No photo of this bar survives from the 2008 site.

The Lafayette

161 Lafayette St. · at Grand St.
Chinatown, Manhattan

In 2026

Closed; now 161 Lafayette

Checked October 17, 2026.

Show on the map Directions See the 2008 page

Overview

When a bar is this small the people are the atmosphere. And the atmosphere here is usually great. Drinks specials vary nightly, but there's always a two for one deal from 12pm to 1am.

History

The atmosphere now comes with a microphone

In 2004, C & E 161 Lafayette Corp. ran the bar here as Lafayette Lounge¹. By 2014 the address held a karaoke bar, and that year's license application proposed no changes to it or the way it ran². Today it's a karaoke bar called 161 Lafayette, which invites you to sing songs and drink drinks³. We once wrote that in a bar this small the people are the atmosphere; with a microphone in the room, they're the entertainment too.

Sources

Researched October 2026.

What's nearby

Moomia under 0.1 mi No license found in 2026
Onieal's Grand Street 0.1 mi Still pouring
ñ 0.1 mi No license found in 2026
Florio's Pizzeria and Restaurant 0.1 mi A different business is licensed at this address: Tomino
GoldBar 0.1 mi Closed; now Broome St. Project
Obivia 0.1 mi Closed; now Citizen of Soho
La Esquina 0.1 mi Still pouring
Oro Bakery and Bar 0.1 mi A different business is licensed at this address: Quan Sushi Japanese Restaurant
Mulberry Street Bar 0.1 mi Still pouring
Bar Veloce (Nolita) 0.2 mi No license found in 2026