A New York on Tap pick

Dark Room

Formerly Ludlow Bar

165 Ludlow St. · btwn Stanton & Houston
Lower East Side, Manhattan

In 2026

Closed

Last licensed here under this name: 2014–16.

Checked October 15, 2026.

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Overview

Giant leather banquettes, a downtown clientele, and $5 beers create an atmosphere which is simultaneously relaxed and upscale.

History

Its days were numbered, for years

The Dark Room opened on Ludlow Street in 2004¹, and Time Out pointed readers to its tastemaker DJs spinning new wave and goth tunes²; our listing pointed to the giant leather banquettes and five-dollar beers. In December 2011 Eater reported that its days were numbered, with Bodegas, a replacement lounge, to open in its place³. The obituary was early: in February 2016 Gothamist reported the bar looked set to depart 165 Ludlow for good, and admitted it had thought the place closed in 2011 anyway¹. New York Magazine now lists it as closed⁴.

Sources

Researched October 2026.

What's nearby

Stanton Social under 0.1 mi Closed
Paladar under 0.1 mi Closed; now Bar Revival
Arlene's Grocery under 0.1 mi Still pouring
Pianos under 0.1 mi Still pouring
Cafe Charbon under 0.1 mi Closed; now Hair of the Dog
SKINnY under 0.1 mi Still pouring
The Living Room under 0.1 mi Closed; now BAXTER ST at the Camera Club of New York
Max Fish under 0.1 mi A different business is licensed at this address: Sweet Chick LES
The Blue Seats under 0.1 mi Closed; now Apartment 5
Tuts under 0.1 mi No license found in 2026