Lucy's was a dive bar located in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. Owned and operated by Ludwika "Lucy" Mickevicius, the bar was a staple of the community from 1987 until its closure in 2024 due to eviction.[1][2]
History
Ludwika "Lucy" Mickevicius, originally from Poland, became a bartender in the East Village in the early 1980s. She took over the bar, originally named Blanche’s, in December 1987. The establishment was later renamed Lucy's in her honor.[3][2] Lucy's was known for its unchanging, no-frills atmosphere. The bar featured dim lighting, worn linoleum floors, pool tables, and a jukebox, retaining a vintage aesthetic that appealed to both long-time patrons and newcomers.[3][4] Lucy's played a crucial role in the East Village's social scene, providing a sense of community in a neighborhood that underwent significant changes over the decades. It survived the Tompkins Square Park Riot in 1988 and the COVID-19 pandemic, during which it temporarily closed but reopened in May 2020.[2][4]
In December 2023, the building housing Lucy's was sold to a new landlord, West Lake 135-139 Avenue A LLC / RYCO Capital, for $19 million. Following the sale, Mickevicius faced a significant rent increase from $8,000 to $25,000 per month. Despite her efforts to negotiate and even pay the increased rent temporarily, the financial burden was unsustainable.[5][2] In addition to the rent hike, Lucy's faced other operational challenges, including issues with health department permits and a temporary closure in late 2023. The bar was ultimately closed in early 2024 when Mickevicius received an eviction notice demanding she vacate the premises within 30 days.[4][2]
