Bushwick, Brooklyn: New developments and the best things to do

Though Bushwick is still an affordable neighborhood, gentrification is looming. Find out more and see our picks for the best Bushwick spots.

By James Thilman Tue Sep 25 2012

Bushwick
Photograph: Jolie Ruben

Shops at the Loom
Photograph: Lizz Kuehl

Gotham City Lounge
Photograph: Jolie Ruben

Roberta's

Bushwick

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Greenpoint isn’t the only neighborhood feeling the aftershocks of the changes happening in North Brooklyn. Farther east, the once-blighted environs of Bushwick are also undergoing the inevitable process of gentrification. Artists and other creative types have found respite in the area, with organizations like the Bushwick Starr (which opened in 2001) paving the way for hubs such as 56 Bogart, home to galleries including Momenta Art and Interstate Projects. Bars and restaurants followed soon after: Northeast Kingdom, which opened in 2005, was one of the first eateries to set up shop in the neighborhood. “It took a year or two before [my friends] would tell me how crazy they thought I was to open up a restaurant in Bushwick,” says owner Paris Smeraldo. Since then, more businesses—including Blanca (261 Moore St between Bogart and White Sts; 646-703-2715, blancanyc.com), the tasting-menu restaurant from the guys behind celebrated neighborhood joint Roberta’s—have moved in and garnered attention outside of Bushwick. Meanwhile, the area is still affordable by Brooklyn standards: A one-bedroom apartment averages about $1,300 per month, though that’s likely to change in the next few years. “I’m surprised at how quickly things are accelerating,” says Ben Warren, co-owner of the Bodega (24 St. Nicholas Ave at Troutman St; 646-924-8488, thebodegabk.com), a wine bar that opened in 2010. “It’s truly amazing, but we’re years from [becoming] another Williamsburg or East Village.”

Where to go

Shops at the Loom

This minimall is housed in a former textile factory. Stop by Better than Jam Handmade Co-op (betterthanjamnyc.com) for offbeat jewelry from local designers, or practice your asanas at Loom Yoga Center (loomyoga.com) if you need to center yourself postshopping. • 718-930-2642, shopsattheloom.com

1087 Flushing Ave between Knickerbocker and Porter Aves

3rd Ward

For a creative adult outing (i.e., art plus alcohol), head to this center’s weekly Drink ’n’ Draw (Wed 8–10:30pm; $15, with a friend $10 [includes beer]). The staff provides the booze and the model; all you have to bring are drawing tools and a pal. • 718-715-4961, 3rdward.com

195 Morgan Ave, (between Meadow and Stagg Sts)

More info

Gotham City Lounge

You’ll find this welcoming comic-book–themed bar beneath the rattling tracks of the elevated M train—just look for the giant Batman and Superman mural outside. If themed mixed drinks like the Green Lantern (Zubrowka, apple schnapps and Sprite) give you pause, grab a $3 PBR-and–Old Crow whiskey combo to sip while you geek out over the bar’s deep collection of superhero memorabilia. • 718-387-4182

1293 Myrtle Ave, (between Cedar St and Central Ave)

More info

Roberta's

The sprawling ode to market cuisine and artisanal pizza is still the most buzzed-about restaurant in Bushwick. Brick-oven pies include inventive toppings such as guanciale and egg, or honey, hot sopressata and chili flakes. • 718-417-1118, robertaspizza.com

261 Moore St, (between Bogart and White Sts)

More info

The Bushwick Starr

A comfortable 60-seat black box (up some seriously steep stairs), this space is a full-time presenting organization that curates such avant-garde fare as Target Margin’s Tennessee Williams festival and a variety of performance art and theatrical offerings. • thebushwickstarr.org