Von

Welcome to Von. What? You can't find it? No sh*t, neither could I considering it has no sign outside and looks like a speakeasy. Oh, did I forget to mention that it's on "1st & Bowery". We'll it's actually Bleecker & Bowery but if you are on the other side of the street it reads 1st and if you walk North it becomes Bond Street rather than 2nd Street which is what Bond becomes on the East side of the street. Wait, what? Like I said, I couldn't find it either.

Anyway, this pet friendly place is very cozy and a good scene for the non-party times of the week. Very rustic and antique decor takes you back a bit to give that speakeasy feel. No TVs, nothing modern, sometimes simplicity is best. Don't be lulled to sleep by this cool place because the neighborhood is anything but slow. Come weekends, Von turns a different page.

A simple trip to the bathroom shows you the basement and Jeckyl side of this Hyde bar. Dark, crowded and loud is the lounge scene that lurks downstairs. Blown away by this discovery (I had been there 4 times before and never knew it existed) I explored for a minute and it was a very cool scene, especially considering that people upstairs (like me) probably had no idea the scene was happening.

Bottom line, this place is a hidden gem in a cool area and worth the trip. But, keep it quiet to keep the gem hidden.

Von
3 Bleecker Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 473-3039
http://www.vonbar.com/