This one’s a little out of sequence since Bar Snack technically came before Frank. But hey, that’s how nights in the East Village go — things get mixed up.
Bar Snack
We started at Bar Snack, right next door to Frank. I’d been curious to try it since they’ve got a decent happy hour, plus I had a craving for a glizzy/hot dog. Their $22 cocktail and glizzy combo sounded like a move.
The glizzy hot dog itself? Solid — onions, mayo, chips on the side. A snack before getting too banged up on drinks. The cocktail, though… not my speed. Beautiful presentation, but I’m not a big fan of passion fruit, and it was a bit heavy. Worth trying once, but I probably wouldn’t order it again. Still, Bar Snack has style, and I’d go back to explore the menu further.
Paradise Lost
From there, we rallied at Frank (catch up on Part 3: Frank for that meal), and after filling up, we strolled over to Paradise Lost — a tiki bar just down the street. Super fun vibe, lively atmosphere, and yeah, I’d definitely go back. The drinks were solid but a little sweet for me. My Saturn cocktail was heavy on the gin, while Peaches tried a carbonated piña colada — fun, unique, but again, on the sweet side.
If you go, take time to really study their menu or order a Zombie (limit one per person, for good reason). It’s their big showstopper — fire, flair, the whole nine yards. Even if tiki drinks aren’t usually your speed, it’s worth it just for the spectacle.
After Lost Paradise, we needed something to soak up the sugar and booze. Enter : Don Chicken Manhattan Korean wings. Crispy, greasy, and precisely what was required to balance everything out.
We wrapped the night at one of my all-time favorites: il laboratorio del gelato. Always packed, always worth it. Their gelato is house-made with funky, rotating flavors — fresh and bold every time. I went with espresso, chocolate caramel, and Turkish coffee. Perfect way to end the night without more booze, especially since I had an early morning.
The line was long (thanks to the Feast of San Gennaro happening nearby), but no complaints. A little chaos is part of the fun.
All in all, this East Village crawl — Bar Snack → Frank → Paradise Lost → Korean wings → il laboratorio del gelato — made for a proper night out with Peaches and crew.
Follow the full adventure:
Part 1: Minetta Tavern
Part 2: Dear Strangers & The Spaniard
Part 3: Frank
Part 4: Bar Snack, Lost Paradise, Don Chicken Manhattan & il laboratorio del gelato
Look, I’m just a Fat Guy from Brooklyn giving you my two cents. If you want more Top 10s—steakhouses, burgers, restaurants, you name it—click the words and keep going.