Lotus Lounge

04/12/2007 Posted by lackadazeakal

Lotus used to be the perfect basecamp for the laptop freelancer... big tables right next to outlets, free wireless, bagels, soup, sandwiches, good coffee, and a full bar for when that time of day came around. Ideal for getting some work done outside the confines of your tiny manhattan apartment. Now all of this has changed- I guess to make it more inline with 'hot spots' in the LES, the 'club' part of the place is now receiving all the attention, while the cafe (and its customers) suffer. No more food at all- just coffee. They still have the wireless, but the big tables are being sacrificed one by one for bar tables. And if you come during the day to do some work, you'll have to endure people moving chairs, tables, and sound equipment around incessantly. All the regular locals that helped make this place great are pretty much gone. So now we live in a 'hip' neighborhood, but at what price?

Pros: Still has free wireless and a place to sit down with a laptop

Cons: No longer the perfect freelancers office away from home

02/25/2007 Posted by stanton_street

Sorry to post twice, but I need to point out to CitySearch that their editorial review is now incorrect because it refers to the sandwiches, etc. that they no longer serve.

Pros: At one time, were an example of the perfect balance of cafe/bar

Cons: No food, total disregard for daytime patrons, no coffee after 4pm. Poor bar service.

02/13/2007 Posted by noids

DURING THE DAY... Best place in the neighborhood for a laptop, tea, sandwich. make that really grrr-eat sandwiches too. IN THE EVENING... descends into the general lame-ness of the rest of the LES bars. worst service ever. ever. ever. I live pretty nearby, so i would love to love this place unreservedly, but -- every -- single -- time -- i go, the bartenders act like total hipster douchebags, more interested in talking up friends at the bar than pulling a beer for a guy. i generally prefer to walk to lolita before i'll go to lotus. what a waste of a great space. great music an usually one or two interesting beers though. go figure.

Pros: at least a couple of interesting beers, late-night happy hour, great music, rarely crowded

Cons: service is better than you. no food after 8. night lounge seems to resent day coffeeshop

12/23/2006 Posted by orangebitch

This place used to be awesome. I would be working here as my office, drinking good coffee and having a nice sandwich. Today prices were jacked up and the (new?) management is full of attitude. Today was a new high where they told a bunch of people with laptops to move off big tables to make space for "better" customers.

06/06/2005 Posted by chile_azul

Friday nights the DJ's play hot old and new reggae, numbingly chill beats, so come in in the right frame of mind! Guarunteed to get the girls' hips rolling and the cheap beers can't hurt...check it out

Pros: cheap beer, great music, great atmosphere

09/16/2004 Posted by renochild

This is one of the coolest bars in New York without a doubt.I have been in there on most days am and pm and there is always a good buzz about the place.Especially monday happy hour 4 till 10pm.Also wednesdays and thursday nights are great,the dj's are always bringing more new flavours with guest dj's from all around the world.I highly recommend it,as an expat from the uk I find it refreshing to actually experience some true diversity music,atmosphere,and over all vibe this spot exudes makes it an a+ in my books.

Pros: , good beer,music,food,

Cons: , none

07/30/2004 Posted by mhjk21

Laid back, Great music, inexpensive drinks and no attitude. No wonder this bar is mostly full of locals. Hopefully it will take a year before it's filled with the UESers like everything else in this neighborhood.

Pros: Great music, No attitude, Affordable

02/28/2004 Posted by severallargejockos

It's hidden on a lonely corner in the Lower East Side, but it's worth looking for. Draft beer and killer music on Saturday nights (which is when I go). The last time I was there, there were girls dancing on the tabletops and the lead singer from The Vines poured a jug of water over his head before stumbling out. DJs Matt and Ron drop phat beats every Saturday, and best of all, it's FREE.

Pros: Atmosphere, Price, Music

02/27/2004 Posted by zobi

Saturday night, time to rock 'n roll at Lotus. In a laid back, unpretentious (yet, dare I say, hip) sort of way. The deejays are fantastico and the clientele is friendly. A great place to start, end or spend the evening.

02/27/2004 Posted by gentlemanthief

The saturday party is on fire...if you haven't been down, check it out...i think its called TIGHROPE and the vibe is great. i haven't seen anything like in new york. They play just about everything, but manage to make it sound smooooth. There were also some really hot girls dancing on the bar, but i don't know if that goes down every week.