I think this poem explains how the LES gets under your skin once you've rendezvoused with the 6th Borough! By Miguel Piñero co founder of the Nuyorican Poet Society LOWER EAST SIDE POEM Just once before I die I want to climb up on a tenement sky to dream my lungs out till I cry then scatter my ashes thru the Lower East Side. So let me sing my song tonight let me feel out of sight and let all eyes be dry when they scatter my ashes thru the Lower East Side. From Houston to 14th Street from Second Avenue to the mighty D here the hustlers & suckers meet the ****s & freaks will all get high on the ashes that have been scattered thru the Lower East Side. There's no other place for me to be there's no other place that I can see there's no other town around that brings you up or keeps you down no food little heat sweeps by fancy cars & pimps' bars & juke saloons & greasy spoons make my spirits fly with my ashes scattered thru the Lower East Side . . . A thief, a junkie I've been committed every known sin Jews and Gentiles . . . Bums & Men of style . . . run away child police shooting wild . . . mother's futile wails . . . pushers making sales . . . dope wheelers & cocaine dealers . . . smoking pot streets are hot & feed off those who bleed to death . . . all that's true all that's true all that is true but this ain't no lie when I ask that my ashes be scattered thru the Lower East Side. So here I am, look at me I stand proud as you can see pleased to be from the Lower East a street fighting man a problem of this land I am the Philosopher of the Criminal Mind a dweller of prison time a cancer of Rockefeller's ghettocide this concrete tomb is my home to belong to survive you gotta be strong you can't be shy less without request someone will scatter your ashes thru the Lower East Side. I don't wanna be buried in Puerto Rico I don't wanna rest in Long Island Cemetery I wanna be near the stabbing shooting gambling fighting & unnatural dying & new birth crying so please when I die . . . don't take me far away keep me near by take my ashes and scatter them thru out the Lower East Side . . . If you can't feel THAT, or at least appreciate it, then maybe Alphabet City isn't for you.‍ read more

I've spent so much time in the Lower East Side over the years, and it still remains one of my favorite areas. There is an irreplaceable energy in the mix of old-school tenement history, incredible street art, and some of the best food in the city. Whether you're grabbing a classic pastrami sandwich at Katz's or just wandering down Orchard Street, the neighborhood always feels alive and authentic. It has definitely changed and gotten trendier recently, but that gritty, creative soul is still very much there. It's the kind of place where you can just walk for hours and never get bored. read more

Great area in the city. Very lively with lots to do. Very popular with a lot of small businesses and cultural locations. It is hard to find parking if driving but otherwise, nice area can't complain read more

In my version of "Heartbreaking: The Worst Person You Know Just Made a Great Point," the word "transplant" is used online by provincial idiots who left Queens in 1997 and are outraged about who lives there now, but I do notice that LES caters is more popular among the non-natives. Whatever the hell Dimes Square is deserves the proverbial negative stars, but Katz's, Metrograph and Bowery Ballroom balance things out. In the late 90s I graced the late 90s open mic stage of Surf Reality. Now there are bouncers and influencers. The long-gone Sunshine was the best movie venue in town. I guess the prevalence of graffiti makes LES more "real" than other gentrified regions, but I'd rather hang in Billlyburg. I despised LES for years. Some of it, as the movie slogans say, is personal. But tourists and amateur historians/sociologists may enjoy it. I'm not (only) a contrarian; Katz's pastrami is worth the hype. read more

The lower east side is still my favorite part of Manhattan and my favorite part of New York. Several fashionable hotels and trendy restaurants, while still having that punk edge. A lot of street art here, which changes often. Near Little Italy and Chinatown. You can access any type of cuisine! There are some great taco spots. Many restaurants have outdoor dining during the warmer months. Well positioned to easily access Brooklyn and downtown/the Battery. A mile or two down from midtown. Easy subway access to go further uptown. I've never felt unsafe. read more

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So whether you're filled with great pride Or you're deeply embarrassed inside Memories are as strong As my p**** is long When you think of the Lower East Side More like the Lower Eats Side because there's so much great food here, such as Wafles And Dinges, Katz Deli (iffy owner awful prices tho), the original Boba Guys NYC with seats and all, and tonnnnns of great Chinatown eateries and Boba shops too. The Lower East Side is one of the most awesome areas of Manhattan and everybody knows it. Whether on Houston Street or one of the little backstreets trying the original Boba Guys location of NYC which is lovely with great service and great product - or perhaps Russ and Daughters for the fish - or a host of other great things here on the Lower East Side. The memories are living longer than what is there now but there's still a lot of great stuff here. It's connected to Alphabet City, which is a wonderful part of Manhattan which is at once peaceful and quiet but also full of interesting things including a wonderful 24-hour Deli, named Sunny And Annie's - get the Pho Sandwich which might be the best 4am food in NYC - and the ultimate Belgian Waffle Cafe known as Wafles And Dinges, and lots of other goodies too. I love Alphabet City and it's a great place for bar hopping as well. read more

