Four New York Bars for Books and Bluegrass

4.3 (654)

Mon – Sun, 19:00 – 04:00 (+1)

85 East 4th Street

KGB Bar's three floors feature Soviet decor, including red velvet curtains, propaganda posters and a Lenin statue. The former speakeasy hosts free literary readings and live music. The Red Room has movie theater seating. The bar also runs its own literary review.

3.9 (118)

Mon – Thu, 17:00 – 02:00 (+1); Fri, 17:00 – 04:00 (+1); Sat, 14:00 – 04:00 (+1); Sun, 12:00 – 02:00 (+1)

169 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009, USA

Antique decor fills Lucinda's intimate East Village bar. Bartenders pour custom cocktails. Regular events range from live bluegrass and country party bands to honky-tonk dance nights and country karaoke. The room can get crowded. The bar does not serve food.

5.0 (4)

Mon – Wed, Sun, 08:00 – 23:00; Thu – Sat, 08:00 – 00:00 (+1)

170 Avenue A

A mother and daughter run The Rabbit Books and Bar on Avenue A. Its wide book selection highlights global voices. Browse the shelves before settling in for coffee, drinks or food. Visitors praise the spacious layout and exceptionally friendly service at this neighborhood gathering place.

4.6 (144)

Mon – Thu, 17:30 – 01:00 (+1); Fri – Sat, 17:30 – 02:00 (+1)

138 Orchard Street

Author Dave Arnold's cocktails anchor Bar Contra on the Lower East Side. The two-page menu groups drinks by preparation method: shaken, stirred, frozen, built and nitro-muddled. Bartenders rapidly chill glassware as funky international lounge music plays. Small plates accompany the drinks.