The Ultimate Guide to the West Village
West Village; the secret pocket within a pocket we call Greenwich (technically speaking, it represents a part of Greenwich Village, but some New Yorkers might blatantly disagree and say they are two distinct areas). Agree to disagree - the best democratic policy. Anyhow. West Village is an anomaly and a beautiful one - a perfect quaint micro universe hiding in plain sight, a volcano's soft spot, an epicenter's pitstop. Its winding, curving streets exude European small-town charm with tree-lined streets, cobblestone, and brick townhouses. This tight-knit community of human rights advocates, artists, and high-profile celebrities keeps the neighborhood's legacy alive and evolving by doing what they do best: taking the revolutionary road. Until this day, it remains the capital of human expression and freedom, and its potent, diverse history makes it one of the most important landmarks in the U.S. This is the ultimate guide to the West Village. Get comfortable.
Where to go, what to see
West Village is a place of historic magic; it has no beginning, end, or middle; it exists entirely as a cyclical phenomenon driven by eternal momentum. All the biggest literary, theatre, and music names once considered it their one and only true home. And it's for a good reason. Today, preserved neighborhood institutions organically blend with some of the hippest restaurants, soon-to-become iconic venues, trendy shops, and lowkey cafés.
Cherry Lane Theatre
This is a go-to coordinate for all quality theater aficionados visiting West Village. Located at 38 Commerce Street (between Bedford and Barrow), this off-broadway jewel is considered the oldest continuously running theater in New York City. Like its famous plays, the face of Cherry Lane theatre has changed multiple times over the course of its history, dating back to 1817. Initially designed to be a silo, it evolved into a brewery and then a tobacco warehouse. F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sam Shepard, Gary Sinise, John Malkovich, Ethan Hawke, and even Pablo Picasso put plays up. A definite must-see, must-experience. Despite the housing bubble alarm, any year is a good year to buy a home - if it's in West Village, of course.
New York City's most famous apartments
We're talking filming locations. Anyone? West Village is probably the least camera-shy neighborhood in all of NYC. Why? Because it has a pretty face and it's not afraid to use it. It flaunts it. So, do we have a winner? Yes! You're correct. There are two legendary exteriors whose addresses will echo until the end of time: the Friends apartment and Carrie Bradshaw's residence from Sex and the City. Though Friends was shot in a studio back in L.A., all the exterior shots from the TV show were captured at 90 Bedford Street (Grove St intersection). The building has become so famous that it is now an integral part of the Google Maps app. You will find Carrie's iconic little nest at 66 Perry Street, only a few blocks north of the first location (P.S. The show was actually shot in New York City). If you consider yourself an undying fan, there are Sex and the City site bus tours available, taking you to all filming locations.
Quenching the thirst for history
Drinks and history mix well together when you're in West Village. Its operating historic bars were once inspiration portals for some of the most ingenious artists this world has seen. Within these walls, books were written, songs were made, and human rights movements were born. Beat that material for the ultimate guide to the West Village. No one? Alright. Let's proceed.
White Horse Tavern
This historic gem has been around since 1880 (the second oldest bar in NYC!). Its initial guests were Irish longshoremen that used to visit due to its proximity to the water and peers. Later on, but still, back in the day when there was only Greenwich Village, it started attracting artists. Bob Dylan and Jack Kerouac would (most likely) get bounced from the tavern all the time. The legend has it that the famous Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas, drank his last whiskey in White Horse Tavern (18 of them, to be precise).
R.I.P. Chumley's and The Beatrice Inn
Although both places closed their doors during the pandemic, they remain one of the most important landmarks of West Village. Located at 86 Bedford Street (Chumley's) and 285 West 12th Street (The Beatrice Inn), these two posthumously remain speakeasy prohibition comrades, famous for their backdoors used to escape raids back in the 1920s. Famous past clientele like E.E. Cummings, Ernest Hemingway, Eugene O'Neill, Allen Ginsberg, and others were regulars. After witnessing this much history, falling in love with West Village is pretty mandatory; that's why so many have decided to make this Manhattan neighborhood their home. If you're considering moving to Manhattan, congratulations - you've made the right choice. Our tip: To have an easy transfer to your new home, hire professional movers and plan ahead.
Three Lives & Company
New York's most beloved bookstore sits on a history-infused corner of Waverly Place and 10th Street. It's been that way since 1978 and shows no signs of slowing down. The neighborhood hangout has attracted famous artists, actors, and writers for the past 44 years. It was a place where unacquainted minds would meet and exchange ideas, looks, and sighs. It was practically Starbucks, but serving books instead of coffee. To add more value to the story, Edward Hopper painted the corner building in 1927, opening the eternal season of historical encounters (at that time, the corner shop was Silber's Drugstore). There's no popping by; once your feet touch the honey-color wooden floors, you'll lose track of time. That's a promise. Just across the street is Julius, one of the oldest (if not the oldest) gay bars in NYC, where the infamous 1966 "sip-in" took place. Experiencing buyer's remorse after purchasing a property in West Village is next to impossible.
Final thoughts
Wander its streets, lose yourself. It's the best way to experience New York's finest neighborhood. We hope you enjoyed the ultimate guide to the West Village. See you there.
