New York City East Village

If you’re looking for brand names you’d be better off in SoHo, but if you’re searching for vintage goods, you can’t do better than the East Village. St. Mark’s Pl. shops sell a fantastic assortment of silver jewelry and odd trinkets. Record stores line both sides of St. Mark’s Pl., between Third Ave. and Ave. A.; the barely organized shelves can keep you browsing for hours. Boutiques along Ninth St., off Ave. A, sell fashionable one-of-a-kinds.

Astor Place Hairstylist, 2 Astor Pl. (☎212-475-9854; www.astorplacehairnyc.com), at Broadway. S 6 to Astor Pl.; N, R, W to 8th St./NYU. One of the world’s largest hair-cutting establishments, famed for its low-priced approach to style. For some authentic New York City flava, get a design cut ranging from the Yankees logo to your own name ($25+). Chris Rock, Bruce Willis and LL Cool J are some of the celeb clientele whose photos adorn the windows. Over 75 stylists work in the basement salon. Haircuts $14 and up; Su $1 extra. Open M 8am-8pm, Tu-F 8am-10:30pm, Sa 8am-8pm, Su 9am-6pm.
Kim’s Video and Audio, 6 St. Mark’s Pl. (☎212-598-9985; www.mondokims.com), between 2nd and 3rd Ave. S 6 to Astor Pl. Three floors of hip entertainment selections. The ground floor has a strong selection of independent and import CDs, with beats ranging from 1970s Jamaican dub to avant-jazz. The “establishment” section offers more popular fare, like the Beatles and Joan Jett. The 2nd fl. holds new and used vinyl, a collection of music and film books, and a video selection specializing in independent and foreign films, including a rack of budget DVDs for $8.50. The 3rd fl. has an excellent video rental collection. Open daily 9am-midnight; video store opens at 10am.
FAB208, 75 E 7th St. (☎212-673-7581), between 1st and 2nd Ave. S 6 to Astor Pl. This family-operated shop, run by a tattooed-and-mohawked mom and pop, sells vintage and original clothing. Owner and designer Jo will help you find the perfect necklace to match that denim skirt with silk trim ($80). Earrings (from $20) and other accessories make great gifts. Open Tu-Sa noon-7:45pm, Su 2-6pm.
Other Music, 15 E 4th St. (☎212-477-8150; www.othermusic.com), between Lafayette St. and Broadway. S 6 to Bleecker St. Alternative and avant-garde music in a clean, well-ordered setting. A bit of everything, from electronic to indie to experimental to underground. If you can’t find it anywhere else, you’ll likely find it here. Avoid steep import prices by shopping the sizable used-CD ($5-10) section. The white boards above the register keep clientele updated on where to see their favorite performers and tickets can often be purchased in-store. Knowledgeable staff will help you find the perfect album to suit your mood. Open M-F noon-9pm, Sa noon-8pm, Su noon-7pm.
St. Mark’s Bookshop, 31 3rd Ave. (☎212-260-7853; www.stmarksbookshop.com), at E 9th St. S 6 to Astor Pl. The ultimate East Village bookstore, with an excellent selection in literary theory and criticism, philosophy, film, fiction, and poetry. They also feature mainstream and avant-garde magazines ($4-20) and a small collection of self-published ’zines ($2-5). Staff is helpful and more than willing to track down an elusive title or make recommendations. Open M-Sa 10am-midnight, Su 11am-midnight.
New York Adorned, 47 2nd Ave. (☎212-473-0007; www.newyorkadorned.com), between E 2nd and 3rd St. S F, V to Lower East Side/2nd Ave. A comfortable, safe, and friendly piercing and tattoo parlor featuring some of the best artists in the city. Piercings $20. There’s a wide variety of jewelry for sale from studs for your new piercings to ornate necklaces ($35-3800). Tattoos $180 per hr.; $100 minimum. Open M-Th and Su 1-9pm, F-Sa 1-10pm. Cash only for tattoos, major credit cards accepted for jewelry.
Downtown Music Gallery, 342 Bowery (☎212-473-0043; www.downtownmusicgallery.com), between 2nd and 3rd St. S F, V to Lower East Side/2nd Ave. Diverse selection of CDs and records, sure to please non-mainstream music enthusiasts. Knowledgeable and helpful staff. Genres include jazz, art rock/pop, classical, and electronic. Used CDs and vinyl from $8; new from $13. Sign up for their email newsletter to get recommendations for NYC gigs. Open daily noon-8pm.
Love Saves the Day, 119 2nd Ave. (☎212-228-3802), at E 7th St. S 6 to Astor Pl. Feautured in Madonna’s Desperately Seeking Susan, this kitschy store has been carrying costumey vintage clothing, random collectibles, and toys and games since 1966. “I Love Lucy” metal lunchboxes $18-25. Smurf Pez dispenser sets $45. Star Wars figurines from $12. Open daily noon-8pm.
Bobby, 104 E 7th St. (☎212-674-7649), between 1st Ave. and Ave. A. S 6 to Astor Pl.; N, R, W to 8th St. A tiny vintage shop of Adidas, Puma, and Lacoste menswear ($19-34). Good selection of men’s shirts, jeans, and sport coats. They also carry new men’s clothing by brands like Trainerspotter and Alternative Apparel. Small women’s section. Choose carefully; there are no returns or refunds. Open daily 1-8pm.
Tokyo 7 Consignment Store, 64 E 7th St. (☎212-353-8443), between 1st and 2nd Ave. S 6 to Astor Pl. A small space selling used men’s and women’s designer clothes. Recent finds include a Marc Jacobs skirt ($60) and a men’s Gucci shirt ($70). Sunglasses ($40-60) by the register. Bring in your used clothes—if they sell, you get 50% of the profits. No refunds or exchanges. Open M-Sa noon-8:30pm, Su noon-8pm.
Tokyo Joe, 334 E 11th St. (☎212-473-0724), between 1st and 2nd Ave. S 6 to Astor Pl.; L to 1st Ave. Consignment store with brand-name and designer women’s clothing at a fraction of their normal price. Last seen: Juicy Couture skirt ($14), Oscar de la Renta shoes ($30). All sales are final. Open daily noon-9pm.
Patricia Field, 302 Bowery (☎212-966-4066; www.patriciafield.com), between Bleecker and E Houston St. S F, V to Lower East Side/2nd Ave. Well before dressing the gals in “Sex and the City,” Patricia Field has been oufitting fixtures of the downtown club scene like Amanda Lepore and Kenny Kenny. With a cutting edge selection of shoes, clothing and accessories, as well as an in-house Hair and Wig Salon, you can walk in and get a head-to-toe look. The staff is always happy to help you unleash your inner club child. Splurge on a custom gold nameplate necklace ($189) or glam it up with small touches like fake eyelashes ($8.50) and sequined sneakers ($20). House of Field signature plastic clutch purses $75. Open M-Th 11am-8pm, F-Sa 11am-9pm, Su 11am-7pm.
St. Mark’s Comics, 11 St. Mark’s Place (☎212-598-9439; www.stmarkscomics.com), between 2nd and 3rd Ave. S 6 to Astor Pl. With a wide range of comic books from Archie and Batman to indie and obscure publishers, this store caters to all different fans of the genre. Their back-issue and graphic novel collections are extensive, and the staff is knowledgeable. A large selection of comics memorabilia, collectibles and toys rounds out this hidden treasure trove. New arrivals usually on Wednesdays. Open M 10am-11pm, Tu-Sa 10am-1am, Su 11am-11pm.