Naujamiestis is the Brooklyn of Vilnius.
Naujamiestis named the Brooklyn of Vilnius
August 4, 2026 - Brooklyn Of (brooklynof.com), a travel publication that names the coolest neighborhood in more than 150 cities worldwide, has named Naujamiestis the Brooklyn of Vilnius.
The "Brooklyn of" a city is a metaphor, of course: shorthand for the coolest neighborhood in town, the one where independent culture, serious coffee, and creative energy define the character. Not the old town, not where the hop-on-hop-off bus goes. Every big enough city has one, and the site names exactly one per city. In many cities the pick is close to consensus, the name locals would give without hesitating. In others it picks a side. Vilnius's verdict went to Naujamiestis ahead of Užupis, Šnipiškės and Žvėrynas, which take the runner-up positions.
"We named Naujamiestis the Brooklyn of Vilnius. It has the mix the title is trying to name: converted industrial spaces, street art on Soviet-era walls, and bars that see no reason to exist before evening. Locals are welcome to tell us we are wrong," says Per, creator of Brooklyn Of.
The verdict comes with a guide to Naujamiestis's independent hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops: no big chains, nothing sponsored, and placements are not for sale. Selections draw on research and local tastemakers in each city, and readers who disagree are invited to make their case.
The full Vilnius verdict: brooklynof.com/vilnius
Press contact: Per, creator of Brooklyn Of, hello [at] brooklynof.com
Press kit and images: brooklynof.com/press/vilnius
Runner-up neighborhoods: Užupis, Šnipiškės, Žvėrynas
Free for editorial use in coverage of brooklynof.com. Credit: brooklynof.com.
hello [at] brooklynof.com · Per is available for interviews, quotes, and written commentary on this and every city in the index.