Street Wise: A Stop-by-Stop Guide to Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg
![You can still find the Williamsburg spirit percolating through the indie fashion boutiques, craft breweries and artisan coffee shops on Bedford Avenue](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/20x11/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/ebbr4b.webp)
New York’s epicenter of cool lays on craft breweries, warehouse-style hotels and ready-to-rummage vintage stores, especially along its main artery.
The Brooklyn district of Williamsburg might never shake off its reputation as the crucible of the hipster boom that sent a shockwave of fixie bikes, avocado toast and sculpted facial hair rippling around the world. While gentrification has squeezed out many of the pioneering scenesters who first put it on the map, it remains one of the coolest and engaging ‘hoods in New York. Along its main artery, Bedford Avenue, you can still find the Williamsburg spirit percolating through its indie fashion boutiques, craft breweries, artisan coffee shops and on-point places to stay, bookable with Culture Trip.
McCarren Park
Park
![New Yorkers exercise in McCarren Park, Brooklyn, New York during the COVID-19 pandemic.](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2bf1wk5.webp)
The William Vale
Hotel
![The stylish dining room of the restaurant at the William Vale looks out over the Midtown Manhattan skyline from double-height windows](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/22753b6c.webp)
Overlooking McCarren Park, this towering five-star hotel dwarfs practically every other building in Williamsburg. Its impressive dimensions don’t end there, since it features the longest outdoor pool of any hotel in New York, no less. Post-dip, flop on one of the plentiful daybeds or U-shaped sofas – great when you’re hanging with friends. Every guest room opens to a balcony with views, which get headier the higher up you ascend. Go all the way to the 22nd-floor rooftop bar for dizzying 360-degree panoramas.
Terasa North Ninth
Restaurant, American
It’s a fair assumption that Balkan cuisine doesn’t appear on most culinary radars, but we all know Williamsburg likes to push the envelope, and a meal at Terasa North Ninth is sure to register on yours. A few blocks from the park, this elegantly styled eatery draws from old family recipes, with a fresh contemporary twist. A menu highlight among herbivores is their vegan charcuterie board: a beautifully presented combination of crunchy house-pickled veggies paired creamy spreads and freshly baked focaccia.
Café Beit
Cafe, Coffee
As much a community hub as a coffee shop, Café Beit is owned by three baristas who deftly handle the impressive La Marzocco espresso machine behind the bar. The compact interior opens up to a backyard garden oasis, where locals sip cold brews and macchiatos depending on the season. For a caffeine-free option, try the House Golden Milk with its mellow mix of spices. Hungry? Their breakfast burrito will set you up for the day.
Sweet Chick
Restaurant, American
![Sweet Chick, 164 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY. exterior of a southern fried chicken and waffles restaurant in the Williamsburg neighborhood.. Image shot 08/2018. Exact date unknown.](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/pfw3df.webp)
Think Closet
Store
Owner Wendy Chun looks to her native Korea and its neighboring countries for designer fashion pieces to populate this fab little boutique. It largely specializes in one-of-a-kind vintage items: clothes are grouped by color, plus there’s a tightly curated selection of handbags, jewelry and shoes to browse. A Bedford Avenue fixture since 2007, it’s fair to say Think Closet has been one of Williamsburg’s top fashion influencers for longer than most.
The Williamsburg Hotel
Boutique Hotel, Hotel
![The Williamsburg Hotel](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/the-williamsburg-hotel-.webp)
Two blocks from Bedford Avenue, towering red-brick facades, marquee signage and chic retro design come together at the Williamsburg Hotel to embody the essence of the neighborhood. Loft-style lodgings provide a seriously plush experience with floor-to-ceiling windows and marble-and-brass bathrooms. Crowning this landmark is a rooftop terrace where you can cool off in a 50ft (15m) pool before retiring to your clamshell lounge chair. Just above, a hip restaurant occupies a reconstructed water tower with spectacular views over the Manhattan skyline.
Awoke Vintage
Store
What started in 2006 as a little market stall in Perth, Australia, found a new, more permanent home on Bedford Avenue in 2012. It carries a colorful range of pre-loved vintage clothing, mostly from the seventies and eighties for both men and women. You can rifle through a good range of accessories, too, including designer handbags, belts and sunglasses. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, they’ve opened a couple other stores in Greenpoint, an easy stroll away.
Maison Premiere
Bar, Restaurant, American, Seafood, Gluten-free
![Maison Premiere in Williamsburg, New York, USA](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/maison_premiere_0443.webp)
Randolph Beer
Gastropub, Restaurant, American
![Randolph Beer, a restaurant bar in Nolita, Lower Manhattan](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/knjdxp.webp)
Located just off Bedford Avenue, this heavily graffitied, semi-industrial space serves up some serious ales from the eponymous Randolph brewery. Aside from their own, you’ll find a dizzying array of beers to sample, from IPAs to stouts, pilsners and fruity numbers. It’s no slacker on the food side, either, with belly-pleasing brunch and dinner menus. Best of all, there’s no losing precious time between drinks thanks to their “beer ATM” where you can self-serve from a choice of a dozen taps.