15 Top Things to Do in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

See a Band at Brooklyn Bazaar

The Brooklyn Bazaar is housed in the former location of Polonaise Terrace, a Polish Banquet Hall in the heart of Greenpoint. The space is now home to concerts and is the perfect spot to play ping pong, challenge a friend to a round of mini golf, enjoy video games at their arcade, drink at one of their four bars, and watch flicks at this wonderland on Greenpoint Avenue, where you can engage in a plethora of actives. ​

Seasonally, you'll find the Oddities Flea Market full of strange and wonderful objects.

Drink Beer and Play Pinball at Sunshine Laundromat

Pinball wizards should do their washing at this storefront laundromat that has over twenty pinball machines and a bar. If you hate folding, it will be a lot more fun while sipping a beer. Don't spend time looking at your iPhone as you wait for your clothes to finish the spin cycle, instead play a few games of pinball. These retro machines and brews make cleaning your clothes fun. If you don't have a laundry bag filled with soiled clothes in tow, don't worry, it means you'll have more quarters for pinball. 

Hang out at the WNYC Transmitter Park

If you've spent more than an hour in Brooklyn, chances are you've passed a person sporting WNYC tote bag. If you're not a long time listener, first-time caller, it doesn't mean you won't enjoy an afternoon at the WNYC Transmitter Park. This waterfront park has incredible views of the Manhattan skyline at this quiet spot on the East River. If you're daring, you can fish off their pier. For those traveling with kids, the nautical-themed playground is perfect for little ones.

Get Inspired to Cook at Archestratus

Every serious home cook who visits Brooklyn should make a pilgrimage to Archestratus, a mecca for all foodies. This unique bookstore and cafe only carries cookbooks. Housed off of Greenpoint's main drag, Manhattan Avenue and a short walk from the subway, the spacious storefront is filled with new and used cookbooks. All of the books in the store are handpicked by owner Paige Lipari, a Brooklyn native who has worked at bookstores throughout the city, as well as many cafes. She’s combined her expertise and love of cooking to craft a shop that is a Brooklyn staple. 

The cozy and welcoming ​laid-back atmosphere makes one want to spend an entire afternoon browsing the eclectic collection of books while indulging in some of the incredible Sicilian baked goods from the café. If you're crafty, the store hosts craft nights, as well as, board game nights and many other fun events. Check their website or Facebook page for updates on events. 

Go See Art

For some indie art, peruse the galleries of Brooklyn, but make sure you stop in at The Greenpoint Gallery. Founded by artist, musician and visionary Shawn James, The Greenpoint Gallery is a non-profit gallery that exists to facilitate creativity in all disciplines by providing the perfect solution for New York City artists seeking an affordable and flexible performance, exhibition, and music rehearsal space in which to fulfill their visions. Along with two floors of spacious galleries and rehearsal space, several studios spaces are available for rotating artists in residence." Check their website for the current exhibit and see the work New York City artists are creating.

Devour a Doughnut

Donut fans must visit Peter Pan Donut and Pastry, which is a regular on countless lists for New York City's best donuts. The old school Polish bakery with uniformed staff serving coffee, donuts, and other pastries. Take a seat at the counter, and start a morning in Brooklyn with a fresh donut from Peter Pan’s and a cup of coffee. The old-fashioned donut shop on Manhattan Avenue is a Greenpoint mecca for doughnut lovers. Fans of chocolate glazed and the classic donuts will find themselves instantly addicted to their sugary treats. Go early, because they can run out of donuts. Also, be prepared to stand in line for one of these beloved donuts.

Spend a Night Bar Hopping

You can have endless nights of bar hopping in Greenpoint which is overflowing with watering holes. Brooklyn Magazine once published a feature on 32 great bars in Greenpoint. To narrow down your search, here are two great spots. To play an old fashioned game of shuffleboard, head to The Diamond. For a nice outdoor space, you must have a brew and some Australian grub on the roof deck at Northern Territory (open seasonally) with stellar views of Manhattan. 

