Eastern Bloc

5/4/2016

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.

4/11/2016

Dylan is the best! He charged my phone and played the best music all night. That cutie is a class act. Five stars.

9/20/2015

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.

1/9/2016

I used to frequent this bar back in 2011-2013 when I was dating my ex, who was into bars like this one. It's very out there. It's pretty far from where you'll usually find a gay bar. It's small, and has this stench that will burn your eyeballs, nose hair and eyebrows. It smelled pretty gross, and don't even get me started on the bathroom, it was disgusting. There's porn playing on the tv's, and there isn't a huge variety of drink options, compared to what you'll find at the gay bars in the West Village, but their best option is PBR. Better bet than going to The Cock.

9/16/2015

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.

5/8/2015

• 1 check-in

This type of bars is a dying breed sadly in NYC. The bespoke divey bars once plentifully are gradually disappearing to make way for predictably vanilla bars where millennial all stand around. I like my dark, eclectic bar scene that play songs you can groove to remixed songs. This is just a casual fun bar. The drinks are okay and priced similar to anywhere else in the city. They aren't strong and aren't weak. It can get crowded on weekends and during week is just locals from the neighborhood having a drink or two or three.

11/26/2014

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.

6/11/2015

• 1 check-in

This was a fun little dive bar and the first bar I have gone to in this area. It is CASH ONLY and the atm inside does not work ha. Also this is not for your conservative friends, they play some good porn on the small televisions above the bar. The bar tender has a heavy hand which is great! I would certainly go back here in the future, was a very fun night.

4/27/2015

What a great gay dive bar, my boyfriend and I enjoyed it immensely. We went on a Friday night, and it was crowded but not uncomfortably packed. I love establishments with a sense of humor, and Eastern Bloc has one, what with the much-enjoyed "Goat Check" and all. The drinks were reasonably priced ($10 for a generous pour of Black Label), and the go-go dancer was cute and very nice. The music was good too, we loved the club remix of "The Price Is Right" theme. The next time we are in the East Village, we will absolutely be back.

3/8/2015

• 2 check-ins

This is precisely the kind of club I've been wanting to go to since I moved here in September. Old and grimy and grungy and it was Madonna night! the first song the DJ played was into the groove. how perfect.  The bartender was super super nice and so was the guy working the coat check. I will definitely be back especially if they have other theme nights. My only complaint is that it is cash only.

2/25/2015

I stopped by this establishment one night after attending a concert. Given that it was a weeknight, the crowd that was there had most likely disappeared before my friends and I arrived. It was cool and comfortable. The bartender was friendly, warm, attractive and had a good sense of humor too. The cocktails were mixed well. The music was fabulous, mostly 1980's Billboard Hot 100 hits from various genres and artists. We stayed for about an hour before going to next spot. Overall, I had a pleasant time there.

3/7/2014

I loved the venue, fantastic decors.
Sadly there are way too many drunk young girls in there which spoil the vibe.  

It has a cruisy atmosphere although there is no actual cruising / flirting going on.  It appears to be mainly about a place to meet wirh friends before going somewhere else?

10/1/2013

• 1 check-in

Dive bar, girl, dive! Dive! So Eastern Bloc is fine. I had one crazy night here a few weeks back but the cosmos were probably just in alignment. This gay bar leans a little older (which is totally fine by me tbh) and is a little small, but if the music is banging, it's worth a drop in. There's no cover which is fabulous.

I should warn you that sometimes they play hardcore gay porn on their televisions inside so it's best not to bring your gal pals that are a little squeemish. Okay, bye!

7/8/2014

I never really gave this bar a chance but after doing so I fell in love with it. One of the most amazing dive bars in the city! Amazing decor, music and drinks..definitely a good place to socialize and meet others.

9/30/2013

• 1 check-in

Came after the drag show at Lucky Chengs. Place is a gay bar. We knew this from the start. Why were we shocked to see gay porn showing on small TVs by the bar??? I do not know...drinks were supposed to be cheap. Bouncer outside said there will be male dancers. Let me add a little stress on the S after dancer there. There were only one. We all got double shots and gave this poor guy money lol. Would have been more fun if it were a little like Splash. Splash. Oh how we miss you.

7/26/2013

My friends and I came here to wrap up our night. I had met up with them after my class so I had my school-bag with me. We walked in...there were maybe 15 people there. It smelled bad. Dark as hell. Hardcore gay porn playing on two screens. Classy.

Anywho...I set my bag down (which contained my classwork, notebook, sketchpad, a book, my wallet, my car keys, phone charger, and sunglasses) in between a stool my friend was sitting on and the bar. We go to leave...and my bag was missing. Someone had taken it...and someone had to make a point to take it as I had wedged it between the bar and the stool.

So...this place basically attracts quality people.

If you know who took the bag...please contact me. All the work in there was the beginnings of my portfolio. Not to mention my keys (Nissan keyless fob...which I just found out is over $200 to replace) which this person will not get any use out of as I live in Jersey.

As far as the bar goes. Gross.

4/16/2013

• 1 check-in

• Listed in The Yelp 100 Challenge: NYC Edition!

Meh.  There are other better gay bars in the village.  

Came on a Saturday night, and it was pretty busy. Got to the bar and ordered a blue moon. The foulest tasting blue moon I have ever had in my life. Flat and tasted like it had been cured in cigarette buts.

That would be acceptable if this place was cheap, but it isn't.   I think the beer was $6 or $7 which is far to much to pay for something that foul.

I think I am done with this one.

5/12/2013

I like the space.  I feel dirty in a good way when I come to Eastern Bloc.  I only come to the space however on Saturday Nights to see Formika.

Several times I've come - the staff are rude.  Not a little rude, like down right nasty mean.  Also when it's packed, it's packed.  It can get real hot, and real close so if you need your 5 feet of personal space - you probably don't want to come here.

2/27/2011

• Listed in New York gay and lesbian bars

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.

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  gay porn magazine covers in bathroom

  gay porn magazine covers in bathroom
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  gay porn showing at Eastern Bloc

  gay porn showing at Eastern Bloc
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  Playgirl cover in restroom

  Playgirl cover in restroom
• See all photos from Suresh D. for Eastern Bloc

10/17/2010

• 1 check-in

Small and dark shotgun bar is dark with a commie theme.  Cool art on the walls and happy cute people were hanging out here on my visit.
No clear signage, the name Eastern Bloc is written above the door, just look for the red light bulb.  Good music.