Brooklyn is the mainland, separated by a thin flap of sea from Manhattan, but it is light years behind in terms of creative spirit, history and lifestyle: it is “more American”, people are relaxed and the hipster bars and coffee shops spring up like mushrooms.
The neighbourhood, which is the setting of the famous “Two Broke Girls”, has a predominant artistic soul that bursts on the weekends at the Artists & Fleas Market (located in an old warehouse on the north side of 6th Street), it is a gathering place for collectors and enthusiasts of vintage objects, artists and people poking around. Travellers and locals can visit it every Saturday and Sunday from 10AM to 7PM.
Are you an indie music fanatic? Rough Trade NYC (64 N 9th St, Brooklyn) offers a wonderful selection of CDs, LPs, gadgets and books in an industrial setting with unique charm. Inside it has a small bar and a concert area too. On the first floor, the book section will make you fall in love with this place, which, seen from above, is even more fascinating.
Want to live a real hipster experience? Make yourself pampered by The Stepping Razor Barbershop (952 Flushing Ave), which since 2010 is a “traditional barbering service for the gentleman and the outlaw”; in the meanwhile women can take a look at the Mother Of Junk (or just “Junk”, 567 Driggs Avenue, Brooklyn), a real – and cheap – vintage paradise.
And if you need a moment of sweetness, just forget the industrial donuts, and dive into the wonders of the small Williamsburg shops that really know how to give their best. Moe’s Donuts Shop (126 Nassau Ave, Brooklyn) offers Cannoli donuts (with fresh ricotta cream), maple – the famous maple syrup – and bacon (looks strange but it is actually very good) donuts and classic red velvet ones. The famous Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop (727 Manhattan Ave. Brooklyn) is renowned for its red velvet donuts and its ice cream donut sandwiches. Only available for those who have already seen the whole neighbourhood and really need to get their fill of energy and sugars!
