Bar of the Week: Label Lounge

At certain bars in certain European capitals, a glowing red light in the window signifies a hot little number inside, waiting for purchase. Now in New York -- a shade dowdier, perhaps, than our free-spirited, across-the-pond cousins -- a pink light glowing in the window of Label Lounge signifies a hot little number of its very own: the empanada. Pity the Europeans their licentiousness. What goes better with a cold beer than a hot empanada? Admittedly, Label Lounge's empanadas ($3, with your choice of beef, chicken, or vegetable filling) are not as hot as they might be, nor as tasty as the ones peddled two doors down at Don Rico's. But after a night of sipping cocktails at Label's narrow subterranean bar, or dancing in the slightly less cramped back room, you will be inclined to forgive these missteps. You'll be more inclined to carb-load like there's no tomorrow and regret it in the morning. Where possible, keep the gluttony in check because Label's tight, sleek quarters, decked out in gothy-sleek style, are best suited to skinny boys and even skinnier girls accustomed to squeezing into the tightest hotspots. In other words, just the crowd you'll meet on this far-east stretch of Rivington. 174 Rivington St., (212) 228-9600

Photo from www.eater.com