Is this the ONLY user-friendly, not packed Lower East Side bar? I don't know, but it is one of few. The big screen TV showed an endless loop of a great Jet Li movie. The patrons could easily move around and were VERY friendly. We met a visiting crew in town from Turkey. Right before Thanksgiving. We thought that was very appropriate. The music is occasionally too loud, but otherwise it's easy to talk, enjoy yourself, find a table in the back and have a good time in a group. The bartender was extremely friendly, and good spirited-- despite our obvious lack of sobriety. The beer selection was nothing spectacular, but better than just Bud. The food was slightly on the bland side... but better and more various than the ordinary wings and calamari barfood of everywhere else. --Drink Club is a roving group of NYC drinkers
Pros: great staff, not over-crowded, music USUALLY at conversation level
Cons: average beer list