(212) 505-2466

27 Ave A (2nd Street)
New York, NY 10009 40.7233 -73.9857

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Neighborhoods: Alphabet City, East Village, Downtown

Hours:

Daily 4pm-4am

Last updated 9.11.08

Category:

Bars & Pubs, Neighborhood Bars, Bars & Clubs, Singles Bars, Dive Bars, Lounges

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Happy Hour

Bar & Club Type of Music:

Alternative Rock

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About 2A

Featured Review

Melanie Berliet

Contributor

Named for the intersection where it's located, the crowd inside this bi-level neighborhood haunt is likewise predictable, comprised mostly of fedora-donning villagers plus some spillover from the many Lower East Side bars. The main floor is dingy to be sure, but upstairs the bar tries to shed its dive status with lounge-like booths and ottomans. But other than the floor-to-ceiling windows that differentiate it from its peers, there's little in the way of decor (save an ill-placed mirror on the brownish walls). Service is friendly, though the bartenders may be perplexed by any order more…

Editor's Tips

Happy Hour:
Stop by 4pm to 8pm every day for 2-for-1 mixed drinks, drafts and wine.
Know Before You Go:
There's a $25 minimum for credit cards.
Fun Fact:
Although the upstairs space has been occupied by a few different restaurants over the years, the downstairs bar has been a fixture since the 80's.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The view is great!”
dessert
0.0% positive
  1. “the shots (key lime, choco pie, kamikazes, etc etc) are a delight that warrant making this bar a mandatory stop, but its the perfectly mixed dirty martinis that keep me coming back again and again for more.”
drinks
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “This place is always packed--the music is booming in the upstairs bar (check out the comfy couches), and downstairs has more of a neighborhood pub feel.”
  2. “the shots (key lime, choco pie, kamikazes, etc etc) are a delight that warrant making this bar a mandatory stop, but its the perfectly mixed dirty martinis that keep me coming back again and again for more.”
  3. “This is a decent venue, with 2 floors, decent drinks and great couches upstairs!”
  4. “the bar is low-key, no attitude, GREAT music and favulous drinks (compliments of George's impeccable taste in both areas).”
  5. “2A is the best bar in NYC!”
  6. “the bar is alright, but the people who work there are horrible.”
  7. “The place is a good little neighborhood bar that turns into a bit of a hot spot late nights on the weekend.”
  8. “good local bar”
  9. “Outside of happy hour the beer's kind of expensive, and the mixed drinks have no booze in them.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “It's a great place for a more chill night.”
service
70.83000183105469% positive
  1. “The staff is friendly enough.”
  2. “get your a** down to 2a on wed or friday for some great tunes and good people.”
  3. “the bar is alright, but the people who work there are horrible.”
  4. “the bartenders are great, the people are interesting and low key.”
  5. “Awful service”
  6. “Two floors, two bars ensure reasonably fast service.”
  7. “2a has a lovely happy hour and nice couches and big windows but EVERY time I go there the service is abominable.”
  8. “Good background music so you can talk to people and just chill.”
value
0.0% positive
  1. “Outside of happy hour the beer's kind of expensive, and the mixed drinks have no booze in them.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “that and the fact that youre bound to run into many an interesting character if you hang out long enough.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/15/11

2A, 2 Floors

by ericgrossmann at Citysearch

With its unmarked and non-descript exterior, 2A might be easily overlooked upon passing by. The neighborhood dive bar offers a cozy and intimate atmosphere with a distinctive Alphabet City charm. What sets 2A apart from other local bars, however, is its second floor, which unexpectedly turns into an eclectic lounge with sofa and ottoman-style seating, unique floor-to-ceiling window paneling providing a great view, and a film projector which plays classic black and white films on a brick wall across the street. Friendly staff, reasonable prices, and the occasional DJ upstairs make this my favorite bar in the city.

3 Star Rating: Average

05/28/10

hope to know soon

by hln1208 at Citysearch

Hey, I'm french & I'm coming to New York soon, I was just wondering, dyou think this bar does not let under 21years old people in ? cause well, im 19...

thanks !

  • Pros: looks nice
  • Cons: err im 19?
1 Star Rating: Poor

01/29/10

bar tender jan. jan 29 friday 2010

by bluebike1 at Citysearch

the bar tender threatened my friend with violence because he did not understand the free drink system. he then accused my friend of making a rude remark and then threatened to beat my friends face in.

  • Pros: none
  • Cons: bar tender
1 Star Rating: Poor

11/09/07

Awful service

by heartoflife at Citysearch

I had a bad experience for happy hour. The waitress was in a bad mood, didn't honor the 2 for 1 special, and gave everyone attitude. Ended up there by chance and don't plan to go back.

  • Cons: service
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/30/07

Great loungey bar

by Victoria F at Citysearch

Some friends and I randomly ended up at this bar, and thought it was great! There's an upstairs, where we hung out, and two of the walls are windows so you can see out onto the street and it feels really open, and there are plenty of places to sit and put drinks down. There was a decent crowd, but not so much that it felt crowded. Good background music so you can talk to people and just chill. Drinks were well-made too. It's a great place for a more chill night.

The Details on 2A

Place Categories:

  • great couches
  • abominable service
  • great place
  • low key
  • great background music
  • great bartenders
  • friendly staff
  • of expensive beer
  • decent drinks
  • love 2a
  • dirty martinis
  • great view
  • great tunes
  • horrible people
  • impeccable taste
  • decent venue
  • big windows
  • interesting character
  • bad experience
  • good local bar
  • good little neighborhood bar