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CLUB PLANET PICK OF THE WEEK
9/13/10
Where do SoHo’s fashionistas and punks of the Lower East Side go for
cheep booze, live music, and retro flicks? Those daring enough to
beat the Chinatown crowd will easily discover an Eldridge Street
gem.
Fontana’s may appear like a typical downtown bar, but curious
patrons will actually be overwhelmed by its monstrous size.
Featuring multiple levels for dancing or canoodling with a sexy
stranger, as well as three bars to order all the Tecates and house
vodkas you desire, Fontana’s is
a welcoming surprise for those in need of no-frills entertainment on
any night. Enter past Fontana’s giant
doors without paying a cover charge and you’ll be greeted by bikini
babes and hot rods. Maybe the artwork won’t impress every guest,
but Fontana’s candlelit
interior and crimson leather booths are enough to get anyone in the
mood. If $5 cocktails aren’t enough to keep you satisfied, head to
the Chandelier Room and shoot some pool or sit back and watch 70’s
heartthrobs go at it on a giant flat screen. Once the DJ cranks up
The Ramones or Iron Maiden, you know it’s time for Fontana’s to
transform from a seductive lounge to local concert dive.
Need some of DJ's Gin & Tonic's club anthems to make you hit the
floor? Want to take a trip back to 1991? Sneak your way downstairs
to Fontana’s basement
where artists from around the world come for one sole purpose: to
play it loud! On all seven days, Fontana’s has
an unusually eclectic lineup of bands playing everything from
electronica to Icelandic rock. Fontana’s is
also famous for their parties, ranging from a Latin skafest to an
80’s Soviet pop bash. No matter how bizarre your musical tastes may
be, Fontana’s is
certain to have it for 10 bucks or less. Being seen at an A-list
club in Manhattan is an undeniable thrill, but partying with indie
rockers at Fontana's
without going broke is priceless.
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MAXIM
Crazy-Oke!
. Punk Rock Heavy Metal Karaoke Fontana’s,
New York City Scene: Plaid-shirted hipsters and American
Apparel–bedecked hotties semi-ironically kick out the jams in front
of a live band that has seen a million faces and rocked ’em all
since 1999. Playlist: “The Number of the Beast,” Iron Maiden; “Where
Eagles Dare,” Misfits; “Jailbreak,” Thin Lizzy
read online |
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THE ANTITOURIST
One of the main things I have noticed about Fontana's over the last year and a half or so is this: the owner/manager always watches the bands. Having been a part of the live show scene in NYC for years now...this is telling. Fontana's actually does take pride in having good, or at least interesting, live music. And they make a point to make their shows under $10. The drinks aren't really any cheaper than you'll find anywhere else in NYC; but the atmosphere definitely is. Located on line between Chinatown and The Lower East Side, the 'downtown' vibe surely flourishes in this place-but without all of the pretentious mumbo jumbo. The art on the walls is breath taking. The place itself, architecture wise, is breath taking, as well. A giant chandelier decorates the lower level of the main floor and behind it hangs a huge projection screen which constantly displays artistic images for the wandering eye. Equipped with a pool table, three separate bars, and amazing music-Fontana's has really hit every bird there is to hit with one single stone. They throw amazing parties, provide big, cushioned VIP-type booths on the upper level of the main floor, and get this...(drum roll)...THE PEOPLE ON STAFF ARE FRIENDLY! If you're looking for a low key, yet AWESOME place to get crunk in NYC-go here. And yes, I said 'get crunk'. read online |
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PAPER MAGAZINE
Cavernous Eldridge Street newcomer Fontana's looks like it might be more at home a few blocks east. But don't let its dingy locale or enormity intimidate you. Two of the owners are behind the nearby drinks den Route 85A, and the lack of pretense carries over here. On a recent night, I attempted to have a conversation with a friend, but every time I looked up from my beer, I noticed his gaze was fixed on the muted James Bond flick illuminating the flat-screen TV. That was the perfect choice to complement the curvy red-leather booths and pulp paintings of hot rods and busty babes on the walls. Happy hour starts here when most New Yorkers are finishing up the last of their paninis: 2 p.m. The attractive happy-hour prices on beer ($3-$4) make it a good time to sample the dozen different ones on tap, from Old Speckled Hen to Hofbrau. Even if you're not craving a game of pool, make sure you wander into the back room for a dose of old rock glam. Despite the proliferation of swank spots on the LES, thankfully the neighborhood can't shed its reputation as a rocker haven. In the basement bar, DJs and bands create a late-night, low-key rock-club vibe. read online |
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NEW YORK MAGAZINE
This surprisingly enormous bar and music venue just south of Delancey Street is owned by the ladies behind Route 85a. If that charming dive is a snappy hot dog, Fontana's is an enormous, delicious triple-decker sandwich with the works, boasting a bar up front, another in the cavernous, balconied back room, and a third in the basement area where bands play. The wall paintings define the campy, comfortable mood: In a shiny palette of primaries, they depict bikini babes, muscle cars, and portraits of '70s rock and movie icons. Tallbacked red patent leather booths are more than big enough to accommodate the large, loud groups that begin to fill up the space at around 10 p.m. Extra-sweet and solicitous bartenders guide patrons through the extensive and ever-changing roster of tap and bottled beers, including hard-to-find favorites like He'Brew. Despite the neighborhood's reputation as a haven for music snobs, the only Arrogant Bastard here is the ale of the same name: The clientele at Fontana's is refreshingly relaxed and attitude-free. read online |
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THRILLIST.COM
[Fontana's] will have something for everyone, with a neighborhood joint up front sporting plush booths, barstools, and charmingly toothless regulars; and a slick two-level back lounge where DJs will spin rock and Britpop. There's also a subterranean grotto the owners say was once a precinct jail, but will now host live bands, acclimatizing budding rockstars to crowds, and to a prison setting -- both of which they'll be seeing a lot more of should they enjoy any real success. read online |
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VILLAGE VOICE
On a relatively bar-less stretch of Eldridge lies new bar Fontana's, an unassuming, surprisingly spacious bar that we hope will surviveŅif only because downtown could use a few less gimmicks and a few more pool tables. Spread out not unlike a split-level home, the front part is given over to Fontana's extensive bar, while the back room houses a pool table and a large screen that satisfies the 20-plus year old kiddies with regular installments of "Aqua Teen Hunger Force." The basement features bands and the occasional special event, like Mustaches for Kids' Stache Bash. read online |
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