Updated at: 27-10-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Despite being one of the largest neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Bed-Stuy maintains a small-town feel, despite being one of the city’s most populous areas. Nearly every street, dotted with beautiful brownstones, trees, and charming shops and restaurants, exudes a sense of community.

Around The Block

Bedford-Stuyvesant:

Waves of demographic shifts have taken place in this area, which was first settled by wealthy German and Dutch immigrants in the mid-19th century. Is known as “Brooklyn’s Little Harlem” because of its prominence in black culture. Duke Ellington to Jay Z, Spike Lee to Lil Kim, have all recorded their thoughts on Bed-Stuy. Residents from the South brought with them old-fashioned small-town values, which are still alive and well today. During block parties, neighbors take care of each other’s children and catch up with each other.

One of These Bed-Stuy Homes Is Not Like the Others - The New York Times

This Is What You Can Look For:

Bed-Stuy is a feast for the eyes, with approximately 9,000 houses built before 1900 showing architectural styles ranging from Italianate to Queen Anne. In many cases, the houses retain their original features, which are difficult to find in other parts of the city.

The Way of Life:

As long as the area continues to be a haven for performers and artists, it will have a thriving arts and food scene. As the sun sets, the doors of restaurants and bars open: Dynaco for drinks, Peaches Hot House for Nashville-style fried chicken, Saraghina for Neapolitan pizza. At Brooklyn Tap House, you can sample one of 45 draft beers. The Sankofa Aban Bed & Breakfast in Bed-Stuy is a great place to catch some jazz or an outdoor movie.

Astonishingly Appealing

Bed-Stuy, on the other hand, is still a terrific place to buy a home if you’re young and first-time homebuying, while other parts of Brooklyn are out of reach.

The Industry:

This row of rowhouses, built in the late 1800s, is one of the best maintained in the city. The Stuyvesant Heights Historic District, which includes MacDonough Street, Decatur Street, and Bainbridge Street, is one of Brooklyn’s most popular brownstone neighborhoods. It’s no wonder that Montrose Morris, the borough’s famous architect and master of wrought-iron fences and turrets, was so enamored with the area’s architecture. The northwest area of the neighborhood is a good place to look for newly constructed homes and condos.

Love at First Sight:

Bed-Stuy has always been a neighborhood where people rely on one another. Bridge Street AME Church and other community institutions like the neighborhood block association have long been seen as symbols of community. Where folks say “good morning” to one other as they stroll by. Despite the area’s rapid growth, the spirit of the area remains intact, providing down-home hospitality and a peaceful, bucolic streetscape among the city’s bustle.

Get to know Bedford-Stuyvesant

A borough like Bedford-Stuyvesant (often abbreviated as “Bed-Stuy”) could only exist in the Big Apple. Even though Bed-Stuy occupies a significant portion of north Brooklyn, it remains an integral component of the city as a whole, despite its distinct trapezoid shape. Bed-tree-lined Stuy’s lanes are adorned with old, ornately detailed residences. They were built in the 1870s, and have remained virtually undisturbed to this day. More than 8,000 structures were erected before the turn of the twentieth century. The A, C, JMZ, and G all pass through the neighborhood, with the G running through Marcy and Lafayette avenues.

Bedford-Stuyvesant History & Culture

Now, how did the hyphen end up in this neighborhood’s name? Stuyvesant Heights and Bedford Heights were the names of two early New York City communities that were combined to form the name. At the current intersection of Bedford Avenue and Fulton Street, Bedford was once located. Stuyvesant Heights, on the other hand, is located in the south-central part of Manhattan and is still home to a large number of ancient rowhouses. As a de facto town square featuring a recreation and cultural center and an amphitheater, Herbert Von King Park is named after a community leader active for more than 50 years. A southern magnolia tree sits across Lafayette Park from the park and is a city landmark. It’s still going strong, more than a hundred years after it was originally planted in the southeastern United States. This area is probably one of the most culturally diverse in New York City, if not the entire United States. It’s a place where some of the world’s most famous people, notably those in the arts, have made their home.

Bedford-Stuyvesant Dining & Shopping

With the passage of time, Bed-Stuy has begun to stake its claim as one of New York City’s top foodie districts. You’ll be able to discover something to eat no matter what type of cuisine you’re in the mood for. As the cream in your coffee (if that’s how you take it) rises, so does the number of cafes. To find a nightlife scene, you don’t have to look much further than Bed-Stuy: There are a slew of wonderful bars and restaurants where you can get a drink, wine, or cocktail and dance the night away. Locally owned businesses are springing up throughout a wide swath of the community. Bed-main Stuy’s commercial street, Fulton Avenue, runs along the southern boundary and offers a diverse mix of shops and cafés.

A Day and Night in Bed-Stuy

1. Visit—and buy local from—a community garden

With a kid-friendly garden and a plentiful farmers market, the Hattie Carthan Community Garden (363–365 Clifton Pl.) gives Bed-Stuy residents convenient access to locally grown food. The garden is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays through November 2020 at 49 Van Buren St. An Urban Agriculture Youth Program, an Artisans’ Market, and several ways to get involved and give back, including animal husbandry, harvesting, and community outreach, round out the green space’s offerings.

Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn Neighborhood Guide - Nooklyn

2. Check out the historic brownstones

Bed-historic Stuy’s area is defined by Jefferson Avenue to the north, Fulton Street to the south, Malcolm X Boulevard to the east, and Tompkins Avenue to the west. You don’t need to be an architecture connoisseur to appreciate these homes, built between 1870 and 1900, for their meticulous craftsmanship. Classical architectural details, such as bay windows, hand-carved friezes, and ornate stone stoops, contribute to their attractiveness and appeal. Take a trip down MacDonough Street; it’s a veritable garden of foliage. Madison Street’s candy-colored facades and Jefferson Avenue’s stately rooflines are well worth a look.

3. Browse art

It is the goal of Richard Beavers Gallery (408 Marcus Garvey Blvd.) to establish a discourse between young and mid-career artists who are interested in exploring the social and political issues that are currently at the forefront of the black community. Paintings and drawings by Zwelethu Machepha, a South African artist who focuses on the tales of ordinary people, are among the works on display.

4. Shop at community fixtures

Vintage Angela Davis posters and Rio Negro Frutas crates can be found at BLK MKT Vintage (465 Marcus Garvey Blvd.), a brick-and-mortar shop on the corner of Marcus Garvey Blvd. and Decatur St. that specializes in African-American culture. Vintage gadgets, vintage furniture, and out-of-print books and magazines can all be found at flea markets. It’s presently closed for in-store shopping at BLK MKT Vintage; you can shop online starting September 1 and get information on when it will return.

Moshood Creations (1360 Fulton St.) is a must-visit if you’re looking for locally made clothing. T-shirts, hoodies, coats, and face-coverings all have the brand’s tribal marking. Moshood Afariogun, the shop’s owner and designer, has been in business in Brooklyn for almost 25 years.

5. Eat outdoors

It’s known for its laid-back vibe and innovative pastries, so get there early if you want to get your hands on one. For your first course, try the pomegranate frisée salad, then go on to the fried chicken sandwich or the marinated butternut squash and lemon potato plate.

Peaches HotHouse (415 Tompkins Ave.) is a great place to get some good, hearty Southern fare. Fried chicken, shrimp, or catfish are the most popular starters and main courses, and they can be paired with sides like grits and spicy grilled broccoli. Arrive early to avoid the brunch throngs because of the restaurant’s large outdoor seating area.

6. Drink and dance, once it’s safe again

There is a lot of nightlife in the area, but because of current health and safety regulations, most venues are currently closed unless they are also open for outdoor dining. We hope that all of the following businesses will reopen as soon as possible: Intimate jam sessions at Sankofa Aban B&B’s Brownstone Jazz (107 Macon St.); C’mon Everybody (325 Franklin Ave.), an eclectic bar-lounge-gallery and live arts space evoking 1970s New York City culture; Tilly’s Bklyn (1223 Bedford Ave.), with Caribbean tunes and delectable bites now available at their sidewalk café; and Lunàtico (486 Halsey St.), where

7. Spend the night in style

Akwaaba Mansion (347 MacDonough St.), one of five upmarket family-owned B&Bs owned by Glenn Pogue and Monique Greenwood, is located in the Stuyvesant Heights Historic District. A new glamping garden has opened in Brooklyn, providing a charming respite for those who like to stay away from the city’s bustle. A personal concierge and a hearty Southern breakfast are just a few of the resort’s other standout features. Take a look at Akwaaba’s updated health and safety policies.

FAQs

Where is Bed-Stuy in NYC?

Located in the northern part of Brooklyn’s borough, Bedford–Stuyvesant (/bdfrdstavsnt/) is also known as Bed–Stuy.

Is Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn safe?

This is a neighborhood on the rise, thanks to its charming brownstones and vibrant residents. For New York City, Bedford-Stuyvesant has an above-average rate of violent crime and an average rate of property crime.

Why is it called Bed-Stuy?

Bedford The surname Stuyvesant is derived from two Brooklyn neighborhoods of the middle class in the nineteenth century. In the beginning, Bedford and Stuyvesant Heights were two distinct neighborhoods (to the east). Bed-Stuy is a common moniker for the neighborhood.

Is Jay Z from Bed-Stuy?

Dated: February 17, 2012: Rapper Jay-Z, born Shawn Corey Carter on December 4, 1969 in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant, is one of the best and most successful hip-hop musicians of all time…. Gloria Carter, the young rapper’s mother, raised him in the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, a drug-infested neighborhood.

Bed Stuy Brooklyn History | Fighting to Save the Neighborhood | Brownstoner

Is Bed Stuy a good neighborhood?

The neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant has been designated one of the world’s coolest. It is ranked as the world’s #4 coolest neighborhood for 2020 by Time Out. If you’ve been spending more time in your neighborhood recently, you’re more than likely to have noticed.

Is Bed Stuy gentrified?

Bedford Stuyvesant/Crown Heights is also one of the 20 most gentrified neighborhoods in the United States, with the greatest increase in home values in the 11216 ZIP code area, according to this research.

What is it like to live in Bed-Stuy?

Bed-Stuy is an incredibly varied and culturally rich neighborhood, and there is something for everyone in the area. We chose to open Common Baker in the center of Bed-Stuy because of the unique character of the area and the convenience of the G and A/C subway lines, which provide quick access to Brooklyn and Manhattan, respectively.