Orchard Street, the Lower East Side corridor, has long been a trendy hub for hipsters and celebrities alike. Now, it's officially been crowned one of the "coolest" streets in the world by Time Out magazine.
Locals claim that Orchard Street's cool factor is no surprise - the street has been a celeb hangout spot for decades. The historic thoroughfare boasts an unbeatable blend of old-school New York charm and youthful innovation, from dive bars to tattoo shops, al fresco dining, and even a new photobooth museum.
The area's rich immigrant history adds character that can't be manufactured or replicated. Mark Miller, director of the Lower East Side Partnership, puts it best: "Nowhere else do the old and new coexist so naturally." He notes that Orchard Street has managed to retain its authenticity while still evolving with the times.
Business owners and residents alike have taken notice of the street's growing popularity. Jaz Paulino, owner of Orchard Street Tattoos, even changed his shop's name to pay homage to the neighborhood. Meanwhile, Pamela Barsky, who sells "New York is My Boyfriend" tote bags from her boutique, attributes the street's enduring appeal to its long history as a hub for fashion and energy.
Celebrities like Joe Jonas and Addison Rae have been spotted on Orchard Street in recent months, while NFL players like Saquon Barkley and Ezekiel Elliott have also made appearances at local bars. The street transforms into a hotspot of hipsters, party people, and fashionistas, with receptionist Terron Thompson describing the scene as "refreshing" and "captivating."
Despite rising rents, which have pushed median prices up to $4,748 per month, many locals remain committed to the area. Fourth-generation optometrist Harvey Moscot, who was born on Orchard Street and has sold reading glasses from a pushcart there since his great-grandfather arrived in Eastern Europe, remains devoted to the street.
"The only places that retain some of their authenticity are here," Moscot says. "There's a certain feeling of coziness to it."
Others, like Brooklyn designer Horace Strait, appreciate the grungy, back-block vibe of Orchard Street. Tusk, owner of P&T Knitwear and podcast studio, sees his business as a way to cement the street's cultural significance.
"It's funny," he says, "my grandfather wouldn't even know what the word 'cool' meant." Yet here is Bradley Tusk, grandson of a Holocaust survivor who opened a sweater store on Allen Street 75 years ago, now carrying on that legacy with his own podcast studio and bookstore.
Locals claim that Orchard Street's cool factor is no surprise - the street has been a celeb hangout spot for decades. The historic thoroughfare boasts an unbeatable blend of old-school New York charm and youthful innovation, from dive bars to tattoo shops, al fresco dining, and even a new photobooth museum.
The area's rich immigrant history adds character that can't be manufactured or replicated. Mark Miller, director of the Lower East Side Partnership, puts it best: "Nowhere else do the old and new coexist so naturally." He notes that Orchard Street has managed to retain its authenticity while still evolving with the times.
Business owners and residents alike have taken notice of the street's growing popularity. Jaz Paulino, owner of Orchard Street Tattoos, even changed his shop's name to pay homage to the neighborhood. Meanwhile, Pamela Barsky, who sells "New York is My Boyfriend" tote bags from her boutique, attributes the street's enduring appeal to its long history as a hub for fashion and energy.
Celebrities like Joe Jonas and Addison Rae have been spotted on Orchard Street in recent months, while NFL players like Saquon Barkley and Ezekiel Elliott have also made appearances at local bars. The street transforms into a hotspot of hipsters, party people, and fashionistas, with receptionist Terron Thompson describing the scene as "refreshing" and "captivating."
Despite rising rents, which have pushed median prices up to $4,748 per month, many locals remain committed to the area. Fourth-generation optometrist Harvey Moscot, who was born on Orchard Street and has sold reading glasses from a pushcart there since his great-grandfather arrived in Eastern Europe, remains devoted to the street.
"The only places that retain some of their authenticity are here," Moscot says. "There's a certain feeling of coziness to it."
Others, like Brooklyn designer Horace Strait, appreciate the grungy, back-block vibe of Orchard Street. Tusk, owner of P&T Knitwear and podcast studio, sees his business as a way to cement the street's cultural significance.
"It's funny," he says, "my grandfather wouldn't even know what the word 'cool' meant." Yet here is Bradley Tusk, grandson of a Holocaust survivor who opened a sweater store on Allen Street 75 years ago, now carrying on that legacy with his own podcast studio and bookstore.
. yeah it's got character but also super expensive 
. $4,748 a month? are you kidding me?! 
i guess if u love the old-school vibe & all that's cool about it 
. i mean ppl r saying its authentic and all but i think some of the new businesses r kinda touristy 
. still, gotta respect the history & all 
and I'm still reeling from it! I mean, have you ever seen a sunset over the Grand Canyon? 
it's literally breathtaking. And the food?! Oh man, I tried this one diner in Texas that served the most epic breakfast tacos... like, who knew you could put jalapenos on pancakes and make them WORK? 
its like the perfect combo of old skool nyc charm and modern vibes. i mean, can u beat that? 
plus its got such a rich history and all those amazing shops and bars...i need to visit ASAP! 
terron's comment about it being "refreshing" and "captivating" is totally on point, tbh 
. The mix of old-school charm and new vibes is so on point. I can totally see why it's been a celeb favorite for decades. And let's be real, who wouldn't want to live on one of the coolest streets in the world? 
It's like, the perfect blend of grittiness and coolness 
. Business owners are even getting into the spirit by paying homage to the neighborhood with their own businesses 
.
. It's not just a tourist trap; it's a real community that feels cozy and welcoming 
. And speaking of locals, I'm loving the fact that we've got people like Harvey Moscot who have been around for ages and can attest to the street's enduring charm 
.
! Let's keep celebrating its coolness in all its gritty, grungy glory 
it's like this one place where you can just vibe out to the old-school New York energy without any pretentiousness or try-hard-ness. And I'm all for that because, let's be real, there's nothing worse than a hipster trying too hard to fit in 
. And the fact that locals are still passionate about the area despite rising rents is just amazing 
. It's not just some tourist trap or a superficial hangout spot – it's actually a place where you can find your tribe, whether that's with fellow hipsters, party people, or fashionistas. And at the end of the day, isn't that what it's all about?