New York City is replete with urban promenades: stretches of street where staying is more fun than passing through. Fifth Avenue may have been one of the first and still one of the most expensive; St. Mark's is a carnival; Canal is an import market. In Brooklyn, the Promenade has views and Bedford has hipsters. Franklin Street in Greenpoint, however, offers a bit more for a gritty traveler who'd like to live like the locals.

 

The north Brooklyn neighborhood of Greenpoint is a former-industrial, mostly-Polish immigrant enclave where new-to-towners and up-and-comers have noticeably assembled over the past few years. Franklin Street runs the length of Greenpoint near the East River, bisecting the alphabetically named Greenpoint streets, from Clay to Milton.  Though the portion covered here is only a half-mile long, a survey of the sidewalk easel-signs down its length announce the good eats and treats now available.

 

Starting off on the corner of Franklin and Greenpoint Avenue, the Pencil Factory references the street's past industry while pouring brews and spirits almost anytime of day. Kitty-corner is the newly-resuscitated Alligator Lounge II--serving up the same free-pizza-with-drink combo as its reptilian-bar brethren.

 

Still thirsty? Dare to veer from my prescribed path down Greenpoint Avenue to Brouwerij Lane with (reportedly) over 400 beers; get a $2 tasting of one of 10 on tap, or take home a half-gallon growler of hoppy-goodness.

 

Don't worry, tipsy traveler: you can feast on Franklin, too. Coco 68, just down from Brouwerij, mixes refinement (raw oysters) and comfort (Bourbon barbequed pulled pork). 68 and it's sister 66 (oops, another bar!) also have great cocktail lists and specials.

 

Further on Franklin, Brooklyn Label is an all-day eatery emphasizing fresh, seasonal ingredients; excellent brunch, loads of vegetarian options, and the refreshing lavendar lemon fizzy make it an solid choice anytime of day.

 

Two more noshes of note: Greenpoint Coffee House is the premier greasy-breakfast hangover cure with tasty food and attractive staff, and the Franklin Corner Cafe is a contender for best deli sandwiches in North Brooklyn.