Arlo & Esme 42 E. 1st St. (1st & 2nd Aves.)
East Village
212.777.5617
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Arlo & Esme:
What’s better than a cafe with Ms. Pac-Man, a pool table, a DJ, and free Wi-Fi? How about a cafe with all that and nighttime wine and cocktails? Arlo & Esme, a new bi-level lounge in the former East Village Yacht Club space, is attracting espresso nerds to the upstairs cafe by day and village scenesters to the 4,000-square-foot brick basement at night. Got a friend who’s straight-edge or in AA? Bring them here, where the joe is served all night, along with Numi tea. There’s plenty of seating and make out nooks in the basement’s four rooms. It’s obvious that owners Harry Joannides and Gage Pray (both managers at Bar 6) wrote many-a-check to their interior design team, so it’s worth a trip just to witness the good looks. Now if only Arlo & Esme were as widespread as Starbucks, we might feel better about our caffeine addiction.
BRUNCH RIP-OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - - 2009-11-22 My friend and I were in the neighborhood and decided to check out the brunch. I was willing to overlook the fact that there was no soap in bathroom (considering this is flu season, not to mention their employees washing their hands left a lot to be desired) and I was willing to also overlook the fact that in the middle of eating, the waitress found it necessary to spray cleaning solution all over the table next to us. And while the place was virtually empty, somehow, the waitress never made it back over to our table to see how the food was or if we needed anything. We both ordered entrees and each had a drink, paid the bill and left. Imagine our surprise when we noticed the "brunch special" sign on our way out (which included one entree, one drink and coffee or tea for $15) and we were charged a la carte for these items. When I went back in to mention this to the waitress (or perhaps she was the manager) she said "Oh do you want me to pay you the difference"? Tacky and false advertising. I would never return to this establishment nor would I recommend it to anyone. With so many other great brunch places to choose from in the city, it doesn't pay to frequent a place that is this slim shady. Buyer beware!
11/22/2009 9:29:20 PM
User_2 . says:
I hosted a party here and it was great. The people who got there early enjoyed a few games of pool, and later when it got crowded and the music came on, the place jumped. We had a great time!! Yeah, it was a little warm, but that's what the giant fan was for.
11/30/2008 1:24:00 PM
Guest says:
This bar really takes the cake for bad. My friends insist on having parties there and every time they are a bust. They place is outrageously packed beyond worse than a subway car at rush hour. The basement is 10 degrees too warm and smells like sweat and stale beer. I implore you to go somewhere else.
11/10/2008 3:01:00 PM
Guest says:
It was way too hot and packed in the basement area (thank God there wasn't a fire). Pot smoke in the air, watered down drinks, and terrible music was so not worth it.
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