Bantam Begins
Making Over a Dive Bar on the LES

This is a feel-good story.

The kind of thing Disney would make movies about.

If Disney made movies about decrepit dive bars that get gutted and transformed into late-night, blue-hued lounge spaces.

Allow us to bring word of Bantam, the completely remodeled face of Stanton Public and the latest addition to the LES tippling scene, opening Wednesday.

So yes, this Steve Lewis–designed place is pretty spectacular: the bar is covered in stained glass and there’s brocading all over the walls. And you probably don’t need an excuse to go here beyond “scotch in a sultry setting.” But, hey, here are three anyway...

There’s a Low-Key Happy Hour
Sure, the dive bar is gone. But the infamous Stanton Public drink specials... well, those persevered. So after the office and before your dinner: perfectly fine time to tie one (or two for the price of one) on here.

You Can Dance if You Want To
Around 11pm, the door will tighten up. That’s also when they’ll bring out the DJ, hide the flat-screens and encourage rhythmic gyrating atop the ring of pin-tucked black banquettes. Of course, by rhythmic gyrating we mean the running man.

Coming Soon: An Outdoor Garden
In a few weeks’ time, you’ll be able to do both day and night drinking here in a gigantic tent-covered yard. Relax, it’s retractable. The tent, not the yard.