decor, you’ll want to buy everything for your home.The Vale
High-end fashions from a global roster of designers make Stephanie McDermott’s shop, cafe, and private event space feel ultra luxe. Meant to be approachable, don’t think twice about coming in to admire an outfit while only purchasing a hot cup of Long Island City Birch coffee.Music Venues
Music Hall of Williamsburg
A three-story event space with multiple rooms, including a massive ballroom, Music Hall is one of the swankiest venues in Williamsburg. Local musicians can make lasting impressions here, though the venue also books widely recognized artists that can draw serious crowds.Brooklyn Steel
From the masterminds behind Terminal 5 and Bowery Ballroom, Brooklyn Steel brings in musical acts ranging from rock to folk—and no matter where you’re standing, you’ll enjoy the view. The mezzanine level and raised floor makes it easier for concert-goers to see performing acts.Brooklyn Bowl
Perfect for a night of live music and bowling, this Williamsburg venue has 16 bowling lanes, a restaurant, and a concert stage. Performances range from electronic and indie to Elton John tributes and instrumental salsa. Come for the bowling, stay for the music.Knitting Factory
With a 300-person capacity in the front room and intimate live performances, this is the place to discover emerging artists. The line-up focuses on underground, little-known, and novice performers, and even includes some non-music events like stand-up comedy in the front bar.Baby’s All Right
This buzzy venue is where you’ll come to see unusual, lesser-known acts and DJs. Baby’s All Right is a creative, art-driven space with a surprisingly strong cocktail game, and an Asian-inspired menu that makes it easy to spend all night noshing while watching your favorite band.Black Flamingo
Black Flamingo is a taqueria meets dance club that serves a menu of fruity cocktails and plant-based tacos, and hosts regular house music parties in its downstairs, 70-capacity club—perfect for people who want to rave but can’t handle the massive crowds at other Brooklyn night clubs.The Panther Room
A snug cocktail bar that hosts wild DJ parties at night, The Panther Room is adjacent to the Output club, and just downstairs from its sister joint, Canopy Bar. On Sundays, revelers can extend the weekend well into Monday morning during no-cover house music sets.
Fitness & Wellness
MDNFL
Travelers needing to unwind should book a meditation class at MNDFL. Classes here focus on breath, sound, emotion and other ways of getting in touch with your physical and mental self. Pop in for a quick, 30-minute session or get immersed in an hour-long class.Yoga to the People
In an expensive city like New York, Yoga to the People make fitness accessible to everyone. There’s no advance registration or membership necessary, and class fees are donation only, meaning you pay what you can (although $10 is the suggested price).Modo Yoga
Modo Yoga has ditched the typical Bikram carpet and brought in sustainably-harvested cork instead. And that’s not all that’s different. Modo Yoga uses around 40 postures, and classes vary in length and format. At this location, you can drop into a class for $20Sync Studio
Before there was SoulCycle or FlyWheel, there was Sync—and it’s still one of the hottest gyms in Brooklyn. In addition to spin, the studio also offers yoga and circuit-style classes. First-time visitors can get two weeks of unlimited classes for only $45 or a day pass for $25.Brooklyn Athletic Club
Offering fitness fanatics four-stories of workout space, the 17,000-square-foot Brooklyn Athletic Club features personal training, group training, open floor space, and resistance pools. On pleasant summer days, head to the rooftop deck for cycling or yoga classes—and hard-earned views of Williamsburg.