Bedford Avenue (L)

This part of Williamsburg feels like Soho and West Village’s baby sister, with a lot of the same shops and restaurants. It’s pretty slow during the day, but at night it turns into a drinking fiesta.

This is a good stop for the bougie trappings of an early-30s woman with disposable income to flex. Think Catbird, Gorgana, Pamela Love for jewelry. Diptyque, Byredo, Le Labo, DS & Durga for scents.

Would you drink a coffee on this recliner? You can, but you’d have to buy it first. 

My favorite coffee joint around here that’s also a concept store is designers collab coffee. That’s where I met Derrick, who describes Williamsburg as “tourists on one side of the street, and locals struggling on the other.” Williamsburg feels so “in” these days that it can be easy to forget it was the hood a few decades ago, but the socioeconomic disparity is there if you have eyes for more than the Chanel storefront on 6th street.

Derrick! Catch him at designer coffee collab, or modeling. 

Other notable coffee places are Devoción, which, in the words of a local, is “worth leaving Manhattan.” I also liked the art vibe at Copper Mug Coffee.

Copper Mug Coffee

For activities, make your own lipstick at Bite Lip Lab - you can actually walk in during the day and start right away, compared to the Soho sister location that’s usually too busy for walk ins. Williamsburg Comedy Club is also off this stop.

If you’re willing to walk to the waterfront, Domino Park is a cute place for sunset with views of Manhattan across the water.

For the drinkers, Gran Torino shifts from cafe into a big bar hangout. I’d also recommend Juliette’s rooftop, and Horses & Divorces, because, obviously.

What did I miss? Scroll past the pics and let me know!

Wya? 

Rooftop margarita, anyone? 

Devoción. They roast their own beans, and my friend Sahar says they never burn them. 

I made a custom red. 

Bye for now, Bedford!