For my birthday this year, I knew I wanted to get back to my roots. I turned 23 on May 19th but I had been planning a “come-back” trip to New York City since March. I hadn’t been to the city in over a year, March 2019 being the last time that I had even stepped foot on a subway. So, I decided to plan a city weekend for my birthday with my boyfriend.
I have so many wonderful friends and family that live scattered across Brooklyn, so it was a no-brainer that we would find an Air BnB in this borough and commute to Manhattan only when we wanted to do activities out there- we were fresh off our second dose of vaccination and weren’t quite ready to be thrown back into the belly of the beast, anyway.
My loved ones can be found in Brooklyn Heights, Williamsburg, the list goes on and on. So, when I was looking for a BnB, I first searched in these areas exclusively.
Unfortunately, there weren’t many stays available in Brooklyn Heights and the prices for Williamsburg or DUMBO were sky-high. Then, I had the epiphany to look at some surrounding neighborhoods that I’ve never stayed in before.
One of those was Park Slope, a quaint little neighborhood that is situated just a few blocks from Prospect Park- named one of Brooklyn’s safest and most residential areas.
I was very excited to stay in Park Slope. I felt like it was going to encompass everything that I wanted out of this trip. It was close in proximity to friends and family/Manhattan, but it wasn’t overcrowded.
I found a gorgeous “garden” apartment in the heart of Park Slope (“garden” is a fancy term for a basement apartment with a garden entrance- but it was still beautiful!) and booked it two months before our departure.
The reason I wanted to dedicate an entire post to the neighborhood of Park Slope is primarily that I wanted to prove that you can truly find anything, in any neighborhood, across the 5 boroughs. You don’t have to be in the most populated neighborhoods in Manhattan to get the city experience.
Plus, it’s significantly cheaper in Brooklyn- and a little bit trendier these days. Without further ado, here are some spots in Park Slope (and the surrounding areas) that are a must-see for resident Manhattan-ites or curious travelers.
Chela
I cannot say better things about Chela in Park Slope. This cozy Mexican restaurant was where we decided to eat on our first night out in Brooklyn. The staff was so attentive and sweet, they even gave me a free drink since they saw my birthday was a few days prior!
They specialize in modern Mexican fare but also classic favorites. I stuck with some yummy street tacos, and they were so well-seasoned. Drinks are also delicious here, and several patrons were there for just the Mezcal. I couldn’t recommend this place more- plus it’s conveniently located on 5th Avenue!
For a unique nightlife experience, Union Hall was by far the coolest place for after-dinner drinks. Conveniently located on Union Street, this bar is far more than your typical watering hole.
Its décor and set-up are identical to that of a library, with old-timey paintings and leather couches. I would identify this spot as more of a lounge than a “bar”- which could be a nice change from the typical nightlife pace in NYC.
My boyfriend and I stuck to some classic drinks, a Whiskey Sour for him and a Moscow Mule for me, and both were delicious! Union Hall had a contactless ordering system with a tablet at every table.
So, instead of trying to grab a bartender’s attention or waiting for a server- you can order your drinks right from your table (and tip too!). The efficiency, moody vibe, and classic drinks were enough to make me want to come back any time I’m in Park Slope.
Westlight
I absolutely had to include Westlight in this mini round-up. Even though it’s in Williamsburg, it’s 10 minutes from Park Slope and is the ultimate rooftop bar for a classy evening with pals or a romantic date.
I had my birthday celebration here and it was amazing! The view is unbeatable, the drinks were unique but delicious, and the entire ambiance was so chic.
Though I wanted to concentrate on a few Park Slope staples, Westlight is a place that I would recommend to any friend that is staying in the surrounding area. Rooftop bars are the quintessential New York experience when the weather is nice- and Westlight is no exception.
Make sure to secure a reservation before the weather gets cold- this place fills up fast!
Park Slope was the perfect spot for my amazing weekend in New York City. I was able to quickly venture to SoHo, Williamsburg, and so many other parts of NYC from this centralized location.
I truly had the best time and could not recommend this hidden gem of a neighborhood more. The next time you’re staying in Brooklyn- think about finding an apartment in Park Slope!
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