Arlene’s Grocery 95 Stanton St. (Ludlow & Orchard Sts.)
Lower East Side
212.995.1719
Arlene’s Grocery:
The façade resembles a lower east side bodega, but you won’t find expired dusty can goods or Al Qaeda members working behind the counter. Although the interior is worn and dirty, and one of the few remaining places in the city that still has anti-Giuliani graffiti on the bathroom walls, it's a place where you can get great drinks and hear great music. And it still manages to feel cozy especially in the front room. This bi-level bar and music venue is one of the last bastions of a once great neighborhood. Though if Homeland Security is looking for a few bombs, they might want to check out the Monday Night’s Rock and Roll Karaoke because there’s nothing worse than watching amateurs try and sing the Cure except drunk amateurs trying to sing the Cure. But if you're drunk too, it's a guaranteed good time. Thankfully, this spot manages to consistently book quality bands and decent priced beer is always served up in an old school atmosphere. We hope that never changes.
