The Gray Mare has closed; new concept planned for the space

Image via @thegraymarenyc

After nearly 10 years at 61 Second Ave., the Gray Mare closed after service this weekend. 

However, the owners have plans for a new concept for the equine-inspired pub between Third Street and Fourth Street. 

Here's part of their farewell message on Instagram:

We are so humbled and deeply grateful for all of the love & support we have received over the last decade. It's on occasions like this that we take a moment to look back over those years and actually marvel at how genuine and decent the vast majority of our patrons have been. We love our neighbors & our East Village home. It has been such a pleasure to serve you. As we look ahead, we are beyond excited to begin a new chapter right here with a new concept in the very near future.

The Gray Mare took over from Dempsey's, which closed in 2016 after a 24-year run. 

The morning line on the Gray Mare, now open in the former Dempsey's space on 2nd Avenue

On Aug. 24 we noted that the former Dempsey's space on Second Avenue had been transformed into a new bar-restaurant called the Gray Mare.

The new space debuted last week at 61 Second Ave. between Third Street and Fourth Street.

DNAinfo spoke with bar (and building) owner Tom O'Byrne about the new concept ("we wanted it to be a little more upscale") ... and why he decided to close Dempsey's:

The problem, he explained, was that the appeal of the neighborhood pub had run its course — the time was right to fold the business and start over with something new and fresh, capable of casting a wider net.

“When we opened Dempsey’s, it had been current and of its time, and it had been popular and much beloved of many years, but generationally things change,” he said.

And while Dempsey’s was known for its pints of beer, trivia nights, and simple pub fare, The Gray Mare is offering a colorful menu including Short Rib Nachos with Avocado Creme Fraiche and a Ribeye Cheese Steak Hero.

The food is accompanied by craft cocktails such as the Native Dancer, featuring tequila, lime and mint, the Final Furlong, featuring bourbon, muddled strawberries and ginger beer, and The Outsider, with mezcal, cognac and sherry.

After 24 years, O'Byrne, who also owns Slainte at 304 Bowery and Cooper’s Craft and Kitchen on Second Avenue at Fifth Street, decided to close Dempsey's in April.

Former Dempsey's space transformed into the Gray Mare on 2nd Avenue

[Photo from Aug. 14]

In recents weeks workers have been transforming the former Dempsey's space into... something.

And yesterday, EVG correspondent Steven got a look at the new exterior here at 61 Second Ave. between Third Street and Fourth Street... complete with new signage...


[Photo by Steven]

No word yet exactly what The Gray Mare will bring... at first glance it looks to have a similar pub vibe like Dempsey's owner Tom O’Byrne's other nearby establishments — Slainte at 304 Bowery and Cooper’s Craft and Kitchen on Second Avenue at East Fifth Street.

After 24 years, O'Byrne, who also owns the building at 61 Second Ave., decided to close Dempsey's in April. We reached out to O'Byrne last week for a comment on the new space, though didn't hear back.