Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Big Lee's makes it official on 1st Avenue


[Photo by Steven]

Spanky and Darla's closed back in the late winter at 140 First Ave. between St. Mark's Place and East Ninth Street.

The bar quietly reopened under new ownership earlier in the summer… not looking too different from the previous establishment, at least on the outside.

The bar's new neon signage arrived a few days ago — here's Big Lee's Saloon.

Big Lee is a former doorman/bouncer at Hogs & Heifers as well as Coney Island High on St. Mark's Place (he is also originally from Coney Island).

In times of age of high concepts, hand-carved ice and charcuterie boards … it's nice just to have a regular old bar open.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Let there be neon!

Joe said...

I dig the neon signs

Annoyedlessider said...

Don't remember seeing this on the community board docket.

Anonymous said...

@ 7:45 YES!!!

Shawn said...

On my way! Looks awesome! Dive bars NOT DEAD!

Anonymous said...

I know Big Lee from the International and Coal Yard. He's a great guy. His family lives on the LES.

Anonymous said...

Old school dive, cool. I could see the bros and she-bros not being cool with this place (good.)

Anonymous said...

I think bros and hos are into cheap beer too, actually. Watch out.

Anonymous said...

What is 'cheap' beer in the EV now?

john said...

Big Lee is a great guy, need to get my west side ass over to the east side and have a few at this place.

Anonymous said...

Yeah 10:37am but I think they'll be weirded out by all the people not like them (dress, mindset etc.) just like they were at whoever wasn't like them in highschool (if enough people not like them go there, the key) so they'll most likely stay away and word will get out it's not a place for them. This neighborhood needs a bar claimed by the non-bros and non-shebros - if enough of them hang out, the bros and shebros stay away. This could be the perfect place. Downtown Beirut III :)

Btw 7:45am and other neon fans check out Let There Be Neon at 38 White Street just off Church Street and a block below Canal Street in TriBeCa. 'Sounds like you're alluding to that store/shop.