25 Reasons to Fall in Love with Brooklyn4

By B.Z., Jan 13, 2010 in Brooklyn Is For Lovers, Pop Culture

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25 Reasons to Fall in Love with Brooklyn

When tourists mention their favorite parts of the Big Apple, Brooklyn rarely makes the cut. But any experienced New Yorker will tell you that such an omission is a shame. In spite of the preconceptions many have about the borough (too many subway transfers, too many hipsters, etc.), negative opinions tend to dissipate once one crosses the bridge. Whether you’re after food, drink, or even love, Brooklyn has plenty to offer. This is one of the reasons why our own series, “Brooklyn is for Lovers,” took the borough as its backdrop. In honor of the borough that never stops surprising, here are 25 reasons to fall in love with Brooklyn (despite all of those hipsters).

1. Coney Island

When people think of major landmarks in Brooklyn, Coney Island immediately comes to mind. Virtually every film and novel about the borough makes reference to the historic amusement park, including the films Cloverfield (2008) and Requiem for a Dream (2000). Notable events within the borough include The Mermaid Parade, the Coney Island Seaside Concerts, and of course, Nathan’s Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest, which take place every 4th of July.

2. Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival)

Everyone has their least favorite season, but people who hate Spring are few and far between. The Sakura Matsuri (Japanese festival) celebrates springtime in New York with a Japanese flair. With a total of 60 events including a Taiko demonstration (Japanese drumming), this event at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden can’t be missed.

3. Brooklyn Bridge

Originally called the “New York and Brooklyn Bridge,” the name was changed to simply the “Brooklyn Bridge” in 1915, which is what the locals had already called it for years. At the time of its opening in 1893, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Today, it’s simply one of the oldest (and most stunning).

4. Sunset Park

As the second highest point in Brooklyn, Sunset Park and its hilly terrain allow visitors an unobstructed view of the Brooklyn Bridge, Lower Manhattan, and the Statue of Liberty. The concentration of Chinese businesses in the area has caused people to unofficially deem the neighborhood “Brooklyn’s Chinatown.” Anyone nearby with a hankering for Dim Sum will find a multitude of options. And as with any location that features a high concentration of Chinese Americans, Sunset Park celebrates the Chinese New Year with a bang.

5. Delis

Due to the high concentration of Hassidic Jews, delis are a permanent fixture of the Brooklyn landscape. Terrace Bagels and Busy Chef are two prime examples of the quality delis in the borough. Terrace Bagels has a heavy Italian influence and makes a mean breakfast. Busy Chef’s diners consistently rave about its healthy yet delicious options.

6. Clover Club

“Who enters here leaves care behind, leaves sorrow behind, leaves petty envy and jealousies behind.” So went the motto for the original Clover Club. This bar has a Jazz Age vibe thanks to its antique setting. You almost expect to see F. Scott Fitzgerald drinking himself stupid in a corner. The drinks themselves are divided into nine categories, including punches meant for group slurping. As you drink, throw around this famous chant: “While we live, we live in clover; When we die, we die all over!”

7. Nathan’s Hotdog Eating Contest

Nathan’s Hotdog Eating Contest is an international spectacle held at Coney Island. According to legend, on July 4th, 1914, four immigrants staged a hotdog eating contest to decide which of them was the most patriotic. Since then, it’s become an annual tradition featuring competitive eaters from around the world. The event made Japanese eater Takeru Kobayashi a legend of culinary consumption and gave rise to his American nemesis and current champion Joey Chestnut.

8. Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Every great city has its share of gardens to preserve nature’s beauty. But this garden spreads throughout 52-acres and houses over 10,000 different plants. It’s home to 20 cherry blossom trees, a Japanese hill-and-pond garden, and an English-cottage garden among other attractions. It’s also a hot spot for wedding ceremonies due to its breathtaking views.

9. The New York Aquarium

First opened on December 10th, 1896, The New York Aquarium stands as the oldest running aquarium in the United States. With a wide variety of animals including sea lions, otters, walruses, and sharks, visiting the aquarium could easily occupy an entire day. It’s home to over 350 different types of marine life spread over 14 acres of land.

10. Kurdish Museum and Library

New York has a large Middle Eastern population, including a sizable community of ethnic Kurds. Brooklyn happens to serve as the home to the Kurdish Museum and Library, the only such museum in the Western world. The museum offers numerous exhibits relating to this oppressed and often overlooked minority group. Current exhibits include Silver Sounds, a collection of Kurdish village jewelry, and the artwork of Mafhat Kakei.

11. Borough Hall Green Market

For city dwellers, farmer’s markets offer a reprieve from the tedium of store-bought goods. Hosted in Brooklyn Heights, the Borough Hall Green Market has all of the fresh produce that one could need, including homegrown vegetables, free-range eggs, and even homemade pies and breads. Prices tend to match or beat those of a grocery store.

