The beauty of New York City is that it can be whatever you want it to be. From the wealth of the Upper West Side to the East Village’s punk scene, there are so many sides to explore depending on what you want to seek. As one of the founding cities of counterculture, New York has a particularly strong alt scene spanning food, fashion, art, and entertainment. Think indie comedy clubs, gentrified food trucks, and zodiac-themed milennial bars — and that’s just the beginning.
If you’re seeking the city’s hipster side, this off-the-beaten-path guide to NYC has you covered. Having scoured the city to serve up the sickest possible hotels, bars, shops, eats, and things to do, it’s going to keep you well fed throughout your stay.
Alternative stays off the beaten path in New York
NYC is home to many iconic institutions like the Waldorf Astoria, The Plaza, and Algonquin and while they all promise an unforgettable experience, sometimes discovering something alternative is more exciting. Here are three of our favorite NYC hotels that said “no thanks” to the classic cookie cutter hotel style:
The Ludlow Hotel
The Ludlow is an embodiment of its Lower East Side location with an industrial structure gentrified by a bold eclectic aesthetic. Embodying true loft living, those staying at The Ludlow feel like they’re living in NYC rather than visiting. Rather than a formal reception, the boutique hotel lobby features a bar and leather seating, and a large open fireplace. Meanwhile, the Dirty French restaurant is a true New York bistro. To sleep, choose from four rooms styles; a studio, terrace, loft, or penthouse, all of which epitomize New York loft style with floor-to-ceiling black paneled windows, square-tiled bathrooms, and exposed beams and brick walls.
Arlo Williamsburg
Arlo WIlliamsburg is the fourth Arlo hotel in NYC, and it might just be its best. Unlike many sleek and minimal hotels, the Arlo doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s cool but grounded, upscale but inclusive. Located on the East River, it boasts impeccable views of the Manhattan skyline. The best views are seen from its crowning glory the ‘Water Tower’, an original water tower retrofitted top-to-bottom with windows for iconic 360 views of Manhattan and Brooklyn. However, the Arlo is much more than its looks; it has good social game too. From rooftop yoga to cocktails and taro cards, visitors and guests can look forward to a weekly schedule of curated events.
ModernHaus SoHo
Described as ‘a place where art, community, and innovation come together’, ModernHaus is a haven for creative tastemakers. From the suites to the breakfast and cocktail bar, the hotel is distinguished by its modern take on Bauhaus design, highlighted by work from the movement’s famous artists. A perfect reflection of the upscale yet urban creative scene of the surrounding neighborhood. No need to look far for cool hang-outs when staying at ModernHaus; find Jimmy, the cool kids’ rooftop pool and bar on the top floor, and the Twenty Three Grand, a retractable greenhouse cosplaying a Mediterranean courtyard at ground level.
Hipster shopping off the beaten path in New York
From vintage clothes to independent labels, NYC offers some of the best shopping in the US for those who favor individual style over mainstream fashion. Since it was impossible to pick individual stores to send you to, we have shared our top three hipster shopping spots. No surprise — they’re all in Brooklyn!
Brooklyn Flea Market
Walk beneath the Dumbo archway in Brooklyn and you’ll find yourself at one of the best flea markets on the East Coast. The Brooklyn Flea Market, open every weekend March through December, is a treasure trove of vintage clothing, antiques, and bric-a-brac. Get there early in the morning to claim the best finds and work up an appetite for lunch. But no need to leave, the market features a variety of food vendors serving everything from lobster rolls to pizza slices so you can grab something on the go and get stuck straight back into thrifting.
Williamsburg boutiques
While Midtown is for mainstream fashion and 5th Avenue is for luxury, Williamsburg is where the hipsters and indie kids will feel most at home. The industrial redbrick streets lined with mismatched store fronts give it a more cosy local vibe. From Bedford to Grand and Metropolitan Avenues, find yourself spoilt for choice with iconic vintage stores like Beacon’s Closet, cool homeware boutiques like Abode, and independent bookstores like Book Thug Nation. Finish your Williamsburg shopping splurge at Moore Street Market, a historic indoor market that has (of course) been updated with a gentrified farmer’s market, coffee shops, candy stands, and more.
