New York Neighborhood Guide: Lower East Side

Home of the new cool—New York’s epicenter of trends in art, fashion, food, and film—the Lower East Side is the place to be for any weekend. Packed with chic new stores for both major brands and home crafted boutiques, filled with restaurants from top level chefs, and with some of the best bars in the city, here is a handy guide to the best locales in the neighborhood.

Where To Stay: The Ludlow Hotel

The Ludlow Hotel is the perfect stay for any traveler looking to experience a more authentic New York than midtown has to offer. Located on Ludlow Street near Houston, this hotel is set alongside some of the best restaurants, bars, boutiques, and more in the whole city–with the added benefit of being near some stores that have been around since before the area was as highly regarded as today. The streets are painted with graffiti and art from an ages old era of the city, with the Ludlow Hotel reflecting the history of that time in perfect balance with the luxury lifestyle it offers its guests.

Location: 180 Ludlow Street

Where To Eat: Dirty French

On the ground floor of the Ludlow Hotel, is their resutarant Dirty French. Founded by the team at Major Food Group that runs everything from terrific fast casuals like Parm to special occasion restaurants like The Grill, Dirty French is an incredible restaurant with a wide range of offerings, a cocktail menu that can’t be beat, and an intimate setting perfect for a date or anniversary.

Location: 180 Ludlow Street

Where To Wake Up: Blue Bottle Coffee

Blue Bottle has exploded in the past few years as one of the best coffee companies to open up multiple locations in the city. I don’t know what kind of witchcraft they’re doing back behind that counter, but somehow every time I order a cappuccino, it comes to me at the perfect drinking temperature–It’s literally the only coffee place that figured this out. Blue Bottle is becoming what can be referred to as a “chain” sure, but some chains are that way because they’re just too good to keep to one spot. I point to Blue Bottle as Exhibit A of this point.

Location: 71 Clinton Street

Where To Get That Afternoon Pick Me Up: Stanley’s Pharmacy

This small shop has got a little bit of everything. Specializing in herbal treatments, Stanley’s always smells incredible. The best cure to the 2:00pm drowsiness though is one of their matcha sodas. The blend of tea, ginger, and club soda is the perfect pick me up to get you moving through the rest of your day–whether that means errands or on to the next activity! The staff here is also super knowledgable about their products and can help with finding remedies to fight off colds or help get away from processed products.

Location: 31 Ludlow Street

Where To Drink: The Flower Shop

This retro-inspired bar is the perfect way to drop the hipster vibes and pretentiousness of the world outside and sip on cocktails in a fun, laid back environment. With wood panel siding evoking the vibes from Grandma’s house, and fun features like a fish tank, pool table, and old school printed wallpapers, The Flower Shop is a go-to for drinks with friends, and some appetizers before dinner. Pro Tip: The wings are incredible here and are way underrated in the already incredible LES food scene. Be sure to get some for the table with your drinks.

Location: 107 Eldridge Street