12. Dutch Kills

Although technically not in Brooklyn, this bar is close enough in proximity to earn an honorary place on our list. The dapper bartenders are a nostalgic reminder of more refined times. Replete with spacious booths and a piano room, the drinks are more than reasonably priced. The atmosphere is pleasantly down to earth when compared to high-end establishments in the area.

13. Brooklyn Comedy

Brooklyn is a funny place. After all, the borough has spawned countless comedians, including Brooklyn native Chris Rock. In addition, the “Big Terrific” hosted by Gabe Liedman, Jenny Slate, and Max Silvestri and “The Moon” are Brooklyn based comedy shows that are not to be missed.

14. Brooklyn International Film Festival

A lot of people grow tired of Hollywood’s formulaic films. Thankfully, Brooklyn’s film festival offers a respite from mainstream titles. The festival received 2,000 entries in 2009. With a selection ranging from all corners of the world, previous winners include Breaking Upwards by Daryl Wein and Tao by Rao Ruspoli.

15. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria

Grimaldi’s is home to “the pizza that made the Brooklyn Bridge famous.” While this may be a grandiose claim to fame, customers at Grimaldi’s will defend it to their death. New York City is renowned for its pizza, and Grimaldi’s is among the best.

16. Blue Grass Festival

While this event may sound like just another festival, the Brooklyn Blue Grass Festival is a New York experience that can’t be beat. A key point of distinction is the selection of homemade foods and beers. Furthermore, attendees essentially “camp out” during the event, creating a tremendous sense of community. And musically, the concert features top notch acts such as the James King Band and the Chicago Blue Grass Band.

17. Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival

Although hip hop began in the Bronx, any aficionado will cite Brooklyn as a major source of talent. As such, it’s fitting that the borough would have a concert to celebrate hip hop’s sub-culture. The event features an array of artists, many of whom are inevitably upset with the current state of hip hop. Previous acts include the likes of Lupe Fiasco and Ghostface Killah.

18. Jacques Torres Chocolate

Next to coffee, chocolate stands as one of America’s preeminent socially accepted fixes. With a selection of gourmet chocolates in every shape imaginable, Jacques Torres Chocolate is enough to unleash the latent chocoholic in anyone. The store has an online shopping option, but visiting it in person is an experience that can’t be missed.

19. West Indian Parade

Immigrants from Trinidad, Barbados, and other parts of the Caribbean have the opportunity to wave their colors with pride at this annual parade. While the parade is an enjoyable visual spectacle, the food sold by vendors such as Jamaican Jerk Chicken and Bajan Friend Flying Fish is enough to attract non-West Indians to the event. It has been going on for 41 years and claims to be the biggest parade in the city.

20. Hookah Bars

What do you do when cigarettes grow stale but you still crave the sweet tinge of nicotine? Try smoking hookah tobacco. Brooklyn’s distinctive Middle Eastern population provides a variety of hookah bars. Kapadokya is a prime example. It offers not only hookahs but also a choice selection of Turkish dishes such as lamb and creamy eggplant. Belly dancers perform Thursday to Saturday. Other notable bars include the Bianky Hookah Bar and Lounge and HookaH HookaH.

21. Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory

New York has some of the most sweltering summers in America. Thankfully, it also has a great selection of ice-cream parlors. When the heat is on, Brooklynites flock to the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. Here they sample some of the creamiest scoops in town while overlooking both the bridge and the Manhattan skyline.

22. Junior’s

Ask a native to take you to Brooklyn’s best cheesecake shop and he’ll guide you to Junior’s. Established in 1960, Junior’s is technically a deli, but cheesecake is the main draw. Their website claims that it’s been visited by famous athletes, authors, singers, movie stars, and presidents. This isn’t hard to believe considering the quality of their product. Although its specialty is cheesecake, its enormous breakfasts, extensive dinner menu, and friendly service are also worth the visit.

23. Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company

In the Marvel Universe, New York City is populated by superheroes and villains. It’s only appropriate that someone would construct a real shop dedicated to their tailoring needs. Whether you’re preparing for next year’s Comic Con or dressing up for Halloween, Brooklyn’s Super Hero Supply Company has you covered. That’s assuming you have permission to leave your parents’ basement.

24. DUMBO

DUMBO stands for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.” This area is a progressively developed location that’s home to many shopping hotspots. At the same time, it has a great selection of restaurants. Even if shopping isn’t your thing, the view from across the bridge is an iconic sight.

25. Prospect Park

The Winter season can depress many. But the drop in temperature also means that skating season can begin. Prospect Park’s Wollman Rink offers rentals at a reasonable price. For many, a day of ice skating at Prospect Park is one of the best ways to ring in the new year.