A Little Slice of Home Sweet Home

© Kristin Vincent

The Lower East Side's home away from home.

The next time you're looking for a comfortable place to cut a rug on the Lower East Side, head Home. Home Sweet Home, that is, a divey haven where friendly New Yorkers gather for good drinks, great music, and even better company.

Home Sweet Home hides in the middle of Chrystie Street, down a dimly lit flight of stairs. With no sign and no visible windows it is quite easy to walk by, unless you notice the slightly intoxicated people smoking on the sidewalk (the usual sign that a bar is somewhere nearby). There is no cover and no dress code, so after after showing your ID all you need to do is find your way downstairs in the dark.

Upon entering you are greeted by a long wooden bar dimly illuminated by small and dusty chandeliers. Other such ornaments that contribute to the Grandma's basement/living room vibe include various taxidermed creatures, an empty birdcage, and the horse's head from a hitching post. Several cigarette-burnt couches line the brick walls in the narrow space, allowing for a perfect place to chat with friends and strangers alike in the bar's darker corners.

Adjacent to the bar sits the DJ booth, and to the back of the narrow space is the dance floor. If you come to Home Sweet Home before one or two a.m., this back area will most likely be empty. But, swing by for a late night drink and get ready to fifties-dance your socks off to anonymous beach party music. Unlike other 'trendy' dive bars where the 'aloof' atmosphere can merit lots of people-watching and judgement, Home Sweet Home is the perfect low key place to cut loose and do the twist without anyone really caring how groovy your moves actually are.

The downfall to this sort of hide-away atmosphere is the fact that it can get extremely hot and sweaty inside, so come prepared to peel off your top layer of clothing. No food is served at Home Sweet Home, but on a quiet night the bartenders are more than happy to offer you a variety of menus from delivery places nearby. The beer selection is limited and the cocktail choices are ordinary, but the prices are average and after a few shots and an hour of dancing it really doesn't matter all that much anyway.

The lights come on around 4 a.m., after which everyone is so wired that it isn't unusual to see different groups running off to find pizza or taking advantage of a beautiful clear night by walking home.