The East Village is an iconic neighbourhood in New York. Its vibrant culture, diverse shops, and colourful nightlife make it a favourite neighbourhood for young people in New York. According to census data, almost 40% of the community’s population is between the ages of 20 and 34. There are countless ultra-trendy bars, restaurants with international cuisine, independent bookstores, cafes, clubs, and other fashion stores. Keep reading and experience the wonderful life in East Village with our comprehensive guide.
East Village: Location and History
Location
The East Village is located in lower Manhattan. It is bounded as far north as 14th Street, East Houston Street on the south side, as far west as Bowery and 4th Ave, and the East River to the east. It can be divided into three parts: Alphabet City, Little Ukraine and Little Ukraine. The neighbourhood is bordered by Gramercy and Stuytown to the north, Greenwich Village to the west and the Lower East Side to the south.
History
In the history of the United States, East Village was the earliest farm. In 1651, the most famous family in New York history, Stuyvesant, became the new owner of this farm. Their family has been in control of this area for seven generations.
Until the early 19th century, they began to sell some of the land. Since then, wealthy people have begun to build townhouses here.
In the mid-19th century, the area attracted many Russian, Ukrainian, and Jewish immigrants and was considered part of the Lower East Side.
However, in the 1960s, low rents and the Beatnik attracted many artists, musicians, students, and hippies to move to the area. The neighbourhood is the birthplace of punk rock.
Today, East Village develops to be a hub of creativity, diversity, and community.
East Village: Housing
East Village is a neighborhood of low-rise buildings, and many buildings were built with four stories or five stories in the early to mid-20th century. Some do not have elevators. There are also townhouses and one-family homes. You can see a mix of historic brownstones and modern condominiums.
The vacancy rate of apartments in the East Village is extremely low. Demand for rentals is high, with 89% of the population renting and only 11% owning their own home. The residents here are highly qualified, with 68% of the population having higher education.
In the heart of the East Village in New York City lies New York University, which is one of the best universities in the US. Many NYU students choose to live in affordable student apartments near their school. Even after they graduate, they still enjoy living here.
East Village: Lifestyle
There are a lot of things to do in East Village. It can meet different needs of all kinds of people. Our guide below will give you a comprehensive understanding of the neighborhood.
Famous Parks in East Village
Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park lies in the heart of the East Village. It is an iconic landmark with a rich history. Washington Square Arch is a must-visit attraction in East Village, NYC. Here, you can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. This park serves as a paradise for artists, musicians, and street performers, providing a platform for them to express themselves and communicate with each other. Furthermore, Washington Square Park is also a good place for students from New York University to relax and socialize.
Tompkins Square Park
Tompkins Square Park is like a “Central Park” in the East Village NYC, covering three full blocks. It has various facilities, including a basketball court, children’s playground, restrooms, a dog park, fitness facilities, a handball court, an outdoor mini pool, and Wi-Fi. The Dog Park in Tompkins Square Park is considered the best one in New York. It is a good place to take leisurely walks and have picnics with friends. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery and its peaceful atmosphere.
Best Bars in East Village
The East Village is very quiet during the day, as the name suggests, as quiet as a small village in the city. It gets restless at night, especially on weekend nights between Avenue 1 and Avenue 3, where it’s very busy. The East Village has the liveliest nightlife in all of Manhattan, and many young people come here to eat and hang out.
Niagara
Niagara is one of the best bars in East Village, New York. It is a dive bar and rock club owned by D Generation musician Jesse Malin and longtime promoter Johnny T. It is located on 7th Street and is open nightly until 4 a.m., with indoor and outdoor seating. The bar’s 7th Street exterior features an eye-catching mural memorializing Joe Strummer. If it’s your first time to go to Niagara, you can try The Hunter S. Thompson, a bourbon, sugar, walnut and orange bitters combo. Also, you can watch the punk bands (and other music and comedy acts) in the back of the bar.
Death & Co.
Death & Co. is located on 6th Street and is famous for inventive concoctions. It is now owned by Ravi DeRossi and David Kaplan. The dark light and a sombre atmosphere will make you feel excited when you taste their cocktails. Cave of Wonders is the recommended one, which mixes port, Batavia Arrack, carrot eau de vie pineapple, Moroccan bitters and seltzer.
Best Restaurants in East Village
One of the happiest thing for people living in East Village NYC is to have delicious dishes in this culinary haven. From these best eateries, you can also experience the diversity and creativity of East Village.
