Eastern Bloc

So sweaty, so fun

This is great dive/lounge (more divey than loungy) to enjoy a fun Saturday night of dancing and drinking. I mean, you can watch porn from the 70's, while dancing too pre-mental break Britney Spears. The place is dark, scary, and a little smelly, especially the bathroom (you may want to to a leak before arriving to Eastern Bloc). But, all of these things is what makes NYC ... or what used to make NYC such a fun city. The drinks are really cheap and the music is pretty diverse from pop songs spanning multiple decades.

Just note that the bar is cash only and the shady ATM (why wouldn't this place have a shady ATM?) works once in a blue moon.

Sunday night - they're playing funk.boogie.soul according to the DJ's tee shirt. Extra star for playing Inner Life, Chaka Khan 'Clouds' and Jean Karn. Maybe 10 people at 10 pm. Small and divey - probably more fun with more people.

Pretty good gay bar - no dress code, per usual. My friend (female, straight) was a bit freaked out by the 70s porn playing on the TVs, but my friends and I got a kick out of it and her reaction. It's a great vibe in there. The music gets better as the night goes on, but watch out for the DJ's creepy sidekick.

What Eastern Bloc lacks in class, it more than makes up for in personality.  My friend described it as a taxidermy mustache bar, and there's really no way around this description.  Leave your coat at the Goat Check and observe: mounted heads of zebra, moose, a stuffed chicken, and my favorite - a pair of antlered stags by the door.  Check too: pale, unattractive go-go dancer strutting his stuff four fabric square inches short of nude; slow line for the bathrooms, the doors of which read, "One gay at a time, sweet Jesus"; assortment of posters bearing European propaganda of varying persuasions; cracked vintage television in back by a random jumbled seating area in front of an in-the-zone DJ; men making out at every dark corner; many, many dark corners.

I may not be gay, male, or particularly fond of dead animals, but damned if Eastern Bloc isn't a place to remember.

I came here around 3 PM today.

There were 3 people in there plus 1 bartender. The atmosphere and decor remind me of a cross between The Hangar and Pieces. There are stools with interesting nicknames or slogans on them. The bathroom is covered in wallpaper made up of old gay porn magazine covers. The bartender was very nice.  

I asked about the $4 drink specials and he said it was for well drinks. That's fine. I ordered a screwdriver. it was promptly served and was strong.

I didn't feel like another screwdriver so I asked the bartender for a rum and coke. Again it was promptly served. The 3 others in the bar were cracking jokes and I started laughing. They looked at me and asked how I was doing. I said I was fine. I also told them I hope they didn't mind me laughing at their jokes. they didn't.

When I was about to leave I thanked the bartender. He told me to come again. That's a sign of good customer service.

We're going to a gay bah, gay bahh, gay bahhh!

What a fun lil' place you gotz goin' here. The space is small and intimate with places to sit & chillax all around you. The crowd is friendly and I felt as if I had met them before...one of those awk..."Hmmm...do I know that person...isn't that Leonard from Rochelle's party?" But then you realize you're from Boston and that you're drunk so you bettah lock it up and grab another drank before you make an ass clown out of yourself in front of Leonard, I mean, some rando guy.

There was a decent sized crowd while I was there, but unfortunately I had to leave early--far before the real crowd normally arrives to this sardine can. So I missed the awk bump'n'grinds with a lil' over the Levis fondling. It had a very lounge-like atmosphere so I could see myself either beginning or ending my night here with good friends.

The drinks were strong, which is obviously 2 stars in itself. Russ W. hosts Tuesday nights, so add another 2 stars. And let's finish the review off with a 5th star because I said so and I do what I want.

When you think of a New York gay dive bar, no matter what you're envisioning, it is Eastern Bloc.

Red lights. Brick walls. Floors which girls shouldn't sit on for fear of getting pregnant, and bottoms should avoid unless they're out for a disease or two.

The drinks are average for Manhattan. The bathrooms are private, but in short supply. The go-go boys are amazing knots or muscle that smile at you and then you realize you're somehow $20 poorer. The music makes you want to do something heinous with the closest person to you. Then there's the porn on the TV screens above the bar: you're watching it one moment, then trying to bribe the aforementioned go-go boy to sit on your face the next.

It's all very seedy. It's all very right.

Yes, it's a dive bar. Yes, it's great for conversation (of either an elevated tone, or a very lowered one). But dance to your heart's content, too, if you like. One of the best things about this bar is that absolutely no one cares, nobody judges.

And it's so damned refreshing.

A bar for under-40 cis white gay men to hook up or to watch porn together. Not sure if it's legal.

What does a fundraiser for Obama at Eastern Bloc look like? "Obama Yes She Can" spray painted on the walls (see picture), cute boys, awesome music, and Alan Cumming. Yes, Mr. Cumming was actually hosting the party and even did an auction of celebrity goodies. The gifts included:

- Susan Sarandon's Oscar gown by Donna Karan with a little bit of her dinner and saliva (final bid $350)
- The invitation for Liza Minelli wedding AND parking pass so you could pretend like you were Alan's guest (final bid $500)
- Signed posters by Liv Taylor and other celebs that I can't remember right now

Alan was a riot and the crowd was super fun - not pretentious and mega sceny like B Bar and Hiro. Drinks were inexpensive, $4 for beer $8 for a large strong Stoli and soda, and free coat check. The decor of the bar was typical East Village grunge-chic with a flair of Soviet propaganda. I received a Facebook message today from one of the bartenders saying that they raised about $4,000!

I WADDLE on down here on the weekly for the CHEAP drinks and even cheaper Twinks (AH-TA-TA-TA) But I ALWAYS end up staying for the good times- because im actually a ghost who died here in 1938.