North 12th to North 6th (continued)
Catch a glimpse of the domed Russian Orthodox Cathedral across the park before heading to a polar opposite endeavor: Turkey’s Nest Tavern, a Williamsburg dive bar known for having Big Buck Hunter and offering styrofoam to-go cups for easy consumption in McCarren Park.
The stretch of Bedford Avenue from North 12th Street to North 9th features an eclectic mix of architecture styles that reflect an evolving Williamsburg. Along Bedford, wooden clapboard houses, many with vinyl siding, sit side-by-side with stately four floor brick walkups, reflecting Williamsburg’s past as a country town. Punctuated along the route is the occasional leftover manufacturing spot, bodega and barber shop that lend to a neighborhood feel. Along McCarren Park are new condominiums like 101 Bedford, built in a retro-brick Williamsburg style. Some my argue gentrification, but it’s still pretty quiet on this end.
Despite being so close to the North 7th Street subway exit, this stretch of Bedford up to North 12th still retains that homey Brooklyn feel with small, local shops. Many restaurants, like The Bedford and Allswell maintain a bucolic feel with small front gardens and outdoor seating space. The Gibson, Mug’s Alehouse and Softspot offer a range of bar options from dive to tavern to cocktail.
Between North 9th and North 10th is also where the Bedford-esque boutique stores begin. In God We Trust, with its coffered vintage ceiling, offers New England-inspired handmade accessories and apparel. Get a matching denim jacket for your pup in their line “In Dog We Trust.” Around the corner is Brooklyn Charm, a DIY jewelry shop with all the trinkets one could desire. A brick and mortar shop that grew out of a successful Etsy store, customers design their own one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry. Next door at 167 N. 9th Street in the former J.G. Marshall Manufacturing Company building is Midoriya, the only Japanese grocery store in Brooklyn stocking staples like Pocky, organic soba, and red bean pastries in all its delicious forms. In the same building is also the relocated Earwax Records, an independent record shop selling mostly vinyls.
Inside Brooklyn Charm
Midoriya Japanese Grocery
Earwax Records
The intersection at North 8th has become a de facto street art hotspot, with murals gracing three corners. Right now, there’s a pop art revision on Marilyn Monroe by The Art of Chase (entitled “Geezer Monroe”), “Live, Work, Create” on the wall of Brooklyn Industries and a “Smart Fools” mural by Queens-based graffiti crew, Smart Crew. It’s an especially nice juxtaposition with the beautiful row of brick townhouses that take up the eastern side of the block.
Down the street on North 8th is the Brooklyn Winery where you can actually make your own wine! Lunch and dinner are also served here in the open air courtyard or inside amidst the meticulously chosen salvaged decor found by WRK Design.
Things get busier around the Bedford Avenue subway entrance. The brownstones transition to classic New York style apartments with exterior fire escapes. It’s a true commercial corridor with businesses teeming at every step. Don’t forget to look up too though, as many buildings have nice architectural detailing from the cornices to window treatments. One wooden house even has a bay window, reminiscent of San Francisco.
Ignore the influx of chain stores, but do check out the coffee-themed Groundswell mural outside Dunkin Donuts on the corner of North 7th and Bedford, created through a collaborative process with artists and local teens. If you’re looking for coffee shops, check out Toby’s Estate on North 6th or El Beit between North 8th and 9th. For brunch fare, egg and Juliette, both on North 5th are solid choices.
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