Red Hook Named One of the Coolest Neighborhoods by Time Out
When Time Out released its annual list of the coolest neighborhoods in the world, it didn’t shock anyone who’s spent time in Red Hook. Those of us who know the place already understand why: it’s one of the few corners of New York that still feels like a village. On a walk down Van Brunt Street you might pass old-timers chatting outside the bodega, artists hauling canvases into their studios, and neighbors waving hello on their way to Sunny’s. Turn the corner and you get those wide-open harbor views you just don’t find anywhere else in Brooklyn.
We started in Red Hook and we still dispatch our crews from here every day. Our first jobs taught us how to back a moving truck over cobblestones, how to get loft furniture up narrow staircases, and how to work alongside building supers who know every detail about their spaces. Red Hook shaped us, and it’s still the heart of our work.
Our Favorite Local Spots
A few of our team’s go-tos:
Docky’s – a community bar where regulars make you feel like family.
Defonte’s of Brooklyn – an institution since 1922, serving some of the best sandwiches in the city.
Sunny’s Bar – century-old, with live music and neighbors shoulder to shoulder.
Brooklyn Ice House – great outdoor space and plenty of pulled pork sandwiches to go around.
Red Hook Arcade – games and art tucked inside a creative community hub.
Supporting Red Hook’s Community
Red Hook’s character comes as much from its community as from its streets and waterfront. We’re proud members of the Red Hook Business Alliance, which helps small businesses collaborate and thrive.
We also admire the work of:
Red Hook Initiative (RHI) – creating opportunities for youth and families at the Red Hook Houses.
Red Hook Art Project (RHAP) – offering free arts education and mentoring.
Red Hook Star-Revue – the neighborhood’s independent paper, covering stories larger outlets often miss.
A Note on the Beard Street Fire
This year’s recognition comes at a bittersweet moment. In early 2025, a fire tore through a Beard Street warehouse, displacing artists and small businesses who gave Red Hook much of its creative heartbeat. Fundraisers are underway to help them rebuild. We’ve gathered links to support those efforts in our Red Hook Fire Relief Resource.
Being named one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world feels right — but to us, it’s less about recognition and more about what Red Hook has always been: a resilient, creative community that looks out for its own. We’re grateful to be part of it.