Get to know the West Village

Countless great artists of the 20th century have passed through the West Village’s angular streets, either living in the area, performing in highly-regarded clubs, or both. Café Society alone hosted performances from John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, Les Paul, and too many more in a short 10-year run on Sheridan Square. In 1914, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney established a center for young artists to convene and display their work. This so-called Whitney Studio Club grew over the years, so much so that we today know it as the expansive Whitney Museum of American Art on Gansevoort Street. Before it ever showcased work from Tennessee Williams and David Mamet, the Cherry Lane Theatre — NYC’s oldest-running off-Broadway venue — had been a farm silo and a box factory. There are entire cities that don’t have even half the cultural footprint of the West Village.

While it certainly isn’t Hollywood, the stars are indeed out in the West Village — they’re just of the Michelin-recognized restaurant variety. However, there’s sure to be something for even the most finicky palette to enjoy. Sushi, pizza, Mediterranean — you name it. The streets may be narrow, but that won’t stop eateries from packing into whatever space they can find. You may get lost wandering the West Village, but you’re bound to find solace in the food. Bars also come out in full force, taking about every form you can think of: speakeasies, dives, gastropubs, cocktail bars, wine bars, piano bars, tiki bars, and on and on. Plentiful shops abound, with boutiques, designer labels, and vintage stores all making their marks. For the music lover, nearby record stores keep the West Village’s connection to music alive and well.