Fort Greene
If you prefer discovering cool independent brands and curated lifestyle stores rather than thrifted clothes and eclectic boutiques, head to Fort Greene near Downtown Brooklyn. Being edgier than 5th Avenue but more sophisticated than Williamsburg, it’s your answer to upscale indie shopping. The neighborhood blends thoughtful curation (like designer-heavy Bird and Stuart & Wright) with boho-wellness flair (Jill Lindsey), stylish gift and accessory shops, and a robust flea/trade scene. Start on Atlantic Avenue and then stop by Fulton Street before wandering along Myrtle and finishing at the produce market in Fort Greene Park.
Explore off the beaten path in New York
New York has its fair share of tourist traps, and although many are genuinely worth seeing, sometimes it’s more rewarding to step off the beaten path and discover alternative experiences. Check out our suggestions to experience a side of NYC that many visitors miss:
Coney Island
Wooden rollercoasters, funnel cake, and circus sideshows – does it get more kitsch than Coney Island? Less than 60 minutes from Manhattan on the subway, it’s a dreamy retro day trip for the alternative traveler. Start the day whirling around on the Cyclone, Thumderbolt, and Deno’s Wonder Wheel at Luna Park. After finding your feet again, take a stroll along the boardwalk, stopping for Nathan’s famous hot dogs, the island’s famous funnel cake, and souvenirs. Don’t forget, a day at Coney Island is only complete after stopping by the circus tent to watch the weird and wonderful old-school freak shows.
ARTECHOUSE
If shuffling silently through stuffy galleries isn’t your thing, head to ARTECHOUSE instead. Rather than asking you analyse the art in front of you, this innovate modern museum merges art and technology to immerse you in it. From room to room, ARTECHOUSE projects a moving image on the walls, floors, and ceiling, encouraging your brain to feel like it has transcending into the scene. Some rooms are trippy kelaidescopes, others are simulated human experiences. Whichever room you find yourself it, you’ll get a strange, yet mesmerizing experience that the natural world rarely provides.
Caveat NYC
If Broadway sounds boring to you, there might be something that tickles your entertainment tastebuds at the Caveat instead. This indie event venue describes itself as a cabaret comedy theater located deep under Clinton Street that champions nerdy, funny art – and sells cheap drinks. In other words, it’s the anti-Broadway where polished, highly trained musical theatre kids are put to shame by the raw talent of self-starting actors and comedians. What more could you want? The schedule is jam-packed each week with a pick’n’mix of events from improv shows to live stand up, comedy musicals, and more.
Hip Neighborhoods off the beaten path in New York
Get out of Times Square and hop on the Subway to a cooler, more unique, and authentic NYC neighborhood. The city’s tall buildings and bright lights are certainly impressive but there’s more to the city than Downtown Manhattan. Check out these hip hoods to see the city’s more creative side:
East Village
Manhattan’s East Village first marked its name on the NYC map back in the 60s with the beginning of the counterculture movement. If you were looking for the hippies, beatniks, and anti-war protestors, this is where you’d have found them. In the 70s and 80s, its rebellious streak continued as the punk rock epicenter. And today? The East Village still upholds its alternative reputation, although now the grungey, glam, bohemian atmosphere has been given a hipster rehash, combining the old and new to create the best of both worlds. A day spent in the East Village will most likely involve thrifting and vinyl shopping, quirky coffee shop hangs, pop-up stops, and dive bar hopping.
Bushwick
From its street art to its coffee culture and food scene, Bushwick is the unapologetic ultimate hipster hangout. It oozes the charisma of a cool indie kid with its gritty edge and creative streak. Located in northern Brooklyn, Bushwick’s industrial heritage has been given a gentrified facelift, yet it remains less polished and more raw than neighboring Williamsburg which kinda gives it extra cool points. It attracts a young, creative, and aspirational crowd with a DIY attitude which makes it abuzz with an excitement that something cool is cooking around every corner from underground parties, art, music, theater, and fashion.
Harlem
Harlem has been known for the wrong reasons in the past and although it’s not drama-free now, don’t let this neighborhood’s reputation precede it. In the 1920s and 30s, Harlem had its own cultural Renaissance with an explosion of African American music, art, literature, and thought. To this day, the neighborhood’s rich culture and creative legacy lives on from its bookstores to its bars. Having been a pillar of New York City for centuries, the African American culture shouldn’t be overlooked when exploring off the beaten path. By day, go on a Harlem food crawl and by night, find a jazz bar to sink your soul into.
