The Bar Akuda sign arrives on 1st Avenue

Oh, Bar Akuda (sung to the tune of Heart's "Barricuda").

The sports bar-restaurant at 16 First Ave. between East First Street and East Second Street is looking closer to opening.

Bar Akuda is the latest from the owners of Murray Hill's Mercury Bar and Tonic East, among others. No word yet on an opening date for the space, which will serve lunch, brunch and dinner.

The address was previously home to Sutra Lounge.

[Updated] New bar reveal at 16 1st Ave.

[EVG photo from November]

Workers have removed the plywood at 16 First Ave. between East First Street and East Second Street ...



Coming soon is a new bar/restaurant from the owners of Murray Hill's Mercury Bar and Tonic East. Materials on file (PDF!) at the CB3 website describe the new venture as a a "sports themed restaurant bar and lounge" with daily hours of 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. Name is/was to be determined.

The space was previously home to Sutra, owned by former CB3 member Ariel Palitz. That club closed last September after being on the market for several years.

Updated 5/5

BoweryBoogie follows up, noting that the new venture is called Bar Akuda. Per their Facebook pitch, they're a "sports bar in the LES … specials, happy hour, student discounts, NYU & corporate parties."



Previously on EV Grieve:
Sutra has closed; big sports bar on the way

Boarding up Sutra

Sutra Lounge closed for good back on Sept. 10.

The bar/lounge at 16 First Ave. between East First Street and East Second Street had been on the market for several years. (Sutra, owned by Community Board 3 member Ariel Palitz, reportedly had 659 311 complaints — apparently the most for any bar in the city.)

Coming together behind the plywood is a sports bar from the owners of Murray Hill's Mercury Bar and Tonic East, as BoweryBoogie reported in July.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Sutra has closed; big sports bar on the way

Sutra has closed; big sports bar on the way

Sutra Lounge closed for good after last night ... the club at 16 First Ave. went out with a VIP bash...



Sutra, owned by Community Board 3 member Ariel Palitz (who is also a member of CB3's Liquor Authority & Department of Consumer Affairs Licensing committee) put up signs explaining the closure last month or so...





Coming next here between East First Street and East Second Street — a big sports bar from the owners of Murray Hill's Mercury Bar and Tonic East. Expect at least 12 TVs, as BoweryBoogie reported in July, when CB3 approved the new license.

Palitz first put Sutra up for sale in November 2011, as we first reported. She is now rumored to be part of the new quinoa bowls and juice bar and club combo that is the Mars Bar reboot.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Envisioning a new-look First Avenue nightlife scene

Ariel Palitz responds to Daily News article, 'ripe for picking' comment

CB3 member Ariel Palitz puts Sutra on the market

Sutra Lounge, the club owned by Community Board 3 member Ariel Palitz, is on the market. A listing for Sutra at 16 First Avenue (near First Street) showed up on Streeteasy on Friday.

Per the listing:

Bi-Level Lounge For Sale
• Exterior and Interior entrances for Lower Level
• Original Mosaic Mirror staircase and other detail
• 10+ Year lease
• $15,000 per year base rent
• Optional Office/Apartment above lounge

We reached out to Palitz via email for a comment. This is her response:

"This month is Sutra Lounge's 7 year anniversary and it continues to thrive against all odds in industry. At this time we have opted to put Sutra on the market to explore its value and interest but continue to operate as if there is no tomorrow. As entrepreneurs we intend on developing new ventures and look forward to the future."