LOVE BKLYN

Born in Brooklyn in 1983, this season we’re going back to our roots, pulling inspiration from our favoritest part of Brooklyn ever: Coney Island.

Here is a behind the scenes look at our Spring 2019 press and influencer event. @kat_in_nyc was on hand to take exclusive photos of the bold colors, graphic tees and our signature BKLYN sweater.

 

 

 

525 America was born in Brooklyn in 1983 and our love for our hometown has only grown over the years. Here are some of our favorite spots from our favorite borough - some are hidden gems, some are well-known, all showcase Brooklyn in all its glory. Share with us some of your favorite BK locations @525America

 

Radegast Hall & Biergarten  

Raise a pint or liter of suds from Germany and Eastern Europe at this authentic feeling biergarten in the middle of Williamsburg. Grab a group for a Saturday drinkfest complete with pretzels & potato pancakes served at long wooden picnic tables. They also host live music that ranges from polka to techno. This hall gets rowdy. radegasthall.com

Ramona

Anniversary? Job promotion? Raucous birthday with your best pals? Somehow this inviting bar has you covered for every occasion. Mixologists pour premier cocktails featuring in-house infused libations, organic herbs and inventive ingredients like rainbow peppercorn syrup and tobacco and lime bitters. Truly your destination when you’re looking to celebrate and impress. ramonabarnyc.com

Sea Witch

This bar draws clientele from across the borough for a chance to indulge in a vast beer menu, frozen margarita smoothies and a kitchen stocked with international fried treats. A fish tank across the bar supplies that nautical touch along with a handpainted mural of the titular witch tempting Ariel. When the temperatures rise, find the backyard packed with young people taking in the full waterfall and koi pond. seawitchnyc.com

 

Token

Along the waterfront of Red Hook lies a Civil War-era building that has been split into smaller storefronts and design studios, including furniture boutique, TOKEN. Every piece is designed and manufactured within this centuries-old brick building from a team of designers, fabricators and artists who reimagine standard materials into engaging, engineered objects. The results are one-of-a-kind chairs, tables and more that harken to the streamlined lines of mid-century with a modern sensibility. tokennyc.com

Sprout

You know those homes flooded with natural sunlight-loving fiddle figs and succulents all over Instagram? Chances are they got those perfect plants from this shop in Williamsburg that has had its finger on the horticultural pulse since opening in 2007. But have no fear if your thumb isn’t exactly green: Sprout specializes in easy-to-maintain household plants for apartment gardeners of all levels. sprouthome.com

Books Are Magic

Reading is fundamental at this Cobble Hill bookstore that rose out of the ashes of shuttered local legend, BookCourt. Books Are Magic, which sells everything from best-sellers to a wide selection of kids’ books to lesser-known titles by local authors - and some hard-to-find offbeat choices - also functions as an event space for writer workshops, children’s theater and more. booksaremagic.net

 

Speedy Romeo

While its name denotes moving fast, this rustic space in Clinton Hill is all about good food taking time. Each pie is slow baked in a hardwood-fired Italian pizza oven, with other menu items prepared on a wood grill from Mesquite, Texas. But time is on their side. Not only does every slice taste crisp with a fiery edge, the restaurant has a long heritage having started life as a 100 year-old bar, turned liquor store, then auto parts shop, before finding its right speed. BONUS: the owners used design elements from each of the past businesses in the decor. speedyromeo.com

    Paulie Gee’s

    Paulie Gee’s in Greenpoint has built a reputation as being the pizza place New Yorkers miss when they move away. Maybe it’s because former software-quality-assurance engineer, Paul Giannone has built the perfect pie with layers of crispness, a touch of char and a hearty hand with the toppings. Every pizza features locally-sourced ingredients too. pauliegee.com

    Two Boots

    What do you get when you add a little cajun flair to the traditional pie? Named for the similar geographical shapes, Two Boots pulls inspiration from both Italy and Louisiana to deliver a wildly inventive menu of pizzas, each named after a cult pop culture character (The Newman, Cleopatra Jones, The Dude, etc) Each pizza features a spicy sauce on a cornmeal crust and can be made gluten-free or vegan. Look for locations of this NYC institution throughout the city with one in both Park Slope and Williamsburg, Brooklyn. twoboots.com

       

      The Bell House

      From SNL comedians to podcast hosts to rock bands and dj sets, big-name acts and up-and-comers play at this big bar/performance venue set in a former warehouse along the Gowanus canal. The Rub, a popular dance party with a mix of modern hits and 90’s throwbacks is a must for anyone looking to get their groove on. And make sure to grab a snap with friends in the throwback photo booth. thebellhouseny.com

      Ford Amphitheater

      Located along the boardwalk of Coney Island this 5,000-seat covered open-air venue – the first of its kind in the Tri-State area – hosts a mix of concerts, family shows, sports, comedy, and multicultural events. Shows are rain or shine, but with a large roof, either way you’re in for a sensory overload of sights and sounds both from the performance and the ocean. fordamphitheaterconeyisland.com

      Friends & Lovers

      Get down to the Motown and the retro soul and funk with weekly Wednesday night party, Almighty Burner, a fan favorite for those looking to burn off a little hump day steam. In addition to djs, the back room space also hosts performance artists, dancers, comedy shows and trivia - a little something for everyone every night of the week. fnlbk.com

       

      The Brooklyn Library

      Who says you can’t judge a book by its cover? The beauty of the Art Deco facade of the Central Brooklyn Library at Grand Army Plaza is matched only by the mod feel of the interior Shelby White and Leon Levy Information Commons, while the S. Stevan Dweck Center for Contemporary Culture puts on more than a hundred events per month. bklynlibrary.org

      Coney Island

      The funnest place on earth, Coney Island is a neighborhood known for its boardwalk, historic Nathan’s Hot Dogs, and amusement park, Luna Park, which is the home of the iconic Cyclone roller coaster. Save the date: June 22nd is the 37th annual Mermaid Parade when Surf Avenue is taken over by 1000’s of pirates, jellyfish and mer-people from across the 5 boroughs. This not-to-be missed event is a spectacle of art and a celebration of the sea. coneyisland.com

      Prospect Park

      Soak up the sun and the architecture in Prospect Park, a massive greenspace designed by Central Park creators Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in the mid-19th century. The moment temperatures rise, you can find many Brooklynites sipping rose on the grassy knolls and come Summer, the annual Celebrate Brooklyn Festival brings headlining musical talent to the center stage. prospectpark.org

      The Brooklyn Bridge

      Slip on some comfortable kicks and bring a sweater - you’re going on the most scenic walk of the city’s skyline. Walking (or biking or running) across the 1.3 miles is a rite of passage for New Yorkers and tourists alike since it was built in 1883. While a beautiful view is promised 24-hours, crossing The Brooklyn Bridge at sunset is a memory you won’t forget. nycgo.com/attractions/brooklyn-bridge