NYC Neighborhood Help

Discussion in 'Mid-Atlantic' started by sefus12, Jun 8, 2016.

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  1. sefus12

    sefus12 Pundit (938) Sep 7, 2006 Wisconsin
    Trader

    A touch off-topic, but look at my question with at least some sort of "good beer" slant in mind. The Mrs and I are visiting NYC in early August for a concert and making a long weekend of it. I've been a few times but am not an expert on NYC neighborhoods. We are looking to stay somewhere (likely doing a Homeaway or AirBnB) that is walkable, has plenty of places to eat and bars to drink at, and easy access to public transportation. Don't care as much about clubbing it up til 4am, most just cool bars to have a drink at til 11 or so. We are thinking Upper West Side, but wanted to get some advice on here. Prefer to stay on Manhattan since this is her first time in the Big Apple.

    Any suggestions? Much appreciated!
     
  2. ScottKramer

    ScottKramer Devotee (363) May 27, 2016 New York

    Nearly every neighborhood in Manhattan will fit that bill (below a certain cutoff)... I would avoid midtown personally but even that fits the bill. I live on upper west side-- some great beer options, but the Lower East Side, East Village and West Villages have even more of that....plenty of others may have other advice...
     
  3. FonyBones

    FonyBones Devotee (380) Dec 19, 2015 New York

  4. jkearns33168

    jkearns33168 Devotee (300) Feb 10, 2015 New Jersey

    I would suggest staying in the West Village or Upper West Side. You can sight see and drink in midtown during the day but it's nice to getaway from the craziness at night. West Village has a ton of great dinner and beer drinking places. I lived on the Upper West Side for years and it's great as well. When in midtown looking for good beer, Ginger Man, As Is, Pony Bar and Rattle & Hum are the places I would go. West Village you have Blind Tiger, Upright Brew House and many more. Enjoy your stay!
     
  5. JoshVelez

    JoshVelez Initiate (0) Mar 23, 2015 New York

    Staying in the Chelsea all the way down to east village area will allow you to walk to a ton of great restaurants as well as bars, whenever I'm in those two areas I can easily walk to another favorite bar of mine after leaving one.
     
  6. TongoRad

    TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,884) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    If you find yourself doing the LES thing (Katzs, Russ and Daughters, etc.), keep in mind that Zum Schneider isn't too far away, and it's one of the few places you'll be able to get the very excellent Traunsteiner beers.
     
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  7. sefus12

    sefus12 Pundit (938) Sep 7, 2006 Wisconsin
    Trader

    Don't make fun, but what does "LES" stand for? Lower East Side?
     
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  8. sefus12

    sefus12 Pundit (938) Sep 7, 2006 Wisconsin
    Trader

    The Upper West Side have plenty of places to eat/drink? Or would we have to leave the neighborhood for that?
     
  9. TongoRad

    TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,884) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yup, you got it. Those are great places to visit for a taste of Old New York.
     
  10. ONovoMexicano

    ONovoMexicano Initiate (0) Jun 14, 2012 New Mexico

    Plenty, but not the best options. For drink: Broadway Dive, George McKeeley's, Dive Bar (to a much lesser extent), and the pub at Whole Foods Columbus Circle.

    Jacob's Pickles, Dinosaur BBq are some good food and beer options.
     
  11. ScottKramer

    ScottKramer Devotee (363) May 27, 2016 New York

    There are so many restaurants within a 5-10 minute walk if you are on the upper west side (or nearly any neighborhood)... all cuisines, all price points, it may surprise you the density of places.... as far as beer places on the upper west side (beermenus.com is great) I like Broadway Dive, Jacob's Pickles, Beer Counter, Joe's, George Keelys, Dive Bar....
     
  12. sefus12

    sefus12 Pundit (938) Sep 7, 2006 Wisconsin
    Trader

    Much appreciated for the help. The Mrs and I enjoy getting up, grabbing a coffee, and taking a nice stroll in the morning, so the UWS, being nestled between Central Park and the Hudson, is an attractive option. As long as there's good access to public transportation, we can hop down to West Village/Chelsea/East Village and other parts of Manhattan easily. Definitely have to hit up Other Half one day and the concert we are going to is down at the new ampitheater on Coney Island Boardwalk. Lots to look forward to.
     
