One of the great things about living and going out in New York City is that it’s easy to hit up a handful of establishments in one evening. Still fired up after dinner? Go to a bar. That bar’s crowded? Go to another one.
Avenue C takes that “bar hopping” status to the next level. Whenever we end up in the area, we find ourselves stopping in a minimum of four establishments. It’s not that we’re as noncommittal as the dude in a 90s romantic comedy, but that this is just a great strip to roll in and out of places eating, drinking, and drinking some more. Check out our favorite places to make a night of it.
The Spots
The Summit Bar
The Summit Bar is our kind of spot - oyster happy hour, great drinks, and an outdoor area out back. You can actually hear the people next to you on the early side, but at midnight on a Saturday night, expect to be crammed in.
Much like Summit across the street, The Wayland turns into what is basically a refined frat party for adults on weekend evenings. The environment has a barn-like look, and is also a good spot for brunch.
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Animals Food
The Wayland may be a nights and weekends spot, but if you find yourself in the area on a weekday between 11 and 5, the bar runs a little sandwich shop called Animals. They’re filled with things like fried mortadella red wine-braised beef, so this is probably a day off kind of move.
Zum Schneider
There are a number of German beer bars and gardens in New York City, and great as they are in theory, most of them tend to attract a steady combination of guys in tight black t-shirts and Goldman Sachs summer interns (you know who you are, a certain outdoor space right under the Highline). Think of Zum Schneider as a more reasonable, but still occasionally rowdy place to drink a stein of beer.
One of the best fried chicken sandwiches in town, served in a simple little space. That’s all you need to know.
Royale has a few things going for it. 1) A perfect little backyard garden/patio. 2) A truly great burger.
Esperanto encompasses everything there is to enjoy about Avenue C: good, cheap food and drinks that will possibly result in bad decisions, plus a place to sit outside while enjoying both.
Big crew? Try ABC Beer. It’s the ultimate utility spot: you can fill a growler of beer to take home, pick up a sandwich, or gather 30 of your closest friends and hang out in the surprisingly big space.
In addition to all the shenanigans going on up the block, Avenue C is also home to some of the best Puerto Rican food in the city. Hit up Casa Adela for some serious rotisserie chicken.
