Lucy’s. East Village Social. Loverboy. These East Village bars have all closed in recent years, but live on in the photography of artist Daniel Root. For years, Daniel walked the empty streets of Manhattan in the pre-dawn hours, peering into the windows of local watering holes that had closed for the night. He captured hundreds of bar portraits now collected in a book, New York Bars at Dawn. As a local of the East Village, Root is now celebrating the bars of his neighborhood with a special exhibit at COZMOS Gallery, EVLOGY: The Bars We’ve Lost. In this collection of photographs, Root honors the lost bars of the neighborhood alongside those that still exist.
Join Daniel Root for a special talk at the gallery with Untapped New York Insiders on March 26th! At this event, Daniel will discuss the history of the bars photographed, share insights into his creative process, and lead you to one of his favorite local spots, 7B! This event is free for Untapped New York Insiders. There is a 1-drink minimum at 7B. Not an Insider yet? Become a member today and use code JOINUS for your first month free!
Toast to the “Bars We’ve Lost” with Daniel Root
Daniel’s photographs give viewers a glimpse into a side of New York City rarely seen. Captured in the hours before the world wakes up, they show “third places” typically buzzing with activity as tranquil and empty. Chairs usually filled with patrons sit in neat rows or stand upside down atop cleaned-off tables. Spaces usually filled with loud music and loud conversation are quiet.
The pre-dawn timing lends an ethereal quality to Daniel’s images. Multi-colored string lights and the red glow of an exit sign glow through the early morning darkness, mixing with the rays of streetlights. The effect can be eerie when you know the establishment you’re peering into no longer exists.
In EVLOGY, Daniel pays homage to beloved neighborhood spots that have closed, while also spotlighting bars still doling out drinks, like 7B. On our Insiders visit to the exhibit, Daniel will lead the group across Tompkins Square Park to 7B where you can toast to the memory of the East Village’s lost bars! 7B is the bar that appears on the cover of Daniel’s book, New York Bars at Dawn. Copies of the books are available for purchase at COZMOS and Daniel is happy to sign them!
“Bars We’ve Lost” with Daniel Root
EVLOGY is on view at COZMOS through March 31st.
Next, check out 10 Hidden Bars and Restaurants in Manhattan