07/20/04

An old-school gay bar in the East Village.

by Karen Hudes

The Scene
Dark and divey, this subdued corner stalwart attracts a crowd of mixed-aged male regulars who are more keen on settling into a comfortable environment than engaging in pickups. On weekends, the half-full room provides a laid-back, undemanding alternative to the more amped-up gay scenes around town. Bartenders can be a bit gruff, but they mix a strong drink.

The Draw
Equipped with a red pool table in back, the bar is an award-winning participant in the New York Gay Pool League. There's also a pinball machine, jukebox with a strong selection of fringe '80s tunes and the unusual decorative touch of a compressed shopping cart packed with neon on the wall. The best night to go is on Showtunes Mondays, when guests watch cleverly edited clips of movie musical numbers.

02/27/03

Friends in the big city

by tgiese73

Go early for the best of Dick's Bar. Mix tapes by bartenders and regulars, chatting with old and new friends and easy socializing over cheap drinks. The lauded jukebox is no more, replaced by a tiny electronic one with hundreds of records. Later becomes more of a pickup bar.

• Pros: Friendly, Cheap, Not trendy

05/17/02

Jukebox! Men!

by MarkeBieschke_Citysearch

How I miss my favorite hang in NYC now that I'm West Coastin' -- what a great place, you practically trip over Broadway celebs on your way to the intensely-stacked 80s jukebox. I'm talkin Blancmange and Heaven 17. Plus all the regulars are sweet as punch, and the occassional total babe doesn't hurt...