Bored of the Lower East Side? Of cigarettes and pretty girls in dresses on bicycles? You're "into Chinatown now"? Sure, but we enthusiastically recommend trying the LES one more time, because neighborhood newbie/glossy grotto Chloe 81 makes it worth the not-insignificant effort of getting in.
The space is unmarked, so look for a bouncer standing by a worn, shadowy and underground-leading staircase on Broome Street, immediately to the right of French restaurant Casanis. Head downstairs and be transported to a red-white-and-golden "Old New York" (as in, not to one of the decades that include grunge). The lounge—for Chloe is a reservations-mostly lounge, definitely not a "drop in for a pint" bar—glows with a clean and kitsch-free classy charm that's a welcome antidote to the preciousness of the city's recent speakeasy and Prohibition-era venues.
Moreover, the diminutive subterranean space actually understands most New Yorkers' nightlife requirements: danceable music, good drinks with prices that (mostly) don't make you wish you were at home drinking boxed wine, food served late, a relaxed yet polished vibe and a good-looking crowd you wouldn't mind brushing elbows with at the tight bar.
Digs: The narrow staircase leads to a beautifully tiled room filled with red booths, dimpled-leather armchairs, pressed tin, gently vaulted brick ceilings and various sources of flattering glow: the candles, wall sconces and bar bottles all glitter and bounce their quiet light off the reams of gleaming ceramic surfaces. A makeshift dance floor squeezed between the back booths and the small, low bar area allows for a handful of rug- (tile?) cutters. Be warned: The places closes at a modest 2 a.m.
Drinks: Fantastic. We recommend the cucumber martini ($14), a sweet and refreshing medley of cucumbers and mint, or the Chloe mojito ($10), which has a similarly summery flavor but a lower price tag. The trio of tap beers go for a reasonable $5 (but the glasses are a little smaller than we'd prefer).
Food: Upstairs neighbor Casanis's French fare is available until midnight. Chef Sebastian Maczko offers typical bistro dishes with typical NYC bistro prices: steak béarnaise goes for $20, a burger and fries for $15 and a roasted duck breast for $19. The bar also offers a decent selection of pastas, ranging from $14 for simple dishes to $19 for risotto with scallops.
Music: The mix coming from the DJ booth is a nice mash of classic and indie rock, plus ‘80s and ‘90s tunes. Relaxed, never ridiculous. We'd call it "really cool," if that didn't somehow sound so lame.
The bottom line: One of the best bars we've visited in quite a while. Since reservations (or your name on the guest list, if there's a private party) expedite entry, plan ahead: the resy line is 212-677-0067.
The net result: What people are saying online
[Yelp]: "Move over Beatrice Inn..."
[Citysearch]: "The cool kids and beautiful people go underground..."
[BlackBook]: "It hasn't caught on like hipster wildfire yet..."
[NYMag] "this place looks just stunning enough (and familiar enough!) to make Bea-types feel right at home"
Chloe 81
81 Ludlow St., at Broome St.
212-677-0067
Additional reporting by Edith Zimmerman
Photo by Tod Seelie
