Alphabet City:
One of New York's Most Colorful Neighborhoods
I spent part of my early twenties living in Alphabet City, and it remains one of my favorite corners of Manhattan. Back then, the neighborhood had an edge to it. Graffiti covered storefronts, tiny restaurants, dive bars, artists, musicians and a nightlife scene that seemed to go on forever.
Some of that character remains today, although Alphabet City has changed considerably.
Located east of First Avenue, between Houston and 14th Streets, the neighborhood takes its name from Avenues A, B, C and D. It's technically part of the East Village, but ask anyone who has spent time here and they'll tell you Alphabet City has always had an identity of its own.
It's a neighborhood shaped by generations of immigrants, artists, activists and longtime New Yorkers. And despite decades of change, there's still something wonderfully unpredictable about it.
Where.
Alphabet City, which is like the East Village’s cousin, is south of 14th Street and north of Houston within Avenues A, B, C and D… hence its clever name. The two neighborhoods typically blur together.
Attractions.
Alphabet City is the place to go if your looking for some of that old New York City ‘edge’ and want some good eats. There are loads of small cafes and restaurants tucked away along the side streets that will be worth the trip. After dinner bounce around to some of the cool lounges for cocktails.
Just like the East Village, there are lots of small clubs/venues to bounce around on a Friday night or really any day of the week depending on the caliber of band you wish to see. Definitely check out the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, an institution since 1973.
Alphabet City has great access to some awesome runs, if that’s your thing. It’s mine, so let me explain a bit. All along the edge of Manhattan are miles and miles of greenway for running, biking or walking. It’s extremely easy to get to from Alphabet City as there are a few pedestrian bridges that span the FDR gaining you access to these paths. Another exciting thing running related is that just over one of these bridges is a gorgeous clay track, perfect for intervals and speed work!
Transit.
If the The East Village isn’t the easy to get to, then Alphabet City is even more challenging as its past the East Village going away from the trains. It has the F/B/D Line as well as the L Train. The plus side to being a bit remote is that the neighborhood never feels ‘touristy.’
Tompkins Square Park
Tompkins Square Park.
Tompkins Square Park, between Avenue A and B within 7th and 10th Street, is the central outdoor green space for the East Village and Alphabet City. During the warmer weather it hosts small outdoor concerts, movie showings and eclectic festivals. It was revamped in 2010? And looks great. It was home to the historic Tompkins Square riots of 1988 when things were a lot rougher in that neighborhood and NYC in general.
John V. Lindsay East River Park.
As I mentioned above, if you like to run then Alphabet City has the East River Park as a massive playground! I mean, you can run around the entire perimeter of Manhattan if you wanted to (I’ve done it a lot) but one of the nicer more updated areas is this park. It has a running track, ball fiends, restrooms and places to chill as well. Not to mention, it has awesome views of Brooklyn and the bridges.
Food & Drink
Alphabet City has that ‘hard to get to’ but ‘super secret cool restaurant ’vibe going on. They are tiny and most are very far from chain restaurants with amazing food. The drinks after dinner will take up more time as the hood is littered with very chic bars from the most modern and clean to the most divey and stinky in town. Enjoy.
History & Architecture