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A fantastic place to visit. Tons of food options. Great entertainment for all ages! Easy to get to by subway read more

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The most beautiful exciting, alarming, disgusting and every other name you want to call this part of the city. I love it. I try to visit but it is not easy. I overeat. I take a 100 photos. I used to walk down and home. Ten miles round trip. I would wander all day. Now I mainly visit once a year when I go to Little Italy for the Feast. As you can see by my photos today there is a lot going on here. I love the graffiti. I love the colors. You can take a trip to the Twilight Zone. The old buildings are very cool. There's not much else to tell except the food is wonderful, bakeries, ice cream, coffee spots and every ethnic spin you want to dance to! I highly recommend and I will return as soon as possible! Bring lots of cash. Some places don't take credit cards. read more

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I remember, back in the 80's when the LES was chic, funky, cool - whatever you wanna call it. Sure back in the day, LES had tons of grime, but it was cool to hang out- and it still is. With a different twist. Fast forward a different wave and Santacon was in full force. Every corner, I walked, there were a bunch of Santas. One thing's for sure: I intentionally walked on the street and dare not walk on the sidewalk and didn't want them puking all over me. . Other than the inebriated Santas, the LES, is full of people. The LES- to me has become a too chi-chi and millennials have moved in. I get it, as with everything, things shift, neighborhoods change. I get that. Sometimes for the better or the worse. The LES is congested. And The LES I was used to- is no longer. It used to be my other playground back in the day. To me, is all about nostalgia, and it's lost. But don't get me wrong, the endless additions of dining is excellent in the LES. read more

Lower East Side - Green Lantern - Local Flavor Near Me

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Ah LES, a primary a Jewish nabe backed by the famous Katz's Deli Kosher diner and many synagogues. It is immigrant enclave through the years. Lower East Side is one of New York's oldest districts and home to original tenements. The art scene is prominent with ABC No Rio and Henry Street Settlement cultural theater. Lower East Side home to several graffiti artists, most notable Chico who painted the mural at Nuyorican Poets Cafe. The entertainment night life is well known for emerging musicians and bands performing at Bowery Ballroom on Delancey Street and Mercury Lounge on East Houston Street, R-Bar, Bowery Electric, most notable (now defunct CBGB's). Both punk bands and spoken word poets perform at Otto's Shrunken Head, Parkside Lounge, and Nuyorican Poets Cafe. Lower East Side is almost the border of Chinatown. East Houston Street Essex Street Canal Street Eldridge Street East Broadway Grand Street Ahh.. Lower East Side read more

LES is a sexy neighborhood and here's why: 1. I'm a foodie. 2. LES is Foodie Heaven. 3. I actually enjoy getting lost here. 4. I feel safe walking around at night. 5. The eats are hella cheap and yummy. 6. I can aimlessly walk around without a care. 7. Each storefront is occupied by a place I have bookmarked on Yelp ( I'm making my rounds baby!). read more

Give me something to believe in New York City. Whisper in my ear and tell me that it isn't a dog eat dog world out there, that being single doesn't mean 40% of your hard-earned cash goes to Uncle Sam, that going on a date doesn't end in confusion and disappointment... I call the Lower East Side home now. It is the last saving grace for a lonely nomad that physically is in bondage, yet has a soul that soars high above the city, long to be lost again. Home is where you'll find synagogues, Buddhist temples, churches, hipster art galleries, Section 8 housing, third wave espresso, the beautiful East River, the Chinese lady selling rice cakes with fish balls (but not on Sundays, because God said Sunday is for rest), cheap and quick shoe repair service, Doughnut Plant, Kossar's Bialy, the Pickle Guys, the new cat cafe, the Mission Chinese food outpost, and tons of divey and hipster bars to drink all your sorrows away until 4am even on a weeknight. It is also a place of great beauty, with parks and laughing children, a library filled with wondrous books and housed in an elegant and classy building, a place where you aren't far from glimpsing bridges running into Kings County. And this is my love letter to you Manhattan. As as much as I love you, I hate you in the same breath. Where every corner can lead into despair or ecstasy. It is a city with an intensity that on some days extols you to the top, and the very next day, drop you six feet under. It is like a sickness that won't let go. An addiction you can't kick. There is no higher dysfunction than this fatal attraction. read more

