Bar of the Week: International Bar

While East Village community activists protesting the Bowery's recent development screamed "Die hard yuppie scum!" at those unlucky enough to be sitting outside of Bowery Wine Company last Friday evening, the nearby, and recently resurrected, International Bar was open for its second weekend since closing in 2005. So maybe there's hope between Delancey and 14th Street after all. Things aren't quite as scuzzy as they once were at this snug spot on First Avenue. Proprietors Shawn Dahl and Molly Fitch have added sinks to the renovated bathrooms; the gold leaf lettering arched across the front window has been restored, and the worn formica counter, gutted by a landlord during the space's three-year vacancy, was replaced by a mahogany bar salvaged from an Upper East Side bar that changed ownership. But former regulars can count on some familiar scenery: A portrait of former owner Michael Petruno, who died in 2002, is still hung on the wall among new décor like velvet paintings and a vintage poster for a movie called Brides of Dracula. The jukebox selection is still as eclectic as its predecessor's. Dahl is a former Rolling Stone editor, Fitch is a musician, and although it was skipping the night we visited and a satellite radio station was piped in, discs include The Shaggs, The Carter Family Band, Howlin' Wolf, Nina Simone and Bad Brains with many, many, many, others to pick from. The menu also remains straightforward. Mixed drinks are split between a house and call list, ($4 and $6 respectively), Yuengling, Guinness, Stella, and Blue Moon drafts, all $4-$5, have been added to the former bottles-only lineup, and cans of Schaefer, the one beer to have when you're having more than one, are $2. You'll definitely want to stay for two.

International Bar
120 First Ave., (212) 777-1643

Photo from Jeremoss' Flicker