169 Bar 169 E. Broadway (@ Rutgers St.)
Lower East Side
212.473.8866
169 Bar:
With a fabled history that includes the Chinese Mafia and the former nickname “The Bloody Bucket,” 169 Bar is now an outpost in the Lower East Side’s imperialist bid for the takeover of Chinatown. Inside, red vinyl bench seats seem to have been looted from faux Cadillacs in a ’50s diner. Complimentary peanuts and busted barstools walk the fine line between hipster-chic and retro-skeez. One lonely swimmer occupies a brightly lit fishtank, and a pool table completes the mise-en-scene. In this setting, bands play at floor level and DJs command unpretentious parties. Few frills are flaunted, but this dive bar warrants a trip for happy hour (buy one, get one on weekdays from 5pm to 7pm), or to check out a band.