The LES has come a long way. Not as gritty as it was years ago. I feel like it has the same amount of bars and restaurants but the vibe is a lot different these days. There are probably 3 or 4 bars and/or restaurants on every block. Not too many parking garages in this neighborhood but some of the streets are metered parking. I always suggest strolling thru here on foot so you don't miss anything. All types of shopping options too. read more

Always a favorite neighborhood to walk through, it has home through some changes that I definitely see. In 1995 or so as a young teen this was not the safest neighborhood to walk through by yourself but now there is a great mix of old and new folk living in the area. Of course, it is still a but artsy, not as gritty as it use to be but yea I see crackhead here and there when I am walking around to get dumplings. It is a nice area to just go to for even a short time like an hour, see a bar and get a drink near Essex street or check out famous art exhibit areas and parks. Also, check out all the great and convenient Chinese places to eat. Hop in that J or F train, and head to the lower east side for a night out. read more

I've grown up on the Lower East Side for as long as I can remember. The wide variety of restaurants/shops available is probably what makes me love this neighborhood more than others. Aside from countless of restaurants (old and new), the Lower East Side has an amazing breathtaking view of the Two Bridges. Probably one of the few neighborhoods I feel extremely comfortable in, even at night! Over the past years, the neighborhood has definitely gathered more attention and residents, but the Lower East Side will always be where I call home. read more

Lower East Side - Local Flavor Near Me

I'M TYPING IN ALL CAPS TO TRY AND LET YOU REALIZE HOW DEEP MY LOVE IS FOR THIS AREA OF TOWN. From the people, the exciting places, the gross to the new and shiny, the drinks- the FOOD; EVERYTHING about this neighborhood makes it the best. I never want to leave this little neck of town. It's my home. read more

This place is my happy place. Here are a few reasons why: 1. My dad used to live here and I feel like loving this place is in my blood. I grew up listening to stories about how amazing it was and it's the reason I'm so obsessed. 2. The food. Are you kidding?! A different place every other store front with delicious and affordable (most affordable in the entire city, I'd say) cuisines! 3. It's not nearly as crowded as the rest of the city, it's a good place to stroll around on a nice day. It feels homey. 4. My fiancé and I spent our first Valentines here and it was the perfect spot. 5. WD 50. The list goes on and on. My favorite part of the city, by far. read more

I've only been lower east side a couple few times ...I love the edge, street art graffiti, abundance of cool stores, restaurants and bars that have so much incredible character... So much to see and so much to explore. It's really changed since the first times 5 ish years ago... The first time I was here several years ago, I was relatively new to the city and felt uncomfortable with how deserted everything seemed. I didn't think I would return unless I had a posse of armed men twice my size with me. Which is why I hadn't come back. But I had so many interesting places bookmarked that yelpers raved about, so we came back recently to explore and I loved it - all the places we visited exceeded my expectations... However as a woman I personally would know where you're going on an empty ... wouldn't wander and get lost when it's not a busy night ... I was just feeling a love for all the graffiti and edge, cool vibe and even a fenced in kind of eerie fenced in area of fascination... (What is that egg? What IS that thing? Why is there a chalkboard?) that ended up being a children's garden -- taking everything in not caring we were a little lost ... and then noticed no one was around for a few blocks (it was Super Bowl Sunday night which may have been a factor) but then 2 men in a fight / shouting at each other down the block and moving in on each other ... Me: "Oh, there it is..." Time to get unlost. I know that can happen anywhere but... So, not being familiar ... I cannot wait to go back and explore again but I also would not feel comfortable wandering around later/ at night or getting lost... As any part of the city know where you're going and stay where there are people... I'm a petite woman and also a mom so my after dark bravery and risk taking level is low. (As an aside - the children's garden - such a fantastic idea and space that really needs some LES area volunteer TLC to help clean it up and make it a safe, creative outlet/ garden for children.) read more

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One of NYC's oldest neighborhoods and home to original tenements from the 19th and 20th centuries, it's a wonderful place to explore. It's been my home for the last five years. The neighborhood went through several transformations over the last few decades. For many years it was a diverse immigrant enclave. It was gentrified and hipsterfied in the early 2000s and that wave of hipsters are long gone. It's now primarily a party neighborhood since it has the most amount of bars in a small radius. It still retains a visual and emotional connection to its past though which makes it a great place to learn about (honor the history of a place you hang out in people.). read more

Lower East Side - Ludlow Street at night during a snowstorm. - Local Flavor Near Me

