The Brooklyn
of New York is
Bushwick.

See the 24 venues →Where to stay
Street art Nightlife Craft beer Multicultural Gritty LGBTQ-friendly
The case for Bushwick

Bushwick is the coolest neighborhood in New York for midnight Ethiopian food, Troutman Street murals, and warehouse parties at House of Yes.

We know what you're thinking. The Brooklyn of New York is... not Brooklyn? Well, not all of it. Bushwick is the part of Brooklyn that still feels like the Brooklyn you're imagining - warehouse parties that never really ended, murals on every surface along Troutman Street, and Ethiopian food at midnight. The L train drops you into the corner of NYC that runs on its own time.

The Bushwick Collective's annual three-day Block Party produced 57 new mural installations in its most recent June edition, created by artists from around the world, turning whole blocks into an open-air gallery.
Close contenders

Other cool neighborhoods in New York.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg walked so Bushwick could run. The waterfront is gorgeous and the restaurants are excellent, but the rents pushed the weirdness east years ago.

Red Hook

Red Hook is a small town that happens to be in Brooklyn. IKEA ferry, killer views of the Statue of Liberty, and some of the best key lime pie in the city.

Crown Heights

Crown Heights has the best Caribbean food in New York, full stop. Franklin Avenue on a summer Saturday night is pure magic.

See the full shortlist, ranked →
Three sides of the neighborhood

Where to go in Bushwick.

01
Stay in Bushwick

There are no Marriotts on Troutman Street.
02
Eat & Drink in Bushwick

Ethiopian injera at Bunna Cafe, then Thai drinking snacks at Tong, then a strong something at Mood Ring.
03
Do & Shop in Bushwick

The Bushwick Collective turned every warehouse wall on Troutman into a rotating open-air gallery.
All 24 spots mapped out

Bushwick, corner to corner.

Open in Maps →
Our 24 top picks

The Bushwick guide.

Practical info

Good to know.

The boring numbers that decide whether you stay three days or four.

CurrencyUSD
LanguageEnglish
Cost level $$$$Expensive
Best monthsLate September to mid-October, then May and early June
Local time UTC-4
Plug type US plug · 120V/60Hz
Emergency911
Local tip
Walk Troutman from Irving to Wyckoff around 6pm on a Saturday. Every door is open and the block is alive.
North America · USA

If you like New York, try one of these.

Berlin — Kreuzberg
The Brooklyn of
Berlin
Kreuzberg
Germany · Europe
Melbourne — Fitzroy
The Brooklyn of
Melbourne
Fitzroy
Australia · Oceania
Leipzig — Plagwitz
The Brooklyn of
Leipzig
Plagwitz
Germany · Europe
Toronto — West Queen West
The Brooklyn of
Toronto
West Queen West
Canada · North America
Head to head

How does New York stack up?

All comparisons →

Berlin vs New York

Europe · North America

Chicago vs New York

North America

New York vs San Francisco

North America

New York vs Toronto

North America
Common questions

Things to know about Bushwick.

What is the Brooklyn of New York?
The Brooklyn of New York is Bushwick. We know what you're thinking. The Bushwick Collective's annual three-day Block Party produced 57 new mural installations in its most recent June edition, created by artists from around the world, turning whole blocks into an open-air gallery.
What is the coolest neighborhood in New York?
Bushwick is widely considered the coolest neighborhood in New York. We know what you're thinking. The Brooklyn of New York is... not Brooklyn? Well, not all of it. Bushwick is the part of Brooklyn that still feels like the Brooklyn you're imagining - warehouse parties that never really ended, murals on every surface along Troutman Street, and Ethiopian food at midnight. The L train drops you into the corner of NYC that runs on its own time.
Where should I stay in Bushwick, New York?
The best boutique hotels in Bushwick include Hotel 1200, Hotel 1080, and Bklyn House. Hotel 1200 is the one to book first. Those noise-reducing headboards earn their keep here, sitting directly across from the Kosciuszko Street J stop and its elevated train. The 2021 build shed its Holiday Inn Express branding to go independent, keeping the microwaves, pillowtop mattresses, and a 6:30 AM continental breakfast. Raul and Augusta run a tight front desk.
Is Bushwick in New York safe at night?
Yes, broadly. The blocks near the L and M train corridors are well-trafficked into the early morning thanks to bars and venues. Use normal city awareness on quieter industrial streets late at night, particularly east of the main commercial strips. Walking alone at 2am is common here. Stick to lit avenues and you'll be fine.
Is New York expensive?
New York sits at the top of the cost scale, and Bushwick is cheaper than Manhattan but not cheap. Boutique rooms in converted warehouses run $200-400 a night, dropping 30-40% from late January through early March. Budget $50-80 for a taxi from the airport.
When is the best time to visit New York?
Late September through mid-October is the window: 65 to 75F, low humidity, and open-studio season running right through it. May and early June come next. Avoid July and August if you can, since the humidity turns long mural walks into a slog. Winter limits you to bright, cold afternoons in short bursts under half an hour.

Last updated

The dispatch

Want more cities like New York?

New cities and updated guides. Nothing else.