BROOKLYNITE

 When you inform anybody you are going to spend a prolonged period of time in New York, if they know the city they will no doubt inform you to visit Brooklyn. It’s where the alternate scene is, the artists and musicians hang out there, it’s the Northern Quarter of Manchester, the Old Town of Edinburgh, the Camden of London. However, what they don’t warn you is Brooklyn itself is huge! If it were a City in itself it would be the 5^th largest of the USA, with a population of over 2 million people it is certainly one to get completely lost in, and believe me you don’t want to do that!

If you head over the water, the only advice I can give you is don’t stray too far inland, it’s not fun, it’s not pretty and it’s a bit smelly. They are trying really hard to change these areas, spending a lot of money on developing and bringing new businesses in, but, as of right now it’s not worth your time. Brooklyn does have some amazing places on offer and if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan it’s an hour subway maximum depending on where in the City you are staying.

Williamsburg is a must, it’s quirky, full of hipsters, some amazing restaurants and bars and generally walking around you will no doubt encounter some street music/art/performance. Its one stop over on the L train (go to the Bedford stop) and you can easily spend a day walking round the thrift stores, vintage clothing and experiencing some of the best coffee you will ever try. Check out the Surf Bar on North 7^th, great sea food and amazing cocktails, also Public Assembly on North 6^th holds great music events from live bands to electro DJ’s.

If you walk north of Williamsburg, up Bedford Avenue you get to Greenpoint, quiet neighbourhood full of awesome sandwich shops and small food venues, definitely get yourself mac and cheese from Brooklyn mac n cheese! McCarren park on your walk up is worth taking  break in, grab a smoothie from the restaurant over the road and chill in the sun before exploring the area some more. Hop on the G train to Long Island City, there holds the first neon Pepsi Cola sign, the one which inspired Times Square, and also the MoMA’s exhibition space, PS1, here you can also catch the PS1 Warm up Sessions which I will be explaining more about in my next blog (we were lucky enough to grab a chat with the organiser!!). If you can hire a bike, Brooklyn is a great place to cycle around, just remember it’s the right side of the road you want to be on and turning right is a mission!

The best way to explore this area, I have found anyway, is to get completely lost until you find cafe or restaurant screaming come on in at you, or you discover a gallery that none of the tour books recommend, or maybe you meet some random at a bodega (corner shop) who will invite you to their show. These have proved to be the best way to discover what there is to do in this city. Meeting folk has opened up doors I never would have imagined:  I went to a live recording of a soul album in a guys converted Loft (the singer had been a backing vocal for MJ), a free gig at Cameo on North 6^th which I later found out was supposed to be $15 (not much but at least that could go on drinks), driven a dudes Lexus out to Long Island! This place is magical and will open up so many doors, there is too much going on and you won’t want to leave until you have experienced it all!