- nbhd -
soho + nolita

Soho and Nolita are perhaps second only to Times Square in level of chaos and consumerism. Pedestrian-filled sidewalks that spill into the narrow streets that test your crowd-cutting skills. Overstimulation in the form of capitalism. Better dressed for sure. More fashionable, and a little younger, perhaps than the midtown chaos, but nevertheless an indisputably uncomfortable experience. They both have silly names, but at least it tells you exactly where you are. South of Houston, North of Little Italy.

It’s quintessential, peak NYC in the commercialized way. The backdrop of glossy Maybelline ads and perfectly staged NYFW photos. The classic buildings and fire escapes make the cobblestone streets as picturesque as it is NYC dirty (I mean, if it isn’t for the trash, you might almost be convinced we’re in a European metropolis). But here we just call it grunge. It adds character, just as the sounds of angry traffic and busy pedestrians make ambience.

Truly you only come here for one of two reasons. The first being retail, let’s be real, the inconvenience of dealing with these streets is canceled out by the convenience of having every store mainstream to boutique, fast fashion to luxury within blocks of each other. The second being an event (or for work, which often, it’s a combination of both), likely at a gallery space. Avoid weekends. Definitely avoid fashion week. And if you can, come in the mornings and be surprised by how much nicer it is when you can actually look up at the admittedly nice architecture instead of shoving your way through the crowds.

Annoyingly, Nolita actually has some good restaurants and cafes, just like how I hate that Soho has so many great shops that don’t exist elsewhere. Nolita is even younger and more cramped than it’s upstairs neighbor, and is perhaps even more of a scene (seriously, just park yourself across from Cafe Aimee Dore on a Saturday afternoon and watch as Gen-Z parades before you). But if you’re walking from Soho to Chinatown or vice versa anyways, you may as well wander through these streets and try to see past the chaos to the vaguely bohemian charm the neighborhood subtly retains.