Lorimer Street

This Lorimer Street station carries the J, M and Z trains on an elevated line through the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, just a few blocks from Bedford Avenue and the neighbourhood's dense strip of bars, boutiques and restaurants. It is not to be confused with the separate Lorimer Street stop on the G train a short walk away underground - the two share a name but sit on different lines and are not connected by an in-system transfer.

Williamsburg has changed enormously since this station opened in the late nineteenth century, from an industrial waterfront district to one of Brooklyn's most visited neighbourhoods. Riders arriving here find themselves close to Broadway's older commercial strip beneath the tracks, as well as the newer restaurants and shops that have spread through the surrounding blocks.

Station Overview

This Lorimer Street station opened in 1888 as part of the BMT's elevated Broadway line and is served by the J, M and Z trains, making it a useful stop for both local Williamsburg residents and Manhattan-bound commuters. It sits one stop from the Williamsburg Bridge crossing into Manhattan on the J and M.

Lines and Connectivity

The J and Z trains run express through parts of Brooklyn during peak hours, while the M provides local service; all three continue toward Marcy Avenue and across the Williamsburg Bridge into Manhattan's Lower East Side and beyond. Heading the other direction, trains continue deeper into Brooklyn toward Broadway Junction, Bushwick and eventually Jamaica in Queens.

Station Layout and Structure

The station is elevated above Broadway, with island platforms serving the J/M/Z tracks. Fare control is at street level below the structure. Note again that the G train's Lorimer Street station is a separate underground stop several blocks away on Metropolitan Avenue, with no free transfer between the two.

Accessibility

The station is listed as accessible, though riders who need step-free access should confirm current elevator status on the MYmta app, since this is an older elevated structure and equipment can be out of service for repairs.

Travel Tips

• Do not confuse this station with the G train's Lorimer Street stop nearby - they are different stations with no direct transfer between them.
• The J and Z run express at peak times while the M is always local, so check which train arrives first if you are in a hurry.
• Bedford Avenue's shops and restaurants are a 10 to 15 minute walk, a better base for exploring Williamsburg's main strip than the immediate station area.
• This is the first or last Brooklyn stop before the Williamsburg Bridge crossing, so trains here can be busier during the evening rush toward Manhattan.

Nearby Attractions

Williamsburg Bridge - a short walk toward the waterfront. A pedestrian and bike path across the East River offers some of the best skyline views in the borough.

Broadway commercial strip - directly beneath the elevated tracks. A mix of long-standing shops and newer businesses reflecting Williamsburg's ongoing change.

Bedford Avenue - about 15 minutes on foot. Williamsburg's main commercial corridor, dense with restaurants, record shops and boutiques.

McCarren Park - roughly a 20 minute walk north. A large green space with a running track, pool and popular weekend farmers market.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

The J, M and Z trains serve this Lorimer Street station 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the Z running only at peak commuting hours as a skip-stop express partner to the J. Evenings and weekends bring heavy Williamsburg nightlife traffic, so expect a livelier platform after dark on Fridays and Saturdays. Weekday mid-morning tends to be the calmest time to pass through.