RECOMMENDED: The 39 coolest neighborhoods in the world in 2025<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n To come up with the final ranking<\/a>, our global network of local editors narrowed down the selections by considering culture, community, livability, nightlife, food and drink, street life and that hard-to-define sense of \u201cnowness.\u201d Red Hook landed the top spot as the coolest neighborhood in NYC and the\u00a014th coolest in the world (out of 39 total), behind spots like\u00a0Jimb\u014dch\u014d, Tokyo (No. 1),\u00a0Borgerhout, Antwerp (No. 2) and Barra Funda, S\u00e3o Paulo (No. 3). The only other American neighborhoods on list are\u00a0Avondale in Chicago<\/a>; Clarksville in Austin; and Glen Park in San Francisco.<\/p>\n \u201cPut simply, the world\u2019s coolest neighborhoods are places that represent the soul of our cities, while maintaining their own unique local character that draws people in to live, work and play,\u201d Time Out Travel Editor Grace Beard said.<\/p>\n Why Red Hook?\u00a0<\/p>\n Sure, getting to Red Hook isn\u2019t necessarily easy\u2014in lieu of a subway station, you\u2019ve got bus stops and the free IKEA ferry\u2014but the journey is worth it to explore this formerly industrial neighborhood situated along the waterfront on the southwestern edge of Brooklyn. Inside massive, pier-sized old warehouses, you\u2019ll now find art galleries and distilleries (sadly, a recent fire swept through one of these warehouses, devastating local artists, but\u00a0the community has banded together to build back<\/a>). <\/p>\n Along its cobblestone streets, look for a variety of cuisines (GOOG Thai Cookshop<\/a>, homestyle spot\u00a0Pitt\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0and old-school sandwich shop\u00a0Defonte\u2019s<\/a>, to name a few), plus some unique bars like\u00a0Sunny\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0that have stayed true to their roots even as the neighborhood has evolved from its seafaring past. Serving as an anchor for what\u2019s new and cool in Red Hook is\u00a0Pioneer Works<\/a>, a nonprofit cultural arts center that recently reopened after a renovation. The artist- and scientist-led organization hosts a suite of visual and performing arts experiences, including a beloved free Second Sundays event every month.\u00a0<\/p>\n The perfect day<\/strong>\u00a0in Red Hook<\/p>\n Start the day by treating yourself to brunch at\u00a0Cafe Kestrel<\/a>\u00a0before heading over to Pioneer Works to check out the latest art installation. After that, do a little shopping at home goods store\u00a0Open Invite<\/a>\u00a0and the vibey\u00a0Record Shop<\/a>. When you\u2019re feeling hungry, head to\u00a0Hometown Bar-B-Que<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Brooklyn Crab<\/a>, but be prepared to wait. After dinner, it\u2019s time for a\u00a0drink \u2013 take your pick from\u00a0Red Hook Winery<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Strong Rope Brewery<\/a>. Finally, if you\u2019ve saved room for dessert, drop by\u00a0Steve\u2019s Authentic Key Lime Pie<\/a>\u00a0for a sweet treat (try the Swingle) to enjoy while admiring the skyline from Louis Valentino Pier.\u00a0<\/p>\n Plan your trip<\/p>\n Visit on the second Sunday of each month to get into Pioneer Works for free. At this open house, explore exhibits, meet artists-in-residence, check out open studios, listen to live music and enjoy some food in the garden.\u00a0Check out\u00a0our full\u00a0Red Hook area guide here<\/a>.<\/p>\n More cool neighborhoods<\/p>\n![\"Brooklyn](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758748891_564_image.webp.webp\")
\nPhotograph: Dariusz Gryczka \/ Shutterstock
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\nPhotograph: By Rossilynne Skena Culgan for Time Out New York
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