Lit Lounge   

93 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10003
212-777-7987

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It doesn't have to happen; new bars don't have to be shinier, sleeker, and more chic. Channeling the East Village circa 1985, Lit is the dark and dirty, jeans and leather playground that many in the neighborhood have been pining for, especially welcome considering the current rock-and-roll renaissance. The kicker is that the bar exists primarily as a life support system for the glass-enclosed, almost incongruous art gallery at the back of the raw space. "Our main goal was to create a venue to show art," says Michael McGrane, co-owner and gallery director, an artist himself and experienced curator. "Small galleries always have a very difficult time supporting themselves on the sales of art alone." The featured artists aren't nameless upstarts, however. The opening show exhibited the work of H.R. Giger, the illustrator/sculptor best known for his work in 'Alien,' and subsequent shows follow in the same vein, featuring the best of other pop artists a la Juxtapose magazine. Every night, two DJs, one upstairs, and one downstairs in the vaulted brick catacombs, spin rock, punk, funk and other handmade music. The gallery is open 12PM-5PM, Tuesday through Saturday. -- Dan Glass