As Volume 105 comes to a close, my columns are diverting from the usual Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Bronx cycle.
Now, I’m covering lesser-known neighborhoods. Greenwich Village is at the top of this list.
Greenwich Village is anything south of 14th, north of Houston and east of Broadway. It includes the West Village, which is Greenwich Village anywhere west of 6th Ave.
That one’s for my neighborhood border geeks out there.
Like most of the city, the area was founded by Lenape Native Americans in the 16th century. In the late 18th century towards the early 19th century, the area was home to Newgate Prison, New York’s first penitentiary.
The Village grew to be a landmark of American bohemian culture through the turn of the 20th century, and developed as a focal point for progressive political, artistic and cultural practices through the opening of independent theaters and art galleries.
The Cherry Lane Theatre, touted as the home of off-Broadway theater, has been in operation for nearly a century.
The neighborhood also has a history of being a haven for members of the LGBTQ+ community. The Stonewall Inn, which has since been named a National Historic Landmark, is cited as the origin of the gay rights movement, and still stands on Christopher Street today.
Now, one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city, the flair of what many would call its heyday is fading. There, but fading. The go-to neighborhood for celebrity street sightings is action packed on any day and any time.
Central Park people watching is satisfying and calming. People watching in Washington Square Park is invigorating, exciting and inspiring. So much art, music and creativity is packed into one free-for-all space that spans less than 10 acres. Skateboard competitions, movies on the big screen and impromptu mass salsa dancing are also events I’ve run into at Washington Square Park.
The scene for countless movies and shows, Washington Square Park encapsulates Lower Manhattan in 2023 like no other area in the city.
Washington Square Park is anything but quaint and peaceful, but venturing west of 7th Ave. gives visitors a certain peace.
Abingdon Square and Jackson Square are the perfect peaceful oases to be still amidst the crowds.
There are countless ways to get your art tastebuds quenched in Greenwich Village. Besides simply being there, the Whitney Museum of American Art is a prime hub for alternative modern American art.
My favorite movie theater in New York, Film Forum, sits on Houston Street and reliably features a lineup worthy enough to entice any film enthusiast. Their 1950s program features “Sunset Boulevard,” “Rebel Without a Cause” and more until Nov. 9.
One has two options when dining in the Village: an expensive, celeb-filled meal of some of the best made food in the world, or really good pizza.
Bar Pitti, Via Carota, Don Angie or 4 Charles pretty much guarantee an A- or B-plus-lister sighting
Johns of Bleecker Street is Dave Portnoy’s highest rated slice in Manhattan (9.3) and is a favorite of tourists and locals alike. A casual setting with a predictable line of 15-20 minutes, the wait is worth it.
Denino’s is another favorite of mine. While the slice is a touch below John’s (and not just because Portnoy “only” gives it a 9.0), the atmosphere is more formal and classy, but in a welcoming way.
On a Saturday night, it’s electric. On a weeknight, it’s cozy. Complete with a bar and outdoor dining, there’s plenty of ways to vibe at Denino’s.
Greenwich Village might be the most fun neighborhood in New York. Going there is freeing and energizing.
Walking out of the West 4th Street D-Train stop and peering out at the IFC theaters and basketball courts along 6th is a blessing to do for the first time.
If you haven’t ventured down there, give it a shot.