Your Exclusive Guide to Crown Heights
Whether you’ve just heard about the new Roomrs Townhouse (what we’re calling 1308 Pacific Street in Crown Heights, Brooklyn), or just moved in, you’re probably going to want to know more about the ‘hood.
If you’ve just moved in, it’s probably just you, a suitcase, an unlimited metro-card pass, and an entire city of possibilities. It can be overwhelming to say the least! We know you have enough on your plate, which is why at Roomrs, we strive to make your transition as easy as possible. By eliminating the burden of buying furniture, household items, and other amenities, we allow you to focus your energy on the important things — like settling into the city that never sleeps … but even that can be daunting. So many coffee shops, so little time, right?!
We hope this Crown Heights curated neighborhood guide will help you make sense of your new life here!
Where to get around:
Let’s talk transit! To the north of the Townhouse is the closest subway stop. The trusty blue line: A,C,E. It’s just an 8 minute walk from the Nostrand stop to the apartment, so you’ll never feel winded on your commute to and from the subway! Plus, it’s both an Express AND Local stop, which gives you tons of options, and a quick ride into Manhattan. Sweet.
Where to get caffeinated:
We love Cafe Cotton Bean, named after the owner’s two favorite things: coffee and clothing. With a semi-new (1.5 year old) storefront, this cafe often gets confused for an art gallery due to it’s white on white, minimalistic style. They serve delicious Parlor Coffee as well as organic matcha tea, sandwiches and baked goods. Just two blocks from The Townhouse on Nostrand, off of Bergen Street, Cafe Cotton Bean will be your new daily spot.
Where to get a quick (healthy) bite:
Keep walking down Nostrand and you’ll come across The Sanctuary Juice Bar. Stop in for quick and easy fresh juices, smoothies, and healthy bites to fill you up while you’re on the go! Or stay awhile and get some work done in their upstairs “Upper Room” seating area with $1 coffee and free wifi.
Where to de-stress the work week:
King Tai is your place! Located just steps from Cafe Cotton Bean on the other end of Bergen street, King Tai is the ultimate local drinking spot. It’s open from 5pm — 4am on the weekends and 2am during the week, with a DAILY happy hour that lasts until 8pm! If you’re not careful, this quintessential Brooklyn bar will become your nightly routine.
Where to spend a classy Friday night:
Have a friend is visiting from out of town? Want to celebrate a work promotion? Or just looking for a fun night out? Check out Savvy Bistro and Bar for an adventurous and delicious restaurant experience. Embracing the diverse culture that makes up Crown Heights, Savvy offers authentic Caribbean fusion cuisines in an urbane, yet family friendly atmosphere making it the perfect start to a great night out!
Where to buy your groceries:
Seems like a simple task, right? Not always! Grocery shopping should be a therapeutic activity aimed at preparing you for a successful and simple week ahead! In New York however (or anywhere honestly), it often seems like a dreaded chore complete with huge lines, high price tags, and a heavy commute. It’s so much easier when there is a neighborhood spot with everything you need to succeed! Luckily, there is a Wholesome Foods Supermarket right in the Crown Heights hood — an organic, health food cafe providing everything you need to set yourself up for a great week! Healthy options, walking distance from your apartment, and way less crowded than Trader Joe’s. Win win win!
Where to disconnect:
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a MUST SEE for locals and tourists alike. A wonderful opportunity to decompress and find some nature in the concrete jungle. Plus, they always have tons of events going on every day. Regular adult admission is $15, but check out their FREE Winter Weekdays! December through February only, so hurry and get your granola on!
Where to get fit:
Brought to you by the owners of Equinox, Blink Fitness gives you a quality gym experience that won’t break the bank! Through different membership options, you can access any Blink Fitness in the city (over 80 locations!) OR stay loyal to your hood. Plus, Roomrs has recently partnered with Blink, allowing our members all the fitness perks at an even lower cost! Did we mention every member gets a free personal training start up session?! What’s not to love.
Where to change up your workout:
9 Rounds Gym is a specialized health club dedicated to circuit training with an emphasis on kickboxing fitness training. Work out here without the dreaded feeling associated with running on the treadmill. At 9 Rounds, you’ll feel like a boss AND burn a ton of calories. Plus it’s only a 30 minute workout and you get your own specialized trainer to help you through. You get a free trial, it’s a five minute walk from your apartment, and you can bring a friend — so really there’s no excuse not to give it a try.
Where to [not] spend money:
The Brooklyn Public Library has got to be the best spot for a change of atmosphere while waiting for that paycheck to hit your bank account. Brew some coffee and take it around the corner to the library to study, get some work done, or just chill with a book. A much needed break from the usual NYC chaos.
Where to hang:
Franklin Park — 100%. On Franklin street, just a short jaunt from the Townhouse, this Crown Heights hub is the place to gather, kick back, and hang out with friends. In the summer, you can spend all day in the courtyard, ordering beer from the two indoor bars, one of which was originally built out of the wreckage of an old auto garage. Franklin Park is known for its monthly Reading Series which features both upcoming and award-winning poets, fictional authors, and memoirists every month. They also host weekly events like trivia nights, DJ’s and live music and they house the Dutch Boy Burger restaurant so you can literally spend all day enjoying this BK experience!
Where to be productive:
Featured as one of the best coffee shops for meetings in NYC, Breukelen Coffee House does not disappoint. With an entire back room filled with long tables and plenty of seating, this coffee shop is the perfect spot to kick back, get caffeinated, and grind for hours. The coffee and the wifi are strong and the pastry options are endless. Plus they have great seasonal specials — most notable is the Fall Latte available now for a limited time only! Don’t take our word for it, go on and try it yourself!
And that’s just skimming the surface! There is so much more to explore in Crown Heights — endless coffee shops, parks, restaurants, bars and more. We invite you to explore your hood and let us know which places we forgot! Tag us in your go-to neighborhood spots on Instagram at @roomrs.living. We can’t wait to see you in your natural habitat!
Check out all of Roomrs’ available apartment listings now!
