If you can't already tell, I'm a huge proponent of the dive-bar; nothing exemplifies the genre quite as well as Arrow Bar. Located in the immensely cool area of Alphabet City where ave A and 6th street meet, Arrow Bar fits in well with a neighborhood that has been associated with seedy bars since time immemorial. It's great to see a place that keeps the tradition of cheap drinks and social bartenders alive in a town where overcrowded clubs with annoying DJ's have become (sadly) the norm. Don't get me wrong, I like the aforementioned annoying DJ and anti-social bartender once in a while, but it's good to know there's still a place to go where you can find a cheap beer/shot combo and listen to the Clash (make sure to walk over and pay homage to the man, Joe Strummer at his 7th Street mural, which I believe they put back up).
You could be forgiven for almost missing this place as you walk up or down avenue A, in your quest for a cold beer, and I have many a time. But if by chance you happen to notice the stairwell down to this subterranean gem, you're in for a grungy treat. Walking in you'll find a place that is covered in graffiti from ceiling floor, band stickers adorning the bathroom fixtures. Not long ago they had a Sega Genesis reissue that was loaded with classics like "Streets of Rage" and "Sonic", probably the coolest thing I've seen in a city bar and should IMMEDIATELY be brought back. The space itself is enormous, and takes up the entire basement of the building. This means you can bring a load of your buddies who are looking to drink on the cheap, driving home the essence of what it means to be in a dive bar; dirt-cheap whiskey and friends.
Arrow Bar is a must visit on any proper stumble through Alphabet City, don't miss the opportunity to drink in one of the truly great dive bars of the city. When you're done it's a quick walk down to the lower east side where the other dives are holding out against the invasion of overpriced clubs our city seems so fond of.
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