On a random summer night, a bouncer perched outside Bar Snack called out to me and other passersby on the street, luring us with the promise of great drinks, great food and "the best bathroom in the East Village." Reader: I am here to tell you—he was right. But if a disco-fresh bathroom isn't enough to tempt you in, the convivial nature and solid list of tasty cocktails (and snacks!) found at Bar Snack certainly will.
The vibe: After surveying the East Village and its many, many (expensive) cocktail bars, bartender Iain Griffiths and Brooklyn-based bar owner Oliver Cleary decided they wanted to create something—and so they did, serving "dressed-up classics for dressed-down people." The inside gives off '70s lounge—think wood paneling and a dark, walnut-wood bar lined with glittery orange bar stools. Snagging a seat during the nighttime hours can prove difficult as this bar certainly attracts a crowd, making standing room your best bet. But even the daytime can bring a rowdy good time, as rock and throwback hits (hello Spice Girls!) blare through the speakers.
The food: Snack is in the name, isn't it? And snacks, they do so well. Fried cheese curds are tossed in pickle dust and hot dogs get a little fancy with onion jam and a hot pickle. But the snack of all snacks is the Spice Bag ($18). Leaning on Griffith's Irish roots, the bag comes to the table in a white paper bag labeled "Spice Bag" fashioned in the style of the Spice Girls logo. As much as you'll want to save it, you must rip it open to reveal buttermilk-fried tendies, fries and peppers. Drizzle on the orange-y curry sauce and get to eating while its still steaming hot.
The drinks: The menu is split up into "Crushers" and "Shooters," plus a dedicated daiquiri section with pitchers and tiny sippers, such as the Snaquiri ($12). The bar improves upon the classics, as the whiskey sour riff, the Split Ends ($18), incorporates raspberry and a smooth topper of Guinness, and the Verte Drip ($17) drinks like a mojito but better, swapping out cloyingly sweet notes with a light coconut float and a bit of matcha for depth. Yet the frozens are most definitely a fave, whether it's beach weather outside or not. The Mama Tried ($16) drinks like a limeaid popsicle but with a touch of smoke, thanks to a blend of triple citrus sorbet, mezcal and St. Germain.
Time Out tip: Yes, the mirrored bathroom with a strobe light is selfie central. But the downstairs toilet with its wall-to-wall, googly-eyed motif will make you feel like you are straight out of Everything Everywhere All at Once.