Some of New York’s coolest spots are located in Industry City. This area of Brooklyn has been completely transformed from old warehouses, into a fantastic center with thriving local Brooklyn-based businesses!
Back in the 1890’s Sunset Park, in Brooklyn, was full of warehouses and distribution centers.
Industry City was called Bush Terminal and in no time, had over 25,000 daily workers, transforming it into one of the world’s major international seaports.
By the 1960’s businesses started to close down and the area was practically abandoned for over 40 years.
Finally, in 2013, a new group started to renovate and redevelop the area. Today, they’ve created over 2,000 jobs and have leased over 2million square feet to new local businesses that are now thriving!
We came here today to show you a few of the coolest spots to visit, while you in the neighborhood!
Extraction Lab
This is a very special place for the coffee and tea lovers! I’m certainly part of the list!
Alpha Dominche Extraction Lab is famous for brewing their own coffee and tea, in Brooklyn! You can actually choose your drink based on origin, variety, brand, roaster and other specifications.
They work with 50 world-class roasters and tea producers for all over the world.
Here, you also learn the details of the drink you’re ordering and can even pair them with delicious pastries.
Get ready to explore and uncover their world with me!
Hours: Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm
Location: 51 35th Street
Li-Lac Chocolates
Hey chocoholics! Li-Lac Chocolates is one of NY’s oldest chocolate houses with a 4 spots in Manhattan and 1 in Brooklyn – where we came to personally explore.
This Brooklyn location is not only a store, but it’s also their factory. The smell is truly indescribably and amazing. As soon as you walk in, you’re wrapped into this fantastic aroma that fills the air.
Some recipes are still the original ones and some production techniques still date back to the 1920’s! Oh! They do offer tasting tours in the factory!
We spoke to Anthony Cirone, Co-Owner and President at Li-Lac Chocolates, so check it out in the video!
Hours: See website for hours based on their different locations.
Locations: 68 35th Street, Brooklyn
And, in Manhattan:
40 8th Avenue, West Village
162 Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village
43rd Street & Lexington Avenue, Grand Central Market
75 9th Avenue, Chelsea Market
Avocaderia
This is one of the best ideas ever launched in New York! Why? Well, if you live here, you’re probably a huge fan of avocados too!
Avocaderia has so many variations in how to prepare this unique single-seeded fruit, from savory dishes to sweet ones. They are the first avocado-bar with a menu filled with different toasts, salads and bowls, smoothies, sweets and some special creations, like the Avo Burger.
To kill your curiosity about what an Avo Burger is, here you go: avocado, smoked salmon, arugula, pico de gallo, herb yogurt dressing, everything bagel seasoning, quinoa, watermelon radish and lime citronette, served with baked pita chips. Oh. My. God. Right!? I’m salivating just writing about it!
Francesco Brachetti, one of the 3 Co-Owners, shared with us which are the best sellers, so be sure to go try it out, asap! Yum!
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9am – 4pm
Weekends: 11am – 5pm
Location: 238 36th Street
Industry City Store by Wanted Design
Industry City Store by WantedDesign is another great place to stop by.
They have a fantastic curation of works by several emerging designers, as well as products created by some the best local designers in Industry City.
What you’ll find? Countless accessories, candles, pillows, furniture, books and so much more!
See what it looks like in our video and check out their website to read about their upcoming exhibitions, talks, workshops and other curious happenings that they host.
Hours: Wednesday – Saturday: 12pm – 6pm
Location: 274 36th Street
Frying Pan BK
Have you heard of Frying Pan, a great vessel on the Hudson River, right on 26th Street? It’s open from May through October and is known for being an unusual type of bar that you should certainly explore!
More recently they opened Wheel House by Frying Pan as a great alternative for those that enjoy them, but are based in Brooklyn.
And, wanna know something cool too? You can also order bar service outside and even rent Ping Pong rackets and balls to play a bit and enjoy the day.
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 12pm – 8pm; Kitchen closes 7:45pm; Bar will extend ‘till 10pm when busy
Friday & Saturday: 12pm – 9pm; Kitchen closes 8:45pm; Bar will extend ‘till 11pm when busy
Sunday: 12pm – 6pm; Kitchen closes at 5:45pm; Bar will extend 8pm when busy
Location: 51 35th Street
If you enjoy exploring different neighborhoods that are far from the crowded touristy areas, you might also want to check out these amazing Greenpoint restaurants and Brooklyn cocktail spots in Greenpoint. Lastly, check out the places where I did a drink and food crawl in Brooklyn with a foodie friend!
Have fun!
Videography: Black3 Agency
Photo Credits: All the venues
*Last Update on March/2020.*
Fê is our Founder & CEO! She’s Brazilian (Yup! Not a New Yorker!), but her indescribable passion and curiosity for NY makes her a New Yorker by heart. Fê worked in companies like Kimberly Clark, Quintessentially, Vogue Brazil and Iguatemi Group, and after 12 years of working for these fantastic companies, she decided to go solo and move to NYC!
She lives in Brooklyn since April of ’15 and has been tirelessly working on BTSNYC, working with huge companies on corporate projects, practicing her Arhatic Yoga meditations, finding time for gym and friends! Phiuf!
