Lucy’s, beloved NYC dive bar since 1980s, faces being shut down by new landlord
Lucy’s, an iconic East Village dive bar that’s been a local staple since the 1980s, has possibly shuttered its doors for good as its owner faces eviction from a new landlord who purchased the building for $19 million in December.
The bar — located on Avenue A across from Tompkins Square Park — could become the latest neighborhood watering hole to close down since the pandemic.
An eviction notice posted on Lucy’s door says bar owner and namesake Ludwika “Lucy” Mickevicius has until the end of the month to “vacate and surrender possession of the premises to [the] owner,” according to a photo posted by local blog EV Grieve.
The building that includes the bar at 135 Avenue A was purchased in December for $19.1 million by West Lake 135-139 Avenue A LLC, property records show.
The mixed-use, multi-family building had been previously purchased by Peter Herrick in 1977 for $72,500 — or roughly $380,000 today, records show. He transferred ownership into an LLC under his last name in 2018 before selling.
The Post has reached out to RYCO Capital, which is represented by West Lake 135-139 Avenue A LLC and whose CEO James Ryan signed the notice. The LLC’s attorney, also listed on the notice, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Mickevicius first took over the popular late-night joint in December 1987, according to the eviction notice. For nearly 40 years she served thirsty patrons as the bartender — and was known to offer her regulars a shot of Polish vodka on the house, Gothamist reported.
Her lease expired in May 2015 and she was on a month-to-month arrangement with the previous landlord, she told EV Grieve.
The new Brooklyn-based owner wants $25,000 more a month in rent, Mickevicius said.
The bar, beloved for its cheap beer and drinks, has been shut down since November when the city Department of Health ordered it closed for operating without a Food Protection Certificate, according to EV Grieve.
The Post’s Attempts to reach Mickevicius by phone were not successful. A phone number listed for the bar was also no longer connected.
A pizza shop employee who worked right next to the bar told The Post that Lucy’s has been closed for a little over 3 months and restaurant sales haven’t been affected.
It previously closed for two and a half months due to city rules enacted during the pandemic, according to local outlet Bedford and Bowery. When Lucy’s reopened in May 2020, Mickevicius said she owed her landlord $50,000 for rent and water.
On Wednesday, the official pink-painted “Lucy’s” sign that usually sits above the door had been completely covered up by black paint.
“It’s super disappointing and frustrating, especially because what makes New York City so unique and special and iconic is these small businesses, these bars and restaurants that have been around for many decades,” local Alex Tellides, 26, told Gothamist.
