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Picking a coolest neighborhood each year is typically a tough task for us at Time Out. We’re constantly highlighting the newest, buzziest, most interesting things happening across the five boroughs, and we try not to play favorites. But when we sat down to ask ourself which New York City neighborhood rose to the top this year, it was a unanimous decision.
Red Hook in Brooklyn, with its combination of history, art and community, is unparalleled in coolness right now. It’s another runaway year for Brooklyn in our annual coolest cities ranking, as Flatbush earned the top spot last year and Fort Greene the year prior.
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To come up with the final ranking, our global network of local editors narrowed down the selections by considering culture, community, livability, nightlife, food and drink, street life and that hard-to-define sense of “nowness.” Red Hook landed the top spot as the coolest neighborhood in NYC and the 14th coolest in the world (out of 39 total), behind spots like Jimbōchō, Tokyo (No. 1), Borgerhout, Antwerp (No. 2) and Barra Funda, São Paulo (No. 3). The only other American neighborhoods on list are Avondale in Chicago; Clarksville in Austin; and Glen Park in San Francisco.
“Put simply, the world’s coolest neighborhoods are places that represent the soul of our cities, while maintaining their own unique local character that draws people in to live, work and play,” Time Out Travel Editor Grace Beard said.
Why Red Hook?
Sure, getting to Red Hook isn’t necessarily easy—in lieu of a subway station, you’ve got bus stops and the free IKEA ferry—but the journey is worth it to explore this formerly industrial neighborhood situated along the waterfront on the southwestern edge of Brooklyn. Inside massive, pier-sized old warehouses, you’ll now find art galleries and distilleries (sadly, a recent fire swept through one of these warehouses, devastating local artists, but the community has banded together to build back).
Along its cobblestone streets, look for a variety of cuisines (GOOG Thai Cookshop, homestyle spot Pitt’s and old-school sandwich shop Defonte’s, to name a few), plus some unique bars like Sunny’s that have stayed true to their roots even as the neighborhood has evolved from its seafaring past. Serving as an anchor for what’s new and cool in Red Hook is Pioneer Works, a nonprofit cultural arts center that recently reopened after a renovation. The artist- and scientist-led organization hosts a suite of visual and performing arts experiences, including a beloved free Second Sundays event every month.
The perfect day in Red Hook
Start the day by treating yourself to brunch at Cafe Kestrel before heading over to Pioneer Works to check out the latest art installation. After that, do a little shopping at home goods store Open Invite and the vibey Record Shop. When you’re feeling hungry, head to Hometown Bar-B-Que or Brooklyn Crab, but be prepared to wait. After dinner, it’s time for a drink – take your pick from Red Hook Winery or Strong Rope Brewery. Finally, if you’ve saved room for dessert, drop by Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie for a sweet treat (try the Swingle) to enjoy while admiring the skyline from Louis Valentino Pier.
Plan your trip
Visit on the second Sunday of each month to get into Pioneer Works for free. At this open house, explore exhibits, meet artists-in-residence, check out open studios, listen to live music and enjoy some food in the garden. Check out our full Red Hook area guide here.
More cool neighborhoods
See the full list of Time Out’s coolest neighborhoods in the world, along with details from Time Out’s local experts on why they have made the grade. Whether you’re planning a trip in the U.S. or across the globe, these destinations are worth adding to your bucket list.