Bar Valentina
Bar · Lower East Side ·
Freezer martinis, burgers, and steak with attentive, friendly staff
Freezer martinis, burgers, and steak with attentive, friendly staff
"Bar Valentina is from the people behind Kind Regards and Ding-a-ling, two places where you go to meet people when it’s 2am and you realize you’re lonely. But this LES spot is more mellow than its siblings. It has a European cafe setup, with a handful of little tables and a sidewalk patio that turns into an outdoor mixer. Stop by in the early evening, eat a burger, drink an espresso martini, and hang out for a few hours while people filter in and out. If you don’t make any new connections by midnight, we give you permission to visit Kind Regards." - bryan kim, matt tervooren, neha talreja
"Dave Arnold, a cocktail veteran behind the acclaimed bar Booker and Dax, has signed on at Bar Contra. The cocktail bar in the former Contra space, at 138 Orchard Street, between Delancey and Rivington streets, will be run by Fabían von Hauske and Jeremiah Stone, who closed their tasting menu restaurant last fall after a decade on the Lower East Side." - Luke Fortney
"A rebrand of Bongos (from the Kind Regards team) now operating with offerings like lamb meatballs and ’nduja toast and serving booze all day in a refreshed Lower East Side space." - Emma Orlow
"Like its sister establishments, Kind Regards and Ding-a-ling, Bar Valentina is the sort of place where you’ll probably wind up talking to someone who’s passionate about “curating vibes.” Although this Lower East Side bar isn’t quite as rowdy as its siblings. It feels like a semi-divey European cafe where you can loiter with a crowd, drink an espresso martini, and get some people-watching done on a sidewalk patio. The indoor space has a bunch of tables hidden in various nooks and, while this is mostly a wine-and-cocktails kind of spot, you can eat a full meal if you want. Dinner options include a burger and linguine with clams, as well as a few snacks like ‘nduja toast and lamb meatballs." - Bryan Kim
"A downtown bar that can unexpectedly deliver a perfect table and convivial moments; the group shared fried zucchini chips and a notably better Caesar salad topped with fried chicken, and an awkward booth mishap (phones falling into a crack) became part of the night’s story." - Zach Schiffman, Maanvi Kapur
