Even if you’ve never visited New York, you’ve definitely heard of Coyote Ugly. Founded by bartender-turned-owner Lil Lovell, the bar’s iconic dive atmosphere became the subject of a 2000 hit film starring Piper Perabo.
Known for its signature dancing bartenders and stiff drinks, the bar became an East Village institution that helped popularize the image of dive-bars across the country. Coyote Ugly has since become an impressive franchise with over 20 locations worldwide, but the original location at 153 First Avenue closed last year during the peak of the pandemic. The space has remained vacant since, but thankfully a suitable replacement is right around the corner.
E. Village Bar is the latest concept from entrepreneur Stratis Morfogen. The owner of the legendary Brooklyn Chophouse, Stratis has been working in hospitality for years and is well-positioned to transform the space into a thrilling new restaurant. Stratis made one of his most significant marks in the hospitality industry when he created, designed, and developed Philippe Chow alongside the eponymous chef. A third generation New Yorker, Stratis carries on the traditions of his father, who operated five Chelsea Chop Houses from 1955 to 1985.
Always an innovator, Stratis recently launched Brooklyn Dumpling Shop with a surprisingly un-modern twist. Designed as an automat, Brooklyn Dumpling House is a tribute to the “restaurants of the future” that debuted at the turn of the 20th century. Featuring nothing but an anonymous series of glass boxes in a machine, automats were entirely – as you likely guessed – automated. The new restaurant style completely separated guests from the staff, and while they became a popular gimmick for artists and modernists, they failed to catch on in a major way in the country. Now in the post-pandemic era though, people are seeing the idea of a fully automated restaurant in a new light.
While both Stratis and the bar he’s taking over have a long and storied history, Stratis isn’t quite ready to share further details about his new bar. It doesn’t appear that E. Village Bar will extend his automat concept, though it will serve a light collection of burgers and wings. Regardless, with a leader like Stratis Morfogen at the helm, the new bar can hopefully become as iconic as Coyote Ugly was. For those of you who don’t want to say goodbye to Coyote Ugly though, you can rest assured that the bar has simply moved uptown to East 14th Street.