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  13. FlashAK

    FlashAK Initiate (0) Feb 25, 2014 New York

    Definitely would not recommend the UWS. Your options aren't that great for food/bars and it's far from everything else (unless you plan to spend a lot of time in Central Park and Midtown West).

    East Village is really concentrated with great restaurants and bars. Plus, you have easy access to Union Square, LES, Chelsea, Williamsburg and the West Village (most are walkable or easily accessible via subway). It's a good central location to get to a lot of good places.
     
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  14. jkearns33168

    jkearns33168 Devotee (300) Feb 10, 2015 New Jersey

    UWS side does have Central Park to stroll in but wouldn't recommend for best restaurants and beer drinking.
    If you like walking don't miss the High Line which runs from below 14th St up to the 30's on the west side. Great place to walk, sight see and hang out.
     
  15. Xeal

    Xeal Zealot (603) Mar 5, 2016 New York
    Trader

    In terms of lodging I wouldn't recommend airbnb in NYC as it is still illegal for hosts to rent out their entire apartment/house which makes inventory low and pricey because the ones who list either aren't aware of that or they are aware but are charging a premium in case they get caught. Unless you are looking to stay in a shared apartment, then more inventory should be available. I've found whole apartment airbnb availability to be less of a value then a hotel in NYC.
     
  16. Axel59

    Axel59 Aspirant (227) Dec 13, 2013 Virginia

    As a non-New Yorker who wishes he could visit more often than he does, I'd recommend the LES/East Village. Oodles of food (pricy and non-pricy) options and bars. Avoid mid-town in August. High Line and Brooklyn Bridge are great walks. Though I personally would do so in the morning to avoid the crowds of tourists taking selfies. Was just up there Memorial Day weekend and I'd recommend Singlecut beers in addition to the Other Half stuff. If Singlecut's SSMS is still around, drink. Definitely drink.
     
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  17. NizzleEGizzle

    NizzleEGizzle Savant (1,055) Feb 25, 2015 New York
    Trader

    Basically everything here. I lived in the East Village for 5 years -- it has the densest concentration of bars and restaurants (including tons of great beer, Good Beer and Proletariat being two of your best options for bottles and tap in NYC respectively). Plus it really has a lot of great energy. The downside to the EV is that it can get very loud and noisy on the weekends, and you want to make sure you don't stay too far east (Aves C & D) which have a lot of stuff happening but are far from public transit and can get a little seedy. Plus, depending on your budget there are some great hotels in the area, most prominently being the Bowery Hotel and the Standard. AirBnbs should be aplenty as well.

    If you're looking for somewhere quiet, I would suggest West Village, which is really beautiful, near transit, and has great restaurants and bars. It is definitely more neighborhood-y, but still very cool.

    LES has great bars, but isn't a particularly attractive neighborhood (besides NoLita (North of Little Italy)), and oftentimes feels like a giant hipster clubhouse. Also can feel very far from the "heart of it all" with its transit options being more limited.

    DO NOT STAY NORTH OF 14th STREET. I REPEAT, DO NOT STAY N OF 14TH STREET.
     
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  18. NizzleEGizzle

    NizzleEGizzle Savant (1,055) Feb 25, 2015 New York
    Trader

    TLDR:

    Recommended hoods:
    East Village
    West Village
    Union Square
     
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  19. NizzleEGizzle

    NizzleEGizzle Savant (1,055) Feb 25, 2015 New York
    Trader

    I think that the West Village presents the same attractions as the UWS in this regard (near Washington Square Park and High Line) with better bars, restaurants, coffee, and shopping. Plus it's prettier and will feel like a suaver vacation IMHO.

    Feel free to DM me for a more lengthy convo and happy to give recommendations.
     
  20. ScottKramer

    ScottKramer Devotee (363) May 27, 2016 New York

    Upper west side is not as bad as people may say and you definitely can find great eating for a day or two, after all it is only a few meals, but it is true that downtown has a great vibe... the other thing to consider given you are going to Brooklyn for Other Half and Coney Island is that lower east side is much much closer/faster to both of that (public transportation) as well as all the NY breweries. Google maps has great point to point directions using your choice of taxi, public transport, or walking in its tabs
     
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