Narrow cobbled streets, old sandstone houses, trendy boutiques and cozy cafés – that’s what the West Village is all about. The small district below 14th Street is considered the cradle of the gay rights movement and thus plays a major historical role – not only in New York City. The lively district shows its cozy side today.
The charm of the West Village comes from the old 19th century townhouses. The cobblestone streets look just as they did when you were in the midst of some of history’s most influential social and countercultural movements. It was here that experimental theater and Beat literature made their breakthrough in the 1950s.
According to timedictionary, the Stonewall Riots of June 1969—police raids and arrests resisted because of a law banning the sale of alcoholic beverages to gay men—started here. Instead of hiding, gay pride was the order of the day, and gays and lesbians are still demonstrating this in those cities where Christopher Street Day is celebrated. The West Village prides itself on diversity and a commitment to tolerance and inclusion.
The White House Tavern (567 Hudson/W 11th St.) in the Village is one of the most legendary bars in town. Writers like Norman Mailer or Dylan Thomas drank here. Incidentally, Thomas died a few days after a feast at this eatery in St. Vincent’s Hospital in the Village.
Information about Manhattan West Village
Location and Size
The West Village forms the western part of Greenwich Village in Lower Manhattan, New York City. The area is bounded by the Hudson River to the west and Sixth Avenue to the east, which extends south from West 14th Street to Houston Street. The Far West Village stretches from the Hudson River to Hudson Street. Adjacent neighborhoods include Chelsea to the north, Hudson Square, South Village to the south, and East Village to the east.
Insider tips for New York West Village visitors
Gay rights
movement The Stonewall Inn – a National Monument – is credited with being the birthplace of the gay rights movement. The tavern is located in the heart of the West Village on Christopher Street, right next to the 1 Christopher Street subway station. Since June 2015, the historic Stonewall has been an official monument. In nearby Christopher Park, life-size sculptures depict homosexual partners who took part in the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion.
Further north, on a street lined with brown brownstones, is the LGBT Center (LGBT Community Center). In addition to health and wellness offers, art, entertainment and cultural events are offered there. The center is open to locals and visitors. Coffee and snacks are available at Think Coffee.
Sports Activities
The West Village and its winding avenues are easy to explore on foot. The area between Greenwich Avenue and Bleeker Street and from Christopher Street to Bank Street offers a very special view of the neighborhood.
Between the brownstones is the narrowest house in NYC and the apartment complex from the Friends series with the Little Owl restaurant on the ground floor (90 Bedford St.). A little-known but all the more beautiful park is The Gardens at St. Luke in the Fields, which harbors a calm and contemplative atmosphere in the middle of the city.
Those who enjoy jogging or biking should head to Hudson River Park on the west side of the neighborhood during the warmer months. Pier 45 on Christopher Street provides a real beach feeling in summer with its green sunbathing lawns. From there you can admire the architecture of the city.
Shopping
From chic boutiques along Bleeker and Christopher Streets – stocks include James Perse, Cynthia Rowley, Brunello Cucinelli and Rag & Bone – to hidden gems like the city’s only monocle shop on Hudson Street, the bookstore Three Lives & Company (West 10th), Greenwich Letterpress (for stationery fanatics) and Doodle Doo’s (combination of children’s toys and lounge) – Christopher Street has everything a shopping heart desires.
Dining
The perfect New York date ends with a visit to a restaurant in the West Village. There are cozy restaurants like Buvette, hidden spots like Hudson Clearwater and Decoy (just below the famous Red Farm dim sum restaurant) and well-known restaurants like Keith McNally’s Morandi, Ristorante Rafaele or April Bloomfiled’s Spotted Pig. Depending on your mood, the district offers a wide variety of options for enjoying good food. Burger fans should pay a visit to Westville or the Corner Bistro.
Murray’s Cheese on Bleeker Street has some good cheese, and if you prefer something sweet, you should stop at Big Gay Ice Cream. The famous Magnolia Bakery, on the corner of Bleeker Street and West 11th Street, which is known from the series Sex and the City, is always worth a visit. Absolute chocolate fanatics will get their money’s worth at Li-Lac Chocolates with homemade pralines. For those who still haven’t had enough after all the goodies, don’t miss the almond croissant, brioche and quiches at Patisserie Claude on West 4th Street, one of New York City’s top patisseries. Good coffee is available at The Elk, Joe or Jack’s Stir Brew.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Tips for jazz lovers include the Smalls Jazz Club and the legendary Village Vanguard, also known as the “Carnegie Hall of Jazz”.
Off-Broadway theater fans can choose from the Lucille Lortel Theater on Christopher Street, the Cherry Lane Theater on Commerce Street or the Bank Street Theatre, home of the Labyrinth Theater Company.
The West Village has numerous gay bars, such as Juliu’s Pieces for karaoke fans. You can play pool or see a drag show at The Duplex , The Monster and the Stonewall Inn, while the piano is played at Marie ‘s Crisis . Well-known lesbian bars are the Henrietta Hudson or The Cubbyhole further north.
A great place for dinner and drinks is the retro-style Employees Only , which is notable for the psychics in the entrance area.
Find out more
Insider Guide is NYC & Company’s new documentary film, which focuses on the history of the West Village and focuses on the gay rights movement. More information about the neighborhood and the film at nycgo.com/insiderguides .
