Bedford Avenue (L)

This part of Williamsburg feels like Soho and West Village’s baby sister, with a lot of the same shops and restaurants. The area feels so “in” these days that it can be easy to forget it was the hood a few decades ago, but the socioeconomic disparity is there if you have eyes for more than the Chanel storefront on 6th street.

In general, it breaks down like this.

Right outside the station: a little grunge, a little fast-food-falafel and smoke shops.

Between the station and Marsha P Johnson State Park/Bushwick Inlet Park: bougie, fancy shopping, hotel rooftop bars. Think Catbird, Gorgana, Pamela Love for jewelry. Diptyque, Byredo, Le Labo, DS & Durga for scents. That kind of thing. Berry St is closed to cars, so it’s a fun pedestrian walk-through.

Between the station and Domino Park: hip, with great coffee + comedy. Try designers collab coffee for aesthetic vibes. That’s where I met Derrick, who describes Williamsburg as “tourists on one side of the street, and locals struggling on the other.” Or try Devoción, which roasts beans that, in the words of a local, are “worth leaving Manhattan for.” I also liked the art vibe at Copper Mug Coffee. The comedy scene is at Williamsburg Comedy Club.

Between the station and McCarren Park: Now you’re heading away from Williamsburg and towards Greenpoint territory. It’s vibey. Project472 loves Nami Nori and Casa Pública for noms. And Westlight for a rooftop sunset.

Would you drink a coffee on this recliner at designers collab? You can, but you’d have to buy it first. 

Derrick! Catch him at designer coffee collab, or modeling. 

Copper Mug Coffee

A Williamsburg bar.

Another Williamsburg bar.

Devoción. They roast their own beans, and my friend Sahar says they never burn them. 

Bye for now, Bedford!