StayAreas

Lower East Side

New York

Old tenements, delis and a dense bar scene. Gritty, lively and better value than the rest of downtown.

Best for Nightlife · Budget

Transport
4/5
Sights
2/5
Value
3/5
Quiet
2/5
Food
5/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$260/night · 20 min to Times Square

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Lower East Side on the map

Why stay here

  • Great food, from delis to new restaurants
  • Late-night bars and music
  • Better value than most of downtown

Who should stay here

  • Night owls
  • Food lovers
  • Younger travellers on a mid-range budget

Not ideal if…

  • You want quiet nights
  • You want polished streets
  • You want to walk to the big Midtown sights

What it's like

The Lower East Side was the landing point for generations of immigrants, and its tenement streets still hold institutions like Katz's and Russ & Daughters, alongside cocktail bars, music venues and galleries.

Nightlife around Ludlow and Orchard Streets runs late, so light sleepers should choose carefully. Prices are lower than SoHo or the Village, and the F train gets you to Midtown fast.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Ludlow & Orchard Streets

    The bar and restaurant strip.

  • Around Essex Market

    Food hall and easier transport.

  • Chinatown edge

    Cheaper eats and a few budget hotels to the south-west.

Getting around

Nearest stations
Delancey St–Essex St (F, J, M, Z), Second Ave (F) and Grand St (B, D).
To Times Square
About 20 minutes
From JFK
About 60 minutes: AirTrain to Jamaica, then the E train, changing to the F.

Nearby attractions

  • Tenement Museum

    Guided tours of restored immigrant apartments.

  • Essex Market

    Covered market with food stalls.

  • Bars on Ludlow and Orchard

    Cocktail bars, dive bars and live music.

Where to eat and drink

  • Katz's Delicatessen

    The pastrami sandwich, since 1888.

  • Russ & Daughters

    Bagels, lox and smoked fish since 1914.

  • Scarr's Pizza

    Excellent slices with house-milled flour.

Where to stay in Lower East Side

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Best value

citizenM New York Bowery

Why we like it: Compact rooms and a rooftop bar with skyline views.

Typical mid-range rate in Lower East Side: ~$260/night

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Boutique pick

The Ludlow

Why we like it: Loft-style rooms with big windows.

Typical mid-range rate in Lower East Side: ~$260/night

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Luxury pick

Nine Orchard

Why we like it: Restored 1912 bank building.

Typical luxury rate in Lower East Side: ~$450/night

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Hotels in Lower East SideMid-range from ~$260/night

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