Get Your Rocks off at the Coal Yard
Now that the International Bar has closed its backyard for construction, I’ve been trying to find another dive in the East Village where I may be able to smoke my cigarettes and drink my whiskey and sodas leisurely. And luckily I found that dive only two blocks down 1st Ave.
The Coal Yard is owned and operated by the same owners as the International, so don’t be surprised if you see the same friendly bar tenders at both. Depending on what you order the drink prices are about the same, but it’s the atmospheres of the two places that contrast. While the International is small and often shoulder-to-shoulder, the Coal Yard is open and has large tables and banquettes, and seems to always have seating or at least standing room. Also–similar to the International–buy backs are common, happy hour goes on till 8pm, and drinks are cheap (in the $3-$9 range).
So, if you’re a smoker like me and are looking for a new place to get cheap booze and languidly smoke your cigarettes, or if you want a solid dive with weird regular-characters and pleasant service from a solid bar staff, go on down to the Coal Yard and buy a drink for yourself – from me.
Coal Yard Bar
102 1st Ave. (between 6th St. and 7th St.
[East Village]
Image from snackish.com
