Stairs Bar taking over the former Il Bagatto space on East 2nd Street

We were a little surprised last weekend to pass by 192 E. Second St. and find the above sign… this space was home the past 18 years to Il Bagatto, which announced its closure in early December.



The new venture is a gay bar called Stairs … and they have been open for happy hour … ahead of an official opening on Saturday… We don't know much else about the place at the moment…



As for Il Bagatto, their menu is still available next door at its sister restaurant, Il Posto Accanto.

[Thanks to EVG Facebook friend Elise Podell for the photos]

After 18 years, Il Bagatto has closed on East 2nd St.; but you can still get their food next door

Il Bagatto has closed on East Second Street. The restaurant took its usual summer break in late July … and never reopened.

The owners, husband-and-wife Julio Pena and Beatrice Tosti di Valminuta, made the official announcement on Friday in an email to its friends and regulars… the good news is that their sister cafe, Il Posto Accanto, remains open next door… and Il Bagatto's food is still available there for delivery.

Here is the official closure notice:

After 18 years filled with hard work, joy, so many new friends and some tears, we are closing down our first child and beloved... Il Bagatto

BUT we are all here, right next door at Il Posto Accanto!

B is still cooking, Julio is still hosting and you will recognize our wonderful family of staff that has been with us since forever both in the kitchen and on the floor.

Come to visit and support our family venture at 190 East 2nd street, have your favorite Il Bagatto dishes and let the staff help you navigate the Il Posto Accanto full menu.

I am positive you will find new favorites to add to old ones.

A listing for the Il Bagatto and Il Posto Accanto spaces at 190-192 E. Second St. near Avenue B showed up on the RKF site back in January … no word on the status of that...

Il Bagatto closing for summer break after Sunday

From the EVG inbox...



Closing for a summer break a little earlier than usual this summer... Meanwhile, we haven't heard any updates on their longtime future here... a listing for the Il Bagatto space (and that of its sister cafe next door, Il Posto Accanto) at 190-192 E. Second St. near Avenue B, showed up on the RKF site back in January ...

[UPDATED] Il Bagatto turns back the clock as its Second Street space hits the market

An EVG reader and fan of Il Bagatto passed along this flyer ... the Italian Trattoria on East Second Street started a "throw back Thursdays" promotion last night where prices are the same as 1997...

Meanwhile, a listing for the Il Bagatto space (and that of its sister cafe next door, Il Posto Accanto) at 190-192 E. Second St. near Avenue B, showed up on the RKF site on Tuesday...

Per the listing, possession of the space is "immediate." No word just yet on the future plans for Il Bagatto, which opened here 1995.

Updated 4:30
Julio checked in, and said that they are still negotiating with the landlord — so this is NOT a done deal...

IL bagatto closed after tonight for summer break

In case you're an IL bagatto fan over on East Second Street near Avenue B... closing for their usual summer break after tonight...