Brooklyn Flea

Spurred by the desire to score some vintage duds and enjoy the last days of summer, my roommate and I hopped a subway to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall and took a leisurely stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge before wandering down to the Brooklyn Flea. The market, located directly underneath the iconic bridge, features more than 100 vendors of vintage furniture, clothing, accessories, vinyl, and jewelry, as well as new jewelry, bicycles, and art by local artisans.

We spent hours poring over vintage designer handbags, fur coats, stationery, old postcards, screen-printed t-shirts, new and old jewelry, books, albums, boots, and house-wares. It was a much more pleasant experience than some of the flea markets I’ve frequented in Manhattan, such as the Antiques Garage, because of the open-air environment and the minimalism. The market is definitely not one that requires lots of sifting and effort to separate the gems from the junk because all the items seem to be carefully selected and are presented in an aesthetically appealing manner.

After a while we worked up an appetite, so after sampling some of the spicy pickles on site, we checked out our options: fish tacos, oven-fired pizzas, lobster rolls and crab legs, papusas and tamales, and pastries. Though tempted by the fish tacos, we decided to opt for the least expensive option, the “papusa platter,” offered by Red Hook Food Vendors. The platter included two papusas or tamales with cabbage salad, hot sauce, jalapenos, and melted cheese for $5. I decided to try the chicken tamale and a jalapeno and cheese papusa. Though not as delicious as it looked, the meal was definitely filling and a departure from my typical “safe” culinary choices.

Reenergized from our mid-day lunch, we checked out some of the remaining vendors (my favorites being Birdhouse Jewelry and Loyalty and Blood) and picked up some vintage sweaters before heading out.

All in all, the Flea was a great experience and one that I’d highly recommend, especially if you enjoy art, vintage clothing and accessories, and people-watching. So check it out – Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., directly below the Brooklyn Bridge.