Spanning from the Bowery to the East River and from Houston to 14th streets, the East Village has been a bastion of art, music, and innovation since the 1960s—and its artistic spirit continues today.

From museums, music venues, and theaters, to eclectic shops, speakeasies, and so much more, there is no shortage of things to do in the East Village. Below, check out the top picks to explore in the East Village.

 

Anthology Film Archives

32 2nd Ave. (near 1st St.)
anthologyfilmarchives.org

Opened in 1970, Anthology Film Archives is dedicated to the preservation, study, and exhibition of film and video, especially independent, experimental, and avant-garde cinema. Its robust archives are an essential resource for any film scholar, and its film screenings program offers something different nearly every night.

 

 

Astor Place

Between Lafayette St. and 4th Ave. and 8th and 9th streets
http://astorplace.nyc

Astor Place isn't just a stop on the 6 train—its open space frequently hosts special events, political demonstrations, and more. A public art piece titled Alamo — also known as the Astor Place Cube — is one of the most popular East Village NYC attractions: look out for groups of tourists giving it a spin.

 

 

Burp Castle

41 E. 7th St. (between 2nd and 3rd avenues)
burpcastlenyc.wordpress.com

Describing itself as the "Temple of Beer Worship," Burp Castle is known for three things: bartenders who used to wear monk robes (they stopped in the 90s), an enforced quiet atmosphere (you may be shushed), and an unbeatable beer list (with a focus on Belgian brews). Come for a delicious drink and conversation with friends you can actually hear.

 

 

Creative Little Garden

530 E. 6th St. (between avenues A and B)
Facebook.com/Creative-Little-Garden

Tucked away on East Sixth Street, the minuscule Creative Little Garden boasts several seating areas underneath the cool shade, beautifully landscaped gardens, and plenty of birdhouses, stained glass, and other works of art.

 

 

Drom

85 Avenue A (near 6th St.)
dromnyc.com

Priding itself on introducing up-and-coming musicians to the East Village nightlife scene, Drom features everything from jazz and rock to soul, funk, and hip-hop. But that's not all—there's also dance shows, burlesque performances, musical theater, stand-up comedy, and much more.

 

 

Hairrari

34 E. 1st St. (between 1st and 2nd avenues)
hairrari.com

Need a haircut? From fashion-forward styles to classic looks, Hairrari has got you covered. Hairrari prides itself on being an all-inclusive, gender-neutral barbershop where everyone is welcome.

 

 

McSorley's Old Ale House

15 E. 7th St. (between 2nd and 3rd avenues)
mcsorleysoldalehouse.nyc

Proudly established in 1854, McSorley's offers two beers, dark and light. It's cash-only, and until 1970, only men were admitted. It's vintage New York City, complete with a rich and lively history, and you won't find anything else like it in the East Village.

 

 

Russian & Turkish Baths

268 E. 10th St. (between 1st Ave and Avenue A)
russianturkishbaths.com

Open 365 days a year, the Russian & Turkish Baths offer saunas, steam rooms, a cold plunge pool, a roof deck, and an on-site restaurant, along with massages, scrubs, and "Platza Oak Leaf"— which is described on the website as being scrubbed (read: thrashed) with "a broom made of fresh oak leaves, with olive oil soap." 

Note that its co-owners now refuse to work together and keep their profits separate—so if you buy a day pass during David's shift, don't try to use it during Boris's! Consult their calendar.

 

 

St. Mark's Place

Between 7th and 9th streets, from Third Ave. to Avenue A

With unique shops, street vendors, beloved restaurants, hip speakeasies, classic dive bars, and much more, it's no wonder that St. Mark's Place has been called "the coolest street in America."

 

 

Museum of the American Gangster (temporarily closed)

80 St. Marks Place (between 1st and 2nd avenues)
museumoftheamericangangster.org

Housed in a Prohibition-era speakeasy that reportedly hosted both Al Capone and John Gotti, the Museum of the American Gangster displays mob-era newspaper clippings, bullets from the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre, wanted posters, and more.

