East Village

Overview

The East Village shaped American counterculture for decades — from the Beat poets of the 1950s through the punk scene at CBGB in the 1970s to the art world of the 1980s. Today it remains one of Manhattan's most creatively vibrant neighborhoods, packed with independent restaurants, bars, and shops.

Highlights

• St. Marks Place: The legendary block between Third and Second Avenues, once home to Andy Warhol's Electric Circus and punk clubs, now lined with ramen shops, vintage stores, and tattoo parlors.
• Tompkins Square Park: The neighborhood's gathering place and historic site of protests, concerts, and community events.
• Dining: Some of the best affordable dining in Manhattan — Japanese izakayas on St. Marks, Ukrainian diners on Second Avenue, and acclaimed restaurants on every cross street.

Visitor Tips

• After Dark: The East Village comes alive at night — bar-hop along Avenue A and First Avenue for dive bars, cocktail lounges, and live music.
• McSorley's Old Ale House: Operating since 1854, it's one of New York's oldest bars and only serves its own light and dark ales.
• Duration: 2–3 hours.