Sidney's Five closes on Friday

Photo of Sidney's Five partners Kai Woo, Walker Chambliss,

 Edie Ugot and David Lowenstein from June 2021 by Stacie Joy

Sidney's Five has announced its closure after nearly three years at 103 First Ave. between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. 

Here's part of the Sidney's notice via Instagram: 

After nearly 3 years of Corn Dogs, Dirty Fundy’s, and Burgers, our chapter in the East Village is coming to a close. In true Sidney’s fashion, we will not mourn but celebrate our time with you all with one last hurrah! Our last service is officially Friday, February 23rd, so let’s close it out with a bang. 

While we absolutely hate saying goodbye, every single person who walked in and hung out with us made us remember the reason why we opened up in the first place. Our community, our loyal patrons, our dedicated and truly one-of-a-kind staff, old and new, you created such an environment that will be hard to let go of but will forever be remembered. Be proud of that ... Until we see each other again! Xoxo 

Readers we talked with liked Sidney's Five with its kitschy seaside motel vibe... though there were seemingly some identity problems, per these readers — was it a bar that served food or a restaurant with a bar? 

Sidney's Five debuted in May 2021. 

Sidney's Five in soft-open mode on 1st Avenue

Sidney's Five recently opened at 103 First Ave. between Sixth Street and Seventh Street... in soft-open mode since May 15.

The principals here include David Lowenstein, who also runs the cafe-deli Pickler & Co. in Midtown, Edie Ugot, whose kitchen experience includes EdieJo's in Brooklyn and the Spotted Pig and the Breslin Bar, and Kai Woo, who was behind the bar at Union Square Café.

For now, the restaurant is serving a variety of sandwiches and some salads, coffee, soda, etc. (They applied for a liquor license in March.) 

Here's their temp menu...

You can find more details on the Sidney's Five website. 

They are open from 5 p.m. to ? Tuesdays through Sundays. 

Ugly Kitchen closed here last year after nearly nine years in business.