Frank
Frank is owned by Frank Prisinzano. Once you come into the Italian restaurant, you can see the black and white photographs of his ancestors on the walls, which are the inspirations of the delicious food. Here you can taste homemade pastas and familiar entrées cooked from the open kitchen.
Veselka
Veselka is a very famous Ukrainian restaurant in East Village Manhattan. It is also one of the best restaurants in East Village. It was established in 1954 by Ukrainian immigrants. With more than 70-years development, it still offers tradition of providing exceptional and classical Ukrainian food and service to its patrons. It opens 24 hours, and you can enjoy the pierogis and potato pancakes, borscht and sweet cheese blintzes here.
Museums in East Village
If you are an art enthusiast, museums in East Village NYC is suitable places for you, where displays both historic and modern items. You can experience the clash of different ideas and get deeper understanding of art and culture. Sometimes there are cultural exbitions in the museums, providing visitors collections of different themes.
- The Ukrainian Museum: located in the heart of the East Village, it was established to honor Ukrainian Americans. Here you can know more about Ukrainian art, history, and traditions. Each pieces showing on the exhibitions ranges from folk to contemporary art, telling stories of how Ukrainian culture influence the East Village neighborhood.
- The Merchant’s House Museum: lies in a beautifully preserved Greek Revival townhouse, the Merchant’s House Museum houses authentic furniturings and personal artifacts of the Tredwell family, who living there for almost 100 years. Once you walk inside, you can know the essence of New York life in the 19th century.
Shopping in East Village
Spark Pretty
Spark Pretty is a new vintage shop in East Village Manhattan NYC. It is owned by Amanda Dolan and Meagan Colbyput. Inspired by the 1980s’ hair bands and 1970s’ glam-rock, Spark Pretty’s clothing has its own unique style. In the shop, you can find the Lisa Frank denim jackets for sale, crystal-encrusted, hand-painted Tony Alamo designer jean jacket, and other items like bellbottoms, and studded skinny jeans.
East Village Books
All books in East Village Books is second-hand. It is a St. Mark’s institution. They also carry a small selection of DVDs and music. It’s also a One of the places where New York University students buy and sell books. Additionally, the bookstore frequently hosts events such as author signings and community readings, fostering a sense of connection and camaraderie among patrons.
East Village: Transportation
Located in New York City, one of the most developed cities in the world. There are several ways for people to choose when they go out in East Village. You can select your suitable transportation according to your destination and travel time.
- Subway: It is the main choice for commuters to go to work or go home because its convenience and it is the fastest and cheapest way to travel in NYC. There are several stations on lines accessible to Manhattan and other districts like the F, L, and 6. For example, the Third Ave Subway Station serves the L train for passengers to access East Village, Manhattan at East 14th Street. City Hall Subway Station is a big station and it’s very convenient to transfer to other places here.
- Bus: Buses are nice alternative to the subway. They connect various parts of the neighbourhood to key locations across the city. Compared with subway, bus is cleaner and is friendly for the disable.
- Bicycles: Taking bicycles is a more flexible and casual way to go out. You do not have to worry about you’re late or taking too much time to wait. E-bikes and bike-sharing programs, such as Citi Bike, offer an effortless way to take your time while enjoying the scenery of the two sides of road.
- Walk: Walking on the streets of East Village NYC can make you feel closer to unique atmosphere here. When you see some interesting places, you can just enter directly and experience the passion of hosts and talk with them. Walking from one end of the East Village to the other might take approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
Conclusion
This blog introduces the East Village NYC from a comprehensive perspective. From the location and history of East Village to the public transportation, all of them are the necessary thing you should know about this charming neighborhood. With rich history and diverse culture, East Village is a popular destination of many people and still attracts travelers from other places. Embracing both innovation and tradition, East Village inspires people to explore and experience the ever-evolving narrative of urban life.
FAQ
Is East Village a good area in NYC?
Yes.
East Village is located in the heart of Manhattan, New York. With convenient transportation and many entertainment facilities and employment opportunities, East Village is a popular neighbourhood to for many people.
Is East Village expensive?
Yes.
Rental prices and property values in the East Village tend to be higher than the citywide average because of its good location and convenient amenities and high-qulity services it offers. If you are finding affordable student housing here, uhomes can offer you housing options within reasonable budgets.
What is the vibe in East Village?
Lively nightlife.
The nightlife in East Village is an important part of people’ life. It has many bars featuring craft cocktails and local brews and lively music venues, providing people a myriad of experiences that cater to a diverse crowd.