I Can't Feel My Face Kind Of Drunk . These are the words I think of whenever I'm in the neighborhood. These are NOT the same as getting shyt faced otherwise known as sloppy drunk. The L.E.S. is my favorite place to party second next to East Village. But that margin of 1st and 2nd gets closer each and every time I partake in the debauchery that I've come to love in the L.E.S. The L.E.S. is my 4th place in terms of food but I mean you can't REALLY expect to beat Chinatown, Flushing, and just Queens in general. Brooklyn gets an honorary mention but I don't live close enough there to eat myself to sleep on most occasions. L.E.S. is well beloved by the filming industry as you can easily see scenes shooting in the area that you watch on the silver screens later that year or the next. I'd probably wouldn't like to live in the L.E.S. despite the fact that I sleep well with noise. I just don't sleep well with people puking by my window. It's just not my thing. But for everything else that you want to do, you'd be hard pressed to find a better spot for well...EVERYTHING. Love, Love, and drink. ALL DAY or for those that are night owls like me, Early Morning. read more

TL;DR A Tale of Two Cities More like a multiple personality schizo neighborhood. If you have no idea what gentrification is come to Lower East Side. I don't mean just bar hopping on Orchard Street or dining on Clinton Street. I mean explore all the way to the East River. The quickest way to experience the tale of two cities is to start on Kenmare St. and keep walking east until it turns into Delancey Street and keep going till you hit the river. Do that during the day time and night time. What you will see is the fancy turn ghetto during the day time, and the quaint lights of SOHO turn quietly unsafe. Let me take you through it step by step. 1. You will see the border of SOHO with some boutique shops, restaurants, Eileen's Cheesecake, a gallery with weird architectural facade. The people will be a mixture of tourists, NYC imports (the ones who moved into NYC), and a sprinkle of born and raised. Your feeling safe level is very high even at night time. 2. The street mysteriously empties. You now see warehouse looking fronts with Chinese characters. There is literally noone around. Your feeling safe level is still high since there's noone around you. If you are afraid of the dark your safe level bottoms out at night cause you feel like you just walked into a blackhole in NYC where there isn't a living thing around other than the scurry of rats and the spaced out chill in the back of your neck everytime a ghost breaths on you. 3. You are now officially on Delancey street. You will see a wide crossing where to your right is Chinatown and to your left is SOHO/LES. During the day time the people will be mainly tourists coming from Chinatown or SOHO looking for Chinatown or SOHO. You will also see Chinese people (mainly older ones) because they are heading home. You will also see an occasional haggard looking person who looks like life took everything from him and only gave him a shelter, and that's because the Bowery Mission is nearyby. At night you will see the partyers and diners Your feeling safe level is mid to high both during the day and night. It's not high because, well, you may get run over by a car and cause there is that occasional crazy party person who may just be crazy. 4. You've now reached Forsyth Park and the only person you see around is someone sleeping on the bench. Your feeling safe level is the same as number 2. 5. The next two blocks are border blocks. It transitions your mind. The place will be semi-desolate. It will have a sprinkle of people who range from the homeless, NYC imports heading to more happening areas, and neighborhood people. There are some restaurants, delis, and a big kitchen supply store. The feeling safe level is mid to high. 6. Starbucks welcomes you! Get ready for this because when people talk about LES nowadays this is the start of the area they talk about. During the daytime, small business commerce mixes with big corporate giants. You have affordable clothing stores barely surviving and on the verge of closing down next to more mainstream affordable-ish clothing stores. Then there are cell phone companies opening shops left and right on the street. You will also see fast food joints that feed the poor and drunk middle class. The feeling safe level here varies from seriously low to high depending on what demographic you fall into. a) Orchard Street: During the day is mainly small restaurants, cafes, and shops, by night it is young people's party central. This is where you'll find the NYC imports. independent coffee shops galore and bars for the masses on weekends. You will not find too many born and raised, and even if you do, they are in a ratio of 1:100 with the imports. b) Essex Street: The street that has restaurants and food shops to feed the daytime crowd and the drunktime crowd. c) Clinton Street: This is where the foodies are. I'm sure since you're reading this on Yelp, you've been here before. Probably your early days was to eat at Clinton Street Bakery, but while getting there from the F train, you were bombarded with restaurants left and right. WD-50 used to exist on this street, Ivan Ramen just opened up, a bunch of brunch places and coffee shops. You get the point. d) The Delancey: I'm not singling this place out because of how amazing it is, I'm singling it out because it serves as a border. This will be the last vestige of partying when you walk past this point. Also the race ratio will dramatically turn mainly hispanic and black at night after this point. 7. The school playground welcomes you to the hood. from here on to the east river you will experience modern day ghetto fab. Condo's and projects mix after Pitt Street. The people here are the ones who grew up in the neighborhood and have seen the changes. And like the way life works, I do not have enough characters to continue and the description of the disenfranchised here will be short-changed. read more

