Somewhat quieter/more adult bar in East Village?

[ossicle]

Hi folks,

Myself and two other 40-somethings are going out into ye loud, youthful East Village on Saturday night for drinks, small food and conversation. I'd appreciate any venues that strike you as up our alley.

Cheers,
Oss

[ossicle]

Thanks again, everyone, I know some of those places but others are new to me. I look forward to trying them all out.

As it happens, one of the two people I was meeting needed to relocate us all the way up to Spanish Harlem (?) -- 2nd Ave and 111th Street -- where, to my amusement, we went to The Duck, a dive which turns out to be owned by that likeable guy (Tommy?) who used to own the much-missed Village Idiot. Absolutely nothing like what I asked for here, but it worked out.

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Village Idiot
355 W 14th St, New York, NY 10014

The Duck
2171 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10029

[stefathena]

Terroir.

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Terroir
413 E 12th St, New York, NY 10009

[linguafood]

We've stumbled upon Blue Owl on 2nd Ave (between 4th and 5th I think) a few visits to the city ago, and have returned a couple times. They sometimes have live jazz -- which is actually quieter than the dj who was unfortunately there last time.

No food, tho, but there are plenty of eats around -- if you like Thai, swing by Zaab Elee.

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Blue Owl
196 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Zabb Elee
75 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

[eeee]

I like Jimmy's 43 for fun grownup times. Very good local small plates and drinks too (I don't drink beer, but if you do you'll love it.)

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Jimmy's No. 43
43 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

[sgordon]

Second both Vandaag and WD-50. Vandaag you'll be more likely to get seats on a Saturday night, simply because it's a larger bar. Although if you're going before 8:00 or so, neither should be a problem. In both cases the "small food" would be more interesting than the norm - both offer the full menu at the bar, and have fun appetizers and such. Both have excellent cocktails, among the best in the city for restaurants. WD would be a more "adult" crowd - Vandaag gets more of a mix.

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WD-50
50 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002

Vandaag
103 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

[lulumoolah]

Burp Castle for drinks. I know it may seem strange, but the place has a good selection of beer and because of it's schtick as a bar run by Trappist monks, you are expected to speak in a lower voice. It can get crowded, but the noise level tends to be more tolerable and it can be a nice place to chill w/o the frat and meat market scene.

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Burp Castle
41 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

Hecho en Dumbo
354 Bowery, New York, NY 10012

Mercadito
179 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009

[sugartoof]

Despite the schtick, Burp Castle has become unbearably loud, and full of young college kids, the last few times I've been. The ssssh'ing relieves the noise level for a minute, and then picks right up again.

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Burp Castle
41 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

[lulumoolah]

Thanks for the update about Burp Castle. It's been a few years since I've been there during a busy night. A shame, because it was sort of a go-to-place when I needed to speak to a friend and we were in the EV.

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Burp Castle
41 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

[ossicle]

Thanks for all the replies so far!

[H Manning]

You might also like the bar at WD-50, though I guess that's technically the lower east side.

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WD-50
50 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002

[famdoc]

I recently had an above-average meal at Tree Bistro. Their bar area was not crowded, relatively quiet and nicely lit and their wine list was acceptable. Several Groupon-type knockoffs are currently offering %-off vouchers at this place, so you might be a winner on more than one count.

Here's the link for 50% off at Tree Bistro:

http://yipit.com/new-york/phun-deals/...

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Tree
190 1st Ave, New York, NY 10009

[H Manning]

Vandaag, though I haven't been there since the chef Philip Kirschen-Clark left in August.

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Vandaag
103 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

[kathryn]

I love the drinks at Vandaag but it's all hard surfaces, tile, etc. inside, so I'd worry that it would be loud even when only 75% full. Note that this is a restaurant with a full bar. There's one bar that is tucked inside the restaurant. It's long, with a row of barstools.

I might try Mayahuel, which is catacorner from Vandaag, which specializes in tequila/mezcal drinks, and never seems to be too crazy even on weekends. They have a smallish bar, two booths, and some lounge-esque seating downstairs, and a big wraparound banquette upstairs, so it may be easier to converse here.

There's also Angel's Share but you'll probably have to wait a while to get in.

I might also take a peek into Lovers of Today or Black Market to see how crowded they are (IIRC Black Market serves food but LoT doesn't).

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Angel's Share
8 Stuyvesant St, New York, NY 10003

Mayahuel
304 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003

Black Market
110 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009

Vandaag
103 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Lovers of Today
132 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009

[Nancy S.]

As much as I love the cocktails at Mayahuel, when I've been the crowd there has been in the 20-something range. Vandaag, I think, is the better alternative.

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Mayahuel
304 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003

Vandaag
103 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

[sugartoof]

I second Vandaag. I can testify that even during drink week (when specials were offered) with the original chef still around, it was a sedate, and very adult experience which everyone at my table appreciated. Unless it's changed with the new direction of the place, it's a great suggestion.

Quartino comes to mind too if you don't mind wine.
Bar Veloce, Terrior, and Bourgeoise Pig are options.

If you want a bar - bar and not a restaurant, Death & Co. is calm early in the evenings. Amor Y Amargo is a bitters focused bar, and if you manage to get seats, you'll have the run of the place, it's so small. You will want backups with both options.

Really the options are endless, you just need a bar that lends itself to conversation.

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Bar Veloce
175 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Quartino
11 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012

Death & Co.
433 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009

Vandaag
103 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003