Rivington St, Bowery

I'm not a huge fan of LES because the hipsters drive me bonkers. But, I do enjoy Rivington because there's a little bit of everything on this street.
Freeman is nearly at the beginning of Rivington. It's a dark little alley with a very popular restaurant at the end of it, called Freemans. I used to go to Freemans once a week and I adored the place and everyone who worked there. It's changed a lot. The chef is gone the whole staff is different and way too hipstery. But, it is a great place on a stormy night. And, the decor is pretty cool. Directly across the street is a hotel alternative that's quite reasonable for New York and not super sketchy, I've heard.
There's a park at Chrystie that is atrocious. I don't get what they were trying to do with this park. The only thing that's cool about it is that a part of it used to be an African American burial ground and now it's a playground which I find really creepy.
Rivington House at Forsythe and Rivington is the largest AIDS facility in the country. Teany is at orchard and it's owned by Moby. He mixes all the music and it's pretty cool in there. 'inoteca is a great restaurant at Ludlow. It's always jamming and the food is great. Pass it on brunch though. Spitzers is directly across the street and that place is pretty cool too, only it's a totally different vibe. Verlaine is at Ludlow and they are a bit pricey for this neighborhood but they have a pretty good happy hour and a ton of martinis if you're into that sort of thing. Welcome to the Johnson's is at Essex and this place is a hoot. It is one the diviest bars I've ever been to and I love it. All of my friends love it too. It's pretty awesome if you're into serious dives. Schillers is at Norfolk. It is a perpetually packed weirdly hipster enclave considering it's owned by Keith McNally. The food's decent but you go for the fun.
There are a ton of shops on this street, too. They're all interspersed between the bars and restaurants. It's a pretty happening street that can be a nightmare on weekends. Oh, and at the end of the street is the former site of public bathing because no one used to have their own bathtubs. Gross but cool.

Rivington Street has been changing from the gritty music scene days of the Lower East Side, to a distinctly upscale neighborhood, and the change is happening literally one building at a time. Posh new renovations are now visible next door to decrepit older haunts with crumbling facades. Schiller's Liquor Bar actually has a doorman, even on bitter cold December nights. Teany's a very tiny eatery, with an excellent “neighborhood prix fixe.” Even on a school night, you'll see Spitzer's Corner bar absolutely packed with humanity, and a big crowd waiting outside of the shiny, shiny new Thor, so the legendary nightlife here is all that it's been talked up to be. I like Fat Baby for the indie music concerts that go on downstairs, but wouldn't bother with the bar on the main floor. There's just enough of a clash between what this street used to be, and what it's becoming, to make it interesting and give it a real charge. There's a lot to dislike about a neighborhood like the Lower East Side being eaten up whole by gentrification. Let's just say that for right now, for this week, I still love this street, but who knows how I'll hate it in a week more.

The most interesting thing by far on Rivington is not the awesome vintage stores or the sex shop Babeland, but The Hotel On Rivington (THOR). Said hotel is made entirely of glass – patrons having cigarettes at the bar behind the enormous glass building can look up and see residents of the hotel showering in their rooms. No, really. It may sound a bit smutty, but the hotel is actually gorgeous (and seems strange among the historic tenement buildings).

Another great find on Rivington is Sugar Sweet Sunshine. Someone finally thought of making a cafe that features just cupcakes (and assorted coffees, of course), and they are really really unbelievable. If you are in the mood for a cupcake, definitely get one here (and NOT Cake Shop - though it's a great place to hang out).

This street is bustling and would be a good place to settle down here in the city. I enjoyed my time here, and might want to become a Rivington regular!! Go to Thor lounge for some drinks and to hang with friends. Inoteca is one of the coolest Italian restaurants I've been to in quite some time and it was authentic, which was a change from the chains I'm used to. You can also try Schiller's Bar or Tiny Giant's Sandwich shop!

Rivington Street is also a wonderful place to begin your journey into the Village. It is close to the following metros: C,E at Spring Street and the 1 at Canal. It is also accessible by many buses. Foot traffic is fairly heavy and I would recommend the street to just about anyone!

The Lower East Side of Manhattan has always been know as a place to find a bargain. However the location of an actual bargain distric has been difficult. On or around the intersection of Orchard and Rivington is what I will call the historic Orchard Street Bargain District. I didn't come up with this name but it is on a sign hung around 40 feet above the aformentioned intersection. Regardless of what its called this area has a wide variety of discount stores, outlets, impromptu fleas markets, etc. In addition, value oriented food and drink can be purchased in the same area. Area is a bit dicey after dark but ok during the day. I feel this area is a tad bit to gritty for children.