Bushwick Guide

Located just east of popular Williamsburg and voted the seventh coolest neighborhood in the world in 2014, Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood is home to creative, talented, and energetic people. This can be seen in the many art galleries, music venues, and comedy clubs scattered throughout the area.

Filled with unexpected beauty, this vibrant and industrial area resembles an exciting gallery where artistic personalities paint the warehouses and buildings along this trendy and eccentric area. Bushwick is becoming an increasingly popular destination for those looking for affordable apartments for rent in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Restaurants, bars, and cafes in Bushwick offering a variety of mouth-watering snack options can be found on every corner. There’s something for everyone in Bushwick, from crowd favorites like Roberta’s Pizza to freshly baked pastries and bread from L’imprimerie and new establishments popping up almost weekly. With a strong sense of community, a network of local businesses, and street art at every intersection, Bushwick is one of the many vibrant neighborhoods that make Brooklyn an exciting and desirable place to live.

A Brief History of Bushwick

Originally belonging to the Carnarsee Lenape tribe, the Bushwick area became a Dutch settlement called Booswijk, meaning “area in the woods.” The Dutch obtained title to this land from the Lenape in 1638 and used it for agriculture and tobacco growing, turning the Native American trails into major trade routes.

In the 1840s and 1850s, scores of Germans and Austrians arrived in Brooklyn, establishing breweries and beer gardens. As a result, Bushwick had a thriving brewing industry, sometimes called the “beer capital of the Northeast.”

The diversity of the population in Bushwick today is due to historical demographic changes. After the German immigrants, Italians, Caribbeans, Africans, and Puerto Ricans came to the area, each group bringing unique influences.

In the 1860s, the area became more industrialized by adding sugar, chemical, and oil plants. Many factories have been converted into lofts and restaurants, adding an industrial-chic vibe to Bushwick. Bushwick faced difficulties during a period of decline caused by the closure of many breweries and electricity tariffs. In addition, in 1977, during a blackout in New York, the area became a victim of looting and arson.

However, in the early 2000s, the Bushwick Initiative emerged to address housing problems and fight crime, bringing life and development back to the area. Today, Bushwick is a thriving destination with an active arts scene and many restaurants, bars, and shops.

Bushwick Attractions and Cultural Institutions

Explore the surrounding area, visiting the most famous places and objects. From museums and sculptures to parks, markets, and hidden gems, here you can learn all about the area’s unique and historical attractions.

• The Bushwick Collective features an impressive outdoor street art gallery at The Bushwick Collective. Founded by Bushwick resident Joseph Ficalora after the tragic loss of his parents, the collective has become a place for reflection, transformation, and working through difficult memories. Murals created by talented artists from around the world line Troutman Street between Irving Avenue and Cypress Avenue; many are hidden off the beaten path.
• House of Yes is a unique nightclub offering wild and strange evenings of euphoria. This is a place where everyone can be themselves; attributes include circus performers, trapeze artists, body paint performers, and dancers. House of Yes is considered one of the main attractions of Brooklyn, providing a space to abstract from reality and unleash creativity. When planning a visit, it’s worth checking their website’s calendar of upcoming theme nights.
• L-Train Vintage is a family-owned chain of consignment stores located throughout Brooklyn. The Bushwick store features a two-story building filled with graphic T-shirts, shoes, fur coats, bags, and an extensive selection of jeans. Thanks to a dedicated team of shoppers, new items are regularly added to stores across the United States, making L-Train Vintage a leader in bringing great deals to New Yorkers.
• Maria Hernandez Park spans nearly seven acres in the heart of Bushwick. Originally called “Bushwick Park,” it was renamed in honor of Maria Hernandez, a local resident who was active in combating the drug problem in the area. This well-kept urban oasis is filled with families participating in sporting events, picnics, and games on any given day. The park has a children’s playground, basketball and handball courts, exercise equipment, and areas for various performances.