A Night in Williamsburg - Neighborhood Tours

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A Night in Williamsburg

If you find yourself faced with the nightlife dilemma that is the L stop at Union Square, before you make any brash decisions, stop for a second and weigh your options carefully. On the one side you have the 8th Avenue-bound L Train, which will shuttle you into the entrails of the Meatpacking district so you can sip pricey Cosmopolitans with Samantha Jones and Kwaame Jackson types. To your other side is the Brooklyn-bound L train that will lead you to Williamsburg, a land where the buildings are shorter, the drinks are cheaper, the people are chiller, and the haircuts are cooler. Face it: Pastis is crowded and Soho House is too fabulous for you to get into anyway. Brooklyn, at least for the next five minutes, is the new Manhattan. So, young nightlife pioneer, cancel your reservations at Spice Market, tell Sarah Jessica Parker you'll call her tomorrow, and take a ride on the Billyburg train.

BY ALEXIS SWERDLOFF




At Volume, Williamsburg's new super-space, a strange thing tends to happen. Hipsters, who are known for standing around awkwardly with their arms folded across their chests, actually get a little crazy, and dance their pants off. The high ceiling-ed, well-air conditioned converted-warehouse provides a perfect backdrop for such hot hot hot acts as Franz Ferdinand, Dizzee Rascal, and the Walkmen. This nightlife newbie (open since January 2004) also plays host to a slew of envelope-pushing events, such as the bi-weekly Cosmic Disco party, fashion collective shows, and art installation parties. If it's cutting edge and cooler than you are, it's at Volume. • Volume, 99 North 13th St., 718-388-1005, volume.tv




Nightlife nerds from far and wide flock to Pete's Candy Store, everyone's favorite Williamsburg staple, for their loads-of-fun Tuesday night Bingo, Wednesday night Quiz Off, and Saturday Scrabble tournaments. For the less dorky-cool types, Pete's offers free live music nightly, a top-of-the-line drinks selection, and a quaint outdoor garden. • Pete's Candy Store, 709 Lorimer St., 718-302-3770, petescandystore.com





If you like your music loud, your crowd obnoxious and unshaven, and your beer in a humongous Styrofoam cup, Turkey's Nest is the dive bar for you. It's always crowded and it's always a hoot watching disheveled MFA students get their asses kicked by the "townies" at Buckhunter. • Turkey's Nest, 94 Bedford Ave., 718-384-9774



Nestled on a quiet street off the hustle and bustle of Bedford Avenue, Red & Black is the place where the clean-cut Williamsburg natives who actually iron their shirts and comb their hair gather to unwind. Start the evening off in the cozy garden, where you and your pals can throw down a few Brooklyn Lagers under the stars. When the alcohol starts getting to your head, boogie your way inside and onto the dance floor where the DJ spins eighties dance-party standards. The dance floor is small-perfect for "bumping into" people and striking up a conversation. And if you play your cards right, you might just be able to find yourself a hipster here that you can take home to mama. • Red & Black, 135 North 5th St., 718-302-4530




From the Liars to Ted Leo to Luna to Oneida, if you're the next-big-thing or already-big-thing indie rocker, you've taken to the stage of North Six. The small, intimate space lets you get up close and personal with your favorite bands and the bleacher-like seating lets you take a load off after too much foot-tapping and head-bobbing. • North Six, 66 North 6th St., 718-599-5103, northsix.com




Galapagos Art Space is the mother of all performance spaces. With its famous Monday Evening Burlesque and Floating Vaudeville shows, Galapagos attracts the freaks as well as the weirdos. In addition, it hosts a mixed bag of other, tamer events, such as film screenings, rock 'n' roll concerts, dance parties, art exhibits, literary readings and cabaret shows. If for nothing else, stop by just to ooh and ahh at the reflecting pool inside. • Galapagos Art Space, 70 North 5th St., 781-782-5188, galapagosartspace.com


		Williamsburg Alternatives
	•	Cheers Thai Restaurant 612 Metropolitan Ave., 718-599-4311 Looking to get your Thai on in Williamsburg? Avoid the glitz of the Sea "scene" and the tourists at Planet Thai and head to the quainter, less crowded Cheers Thai Restaurant on Metropolitan Avenue. In the summer, you can lounge in the dazzling outdoor garden, decorated with Christmas lights and garage sale kitsch. The pad thai is brilliant as is the chicken satay.

	•	Iona 180 Grand St., 718-384-5008 Located far enough from the Bedford Avenue Subway stop to keep the out-of-towners away, Iona is the perfect place for a quiet, relaxed drink or two. Play ping pong in the backyard or strike up a conversation with the guy with the Irish-accent sitting next to you.

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