Bound by Bowery and Third Avenue to the west and Houston Street to the south, the East Village stretches up to 14th Street—a pocket of Manhattan that’s equal parts grit and glamour. Within it, Alphabet City hums with energy, stretching east past First Avenue through A, B, C, and D. Wander north, and you’ll hit Little Ukraine, where pierogies and borscht have been served for generations on 6th and 7th Streets. And along The Bowery, the neighborhood’s once-notorious main artery, you’ll find some of downtown’s most stylish stays and buzzing bars. From St. Mark’s Place to Houston Street, every block holds a story.
Those who've called it home see that in every martini bar, bagel shop, and smoky late-night haunt, this corner of Manhattan makes you swear you’ll never live north of 14th again. Here’s Senior Editor Britney Eschelman’s love letter to the East Village—and the places that make it endlessly fun.
Where to Stay
The Bowery Hotel
An East Side icon with velvet couches, Moroccan rugs, and candlelit corners that feel pulled from another era. You’ll spot artists at breakfast and fashion insiders at nightfall—the lobby is the East Village’s unofficial living room.
The Standard, East Village
Towering above the neighborhood’s walk-ups, The Standard blends cool, minimalist design with panoramic city views. It’s your best bet for people-watching and post-dinner martinis with skyline glitter.
Moxy East Village
If one word sums up Moxy’s New York outposts, it’s playful—and nowhere more so than at Moxy East Village, planted squarely in Manhattan’s most rebellious neighborhood. Full disclosure: I spent many early NYC nights dancing—or attempting to get into—the hotel’s elusive Little Sister club.
Where to Eat
For Bagels & Brunch
Veselka: A 24-hour Ukrainian institution serving pierogies and potato pancakes since 1954. Grab a booth and order the borscht—it’s East Village canon.
Café Maud: A sun-soaked café for long, lazy brunches and French-leaning fare—think omelets, croissants, and good conversation.
San Marzano Pasta Fresca: Bottomless brunch for $34 per person, with all-you-can-eat plates and sangria.
Apollo Bagels: The OG location on E 11th St, with Montreal-style bagels baked fresh daily. I can attest that the sesame or everything bagel with cream cheese and tomato is (unfortunately) worth the hype.
Tompkins Square Bagels: A neighborhood staple where cream cheese comes in twenty flavors. I’m biased to a classic BEC, but “The Jersey” with Taylor ham (the Northern Jersey name for pork roll), with a little hot sauce on it—and toasted, obviously—is a must-try.
For Casual Dinners
Thursday Kitchen: Glow-in-the-dark cocktails meet Korean tapas in a space that’s equal parts kitsch and culinary brilliance.
The Lion’s Bar & Grill: A no-fuss neighborhood pub with surprisingly elevated fare—come for the burgers, stay for the locals.
Café Mogador: A Moroccan-inspired institution where tagines, hummus, and mint tea define the perfect date night.
The Immigrant: Cozy wine bar meets global comfort food spot. The candlelight alone could make anyone a regular.
Ops – East Village: Crisp, wood-fired pizzas and natural wines bring a Brooklyn-born favorite across the bridge.
For Sceney Evenings
Foul Witch: A moody, Michelin-worthy gem with spellbinding pasta and a witchy edge that feels right at home on Avenue A.
Lucien: French bistro glam that feels like a 90s movie scene; models, martinis, and steak tartare, always.
Lil Frankie’s: A theatrical omakase experience hidden behind a vintage shopfront—equal parts mystery and artistry.
The Office of Mr. Moto: A theatrical omakase experience hidden behind a vintage shopfront—equal parts mystery and artistry.
Bar Primi: Italian comfort food in a buzzy setting where the Aperol spritzes keep flowing.
For Quick Bites
7th Street Burger: Smash-burgers served fast, cheap, and unapologetically messy—exactly how a late-night EV bite should be.
