What to do in East Village?

I'll be attending Black Odyssey down at CSC....and thought I'd spend some time in the area - but to be honest, I don't know too much of what there is to do in the East Village. Looking for any suggetiions! I'm open to anything...but not finding a lot on line....except for restaurants!



Thanks for any info you can send my way!

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St Marks Place has a ton of funky/punky shops (or at least used to - still a few there!)

Strand closer to Union Sq is iconic. The Halloween/Magic store down a bit more is super fun. Lower East Side has the tenement museum.

It's not an area designed for tourists (which is great) so it's hard to suggest this or that. It's AWESOME for exploring. I would go to Union Sq and casually work your way down (for more shopping)- or Canal St and work your way up (for lots of 'local flavor'. Either way a lot of fun, unique shops.

Anyone remember when Footlight Records was around there

As mentioned above, it is a great area for exploring. Here’s one idea for a short walk.

From CSC, go one block north on Third Avenue, then turn left (west) on 14th Street and turn right on Irving Place. Irving is just six blocks long and is charming and interesting. You’ll pass the big high school across from Irving Plaza (the rock venue), There’s a Michelin starred tapas place at 16th and the (apocryphal) residence of Washington Irving across the street, At 18th, go in Pete’s Tavern, where O’Henry wrote “Gift of the Magi” (second booth on the right) and Ludwig Bemelmans drew a lot of Madeleines. Check the hundreds of photos on the walls. They won’t mind if you just tell them you want to look around.


Lots of pretty buildings with places to eat and drink. At the end of Irving (20th Street), you dead end at Gramercy Park, where a statue of Edwin Booth as Hamlet is facing you. (NB: If you turn left on 20th, the second awning is the entrance to the Players Club, still in operation today.)

I know you said you’ve already seen restaurant recommendations, but if you need more, let me know. (In the other direction from CSC at 10th Street and Second Avenue is Veselka, the longtime Ukrainian restaurant that is more popular than ever these days.)

The good news is there are lots of options. Here are three ideas; the parameters I’m using are no reservations required, not pricey, fine as a single or with a group, and all located on Third Avenue within five blocks of the theater.

* Penny Farthing. Good pub food at 13th and Third, a half block from CSC. I would probably choose this one just for convenience.

* Joe Junior’s at 16th and Third. This is a tiny greasy spoon that I include in case you are in a hurry and want an old timely neighborhood feel. This is not a fine dining experience, just a beloved hole in the wall. Who knows what the Health Grade is.

* Follia at 17th and Third. Excellent food, a neighborhood favorite. Happy hour menu at the bar is a bargain. Mostly Italian, but a number of options. I love the salt and pepper ribs. They have a mushroom polenta that I would order for three meals a day.

Have a great time, and enjoy the play!