Lower East Side - Yo!!! It's Luis!!! - Local Flavor Near Me

Dear Lower East Side, You encourage me in all the ways I shouldn't be encouraged. My mother would disapprove....well, she would have disapproved when I was 14, now she would dip herself in sin WITH me. That isn't the point. The point is that the LES makes me break rules. It makes me dance. It makes me groove. It also makes me rubber-neck. LES, if only you were a low risk mutual fund I could retire at age 40. Love, JT read more

It feels like every year time goes by faster and faster....or is that just me? (-、-) Hello lower east side...the Lower East Side is a neighborhood in the southeastern part of Manhattan... The neighborhood is roughly bounded by Allen Street...East Houston Street....Essex Street...Canal Street...Eldridge Street...East Broadway...and Grand Street... Lower East Side has a more gritty feel to it... although there are some upscale residential buildings going up here too... It has traditionally been a Latino area...and still is to some degree...Its residents are typically much younger... and there are lots of night clubs.. art galleries...shops...restaurant .... basically alot to do around this area! (^^;) read more

The best way to discover this historic gem of NY is to take a free tour given by knowledgeable guides from LES Business Improvement District. I took a tour with Judy Richheimer and it was a real treat. Not only did she talk about the history of the place, how it evolved but also pointed out hidden restaurant and shops gems in the neighborhood.The guide was very experienced and knowledgeable and I totally forgot it is 100 F degrees outside. The stories where fascinating and this neighborhood still has a lot of character. Go see it before the "bobos" change it completely. Thank you Marta read more

The area is bustling with history and the energy of several generations from various parts of the world. A plethora of restaurant and store choices are also available. read more

"Chinatown's getting bigger. Little Italy's shrinking." My grandfather is fond of that classic saying. Repeating it over and over. But it's true, isn't it? Chinatown expands, growing like a weed. But it's a good weed, ain't it? Don't smoke it though. Wouldn't want to end up in the Tombs. Sure, it smells like fish and rotting garbage but it's the smell of hard work and cut corners. This is where folks think nothing of garroting a pig in broad daylight. I have a friend who'd attest to such horror. The LES is next. Say goodbye. Chinatown is coming and there's nothing we can do about it. Not that we would given the opportunity. I just wanted to stress our collective impotence regarding the matter. read more

I consider the LES the area below Houston St on the east side and not alphabet city. I moved to the real lower east side about 10 years ago. Excellent apartment and not a bad price at the time. I came from the village so I was used to the busy streets and clubs. I didn't mind. But, down here there are more housing projects than one could shake a stick at. They are everywhere. The streets are unsafe at night. You car will be broken into no matter what. And all the grocery stores are ghetto bodega's and poorly stocked dumps like Fine fare. Needless to say, I was sorry I bought down here. This is the kind of neighborhood that would turn a liberal into a conservative in just 6 months. Visit but don't stay too long. read more

This is a great new upcoming neighborhood with many new residential areas. It's not the safest neighborhood, but it's getting a lot better. It has many great nook and cranny stores, boutiques, and AWESOME restaurants! They also have some of the greatest places for desserts. It is not only filled with history by day, but nightlife is awesome! Oh and don't forget about the bars! It's great to explore, plus, it is very accessible by public transportation! Don't forget to go check out some of the older buildings and tenements! read more

Love the neighborhood! Grew up in this neighborhood! The area is changing for good and they are opening up a lot of nice restaurants around this area! read more

From street to street, things can change drastically, and there are still charmingly stuck-in-time areas, but there are also rapidly gentrifying areas to appease the new money. Come for the food and the nightlife over most other neighborhoods if you're only in town for a bit. read more

I love this neighborhood. It's authentic New York and two of my favorite stores are here Maryam Zaddeh and Pilgrim New York both high end and sell one of a kind fashion items that you can't get anywhere else. The two best stores in New York in my book!!! The tenement museum is interesting but not my cup of tea so to speak. Dimes Restaurant on Division is delicious. Avoid the tourist traps. There are bars everywhere if you are a drinker you will be in heaven. read more

I bought a coop on the LES 10 years ago. The most beautiful apartment I ever lived in. But the neighborhood is disgusting. Apartments that sell for $750k are located right next to or across from housing projects. I'm all for living on the edge, but this cesspool is just downright appalling. I can't wait to move the hell away from here. I hope I make it out alive. read more