Slightly dodgy in a desirable way, the Lower East Side exudes an uncanny charm. Cramped spaces, rusty fire escapes, and gritty alleyways only add to its artful appeal. An eclectic neighborhood grown from immigrant roots, the Lower East Side supplies ample excitement around every corner—whether you’re grabbing coffee at one of its trendy cafes or partying scandalously until the break of dawn.
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The community says:
On the Map
Lower East Side is within Manhattan and bordered by Chinatown, East Village, Alphabet City, Little Italy, Noho, Soho, and Nolita
The New York City of Another Era
Famous for its tenement-style complexes, iconic fire escapes, and signature swagger, the Lower East Side exudes a fashionable attitude and savvy street-smarts.
From its style to its location, LES emanates urbane cool. Cross The Williamsburg Bridge and arrive in one of Brooklyn's hippest haunts.
There are always eyes on the Lower East Side.
It might just be the neighborhood that brought neon back.
Clean windows and scuffed-up street art share parcels of wall space in the Lower East Side.
The Lower East Side can feel like a village.
When you find yourself in such a big city, sometimes it's nice for the world to feel a little bit smaller.
Long Nights In the Lower East Side
As one of Manhattan's premier nightlife destinations, artists, professionals, and everyone in between flock to the neighborhood after dark.
It's a safe bet that all five boroughs show up for a party in the Lower East Side.
Late-night food, late-night drinks, late-night life.
Everything's late-night in the Lower East Side.
Seen Around the Lower East Side
Scenes From the Lower East Side
Stylish cafes and cheeky neighborhood businesses offer daytime relief from the Lower East Side's long nights.
Photography
Airbnb works with local photographers to capture the spirit of neighborhoods all around the world. The photography on this page includes work by:
Jacob Krupnick
Jacob Krupnick is a director and photographer from Brooklyn. In 2011, he released the feature-length dance film "Girl Walk // All Day", a non-stop music video shot entirely in the streets of NYC. Since then, he’s spent his time creating one-of-a-kind, immersive screening experiences all over the world. Shooting for Airbnb was a great excuse for Jacob to wander the city with a camera in hand, thinking about what best defines the feel of a neighborhood.
Kenn Tam
Kenn Tam is a Canadian photographer living and working in New York City's Manhattan, that specializes in portraits and street photography. And yes, he was that high school year book guy with a 50mm lens for a face.
Julie Holder
Julie Holder is a photographer based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She earned her BFA in Photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Specializing in architectural and interior photography, her client list includes ABC, The Nate Berkus Show, Sony/Harpo Productions, BravoTV.com and RollingStone.com. Joining this project with Airbnb has been a wonderful exploration of the neighborhoods and people that make up the diverse city she calls home.