Get Literary

Book lovers will enjoy perusing the well-stocked shelves at Word Bookstore on Franklin Street. This cozy indie isn’t just a bookshop, it’s a community. The bookstore has a basketball league that raised money for the Greenpoint Food Pantry. The shop has a notable collection of both kid and adult reads. If you like to talk about books, Word hosts thematic book groups ranging from romance to music indie writing. The shop also hosts many readings, check their website for a list of upcoming activities. 

Sample Greenpoint's Great Eats

You can spend an entire day hopping around the many coffee shops in Greenpoint, including local favorite Champion Coffee. Yet, Greenpoint has a lot more to offer than coffee shops. From authentic Polish eats at Karczma or Polish comfort food at Christina's Polish Restaurant to artisanal eats at 21 Greenpoint, where Bill Murray might end up serving you a drink. For old-school Jewish deli food, head to Frankel's Delicatessen. In short, good food is plentiful in Greenpoint.

Book a Room at a Trendy Hotel

Spend the night at one of the many trendy hotels in Greenpoint. From a penthouse loft with a roof deck at the Henry Norman, a former 19th-century warehouse turned into a 50-room posh hotel. Or book a loft at the Box House Hotel in Greenpoint's industrial section.

Pick up Some Vinyl

For those hip folks who own a turntable and are on a constant quest to score some great vinyl, head to these amazing record shops in Brooklyn.  Many of Brooklyn's record stores are in Greenpoint, including Academy Records Annex on Oak Street, which carries a large selection used vinyl. Academy also purchases vinyl if you are trying to unload a collection.

After browsing through Academy Records, head to Co-op 87 Records and Tapes on Guernsey Avenue and peruse the milk crates filled with records outside the shop, before checking out their selection of new and used vinyl at this local favorite record store. Co-op 87 also buys vinyl. All vinyl collectors and fans of pop culture should head to The Thing on Manhattan Avenue, the vintage shop has a large collection of inexpensive vinyl, as well as old gaming systems and other relics that thrill collectors. 

Go on an Indie Shopping Spree

Clothes, books, home goods are all to be found in Greenpoint. The main shopping streets include Manhattan Avenue, Greenpoint Avenue, and Franklin Street. Both men and women who want fashionable and versatile clothes but still want to make their rent, should walk down Franklin Street to Alter, where they're sure to find many clothes, shoes, and even home fragrances at this chic and understated shop.

For vintage finds, head to the Greenpoint outpost of Beacon's Closet, Dusty Rose Vintage or Mirth Vintage. For unique finds, visit Line & Label, where many of their items are handmade in their shop.

Rock out at St.Vitus Bar

Brooklyn might be teeming with venues to hear indie bands singing lyrics filled with stories of sadness, lost love, and other tunes performed by countless alt-rock bands, but if you're in the mood to rock out to some real rock music, this bar, named after a Black Sabbath song, will hit the spot. If you thought heavy metal and rock was just an 80s trend, think again. This carefully crafted bar and performance space is a must visit.

For those who want to sing but don't have the time or talent to be in a band, head to St. Vitus on Fridays and Saturdays at midnight for late night karaoke. Enjoy their signature drink, The St. Vitus, as you rock out to new heavy metal tunes at this hipster and rock favorite, and feast on grub which ranges from short ribs to BBQ tofu. Yes, Brooklyn rockers still enjoy artisanal eats and drinks.

Eat Pierogies and See Bands at Warsaw

The Polish Community Center, "where pierogies meet punk," hosts bands like Weezer, and also serves pierogies. Hang out at the bar or watch a band in their ballroom. There'​s a retro vibe and dive bar atmosphere at Warsaw, the casual concert venue in the Polish National House in Greenpoint, which feels like the setting for a 1950s prom or old school dance.

If seeing a show here inspires you to see a concert at another non-traditional music venue in Brooklyn, add on a trip to House of Vans in Greenpoint, where you can skateboard and/or see a show. If you want to venture further than Greenpoint, check out our list of Unique Music Venues. 

Quaff a Brew at Spritzenhaus

Great especially in summer, beer garden Spritzenhaus will quench your thirst with draft beer, euro-style foods, and board games. Sit at communal tables and enjoy such German pub foods as sausages and soft pretzels. Get involved with a group playing Jenga or bring your own group to this huge beer hall next to McCarren Park.