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A go-to place for dining, shopping and nightlife, as well as a sought-after residential district with lots of affordable apartments and hotels, Hell’s Kitchen is one of the most attractive neighbourhoods in New York. The neighbourhood also boasts good transport links to the rest of Manhattan and proximity to major attractions such as the Theatre District and Central Park.
Over the course of two centuries Hell’s Kitchen was the enclave of Irish immigrants and mobsters. Seething crime and poverty earned the dodgy neighbourhood its rather off-putting name. This started changing in the late 20th century when cheap rents and proximity to the Theatre District attracted lots of artists to the area. Madonna and Sylvester Stallone among other celebrities have lived here before becoming famous.
Starting in the 1980s the neighbourhood underwent tremendous regeneration. The need for housing created by the Midtown business district led to a building and renovation boom in Hell’s Kitchen. The expansive construction has resulted in plentiful accommodation options, as well as striking architectural contrasts. It is not uncommon to see tiny period houses and brownstones huddled next to modern high-rises. Those who love to explore on foot will find the colourful cityscape quite amusing and might even come across lesser-known historic sites.
Hell’s Kitchen has astounding variety of shopping and dining outlets. Eighth and Ninth Avenues abound in a spectrum of shops and services – department stores, affordable high-street and elegant designer outlets as well as independent, locally owned boutiques. Columbus Circle, a major traffic junction on the border between Hell’s Kitchen, Lincoln Square and Central Park, is a hub of designer boutiques and gourmet outlets that will appeal to those with a more refined taste. While these are the main shopping arteries you will find lots of retailers scattered throughout the area.
The neighbourhood is also well known for its cheap markets. Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market is hugely popular with designers, collectors and anyone looking for a bargain. Vintage clothing, antique furniture, knick knackery and even artwork – the range of items on offer is stunning. Beside rummaging through dusty antiques you can also explore local food markets. Green Market on 57th Street is one of a few places where you can buy fresh, seasonal, organic produce from local farmers. Stiles Farmers Market on 9th Avenue is a great place to grab a bite or stock for a picnic if you are looking to eat on the cheap. Stalls that are open daily sell organic fruit and veggies at cut-rate prices unseen elsewhere in Manhattan. It is easy to bypass the market, though, as it is housed in a tent rather than a building, so keep an eye out.
Would you rather eat out and explore the local culinary scene? The choice of cafes, delis, restaurants and bars is unmatched by any other neighbourhood. Nowhere else in New York will you find such stunning variety of cuisines and offers that range from easily affordable to gourmet. On top of that, the Irish diaspora has left behind lots of bars and pubs, some great for sampling craft beers and others for drinking on the cheap.
In Hell’s Kitchen you will also find some of the most delightful rooftop terraces in all of Manhattan. The Terrace at Yotel is the largest rooftop hotel bar in New York. Sleek, modern design and breathtaking views over brilliantly illumined skyscrapers make it a place well-worth visiting in the evening. Nearby Skyroom, which occupies the top floors of Fairfield Inn and Suites, rivals it with 360° vistas of the city offered by four distinct terraces ideal for night time entertainment.
The rich dining scene alone can justify the name of the neighbourhood – hellishly delicious is what it feels like today. Stay in Hell’s Kitchen and you will have it all at your fingertips – nightlife, bars, restaurants, shops and easy access to the rest of Manhattan.