Neighborhood Guide: Downtown Brooklyn

Welcome home, residents of the new Downton Brooklyn House! And for all other members of Outpost, welcome to another chapter of our neighborhood guide series!

We’ve spent the past few weeks scouring the neighborhood for the best spots in gorgeous Boerum Hill to grab a coffee, do your shopping, or just hang out, and we’ve compiled it all in an easy to use guide. So, drop off your luggage and throw on some comfortable shoes, cause we’ve got some places for you to check out.

SUBWAYS

These are the closest spots with the widest range of trains to take you into the city or throughout Brooklyn.

Bergen Street Station
Trains: G

Distance - walk: 6 min; bike 2 min

Hoyt - Schermerhorn

Distance - walk: 12 min; bike 4 min

Atlantic Avenue Barclays Center Station

Trains: 2, 4, 5, D, Q, R

Distance - walk: 16 min; bike 5 min

GROCERIES

You gotta eat, and we've picked out the best options for your grocery runs.

CTown Supermarkets

239 Bond St., 11217

Hours: 8 AM - 8 PM

This is your closest spot for groceries in the area! They offer quality produce, organic products, and cover almost all your needs for beauty products and cleaning supplies.

Distance - walk: 2 min; bike: 1 min

Union Market

288 Court St., 11231

Hours: 7 AM - 10 PM

A little bit farther from the house, this lovely spot has a bigger focus on organic products, and offers a wider selection of produce, meats, fish, and baked goods. There's also a pretty big section of prepared meals for those nights you don't feel like cooking.

Distance - walk: 8 min; bike: 3 min

Trader Joe's

130 Court St., 11201

Hours: 8 AM - 10 PM

Sometimes you just can't beat TJ's... Come by here for all your favorite signature items, organic produce, beer, and wine.

Distance - walk: 14 min; bike: 6 min

Whole Foods

214 3rd St., 11215

Hours: 8 AM - 11 PM

Grab your Bingo Bronsons, Broad City fans, because this very special Whole Foods store is where Abbi's hilarious manuka honey scene was shot! A bit pricier than the other grocery stores on the list (unless you have that Amazon Prime discount...) Whole Foods is still a great option for organic products, prepared foods, local beers, and luxurious beauty products.

Distance - walk: 14 min; bike: 4 min

Photocredit: Whole Foods

GYMS

Whether you're trying to get in the best shape of your life or maintain your form, we get it. We checked out a couple of the local gyms and found the best, most affordable, and diverse options.

SLT Cobble Hill

296 Court St., 11231

SLT stands for "strengthen, lean, and tone" and you will definitely accomplish all three with any class at this gym. They offer classes for people at all fitness levels, and a few high-intensity courses for experienced athletes.

Distance - walk: 8 min; bike 3 min

Blink Boerum Hill

252 Atlantic Ave., 11201

Blink offers incredibly affordable memberships (as low as $15 a month) which include access to high-quality equipment. For an additional cost you also have access to one-on-one training with a professional, and there's also a free trial option!

Distance - walk: 13 min; bike 4 min

Crossfit South Brooklyn

597 Degraw St., 11217

For those who are into crossfit, this location may just be your best bet. Beyond traditional routines, Crossfit South Brooklyn offers a variety of group classes and personal training options, including pilates, yoga, and jiu-jitsu, not to mention open gym!

Distance - walk: 11 min; bike 6 min

COFFEE SHOPS

Looking to get your caffeine fix? Maybe just need a chill spot to get productive, or even just have a chat with a friend? Whatever your situation, here are our recommendations for the best coffee shops in town.

Black Gold Records

461 Court St., 11231

Coffe shop, record store, taxidermy shop, antiques - where else other than Brooklyn can you find a spot like this? Although Black Gold doesn't offer many places to sit and enjoy your brew, it's well worth a visit for a browse through their record collection while sipping on some coffee or tea.

Distance - walk: 15 min; bike 6 min

Ninth Street Espresso

333 Douglass St., 11217

If you're looking for a cozy spot for a cup of joe this is the spot for you! Ninth Street keeps things easy with a simplified menu that focuses on the coffee, not the wild syrups and flavors. They also sell their cold brew in growlers, so you can take some back to the house to share!

Distance - walk: 11 min; bike 3 min

Absolute Coffee

327 Atlantic Ave., 11201

Come here if you want to get a taste of what the neighborhood is like. This is arguably one of the most local coffee shops in the area, and it offers a long list of coffees, teas, and delicious (and huge) sweet and savory pastries you can't say no to.

