5 Best Bars In The East Village
The East Village is filled with bars, but which one do you choose? We've narrowed down the best spots to take a date, cheer on your team, and grab some legit late night eats. By Carly Petrone.
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If you're looking for a new place to hang out in the area make sure to stop into The Black Rose. This new vintage rock and roll bar is a throwback to the hey day of the East Village, when DJs ruled the room and music brought everyone together. Grab a seat at one of the many red banquettes up front, strum the guitar in the back room, or park it at the bar along the wall. Let head bartender Ivo Diaz serve you up a cocktail with a rock and roll twist like the Light My Fire (Jim Beam Devil's Cut Bourbon, apricot preserve, lemon), Hells Bells (Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, lime, agave, celery bitters) or Personal Jesus (Death's Door Gin, lavender syrup, lime, lavender bitters). You may also find a few off the menu beer and shot specials (wink wink). Owners Joseph Daniele and Robert Payne have paid homage to Odessa, the restaurant that once occupied the space, by recycling some of their favorite pieces. The seating base outside, for example, used to be the hood in Odessa's kitchen. Make sure to keep your eye out for special themed nights – like this Friday's Disco Body Boogie Party - as well as drop-in acoustic sets by some of today's best musicians.
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Contrada may technically be an Italian restaurant but it's serving up some seriously good cocktails up at the bar. The seafood lover can order the Oyster Mary Shooter – a housemade Bloody Mary Shot with a Fresh-Shucked Oyster – while those looking for something wickedly good can sip on the Godmother – Widow Jane Rye or Bourbon with cherry bitters and a splash of Amaretto. Come in for happy hour and grab a burger and beer for $15 or 12 oysters and a pint for $18. Plus, where else are you going to get bone marrow and salsa verde for just $8? (Closed Mondays)
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Need somewhere to watch the big game? Head over to Professor Thom's and take advantage of their 17 LCD televisions and second floor lounge with private screening room. The 41-foot bar has a wide selection of beers, plus you can sign up for their loyalty program – which is just like airline miles – except not at all. But you do get a point for every dollar you spend, making it easy to trade them in for everything from a free case of beer to front row seats at Fenway Park. Plus, they're always having a fun event like reverse happy hour Sundays from 8 p.m. to close and trivia night on Wednesdays starting at 8:30 p.m.
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Stop into The Summit Bar and enjoy oyster and cocktail happy hour everyday from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Sip on crafted cocktails like Charmane's Star – Polish Wodka, cinnamon infused agave, English cucumber, Shiso Leaf, lime, and rhubarb bitters – or the Ground to Glass – Corralejo Blanco Tequila, red bell pepper puree, English cucumber, lime juice, Summit orange bitters, and hickory smoked salt. If you end up there past 12:30 a.m., check out their late night food menu. You can get some serious bites like Poached Maine Lobster Roll for $16 or Organic Duck Rillettes for $14. Definitely beats that $1 slice of pizza for your walk home. Open every day from 5:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.
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If you're looking for a place to impress your date, look no further than The Immigrant. This tiny little bar, located inside an old tenement home, is the perfect spot because you can actually have a conversation without shouting at the person next to you. Share a charcuterie plate and enjoy a glass of Greek wine at this dimly lit spot. Stop in for happy hour and sip on $4 drafts and $7 glasses of wine. The best part? They take reservations. But if you want to keep the date going, head next door to their Tap Room and explore their extensive beer selection.
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Carly Petrone is a freelance writer living in New York City.
