MANHATTAN

Hell’s Kitchen Neighborhood Guide

Hell’s Kitchen, known for its rich culture, history, and friendly community, is located between 34th St and Columbus Circle, west of 8th Avenue. While this lively neighborhood is now a known hotspot for off-broadway shows, luxury residences, and famous cuisine, it wasn’t always the case. In fact, the 1957 musical “West Side Story” was based on the battles of the two rival gangs that called Hell’s Kitchen home. While the neighborhood was formerly known for its violence, it also became known for its churches, many of which are still used today. Noteworthy churches include the Hillsong Church Manhattan, the Theater at St. Clements, and St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. Hell’s Kitchen is also recognized as one of New York’s most gay-friendly neighborhoods, which is evidenced through the gay pride flags that decorate the streets and the endless selection of bustling LGBTQ bars. Nowadays, Hell’s Kitchen is a bustling neighborhood, filled with a range of landmarks ranging from museums to art galleries, parks, shopping, theater, and delicious food. Visit Delphinium Home for your favorite houseware trinkets, admire artwork at the Sean Kelly Gallery, learn at the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum, or dine at famous cuisines on Restaurant Row. No matter your preferences, there is always something new to try in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen.

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Hell’s Kitchen Real Estate Stats

MEDIAN SALE PRICE

$1,250,000

MEDIAN RENTAL PRICE

$4,500

An Abbreviated History of Hell’s Kitchen

Hell’s Kitchen was first inhabited by the Lenape Native Americans in the 1600s, and by the 1850s, the neighborhood was largely occupied by German and Irish immigrants who worked on the Hudson River docks and in the many factories and lumber yards that dotted the streets. There are multiple theories surrounding how Hell’s Kitchen got its name, and while there’s no way to verify which theory is accurate, it’s largely believed that the neighborhood earned its nickname from the grisly, poor, crime-ridden streets that made up the neighborhood in the 1800s when there was an abundance of gang and mob violence. This violence remained throughout the years and was later exacerbated in the 1920s during Prohibition when many warehouses in the area were used to bootleg spirits and distribute alcohol illegally. Eventually, gentrification caused many of the working class to move out of the area and the neighborhood saw an influx of high-rise apartment buildings, hotels, and businesses. Despite its grisly history, nowadays, Hell’s Kitchen is known for its lively culture, strong LGTBQ community presence, endless restaurant options, and hip, thriving nightlife.

NEIGHBORHOOD BOUNDARIES

  • 12th Avenue to the West
  • Columbus Circle to the North
  • 8th Avenue to the East
  • 34th Street to the South
50th Street  A C E 1
42nd Street A C E
34th Street – Penn Station  A C E

Residents Love This Neighborhood Because

  • Easy access to transport
  • Plenty of unique, local coffee shops
  • Great local grocers
  • Amazing rental market with everything from studios to true 3-5 bedrooms
  • Proximity to Central Park and the West Side Highway

What to expect

Cafés

+20
Colleges / Universities

1
Community Gardens

4
Hospitals

4
Libraries

3
Parks

4

Playgrounds

2

Restaurants

+80

Yoga Studios

8

Hell’s Kitchen Landmarks and Cultural Institutions

A NEIGHBORHOOD TOUR

Get to know the neighborhood by visiting its most notable landmarks and sites. From museums and sculptures, to parks, markets, and hidden neighborhood gems, you’ll find everything you need to know about the neighborhood’s most unique and historical attractions.

Intrepid Sea, Air, And Space Museum

The Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum is an American military and maritime history museum featuring a collection of museum ships. Founded in 1982, the museum is a nonprofit institution that offers educational programming through new and exciting exhibits. Popular displays include the aircraft carriers, submarines, and space shuttles. The museum also includes rides such as the Space Shuttle Pavilion and the G Force Simulator.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater held their first performance on March 30, 1958. The theater hosts a wide variety of performances each year, from jazz to ballet and even dance battles, and also offers classes to children and adults of all ages.

Restaurant Row

Restaurant Row comprises diverse cuisine and rich culinary history with authentic food originating all over the world. Located on West 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue, this lively street perfectly embodies the melting pot of cultures that is New York City.

Sean Kelly Art Gallery

Known for its diverse collection of artwork, the Sean Kelly Gallery contains a mix of contemporary works from paintings to sculptures and digital pieces. The gallery displays local and international award-winning artists.

Pier 96

Located along the West Side Highway, this delightful little park offers scenic views and is ideal for a relaxing walk, run, kayak, or picnic along the river.

De Witt Clinton Park

Located along 11th Avenue between 52nd and 54th Street, De Witt Clinton Park is a great place for Hell’s Kitchen residents to relax and go for a stroll. The park has a dog run, basketball courts, a playground, and a garden.

Birdland Jazz Club

Since 1986, the Birdland Jazz Club has been a popular spot to listen to famous Jazz artists and dance to live music. Notable past performances include Oscar Peterson, Pat Metheny, Diana Krall, and Roy Hanes.

Hudson River Park

The Hudson River Park boasts some of the most beautiful views in the city. It also hosts an array of events including yoga, dancing, running, film, and more.

Delphinium Home

Delphinium, Ltd. was founded by former musical theater performers, John Soroka, Michael Quinn, and Gary Alaimo in 1966. The group saw a need for a business in their neighborhood that sold exclusive cards and gifts. The shop expanded to selling candles, books, and stationary, and eventually became Delphinium Home in 1999 adding other chic home decor items and necessities.

The New York Museum Of Contemporary Art

Founded in 1977, this museum displays modern paintings and artwork from a variety of artists. The New York Museum of Contemporary Art aspires to convey new ideas that reflect its history and values.

Architecture in Hell’s Kitchen

Greek Revival

Renaissance/Baroque Revival

Medieval

Modern

Gothic Revival

Art Deco

International

Notable New Yorkers

Who Have Lived in Hell’s Kitchen

ALICIA KEYS

Musical Artist

BRUCE WILLIS

Actor

JAMES DEAN

Actor

LARRY DAVID

Comedian

SYLVESTER STALLONE

Actor

TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET

Actor

Popular Food & Drink

CHEF'S TABLE AT BROOKLYN FARE

431 West 37th Street

HELL'S KITCHEN

754 9th Avenue

IPPUDO

321 West 51st Street

V{IV}

717 9th Avenue

THE JOLLY GOAT

515 West 47th Street

KOCHI

652 10th Avenue

LILLY'S CRAFT & KITCHEN

675 9th Avenue

UT47

358 West 47th Street

All Notable New Yorker photos courtesy of Wikipedia via Wikimedia Commons. Photo of Alicia Keys by Eva Rinaldi; Photo of Bruce Willis by Gage Skidmore; Photo of James Dean by In-house publicity still; Photo of Larry David by David Shankbone; Photo of Sylvester Stallone by Georges Biard; Photo of Timothee Chalamet by Maximilian Bühn

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