Park Place (S)

Welcome to Crown Heights. It’s like Park Slope, but cooler.

Not gonna lie, I wasn’t even sure if this was a real station until I arrived here. I mean, what even is the S-train?

Well, guess what. All the cool artists and hipsters are banking on the fact that you reason as I did above. That’s how they keep Crown Heights a secret.

Walk down Franklin or Classon Avenues in either direction from the station, and you’ll be among the cool kids (read: fun-fashionable adults in their 30s+).

Old Crown Heights and New Crown Heights, side by side.

Lo and behold, this is one of my favorite stops for cool restaurants, bars, and cafes. The only bummer is that it’s at the expense of some pretty extreme gentrification; this used to be a neighborhood for low-to-middle-class Black families, who are now being priced out. But, some do remain in the brownstones between Franklin and Classon.

Recommendations

Kissa Kissa: “Jazz vinyl cocktail lounge”

Screamer’s Pizza: Vegan

Gueros: Margaritas

The Rum Bar: Wild

Cent’Anni: Italian

Mr. Kale: Local seal of gentrification

Brooklyn Suya: African

Beastie Bestie Pet Provisions*: Pet store with cats for adoption in the back!!

I mean, this barely scratches the surface. My best advice is to ignore my advice. Just get out there and you’ll find your own favorites.

P.S. If you like kitties, you can easily hop on the 2 or 3 trains from nearby station Franklin Avenue/Botanic Gardens to Clark Street. Once there, I suggest you visit The Brooklyn Cat Cafe where if you time it right, you can even catch a standup comedy show.