International Bar Dive Bar

East Village, New York –

Nestled behind an unimposing storefront is the International Bar, a deliciously divey neighborhood hangout that brings a reliable mix of old-school booziness and crunchy art-teacher weirdness to the East Village.

Exposed brick walls adorned with paintings by local artists, kitschy Halloween decorations, and Christmas lights make up most of the décor, while a few mismatched tables feature amusing views of a dangling miniature suit of armor or a cheerful fantasy of Casper the Friendly Ghost hovering gaily over the Manhattan skyline.

Business types dropping by for after-work relaxation and groups of ladies priming for a festive night out crowd the front counter, which serves as prime people-watching real estate, and unwind to quirky jukebox selections of hard rock, gangsta rap, and bizarre musical oddities from groups like The Shaggs.

Like any good dive, International Bar opens at eight in the morning for hardcore breakfast drinkers before welcoming a steady parade of afternoon regulars and a younger late-night crowd of students, creative types, and freelancers.

Summer nights find the back patio transformed into a trailer park paradise as an energetic rabble of stubbly local musicians, tattooed professionals, and off-duty club chicks lounge on plastic chairs to smoke and fight the heat with icy cans of Genesee.

A favorite with unpretentious locals for its mix of good prices and wry attitude, International Bar is best summed up by a bouncer named Beef, who says he’s lived in the neighborhood forever, “and walking in here the first time, I thought, ‘Damn, I’m home.’”