Dinner & Drinks: East Village/Alphabet City

With such a vast theatre scene in New York City, selecting the right show can be challenging. With an even more expansive selection of restaurants, deciding where to eat before the show can be just as difficult. We hope our Dinner & Drinks series will ease your minds (as well as your stomachs) by highlighting some great places for all sorts of pre and post-theatre eats, sweets, and liquid treats.

Highlighted Theatre: The Connelly Theatre & The Wild Project
Surrounding Neighborhood: East Village/Alphabet City

Whether you are seeing a top notch intimate revival from The Metropolitan Playhouse, or exploring new works and emerging playwrights with Clubbed Thumb, it is undeniable that Off Off-Broadway theatre scene is thriving in the East Village. Some people need a little more motivation to make the trek past the familiar numbered avenues and venture into Alphabet City, but if adventurous theatre is not reason enough, the robust assortment of restaurants and bars should get every New Yorker reaching for their metro card.

The Connelly Theatre, a restored historic vaudeville house, is a popular space for Off Off-Broadway theatre and non-profit theatre companies. Located on E. 4th Street between Avenue A & B, they are host to a number of independent performances and home to the Obie Award-winning company, The Metropolitan Playhouse who notably explore “America’s theatrical heritage to illuminate contemporary American culture…[by producing] early American plays, new plays drawn from American culture and history, and plays from around the world that resonate with the American canon.”

One block south on East 3rd Street, is The Wild Project, “a theatre, film, music, and visual arts venue that presents diverse, engaging, inspiring, and entertaining works… while bringing together the artists and the environment in a unique way.” “Wild” is certainly an accurate word to describe this place that generates vibrant, risk-taking work. The Wild Project is also host to Clubbed Thumb’s SUMMERWORKS series, which is the place to catch some of the most promising young voices in playwriting throughout the city.

The artistic reasons for visiting this neighborhood are obvious, and now the cuisine has risen to a new levels, making these couple of blocks a must-visit section of the city.

B4 — $$ — $$$
235 E. 4th Street, Btw Avenue A & B
Delicious Rustic Cuisine. Chic and Trendy. Decadent Desserts.

B4 features a “menu of Seasonal Contemporary American creations [that] emphasizes simplicity and flavor, a hallmark of [Chef Swan Jones’] style… dishes consist of core seasonal items that take advantage of local product procured in [their] prime. The chef’s addiction to sugar provides a platform for rich and delicious desserts. Billionaire Bacon Hazelnut Brownies, Anyone?” They also have a fabulous brunch if you’re seeing a matinee!

ROOT & BONE — $$ — $$$
200 E. 3rd Street, Btw Avenue A & B
Farm Fresh & Local. Comfort Food Dressed Up for a Night Out.

“Soul nurturing, conscientiously sourced, farm-fresh ingredients. A craftsman’s ethic coupled with artistic culinary thought. A tribute to the timeless recipes and traditions of a rural America and the warm embrace of its hospitality.” This farm-meets-the-big-city rustic environment brings a homegrown quality to the dinner table.

INVINO — $$
215 E. 4th Street, Btw Avenue A & B
20 Regions of Italian Food Represented. Great Food in an Intimate & Charming Atmosphere. 200 Wines.

At Invino, the “menu is inspired by the culture of Italian cuisine, using seasonal ingredients in both classic and innovative preparations. The food is designed to complement our extensive wine program that encompasses all 20 regions of Italy as well as areas of Croatia and Slovenia just beyond the borders… [Invino offers] the highest quality food and wine in a rustic atmosphere with attentive service, drawing on the best aspects of fine dining with none of the pretension.”

BIBI — $ — $$
211 E. 4th Street, Btw Avenue A & B
Daily Happy Hour until 8pm! Tapas and Wine. Perfect for Pre & Post-Show Drinks.

Bibi’s “philosophy of a laid back attitude and atmosphere melds well with the Gary Cruz designed space that features soft textures, soft lighting and comfort in the small yet airy spot… The approachable wine and craft bottled beer list is both global and well-focused. Believing that a great wine can be both delicious and affordable, no bottle tops $60… Bibi’s ‘Don’t worry bibi happy hour’ features select bottles for $20, a daily white and red by the glass for $6, a glass and selected small plates for $10 and runs to 8pm daily.”

DORIAN GRAY TAP & GRILL $ — $$
205 E. 4th Street, Btw Avenue A & B
Warm & Welcoming Irish Pub & Grill. Hearty Food & Hearty Drinks. A Quieter Bar with a Delish Menu.

Dorian Gray Tap & Grill has all the warmth of a traditional Irish Pub. Since the space is more intimate it is a great place to converse with friends and fellow audience members following a show. Their hearty menu boasts classic pub food such as: Shepherd’s Pie, Bangers and Mash, Irish Breakfast, not to mention standard American fare dishes like Pulled Pork and burgers for a very reasonable price!

MAMA’S BAR — $
34 Avenue B, at E. 3rd Street
Fun Night Out. Partying with Friends. Late Night Date Night.

“Mama’s Bar, [is] one of the last remaining neighborhood bars in the East Village! Cold drinks, good times, no pretense.” This classic NYC dive bar has some of the best drink specials in the neighborhood. With a true East-Village-Vibe, and drink specials like “Muff Magic,” “Big Bad Dick,” “Sour Pussy,” and $2 Kill Shots, Mamma’s Bar is the perfect spot to wrap up a night of wild and experimental theatre.

SOMTUM DER — $$
85 Avenue A, Btw E. 5th & E. 6th Street
Northeastern Thai Cuisine. Vibrant Interior. Diverse Menu for Different Appetites.

“Somtum Der, a collaboration of friends and family who have close tie to Isan region, caters authentic northern Isan food in a comfortable friendly atmosphere, which guarantees to offer more than tasty true Isan food but also a lifestyle that can be enjoyed… The unique taste of northern Isan somtum stresses on the saltiness, a taste of somtum which [is] rarely found in Isan food restaurants in Bangkok. Chef Korn, a shareholder and a head chef… [has] a great passion in local Isan food. He is in charge of all recipes and his aim is to make sure that they stick to their roots.”

TWO BOOTS PIZZA — $
42 Avenue A, at E. 3rd Street
In a Rush. Craving a Slice. Fast, Cheap, Excellent Pizza.

This is the original home of the beloved NYC Pizza chain, Two Boots. This restaurant took root in 1987 at this very spot, and continues to offer a consistently delicious range of pizza. If you think you’re running behind, don’t go to your show hungry — stop into Two Boots and grab a slice. You can even eat while you walk.

To check out the rest of our Dinner & Drinks Series, click here.