The Lower East Side has traditionally been a low income area but the Lower East Side of Manhattan New York today offers a multicultural blend of down-to-earth bars and trendy upscale boutiques. The area has in recent year gone through a rapid gentrification and the National Trust for Historical Preservation now deems the neighbourhood as one of the most endagered places in the entire U.S. So if you want to catch a glimpse of the Lower East Side before it is all art students and French cafes, this is the time to go.
The Lower East Side has always been considered something of the bargain hunters paradise and this is where the New York garment industry first began its journey to success. It is still possible to find great bargains in places like Orchad street but the area has an influx of trendy shops and cutting edge designer brands. The blend of old and new, pricy and cheap, immigrant and yet so quintessentially American, makes the Lower East Side a bustling hub that attracts visitors and residents from all over the world.
If you want to explore the Lower East Side nightlife, Clinton St and Ludlow St is a good place to start since this part of LES has the highest density of night clubs. For those interested in live music, the Bowery Ballroom on Delancey Street offer up the stage for alternative rock bands and visitors wishing to experience some live punk music should definitely head for C-Squat. There are also several bars such as arlene’s Grocery on Stanton ST and the Cake shop on Ludlow St that offers live music.
The Lower East Side is the cradle of the American Jewish culture in the United States Manhattan NYC; especially during the 19th and 20th century. What was once a primarely jewish neighbourhood is today becoming more diverse as Jewish immigrants and their decendants are being replaced by people moving her from different backgrounds but they Jewish heritage is still clearely visable and can be seen shops like kosher delis and bakeries as well as in other traditional jewish shops along Essex St and Hester St, there is also Yeshiva day schools in the area. It is important to remember that Orthodox Jews will close their shops on saturdays and jewish holidays and you will have to consider this when you plan your trip.
The iconic fake orgam scene in the hit film “When Harry Met Sally” was filmed in a resturant in the Lower East Side? The restaurant chosen for the scene was Katz’s Deli on 205 E. Houston St; and the resturant is still open for business today.. This classic delicatessen serves a celebrated pastrami sandwich and the brisket is also to die for. Between Orchard St and Allen St on 137 E Houston St the hungry visitor will also find a bakery serving “The World’s Finest Knishes since 1910″ – Yonah Schimmel’s Knishes Bakery. This bakery is actually even older than that and has been selling knishes on Houston Street since 1890. It is now one of few distinctly Jewish bakeries in the neighbourhood.
Feel free to visit the museum in the Eldrige Street Synagogue which offers a lot of information about the culture, history and traditions of the jewish immigrants to the lower east side. The museum offers guided tours, cultural events and exhibits and is located in the restored 1887 ational Historic Landmark Eldridge Street Synagogue. It is also possible to sign up for a guided walking tour in the neighbourhood. Every Monday you can visit the museum for free between 10 and 12 a.m.