NEIGHBORHOOD

Stretching from the northern edge of Hudson Yards to the southwest warden of Central Park, Hell’s Kitchen is a neighborhood of continual change. It was once an expanse of flowery meadows that Dutch settlers named Bloemendael. In the back half of the 19th century, it became a district of tenements, factories, warehouses and lumberyards. Today, it is a hotbed of residential development, a burgeoning culinary presence, a thriving bar scene, and the home of some of New York’s most iconic landmarks.

DINING

Along Restaurant Row, an eclectic string of acclaimed restaurants on 46th street, neighborhood residents are treated to the variety of international cuisines that have made New York the food capital of the world. Barbetta, the city’s oldest Italian restaurant, has been serving traditional Piemontese dishes such as Agnolotti, Risotto, Polenta, and Bollito since 1906 and was one of the first Manhattan establishments to feature a garden for open-air dining. In addition to Restaurant Row, Hell’s Kitchen is the location of New York’s oldest and largest continuing food festival. The festival runs once a year along 9th avenue from 42nd street to 57th.

Shopping

Some of the best shops include Delphinium Home, a popular neighborhood treasure trove of kitschy housewares and cookbooks, Fine and Dandy, a chic, retro spot catering to the sharp-dressed man, and Nepenthes, a Tokyo fashion retailer with a cult-like following. Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market, tucked between the Lincoln Tunnel and Port Authority bus ramps, boasts dozens of vendors with tables full of wares every weekend, and its out-of-the-way location guarantees lower prices than those found in the Chelsea lots.

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

Terminal 5 and Stage 48 are well known concert venues that have hosted big names, while smaller clubs like Bar Nine—famous for dueling pianos—The Green Room 42 and The Boogie Room are lively and offer a diverse array of music/entertainment options. Of course, the biggest draw in the neighborhood will always be the acclaimed musicals and stage productions hosted in the famous Broadway theaters.

bar & NIGHTLIFE

Whether it’s a standard Irish pub, an upscale cocktail lounge, or a high-energy club, there’s a bar for everyone in Hell’s Kitchen. The neighborhood has plenty of LGBTQ-friendly venues and many have some form of live entertainment. Highlights include Don’t Tell Mama, Fairytale Lounge, Industry Bar, Therapy, XL Nightclub, and Pacha.

RECREATION & FITNESS

The neighborhood is dotted with big-name gyms and private dance and yoga studios. In terms of outdoor areas, Pier 84 Park and the Hudson River Greenway are ideal for jogging, roller-blading, and biking. DeWitt Clinton Park has a baseball fields and handball courts, and nearby Central Park is the city’s iconic greenspace and is filled with open fields, lush walking paths, and recreational fields.

TRANSPORTATION

Subway lines can be accessed via Pennsylvania Station (A, C, E, 1, 2, 3), Port Authority (A, C, E), Times Square (1, 2, 3, 7, S, N, Q, R), or Columbus Circle (A, B, C, D, 1). The recently expanded 7 line extends to 11th Avenue on 34th street. M11, M42, and M50 buses run continuous routes that pass through the neighborhood.