
[
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