MacDougal St, SoHo

If you're an aspiring filmmaker, a postmodern performance artist, a would-be storyteller, or a collector of indie music records (or if you just go to NYU), MacDougal Street is the place for you. A quick look at the sheer number of restaurants, bars, and delis swarming the street as it winds up to Washington Square Park should be the first indication that you've entered hard-core student territory. While this can in many ways be a boon - inexpensive, varied eats and plenty of lively nightlife seem to follow wherever students rest their heads - more established professionals may want to think twice before settling down plop-in-the-middle of the latest Tisch nightlife scene. But even snobby foodies may want to give these diamond-in-the-rough joints a try. Taste the tantalizing Mediterranean fare at Mamoun's Restaurant, or head upscale at the Minetta Tavern. Cheaper venues for takeaway or a chow-down are also plentiful in the area. If you're an extroverted student (or still wish you were one), few streets could be better-suited for you - but professors may want to look elsewhere.

MacDougal Street is definitely one of the most lively streets in the village. It is packed pretty much any time of day or night with just about every walk of life. Its proximity to NYU coupled with cheap bars and a few music venues makes MacDougal a really college kid laden street. Some people enjoy the bustly vibe this gives to the street (particularly the people who are college aged) but I find that it makes the street kind of annoying. There are so many cool places to go but walking on this street makes me feel like I'm at a giant outdoor frat party.
Having said that, there are some pretty cool places on the street. When you're in the right mood for all of the ruffians, it can be a place that you can spend an entire day. MacDougal Street Ale House is a pretty cool bar aesthetically. It's in a romanesque former tenement building and I'm a history nerd so I thoroughly enjoy the building.
Minetta Tavern on the corner of MacDougal and Minetta is a really popular restaurant and it's really good. It' dark and old timey and the steak is pretty tops. It was taken over by Keith McNally (of Balthazar fame) so it is definitely really trendy and fairly difficult still to get a reservation.
Comedy Cellar and Olive Tree Cafe are on MacDougal and west 4th. The Comedy Cellar is the place for comics to perform in New York City so the talent there is at the top of their game. It's underground and the people who run the joint are very nice. Great place to go for tourists and New Yorkers alike. There isn't a weak link in the lineup and the famous comedian drop ins happen on a very regular basis. The above Olive Tree Cafe isnt the greatest food in the world but it's where all the comics hang out before and after your set. Hanging with them can be a pretty cool way to spend an evening.
History-wise, 130-132 is where Louisa May Alcott lived when she wrote Little Women, The Washington Square Hotel has housed Dylan Thomas, Bob Dylan, and Bill Cosby. And, Cafe Wha is where Bob Dylan had his first performance and both Jimi Hendrix and Richard Pryor gained fame.

A street full of shops and food. Every college students dream. I remember going to a vegetarian restaurant on Macdougal 8 years ago. I ordered a chef salad and I will never forget it came in what looked like the biggest bowl ever. And the price was cheap. Macdougal st has many less priced places to offer those who visit. You can even get out at night and choose from a variety of piercing shops if you were getting a secret tattoo or anything. A casual student population is roaming Macdougal st. But it is a place I would take anyone to.

MacDougal Street is a fantastic place to go once the sun starts going down. Famously home to the folk boom of the 1960's, this street has played host to some of the most famous musicians of the 20th century. Not to be outdone, there are still plenty of great venues for up and coming talent, not to mention fun bars for the crowd to spill into. On top of this, great (and cheap) eateries like Mamoun's Falafel mean people will always be flocking here. There is a reason so many movies have used this street as a backdrop - it is spectacular.

MacDougal Street which lies in the heart of Greenwich Village (between W8th and Prince Streets) is an exceptionally lively street which is favored hang out of the NYU student population and local foodies who enjoy the many cheap but delicious eats the street has to offer.
This street which stretches over nearly 6 blocks and has the celebrated Washington Square Park located on its southern corner hosts the dorms of the NYU law school as well as several trinket shops, tattoo parlors, restaurants and bars some of which are legendary like Café Wha which is known as a premier destination for live music in New York City.
Other popular musical enclaves on MacDougal include the La Lanterna Caffe which offers delectable deserts at its street level restaurant and live music in its subterranean lounge and the famed Blue Note Jazz club which is located close by on West 3rd Street. My personal favorite hang outs on MacDougal Street include Mamoun’s Falafel which is also reputed to be a New York City taxi driver haunt and the relatively upscale Minetta Tavern Restaurant which is housed in the 1950’s cafe which has been restored to its former glory by celebrated New York restaurateur Keith Mcnally of Balthazar and Pastis fame.
As a residential neighborhood, MacDougal Street is suitable for young students and creative folk who specially relish the neighborhood’s pulsating nightlife options and can be tolerant of the accompanying noise levels.

The story of MacDougal Street is so closely linked to Bob Dylan that anyone who loves the musician needs to spend some time there to get a feel of what the songwriter has encompassed in his life. It was the setting for his meeting with Allen Ginsberg, he lived on the street for a while and had his first ever New York city gig there too. When you add that Jimi Hendrix also debuted in NYC at the Café Wha? venue, MacDougal Street becomes of great interest for any music lover.

MacDougal is a nice place for insomniacs. There is always something to do and the nightlife is a large part of the streets charm. The Comedy Cellar is famous for being the stomping ground of some of America's greatest comedians. There are many great places to eat and a number of relaxed cafes. MacDougal Street has an amazing spirit to it and being in the area is invigorating. While it's not some place I'd like to live, just because it can be loud and obnoxious at all hours, it's a great place to visit for a night out.

What can I say about the historical McDougal Street, except that it really embodies the spirit of “The City that Never Sleeps.” Although most of the time you will find many NYU students loitering about the various 24hour cafes on McDougal street, it is often home to some of the city’s most colorful characters. A street seeped in cultural history, many of the restaurants boast such legendary visitors as Bob Dylan, and more recently Christ North, also known as “Mr. Big”.

The street is filled with various alcove-type shops which seem to change all the time, but is possibly most famous for its perpetually open “Mamoun’s”, which many say has the best falafel in the city. Furthermore, the street is lined with stores and services that are open 24hrs, including some cafes, restaurants, delis, and a pharmacy or two.

The food on MacDougal is good and cheap. And so are the bars. Mahmoun's is the place to go for falafel. The comedy bars here are a good alternative to the Times Square fare (including a disparity in annoying advertisers). For a chill place to hang out and wax philosophic and great coffee, check out Israeli hangout Esperanto Cafe, but beware of bad service.

A student haven full of cheap restaurants and decent student bars. Avoid ‘Off the Wagon’ like the plague.. There’s a great feel here most nights of the week as NYU is just around the corner. Decent comedy nights downstairs from Olive Garden (can’t rememember the place, I think it’s Comedy Village). A favourite of mine is ‘Hummus’ for either a decent and healthy take away meal or a tight sit down restaurant. Across the road is also a killer Ethiopian restaurant that serves up mountains of food.