BAR 82 is the reincarnation of one of the East Village's most epitomal "dive-bars," transplanted to a new location and transformed with a new look, it remains in its heart and soul a dive-bar, catering to a mixed and ever-changing crowd of artists, writers, and musicians, as well as local regulars and adventurous tourists, all looking for a hideaway from the East Village's clamor.
BAR 82's previous incarnation was the 1930s-built bar, Verchovyna,but probably best known--because of its E. 7th St. address painted on its front shingle--as "81." Over more than 5 decades, BAR 81 became the epitome of the East Village dive-bar, drawing grizzled barfly patrons and adventurous young twosomes alike, with its cheap drinks, eclectic jukebox, and often catalytic conversations. Sharing a recessed lower entryway with its neighboring bar the Blue & Gold its customers contained some spill over of Ukrainian clientele, but the crowd at BAR 81 tended to be a more hardened lot, solitary old men drinking beside young bleary-eyed musicians and artists. It was a great place to hang out with a few people and a few beers. BAR 81 lost its lease in 2005 and closed.
In 2008 The new BAR "82" at its new location taking its name for lack of a better name and conveniently wedged near the corner of 8 (8th St./ St. Marks Pl.) and 2 (nearing 2nd Ave.) began. The new bar hasn't tried to recreate the narrow alley closeness of the traditional "dive-bar"--though it does preserve the dim, candlelit intimacy and eclectic jukebox of one. Instead it is spacious and deep,with high ceilings, a wide bar, and in the back, low intimate seating on soft hassocks and love seats. In all, it is like a wide and spacious cave with a secret clubhouse feel lent by the pool table and projection TV airing sports. It provides the best of both worlds, with an active bar at the front with a widescreen TV and farther back a lounge atmosphere with candlelit pockets of seclusion. Great if you want to get into or step out of it for awhile. It attracts an agitating mix of local artists, writers, and musicians; jaded aging hipsters and relaxing business owners; local nightly regulars as well as curious and adventurous tourists looking to get a little goofy over the gab and mixed drinks. The walls are covered in rotating displays of artists and photographers. And far back beyond the pool table is a newly renovated performance space for Private Parties, Comedy, Poetry Readings, Open Mic nights [and the monthly "swing your cat" competition]
In the spring and summer the front window partition foldaway lends the bar the feel of a sidewalk cafe without the jostling closeness........and many friendly and no-nonsense staff of bartenders are "children" of BAR 81, former regulars who now pour drinks and swap wisecracks behind the tap at BAR 82, with their humidifying wit. The mission of all the bartenders remains the same as it was at its old location: to get you as drunk as possible in as safe a manner as possible in as comfortable an atmosphere as desired without busting your wallets. Drinks are extremely affordable if you know what the specials are.
A regeneration of a prototypical East Village "dive-bar" for a new generation of hardened artists and smart-ass bar-flies looking to mix it up for awhile in a place with a warm and chatty communal feel.
This article was humbly written by local, regular and published author of crime drama novels (always set in his home the East Village), Russell Atwood.
"This congenial bar-lounge doesn't over exert itself, relying on a solid beer list and a five-hour happy hour to hook its share of the thirsty East Village throng."
- New York Magazine
"This East Village spot is somewhere between a laid-back neighborhood bar and a slick lounge; regardless, it has comfy couches, local beers and a good happy hour."
- CitySearch.com
"This warm and comfortable bar has the makings of a truly great neighborhood haunt. Couches make it a nice place to take over with friends and a pool table makes for a good place to make new ones."
- New York on Tap
"Just a solid bar with no pretensions and plenty of soul. a perfect place to come with a bunch of friends and hear each other speak (even on a saturday night). It's no hotspot but that's what makes it better."
- Yelp.com: Eric K (2009/9/22)