Living in Williamsburg gives you access to a range of activities at all hours of the day, as evidenced by always-buzzing streets like Bedford Avenue. Williamsburg has become an area known for its trendsetting neighbors and storefronts, which has promoted Brooklyn-branded shops, bars, and restaurants. Bedford is the first stop off the L train and a central shopping hub in the neighborhood. Small boutiques boast Brooklyn trends for prices lower than in Manhattan, and antique sales and old record stores offer the promise of stumbling upon hidden gems in the depths of their collections.

 

Williamsburg has also emerged as a culinary destination. Aska, a small restaurant leading the New Nordic trend, gained notoriety for its pig’s blood cracker, and BBQ joints Fette Sau and Briskettown give locals a leg up when it comes to meat. Peter Luger’s has been a Brooklyn steakhouse for over 100 years and its legacy is still reminiscent of an old-world Williamsburg. Smorgasburg, a spring-and-summer food festival, is made up of local snack vendors that set up shop weekly in East River State Park. Festival-goers can sample the wide variety of food stalls and then enjoy their spoils on benches overlooking the East River. Outside of hosting Smorgasburg, East River State Park and the accompanying piers are a great location to watch the sunset over the Manhattan skyline.

 

In Williamsburg, the party often starts early in the day and continues late into the night. Many bars have outdoor spaces that become packed when the sun is out. Under-the-radar promoters host daytime pop-up parties at all different kinds of venues: parking lots, rooftops, lofts, or parks. Nightlife here is comprised of chic lounges and popular dive bars with backyard patios. Down-home bars like Turkey’s Nest Tavern satisfy many long-time neighbors. Williamsburg’s music scene draws an audience from all five boroughs. Large venues like Brooklyn Bowl or Music Hall of Williamsburg attract big-name acts, while smaller venues like 285 Kent and Shea Stadium are at the forefront of the do-it-yourself music scene. Here, die-hard punk, rock, and experimental fans can enjoy live acts with more intimacy.