HighLife: A tiny counter from the minds behind Electric Burrito, HighLife has earned In-N-Out comparisons for West Coasters dipping into NYC life. The pickle fries are chef’s kiss, and the pickle queso dog topped with salt-and-vinegar chips is a must-try at least once—pickles are kind of their whole thing, if you couldn’t already tell.
Cello’s Pizzeria: A newcomer from the L’Industrie crew, Cello’s serves slices that live up to the hype; order the vodka, the burrata, and a pepperoni-jalapeño—non-negotiable.
Gnocchi on 9th: A quick classic since opening in 2024, this gnocchi shop dishes out pillowy bowls of cacio e pepe and vodka sauce in Chinese takeout containers—ideal for wandering the neighborhood while happily slurping down dumplings one by one.
For Coffee & Pastries
Sunday Morning: Known for its dreamy cinnamon rolls—the perfect way to start the day.
From Lucie’s: Beloved for baked goods, especially the chocolate chip cookie (it disappears fast).
Abraço: A quintessentially local, hole-in-the-wall espresso bar on E 7th St. that doubles as a late-night hangout.
Veneiro’s Pasticceria: A historic Italian dessert institution ideal for satisfying late-night sweet cravings.
Mary O’s Irish Soda Bread Shop: A cozy stop for classic Irish soda bread and grab-and-go treats.
Smør Bakery: Scandinavian-leaning pastries and great coffee in a bright, minimalist space.
Where to Drink
Schmuck: The EV’s best bar? You’re looking at her. The new darling of First Ave., serving inventive cocktails with zero pretense. Come for the energy, stay for the Schmuck Martini.
El Camino: A fresh addition to 1st Ave, offering light bites, martinis, and mezcal-leaning margaritas—perfect for a post-work cocktail or a low-key nightcap.
Goodnight Sonny: A St. Mark's institution and one of the first names mentioned when you ask where to drink in the EV. Cocktails that get the job done and an ambiance ideal for a first date or a meet-up with the girls.
Sauced N.Y.C: From its Williamsburg flagship comes this vibey natural-wine bar with patio seating and playlists as curated as the bottle list.
Please Don’t Tell: The original East Village speakeasy—enter through the phone booth inside Crif Dogs. Iconic, always.
Lovers of Today: Dim lighting, floral cocktails, and just enough space for whispered secrets; plus a back room perfect for dancing and doing things you probably shouldn’t.
Madelin’s Martini: This spot just gets it—great design, great martinis, and serious IYKYK neighborhood energy.
What to Do
Hit the Nightlife Scene
From Joyface’s disco lights to Studio 151’s sake-fueled energy, the East Village still holds court as downtown’s nightlife capital. Nublu keeps live music alive, Wiggle Room spins house tracks till late, and Dream Baby and Blind Barber bridge nostalgia with edge.
Walk around Tompkins Square Park
The beating heart of the East Village, where skaters, artists, and dog walkers share park benches beneath centuries-old trees. On Sundays, the farmers’ market hums with bagel runs, live jazz, and the kind of chaotic city energy that feels distinctly local.
Browse Storefronts in the Neighborhood
Peruse vintage racks on East 9th—Duo NYC, Irving Green, Rosemary Home, Cloak and Dagger, and Cobblestones, to name a few—then thumb through vinyl at Academy Records and Ergot Records or hunt for your next coffee-table book at Mast Books. At Pageant Print Shop and Nico Neco Zakkaya, you’ll browse vintage prints destined for your walls and stationery so beautiful it might inspire a foray into calligraphy.
Hit Iconic Spots, Like the Russian and Turkish Baths
Russian and Turkish Baths Health Club has been a neighborhood institution on East 10th Street since 1892, drawing locals and visitors alike for its old-school heat rooms and no-frills rituals. More recently, it made an on-screen appearance in the Netflix miniseries Black Rabbit, starring Jude Law and Jason Bateman—further cementing its status as an East Village legend.
