A few years ago, Escape Brooklyn visited Urban Cowboy, cozying up in its Brooklyn-backyard cabin in lieu of going Upstate. Tucked behind a 3-story residential building in Williamsburg, the Urban Cowboy’s Kanoono Cabin is best described as “rustic luxury,” with beautiful reclaimed wood floors, a claw foot tub, a potbelly wood stove, and antiques to impress the most discerning collectors. Across the yard—which, by the way, has a fire pit and a hot tub—the main building houses four additional rooms. Guests and visitors enter on the first floor, the Cowboy’s communal area, comprised of a beautiful kitchen, dining space, and living room. For most, this is where the magic happens at the Cowboy: the open floor plan perfectly compliments the social, but laid-back vibe here. “Arrive as strangers, leave as friends,” is the Urban Cowboy’s motto, and guests should expect to meet an interesting array of visitors at a B&B that blurs the line between hotel and hangout space.
Those who are enticed by the aesthetic of the Urban Cowboy, but looking for a more private experience, can now enjoy it too. The Treehouse, the Cowboy’s newest offering, sits just around the corner from the original Urban Cowboy and houses only two rooms, both on its first floor. Designed as an “upside down” house, the second floor has an open air living room and kitchen, with views of the Williamsburg Bridge and Manhattan. The style here is much like the original Cowboy, which is hard to explain, but a few words come to mind—rustic, luxurious, industrial, colorful, and indulgent. Although it’s easy to go overboard with such ecelectic style, somehow owner Lyon Porter has mastered it. And it’s been such a success that he’s just opened his third location, this time beyond New York in Nashville.
Below, take a peek at our stay at the Treehouse, followed by our recommendations in the area.
Aside from being a B&B, the Treehouse at the Urban Cowboy is available for private events and photo shoots. Contact the Urban Cowboy via their website for room rates and location fees.
—The Urban Cowboy; 111 Powers St, Brooklyn, NY, 11211; UrbanCowboyBNB.com
While You’re in the Neighborhood: Shopping and Dining Around the Urban Cowboy
VINTAGE SHOPPING–Check out Raggedy Threads, a vintage shop housed in an old bakery. Not your Brooklyn run of the mill vintage shop, it stocks really nice french workwear, Japanese indigo, Victorian whites, WWII jackets, and tees. Just down the street, NY staple L Train Vintage just opened its newest location. It’s more of a thrift store than a vintage shop, but if you’re willing to dig a little, you’re sure to walk out with something. Last but not least, 10 Ft. Single by Stella Dallas is also about 10 minutes away and worth digging through. In the front of the shop, the thrift-like selection is pretty vast; in the back, a more curated collection of true vintage is offered at reasonable prices. Check out their sister shop, next door, with vintage textiles and home goods, too.
—Raggedy Threads, 602 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211; L Train Vintage, 629 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211; 10 Ft. Single by Stella Dallas 285 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
DINING–You don’t have to walk far for a good cup of coffee to get to The West, a coffee shop/full liquor bar named after Mae West. Try the breakfast burrito, or the indulgent baked goods by Balthazar. Those looking for something more substantial meal–breakfast, lunch, or dinner–should check out the Blind Barber, a combination bar, restaurant, and full-service barber shop. The food is outstanding, and its laid-back vibe makes it the go-to for neighborhood residents. Of course, part of the fun at staying at the Urban Cowboy is making use of its beautiful kitchen, so stock up at the nearby Key Foods for staples, then stop into Campbell Cheese & Grocery for more gourmet items. The shop has a fantastic selection of cheese, charcuterie, produce, and booze including one of our favorites: Wayside Cider from Upstate New York.
