The East Village was once considered a part of the Lower East Side, but began to stand out on its own in the 1960s as artists and hippies began to increasingly populate the area, making it a major home of counterculture in New York. The East Village is considered a major contributor to musical movements like punk rock and folk, and its alternative culture was famously portrayed in the play and film Rent. Today, the East Village remains a home for the artistic-minded, but has become increasingly gentrified especially since it is now the home to several of NYU's largest buildings. Even if you're not looking for an artistic experience, the East Village has a lot to offer with the most concentrated area of bars in Manhattan, a close proximity to other popular areas for nightlife and a booming and dense scene of restaurants. For those craving a little green, the East Village boasts several community gardens as well as Tompkins Square Park (including plenty of green space, athletic courts, a dog park and playground) and East River Park (a popular area for runners and bikers).