Lounge Bars

by Amelia Dallis

The riotous glam of the 70's and 80's disco have given way to the safer elegance and glamour of the 90's nightlife niche, the lounge bar. Cozy up on soft couches amid the florid splendor of New York's burgeoning scene.

You might begin with the Gothic Rebar, on 18th and 8th. 212-627-1680. Velvet banquets, a steel bar and tables, scattered candles and a simple stained glass window set the tone. The DJ spins a mix of pop, hip hop and rock for red lit dancers on the graffiti- tiled floor.

Open and spacious, a large red velvet curtain separates the back room where on Monday nights, Rebar hosts "Eating It," an avant garde comedy night attracting such surprise performers as Robert Klein. Wednesday night they showcase bands like Oasis, Duckwood and 9 Inch Nails.

Naked Lunch, Grand Street and Thompson, 212-343-0826, has a tropical, almost humid, harem tent atmosphere. Palm trees and leggy beetle-shaped wall lamps punctuate what owner Jeff Surut describes as the Felliniesque grandeur found an "8 1/2" and the eerie arachnid characters of Burroughs' Naked Lunch.

The addition of an ancient manual typewriter and an old fashioned radio flesh out the literary reference. From settees patterned in muted browns and beiges, listen to the mix of music (anything from Sinatra to R&B) or scope out the scene in the huge mirrors behind the bar. A round banquet area is sumptuously private when its green velvet curtain is drawn for parties. The invitation to dance is ever present at Naked Lunch, as patrons lounge sedately and sip martinis.

You might begin with the Gothic Rebar, on 18th and 8th. 212-627-1680. Velvet banquets, a steel bar and tables, scattered candles and a simple stained glass window set the tone. The DJ spins a mix of pop, hip hop and rock for red lit dancers on the graffiti- tiled floor.

Open and spacious, a large red velvet curtain separates the back room where on Monday nights, Rebar hosts "Eating It," an avant garde comedy night attracting such surprise performers as Robert Klein. Wednesday night they showcase bands like Oasis, Duckwood and 9 Inch Nails.

Naked Lunch, Grand Street and Thompson, 212-343-0826, has a tropical, almost humid, harem tent atmosphere. Palm trees and leggy beetle-shaped wall lamps punctuate what owner Jeff Surut describes as the Felliniesque grandeur found an "8 1/2" and the eerie arachnid characters of Burroughs' Naked Lunch.

The addition of an ancient manual typewriter and an old fashioned radio flesh out the literary reference. From settees patterned in muted browns and beiges, listen to the mix of music (anything from Sinatra to R&B) or scope out the scene in the huge mirrors behind the bar. A round banquet area is sumptuously private when its green velvet curtain is drawn for parties. The invitation to dance is ever present at Naked Lunch, as patrons lounge sedately and sip martinis.