A Day in Bowery
Kam Boat Bakery & Café
The day begins with some yummy Asian baked goods at Kam Boat Bakery & Café. The small family-owned shop showcases an array of bubble teas, traditional teas and, of course, coffee. But the biggest standout that is sure to get your day going well are the house-made sesame balls. Kam Boat’s even has some intriguing twists on classics like the pancake egg and bacon sandwich or the freshly-baked ham and egg croissant.
Freemans
The first thing you will notice at Freemans is the unusual presence of taxidermy. The stuffed deer busts are scattered all over the walls. But that’s a befitting precursor to your lunch – simple, American cuisine that is highlighted by the restaurant’s signature grilled whole brook trout. And… order the smoked bluefish spread to share with friends! It’s a positive crowd pleaser.
Freeman Alley
Freeman Alley has become a cultural phenomenon amongst locals. On the surface, it’s a tiny dead-end alley stuck between the Bowery and Chrystie Street. Scratch under the surface, and you'll find an artist commune. Grungy artwork tattered on the walls, doors and even the inoperable pay phones, with some stencil art snuck in-between the chaos (similar to Banksy's) greet the passer-by. Salon 94 art gallery opens onto the alley. The indie spot is an annex of the flagship location on the Upper East Side. A little further down there’s a nondescript door with the name ‘Wright’ on it, a former art studio of artist Jimmy Wright, whose portraits and still life works have been shown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. At the exit of the alley is the Freeman’s Sport Club, a haberdasher and barber, which showcases an intentionally weathered sign - seemingly just to add to the artistic mystique of the area.
New Museum
The New Museum of Contemporary Art has been an underrated artist haven since it opened its doors in 1977. The museum itself is eye-opening, a seven-story structure that clearly stands out on The Bowery. The idea behind the museum – which it still upholds today – was to give local artists a place to display their works to gain a larger audience. Today, artists from all over the world come to the New Museum to put together inspiring installations like Paul Ramirez Jonas’s “Half-Truths,” which employs mechanisms of law and bureaucracies to exploits truths. There’s also an entire exhibit that focuses on the art of virtual reality.
Olde Good Things
The one great thing about living in The Bowery is the vintage appeal – it’s that punk rock flavor that has been engraved in the neighborhood’s culture for decades. And those old-school vibes are perfectly put on stage at Olde Good Things. This is an “antique” store stocking an array of impressive repurposed materials. Olde Good Things is one of the largest architectural antique dealers in the country. You could find anything from a 1950’s-style night stand to vintage signage or life-sized statues. The sheer amount of goodies here will make you feel like you wandered into a movie prop shop.
Bowery Mural
The epicenter of the street art world could be traced to Bowery. The neighborhood’s buildings are artistically inclined, many graced by art pieces. The most amazing of them all is the Bowery Mural. At the corner of Houston and Bowery, there’s a handball court that had its wall transformed into ultimate artwork. The property's development company hired local artists to paint a mixture varied street art. Since its inception, the ever-changing mural has attracted artists to keep its art growing. As a result, on any given day, droves of tourists make pilgrimage to the corner.
A Night in Bowery
Hecho En Dumbo
The main meal of the day lands you in a former Brooklyn pop-up that has become a local favorite. Hecho En Dumbo celebrates the dishes of Mexico City, and the menu is right out of the owner’s family’s kitchen. You’ll get a strong sense of comfort sitting in the cozy dining room. The biggest hit at this place is the Camarones a la Diabla (spicy shrimp) on radish salad. There’s also the guinea-hen confit that is prepared in a green mole, made in green chiles grown by the chef’s mother.
Vandal
Rapidly becoming one the most popular lounges/nightclubs in the city, the newbie in the area, Vandal, is the easy choice to finish your evening. The décor, infused with street art on the walls, sets the tone and sucks you in. The establishment has several differing areas, with a lounge and bottle service section and a restaurant side that offers tapas plates. Still, everyone comes here for the lounge. On the weekends, you could be hard-pressed to make it inside as the lines are massive. The lounge rivals many of the similar spots in the trendy Meatpacking District. The spot has seen its share of celeb sightings and has even been a hangout for the New York Yankees.
Wise Men
The nightlife is always hopping in The Bowery even until the wee hours of the morning. There’s great speakeasy-style bars like One Mile House. Still, the main bar here is Wise Men. The watering hole has become the area’s favorite hangout for its sleek throwback vibes. Black, white, and red geometric shapes encrust the walls and floors. The bar combines great music with wonderful craft cocktails, and yes, dancing. The best of the cocktails are their Rock Salt (tequila, grapefruit, lemon, ginger beer and sea salt) and Roof is on Fire (jalapeño-infused Mezcal, lime and ghost chili honey).
