University Pl, Greenwich Village

University Place starts at the beginning of the East Village in Union Square. Union Square is an interesting place. I kinda hate it and I kinda love it. There is just about every kind of person in Union Square at any given moment. There's a lovely farmer's market during the temperate months. There are a ton of little places to eat that are kinda touristy and lame but I kinda like them too. I have a soft spot for Heartland Brewery -- I don't know why. And Coffee Shop has outdoor seating so we're sort of forced to like it. There are a bunch of stores on this street so if you want to have lunch and a quick shop, this is the place. The whole Union Square area can get insanely crowded . . or, rather it is always insanely crowded with a lot of slow walker toursists. So, if you're in even a mild hurry, avoid at all costs.
33 Uni Place is the Decker Building where Andy Warhol used to have his factory and where he was shot. Bowlmor Lanes is at Uni and 12th. It's one of only three (I think) Bowling alleys in the city and it's my favorite one in Manhattan. I'm not a huge fan of the Lucky Strike Lanes. This one is a lot less flashy but still really fun. Patsy's is at Uni and 11th. Pizza is largely debated in this city, I know. But, honestly, I'll take Patsy's over Lombardi's or Grimaldi's any day. It's really good pizza and a younger not quite as touristy crowd. The Knickerbocker is at 33 University and I have a really soft spot for this place. My dad and I go there whenever he's in town if it's cold out. It's sort of a diner, sort of restaurant. It's old and cool and so are all of the patrons. It's not fancy food by any means, but I just like the vibe in there. 1 University has a rich history of writers, artists and actors living in it: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Calista Flockhart, Clifford Odets. It's quite expensive but it musn't have always been. Across the street at Washington Mews is where, according to a tour guide when I first moved here, Edith Wharton and Henry James both lived. The rest of the street is Washington Square Park and all NYU buildings. Both are great but I've talked about them a lot in other posts. All in all, this is rowdy street because of the college kids, but one of the cooler ones in my opinion.

Once the home of Spice – the uber-affordable and delicious Thai restaurant that everyone within a twenty mile radius has been to – University Place still offers much of the standard NYU East Village commodities. There are plenty of restaurants that cater to people who live on student loans, so if you find yourself in this category head over in this direction.

University Place runs from the North side of Washington Square Park to Union Square. It is a typical New York Street: Full of every kind of shops and restaurants. It is mostly busy with NYU students. Probably because of that, you can find cheap places where to eat. Notwithstanding its great location, it is a street that can easily get unnoticed.

This street is the place to live if you go to NYU. My friend went to NYU and had an apartment on this street. This street runs between Washington Square Park and Union Square. You have the coolest shops, great pizza joints and interesting people in this area. This street is pretty safe, but I would walk with a friend at night because of park weirdos. There is always something happening on this street.