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

Wayland owners now eyeing Royale space for The Drift on Avenue C

The owners of The Wayland still intend on opening a neighborhood bar called The Drift on Avenue C, though now in a different location.

As we first reported in October, Robert Ceraso and Jason Mendenhall, who own The Wayland on Avenue C and East Ninth Street, had designs on part of Babel's hookah footprint across the street at 129-131 Avenue C. That's no longer in the works, and a backup plan has emerged with Royale, the sports bar with well-reviewed burgers at 157 Avenue C between East Ninth Street and East 10th Street.

Ceraso and Mendenhall, who also own Good Night Sonny on First Avenue and St. Mark's Place, will now go back in front of CB3's SLA committee next month for a new liquor license for the Royale space. (The two had previously received the OK from CB3 for a license for 129 Avenue C. A handful of Avenue C residents spoke out against this application, which you can read about at Gothamist.)

We asked Ceraso for an update on The Drift.

For starters, he said the concept, a neighborhood bar with a small Latin-influenced menu featuring fish tacos and a few other items, is remaining mostly the same.

So what happened?

"The 129 space started to get complicated. The Babel operators decided that they didn’t want to give up the space anymore after we got our approval and the bar and building had some issues," Ceraso said. "We felt like it was all going in a way we weren’t happy with and something was telling us to give up the space."

After that initial disappointment, Ceraso learned that Royale, whose owners also run Cafecito at 185 Avenue C, was for sale.

"And that space just seemed perfect for The Drift," he said. "We can do the same thing we wanted to do inside but also have that amazing yard to utilize. The only change in the concept will be to further the planned daytime offerings — breakfast all afternoon, with aquas frescas, juices and cafe con leche, and take advantage of the backyard seating."

Ceraso and The Drift will appear before CB3 on Jan. 11. (You can read the PDF of their questionnaire at the CB3 website here.)

Ahead of that meeting, Ceraso said he'll be planning a neighborhood Q&A session in case there are any concerns about the outdoor space. (And no word just yet when Royale might close.)

The SLA meeting is Jan. 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the CB3 office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

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

Wayland owners catching a Drift on Avenue C

[129-131 Avenue C]

Babel is currently downsizing their hookah empire at 129-131 Avenue C between East Eighth Street and East Ninth Street. They are vacating the space at No. 129, which was home a few years back to the neighborhood bar Duke's.

As for No. 129, Robert Ceraso and Jason Mendenhall, who own The Wayland on Avenue C and East Ninth Street, have plans to open a new venture in the space called The Drift.

We asked Ceraso for more details.

"We are planning a neighborhood bar," he said via email. "No cocktail list. No high concept. Just a relaxed little neighborhood place for all of our neighbors who have been so great to us over the last four years at The Wayland."

They will go before CB3's SLA committee on Oct. 19 with their plans. (Find a PDF of their CB3 questionnaire here.)

"When that space was brought to our attention, the first thing we thought was of Duke’s and how Avenue C doesn't have a friendly little neighborhood place any more since Duke’s and Teneleven closed down," he said. "As much as the neighborhood supports The Wayland, we understand that sometimes people just want a relaxed drink without the live music, the crowds and the cocktails lists."

The Drift will also serve a variety of tacos and salads.

"We envisioned The Drift as a laid-back bar that takes some slight inspiration from small seaside bars that we’ve been in over the years," said Ceraso, who recently opened Good Night Sonny on First Avenue and St. Mark's Place. "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."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Babel expanding on Avenue C

Duke's is gone