Distance - walk: 10 min; bike 4 min

Stumptown Coffee Roasters

212b Pacific St., 11201

Listed as a favorite spot for many coffee lovers, stop by this location for a delicious brew, and a break in their gorgeous location. In addition to their cold brew, espresso bar, and drip coffees, you can enjoy Big Easy Bucha kombucha, pastries from Roberta's and hot and cold food options prepared by Lalito.

Distance - walk: 10 min; bike 4 min

FOOD

For those times you don't feel like cooking, or when you want to step out for a bite with some friends from the house. We've tried it all (believe us) and these are the number one spots in the area.

Bergen Bagels

473 Bergen St.,11217

It's a bit of a trek, but it's an absolute must. Bergen Bagels is a Brooklyn institution, serving up the best bagels every morning for years. Plan a weekend trip to grab a coffee and a pastry, or check out what else they're serving in the deli. You won't regret it.

Distance - walk: 21 min; bike 7 min

Pig Beach

480 Union St.,11231

We're definitely not in the south, but you can't taste the difference here. Pig Beach aims to bring a brand new BBQ experience to NYC with locally and sustainably sourced food and drink, and it's a great spot for late night bites or a filling comfort meal with your non-vegetarian friends.

Distance - walk: 9 min; bike 2 min

Taiki

134 Nevins St., 11217

If you want to splurge on some delicious and healthy food Taiki is the way to go. Here you'll get incredible sushi and fish, and it's a great spot for a lovely evening out with close friends.

Distance - walk: 9 min; bike 3 min

Leyenda

221Smith St., 11201

This is a perfect after dinner spot to grab a cocktail and a bite to eat on your way back home. Leyenda serves up amazing Latin American comfort food. Not only is their food superb, they proudly offer unique cocktails that showcase Latin spirits. Don't forget to stop by for brunch on the weekend at noon!

Distance - walk: 4 min; bike 2 min

NIGHTLIFE

Want to kick off the weekend the right way? Try these spots for the best taste of nightlife in the neighborhood.

Zombie Hut

273 Smith St., 11231

Looking to revive your night with a touch of tiki? Look no further! Zombie Hut is the best spot for exotic cocktails in a kitschy and fun environment, complete with tiki glasses and great music.

Distance - walk: 5 min; bike 2 min

Brooklyn Social

335 Smith St., 11231

If you want a cool New York scene, try this Italian social club turned speakeasy style bar. It's cash only here, so come prepared with bills and a taste for good cocktails.

Distance - walk: 8 min; bike 4 min

Brooklyn Inn

148 Hoyt St., 11217

For a more down to earth style, check out the Brooklyn Inn. It's an incredibly old school location, with a true to 19th-century styling wooden bar. This cash-only spot comes complete with a jukebox and a pool table, so come grab a beer and play a game.

Distance - walk: 5 min; bike 2 min

The Gate

321 5th Ave., 11215

If you're more in the mood for outdoor seating and relaxed conversation with a beer in hand, check out The Gate. This rustic tavern is known for serving up the most unique beers, so it's a one-of-a-kind spot for beer lovers.

Distance - walk: 22 min; bike 7 min

PARKS

If you ever just need a moment of peace, or a space to play a game of basketball, try out one of these locations.

Thomas Greene Playground

225 Nevins St., 11217

Break out the grills, friends - you're free to barbecue at this park, not to mention swim in the large community pools! There are also plenty of handball and basketball courts, and spaces to hang out underneath beautiful trees.

Distance - walk: 7 min; bike 2 min

Boerum Park

364 Warren St., 11201

A good pick for a game of basketball, or just a spot to unwind and chat with friends under the branches of some gorgeous trees.

Distance - walk: 5 min; bike 2 min

Fort Greene Park

Washington Park St., 11205

Sick of the brownstones and skyscrapers and want some green? Come check out Fort Greene Park. Not only is it a gorgeous, rolling green landscape, there are tennis courts, playgrounds, weekly markets, and the interesting historic site of Fort Greene itself.

Distance - train: 20 min; walk: 27 min; bike 14 min

POST OFFICE

USPS

539 Atlantic Ave., 11217

Need to ship something off, or want to open up a PO Box? This would be the spot to do it!

Distance - walk: 16 min; bike 5 min

FedEx Office Print and Ship Center

293 Atlantic Ave. #301, 11201

Not only can you take care of your mailing needs here, you have a full-service printing and office center! This is a great and affordable option for printing out those fancy copies of your resume!

Distance - walk: 11 min; bike 4 min

That's just a taste of your new neighborhood. We're certain you'll love your home and these incredible places, and we're positive you'll find more amazing places. If you have a suggestion for a new spot to add to our list or tips for any of the places already listed then let us know!

Comment on our facebook page and we'll check it out ourselves!