Williamsburg, Brooklyn: NYC's Dynamic Hipster Haven and Emerging Hotspot
In our early days in New York City, every corner felt iconic—from the miracles at 34th Street to Tina Fey's domain at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, and spontaneous Broadway show tunes. Yet, venturing into Brooklyn's Williamsburg via the J train to Marcy Ave sparked unexpected alarm bells, evoking Jay-Z's Marcy Projects. Could this gritty spot truly host a vermouth revolution, flea markets, and artisan cheeses?
Disembarking at Lorimer Street (or more directly, the L train to Bedford Ave from Manhattan), the scene transformed. From working-class Black and Latino communities emerged hipsters in signature attire—facial hair, sunglasses, eclectic skirts, and furry jackets. By Metropolitan Ave, we blended into the Bedford Avenue parade, underscoring Williamsburg's vibrant, controversial hipster evolution, as detailed in Buzzfeed quizzes.
Though lacking Frances Ha star Greta Gerwig's Golden Globe buzz at the time, Williamsburg draws creatives sans overt celebrity sightings. Modern Williamsburg emerged post-2008, as Manhattan's soaring rents displaced artists, musicians, and hipsters into former warehouses and dockyards, overtaking Polish, Italian, Hasidic Jewish, and working-class enclaves.
This gentrification fuels electric cultural friction, mirroring Greenwich Village's heyday of art, music, galleries, and nightlife. Street art exemplifies it: works by Roa, JR, Invader, Banksy, and Paul Richard's sidewalk drizzles adorn walls.
Alexa Chung dubs Williamsburg her "lover" versus London's "husband." Its prime location—one L train stop from Manhattan or a 20-minute East River Ferry to Wall Street—offers convenience for creatives and commuters alike.
Stunning Manhattan skyline views come free at East River State Park, paired with Smorgasburg or Williamsburg Flea eats like pupusas or artisan ice cream sandwiches.
Beyond views and affordability, Williamsburg's indie music and food scene shine. A food tour offered pizza, 24-hour bagels, cheeses, handmade chocolates, and local wines—though our guide lacked depth. Standouts include Nitehawk Cinema's dine-in movies, retro Hotel Delmano, Bavarian Radegast Hall & Biergarten, Mable's Smokehouse, Blue Bottle Coffee, and Best Pizza.
Williamsburg for Foodies
Williamsburg excels in upscale organic fare and hearty eats. Partners Coffee buzzes with industry chatter amid glowing MacBooks.
Welcoming Williamsburg's Admirers
With waterfront condos and hype, tourists flock—yet no double-deckers yet. Older visitors seek guided tours. Hotels remain limited; Wythe and McCarren match Manhattan rates. B Hostel eyes broader gentrification.
Update since 2013: Over half a dozen high-end hotels now operate; Airbnbs abound. See best Williamsburg hotels and Where to Stay in Brooklyn for details.
Searching for the Next Williamsburg
As it mainstreams, hipsters eye Greenpoint (NYT, 2012), Bed-Stuy/Clinton Hill (Crain's), Bushwick, or Red Hook—our pick for its isolation, celebs, and artisan vibe.
Visit soon before high-rises eclipse warehouses.
What Not to Miss in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Weekends shine with markets: Smorgasburg (Saturdays, Apr-Nov, East River State Park), Williamsburg Flea (Saturdays, 51 N 6th St), Artists & Fleas (weekends, 70 N 7th St).
Brunch lines testify to Brooklyn's ritual.
Best Coffee: Devocion (69 Grand St), Partners Coffee (125 N 6th St), Pueblo Querido (34 N 6th St), Copper Mug Coffee (131 N 4th St), Hungry Ghost (721 Metropolitan Ave & 231 Bedford Ave).
Best Diner Food: Diner (85 Broadway, rail car); Jimmy’s Diner (closed, Covid-19).
Best Pizza: Best Pizza (33 Havemeyer St); L’Industrie (254 S 2nd St); Emmy Squared (364 Grand St, Detroit-style).
Best Drinks: Juliette rooftop (135 N 5th St), Berry Park (4 Berry St), Radegast Hall & Biergarten (113 N 3rd St), The Gutter (200 N 14th St), Surf Bar (139 N 6th St), Hotel Delmano (82 Berry St), Dolly’s Swing & Dive (101 Kent St), Randolph Beer (104 S 4th St).
Best Movie Spot: Nitehawk Cinema (136 Metropolitan Ave, in-seat service).
Best Street Art: Ubiquitous—Wythe/Berry Sts, McCarren Park (Berry St, N 12th-14th), Kent St. Guided tours daily 3pm ($30). Highlights: Roa (160 Berry St, 2 Havemeyer/N 9th); Kobra (Bedford Ave/N 5th-4th Elvis, Bedford/N 9th Warhol-Basquiat); south Bedford to Williamsburg Bridge "Mona Lisa of Brooklyn."
Hipster Joke: How did the hipster burn his mouth? He ate his pizza before it was cool.
