Mehanata: New York is littered with countless musical "institutions"—you know, the scenes that rose with a bang, but fell in a whimper. Not so with Mehanata (aka The Bulgarian Bar), the birthplace of gypsy punk. When this venue ran into trouble getting a liquor and cabaret license for its new Ludlow location, its support base of Balkan hipsters and young, urban nomads rallied, petitioned, and conquered. Now, just like its olden days on Canal, you can visit Mehanata for depraved evenings of ethno-mesh DJs, rakia-fueled dancing (and indiscretions), and global cabaret. While the scene is more a draw than the taps, don't ignore the sundry Slavic brews. The next day is almost sure to be groggy and disoriented, but your debauched memories, however hazy, will last a lifetime. |