 

 

Squish Marshmallows

120 Saint Marks Place
squishmarshmallows.com

Head to Squish Marshmallows to indulge in delicious, handcrafted marshmallow confections. The tasty treats are available in a variety of flavors like Apple Pie, Rocky Road, Banana Pudding and can be roasted right in front of you with a blowtorch.

 

 

New York Marble Cemetery

41 ½ 2nd Ave. (between 2nd and 3rd streets)
marblecemetery.org

Accessible only via small gated alleyways on each end, the New York Marble Cemetery was founded in 1830, making it New York City's non-sectarian burial place. Both it and the nearby New York City Marble Cemetery—located one block east and established one year later—were designated New York City landmarks in 1969. You can also rent it for weddings, fashion shows, and other respectful events (i.e., not Halloween).

Orpheum Theater

126 2nd Ave. (between 7th St. and St. Marks Pl.)
stomponline.com

The Orpheum Theater has been everything from a Yiddish playhouse in the early 1900s to a movie theater by the 1920s to the home of the original Off-Broadway run of Little Shop of Horrors in 1982. Since 1994, it has hosted the celebrated rhythm-and-dance show Stomp.

 

 

Please Don't Tell

113 St. Marks Pl. (between 1st Ave. and Avenue A)
pdtnyc.com

While the East Village is packed with speakeasy-style cocktail bars, Please Don't Tell does it the best: its entrance is hidden inside a phone booth in a hot dog shop. Call after 3 p.m. to make a same-day reservation, head to Crif Dogs, and pick up the phone in the booth to gain entrance. Inside, enjoy a seasonal cocktail—or a hot dog or veggie dog delivered to your table.

 

 

Strand Bookstore

828 Broadway (between 12th and 13th streets)
strandbooks.com

The Strand (as it's often called) has been around for more than 90 years, and its "18 miles of books" now offer used books, rare books, discounted books, textbooks, and more. Don't miss its unique author events or its book-themed gifts, including a selection of stylish tote bags.

 

 

Tompkins Square Park

Between avenues A and B and 7th and 9th streets
nycgovparks.org

With a small playground, basketball and handball courts, a sprawling dog park, and plenty of grassy spots for lounging, Tompkins Square Park has something to do all year-round for anyone living in or visiting the East Village. Don't miss special events like Wigstock, the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, and the Halloween Dog Parade.

While in the vicinity, check out the incredible street art in the area like the Joe Strummer Memorial (7th Street and Avenue A), Eduardo Kobra's Run-DMC mural (12th Street and Avenue A), or the massive Bowery Mural (76 E Houston St.) which changes regularly. 

 

 

Turntable Lab

84 E. 10th St. (between 3rd and 4th avenues)
turntablelab.com

Trusted initially as the go-to source for equipment for DJs all over the world, Turntable Lab has since expanded its scope to become one of the coolest record stores not just in East Village, but in all of NYC. Check out both new releases and collector vinyl, and learn a thing or two about DJing from their veteran associates. 

 

 

Ukrainian Museum

222 East 6th St. (between 2nd and 3rd avenues)
ukrainianmuseum.org

Founded in 1976 by the Ukrainian National Women's League of America, the Ukrainian Museum is the largest museum in the U.S. dedicated to Ukrainian culture and history, with more than 8,000 folk art objects, 2,000 paintings and sculptures, and 30,000 photographs and other documents that chronicle the life and history of the Ukrainian people. Don't miss the gift shop!

 

 

Webster Hall

125 E. 11th St. (between 3rd and 4th avenues)
websterhall.com

Established in 1886, Webster Hall has been used for labor union rallies, weddings, meetings, lectures, dances, military functions, concerts, and fundraisers -- and since 1992, it's been one of New York City's premier concert venues.