Wayland team opening Drift Inn at former Evelyn Drinkery space on Avenue C

As we first reported last Monday, Evelyn Drinkery has closed after four years at 171 Avenue C between 10th Street and 11th Street.

Now Robert Ceraso, who along with Jason Mendenhall, owns The Wayland on Avenue C and Ninth Street, has confirmed that they will be taking over the Evelyn space for their Drift Inn concept they've been planning the past year.

This marks their third attempt at opening another bar along Avenue C. Plans for both the former Duke's space and current Royale fell through.

This is how Ceraso explained the concept in October 2015:

"We envision The Drift as a laid-back bar that takes some slight inspiration from small seaside bars that we’ve been in over the years. The little places that have a mix of locals, surfers, backpackers and expats. My partner Jason and I have had a lot of experience in those bars over the years and the feel of those places has a special place in our hearts."

And today: "Concept is still the same. Laid-back neighborhood bar. No cocktail list, no TVs. Just a good jukebox, couple of tacos, reasonably priced drinks and maybe a shuffleboard table if we can fit one."

CB3 approved the liquor license for Drift Inn for 171 Avenue C last month.

"Honestly, the space is really great and screaming to be a slightly divey, dark and warm neighborhood bar," said Ceraso, who also owns Good Night Sonny on First Avenue and St. Mark's Place. "We don’t have a lot to do. We hope to be up and running before the New Year."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Wayland owners catching a Drift on Avenue C

Evelyn Drinkery has closed on Avenue C

After four years at 171 Avenue C between 10th Street and 11th Street, Evelyn Drinkery has closed.

An EVG reader shared this email that the owners of the cocktail bar sent out this past Friday...



We understand that new owners will be taking over the space. We will have more on the new tenants once we get some final confirmation.

The space was previously home to TenEleven, a space that we always liked. Never made it to the Drinkery.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Reader report: TenEleven closing at the end of June

What's taking over the TenEleven space on Avenue C

What's taking over the TenEleven space on Avenue C

On June 5, we reported that TenEleven would be closing at 171 Avenue C at the end of this month.

A reader left us this comment on the post:

"The new bar there will be called Evelyn Drinkery, I believe. The guys are cool and have some cool ideas."

There is a landing page for the bar with an email address ... they also created a Facebook and Twitter account ...

Via Facebook, one of the Evelyn Drinkery proprietors declined to share any information about the new bar at this time. (For instance, we were curious about the new bar name, and if it had anything to do with one of TenEleven's owners, Evelyn McCue.)

However, he did say "I can assure you and your readers that we are all well acquainted with the neighborhood and only plan on beautifying The spot."

According to Facebook, they plan to open in August.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Reader report: TenEleven closing at the end of June

[Image via the Evelyn Drinkery website]