Eat off the beaten path in NYC
There’s few better places to eat in the world than New York, thanks to its wealth of international influences and an unwavering passion for good grub. From Michelin restaurants to corner cafes, it’s hard to go wrong, but if you want something really right, take our word for it on these:
NYC food trucks
Food trucks have been known to have longer lines than Michelin restaurants in NYC and who are we to question the hype? Whether chowing down on a classic New York hot dog or opting for something a little more off-beat like dumplings, souvlaki, or lobster rolls, trying food truck cuisine is a must in this city. Not only because it’s a very ‘New York’ thing to do but because the quality of the food at many food trucks is just as high as top-rated restaurants. Look out for the Dumpling Wagon for the best crispy bottom dumplings; Tony Dragon’s Grilled Cheese for (you guessed it) the best grilled cheeses; and Birria-Landia for the best tacos in town.
Koreatown BBQ
While Chinatown remains a staple part of NYC, Koreatown’s two small blocks (located beside the Empire State) are making a big impression on the city. Find quality Korean BBQ joints, rice wine bars, late-night diners, and kareoke bars packed within a sliver of Midtown Manhattan that feels casual and lively all at once. From the food to the atmosphere, Koreatown offers an authentic cross-cultural experience that’s enjoyed by both the local Korean community, native New Yorkers, and visitors alike. Check out Let’s Meat for an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ, Her Name is Han for homestyle Korean comfort food, or Food Gallery 32 for a hand-picked selection of Korean street food.
Arthur Avenue - the REAL Little Italy
With a rich Italian-American heritage, Arthur Avenue in the Bronx is quite possibly the best place to get Italian food outside of Italy. The unassuming brownbrick street in a working-class neighborhood is a world away from the comersialized Little Italy, and that’s precisely the charm. It’s lined with legendary local joints including Mario’s which is famous for its red sauce, Dominick’s no-menu family-style restaurant, and Emilia’s which serves the best wood-fired pizza and pasta. After stuffing yourself with the tastiest carbs in town, stock up on top-quality Italian produce to bring home with you at Teitel Brothers, arthur Avenue Retail Market, and Casa della Mozzarella.
Hipster bars off the beaten path in NYC
Home to quirky, off-beat, and underground joints from Hoboken to East Village, New York’s bar scene spoils hipsters for choice. Stick to areas in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn like the East Village, Bushwick, and Williamsburg and you’ll undoubtedly find something that fits your vibe. If you want our opinion, these are the spots to hit:
Skinny Dennis (Williamsburg)
For a tootin’ good night of country, go visit Skinny Dennis, a laid-back honky-tonk bar in Williamsburg with live music every night. It’s all about a fun, unpretentious, slightly kitschy time — boots optional, good vibes required.
Mood Ring (Bushwick)
The stars are always aligned for a memorable night at Mood Ring, a zodiac-themed, neon-lit inclusive dance bar that gets sweatier as the DJ plays on. Before diving into the crowd, order from the astrologically themed menu that changes with the zodiac seasons to feel aligned with your inner dancer.
Attaboy (Lower East Side)
As a former speakeasy that maintained its gritty underground atmosphere, Attaboy is your answer to a casual craft cocktail bar with low lighting and high vibes. Don’t worry about what’s on the menu, they’ll make whatever you ask for.
169 Bar (Lower East Side)
Did someone say leopard print and disco balls? That’s right, this tastefully trashy soul jazz and oyster bar has embraced the 70s in all its gaudiness and you should too. Head inside, grab yourself a plate of cheap oysters, a $3 beer and listen to the sweet sounds of 70s soul as you pot some balls on the leopard print snooker table.
The Four Horsemen (Williamsburg)
Owned by LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, you know this wine bar ain’t gonna do you wrong, especially with a menu that specializes in natural wine + small plates. Cool but sophisticated, The Four Horsemen is the perfect setting for a glass of wine, a bite to eat, and good conversation.
Book your off the beaten path trip to a hipster’s NYC
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