New York’s Bowery, A New Destination

Today, the intersection of the Bowery and Broome Street in Manhattan is perfectly pleasant – busy sidewalks line the streets where stylish pedestrians head to one or more of the many bustling boutiques or restaurants nearby. It’s become a coveted location for real estate agents thanks to its walking distance to Little Italy and Greenwich Village, both commercial hubs in the city. It’s also home to the Sohotel, New York City’s oldest existing hotel which, since opening, has undergone a series of changes to its name, first The Westchester then subsequently The Occidental and The Pioneer.  The changes are not unlike those of its habitat, a neighborhood that only recently, tourists added to their sightseeing itineraries.

The “Bowery,” which comes from the Dutch word for “farm,” occupies the territory south of the East Village and north of Chinatown. It’s west of Soho and bordered on the east by the Lower East Side (LES). Although the last thing you can expect to find in downtown Manhattan is farmland, that’s exactly what existed here in the 17^th century when New York was still New Netherlands. The Bowery served as a passageway between the port of New Amsterdam in what is now the Financial District in lower Manhattan and the estates to the north, now Midtown. The Bowery is the oldest thoroughfare in Manhattan, spanning almost the entire length of the island, although it splits into Third and Fourth Avenues just past Cooper Union at Astor Place.

It was here that George Washington stopped for a drink after the American Revolution before watching the remaining English troops flee back home. By that time, the Bowery had earned a reputation for cheap trade and was second only to Broadway in terms of importance. This changed, however, with the construction of the Bowery Amphitheatre in 1833, which changed things drastically. Prostitution, homelessness, gang violence, and crime were the devastating side effects of the lowbrow entertainment venue and the crowds that followed. At the same time social welfare institutions, including the first YMCA and the still-running Bowery Mission, were seeking to revive the neighborhood community.

It wasn’t until the gentrification of the Lower East Side in the late 1990’s that the Bowery showed signs of its long lost prominence. The legendary punk rock venue CBGB was a staple of the area since the 70’s and had defined the neighborhood as a nightlife mecca for two solid decades.

But today, the Bowery is quite different from what it was even just ten years ago. With its proximity to the NYU dorms, the climbing number of high-rise condos, and the recent erection of a massive Whole Foods, anyone expecting to discover a punk rocker’s paradise will be disappointed. Think of it this way; when CBGB closed its doors in 2006, what replaced it wasn’t another concert hall but an upscale men’s boutique.

But this isn’t to say the Bowery has lost its character—which brings me back to the Sohotel. In a neighborhood that has seen such a spike in real estate value over the past decade, this boutique hotel remains a budget friendly option for visitors less interested in the Ritz Carlton but more an offbeat sensibility with cozy rooms with exposed brick and bespoke interiors. And without sacrificing style or charm, guests can expect above-and-beyond amenities like complimentary java from Brooklyn roasters Stone Street Coffee, C.O. Bigelow toiletries, and everyone’s favorite, free Wi-Fi in all rooms.

The Sohotel doesn’t only challenge the idea that budget hotels have to be less than desirable; it also challenges the idea that hotel restaurants have to be predictable. Its two dining options aren’t just hotspots for hotel guests but Bowery and Soho locals as well. Lazy Sundays are best spent at Randolph Beer, a New American restaurant with subtle Southeast Asian and Australian influences, that specializes in creative beer, wine, and champagne cocktails. Think of it as your favorite dive, all grown up.

Randolph Beer’s sophisticated sister, The Randolph at Broome, is just next door. By day, try their single origin brewed coffee with free Wi-Fi of course, and come back later for their very popular happy hour. They’ll masterfully craft your favorite cocktail and you can savor it among a crowd that’s characteristic of the neighborhood – young, yet mature enough to appreciate the art of a well-made drink.

What was once nothing but farmland next to New Amsterdam has since been transformed into a hip hangout for everyone from foodies, artists and fashion lovers to out-of-towners alike.  So take a page out of George Washington’s handbook and stop by the Bowery and Broome for a drink.