The look couldn’t be simpler outside, the aforementioned brown paint blending into the buildings on either side, a bit of bar neon hanging n the window behind simple lettering spelling out the name of the New York dive bar. Inside, the theme of simplicity is carried forward, block colors distinguishing the various features, black for the ceiling, blue for the wall, solid color schemes present throughout. The floor breaks the theme just a bit, aging wood showing through and hinting at some of the history here.
Everything has been touched up in pieces and parts, a sustained effort to keep International Bar divey but reasonably updated. That steady march of renovation can be seen in some of the wall art, a vintage item seen here or there but consisting mostly of new-ish beer signs and fresh artwork. Behind the bar though, a different story unfolds, where some of that signature dive bar clutter has been allowed to flourish. Above the liquors, a knick-knack shelf has collected odds and ends through the years, from cymbal-smashing monkey doll to Yoda pez dispenser. As such, the circular bar rail is the place to target when visiting International Bar, a perch that both sits in the middle of the space and provides ample view of the collection behind the bar.
Christmas lights provide a dose of character inside, the peeling black paint of the ceiling creating a sense of snugness. A handful of hightop tables run along the wall opposite the bar, enough room for a handful of patrons but not many more. The more divey of the International Bar’s features, however, can be found out back, where the smoothly painted colors inside give way to largely untouched surfaces almost entirely covered in stickers and graffiti. Halfway to the back patio, a small alcove has been turned almost completely loose, a graffiti overgrowth creeping over the walls and mounted dart board. Room for about 10 people, this little dive bar snug makes an argument for best seat in the house.
