Maybe a dive bar doesn’t need decades of Winston smoke and spilled Budweiser long necks to feel like the real thing. Despite its just-born status and celebrity lineage (Justin Theroux, a partner, snapped party photos at its opening this month), Ray’s Bar has just the right mix of cheap paneling, cheap beer and cheap thrills to pass for an old-school honky-tonk — the kind of no-frills joint where your uncle Dave and his pals might throw back happy-hour highballs after the factory whistle blows (or after he options his first screenplay).
CreditAndrew White for The New York Times
The Place
With its Dale Earnhardt poster, Blake Shelton on the jukebox and large American flag pinned to the ceiling, Ray’s feels like a red-state bar in a blue-state town; the only things missing are peanut shells on the floor. (It seems strange to think that the space recently housed Le Turtle, a fashion-centric restaurant billed as “New Wave French”).
Look closer and you’ll spot just enough campy touches (a giant disco ball, an oversize dogs-playing-pool print) to remind you that you’re at the mercy of Manhattan ironists.
The Crowd
When a bar’s owners include Mr. Theroux, New York’s most eligible bachelor south of 14th Street, as well as the downtown scene makers Carlos Quirarte (the Smile, the Jane Ballroom), Taavo Somer (Freemans) and Jon Neidich (the Happiest Hour, Acme), you can expect plenty of young Hollywood types and tattooed creatives looking to get their biker on.
And frankly, if just the owners and their friends show up, it’s a pretty good room. Among those spotted the first week were Mark Ronson, David Spade, Q-Tip, Dave Chappelle and Pom Klementieff.
Getting In
Did we mention that Ray’s is a dive bar? At least for the moment, there is no velvet rope, no list to get your name on. Mr. Theroux’s booth, however, may get a little crowded on the nights he is in residence.
The Playlist
Heavy on the contemporary country (Midland, Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton), with a sprinkling of Southern-fried rock (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Allman Brothers) and hip-hop (Rob Base, Black Moon).
Drinks
The bartenders will mix a negroni if asked, but this is more of a Miller High Life ($7) and bourbon back ($12) kind of place. There’s no food (at least not yet) and no elderflower-infused cocktails.
Ray’s Bar, 177 Chrystie Street, no phone, info@raysbarnyc.com. Open 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday to Friday; 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
