Tucked along Avenue A in the East Village, Sidewalk Café is the kind of place New Yorkers label a “second living-room.” 🎸 The doors open at 8 AM for bottomless-coffee writers and don’t close until 2 AM when the last open-mic singer strums the final chord. Inside, mismatched thrift-shop tables, twinkle lights, and a postage-stamp stage create a cozy bohemian vibe, while sidewalk tables deliver prime people-watching of downtown’s ever-changing street parade.
Services
• All-day diner menu plus full bar with 20 rotating craft beers 🍻
• Daily live music & Monday open-mic that launched countless indie acts 🎤
• Weekend brunch 8 AM–4 PM with bottomless coffee refills ☕️
• Happy-hour specials (4-7 PM) featuring $6 drafts & $8 cocktails 🍹
• Heated outdoor patio for year-round al-fresco hangs 🌞
• Free Wi-Fi & plenty of outlets for laptop warriors 💻
• Late-night kitchen till 1 AM; bar open till 2 AM Fri–Sat 🌙
• Vegan & gluten-free swaps on request 🌱
Menu
• Antifolk Burger – 8-oz Angus patty, gooey cheddar, onion jam & chipotle mayo on a brioche bun 🍔
• Avenue A Wings – half-dozen smoked-then-fried wings, sweet-chili glaze 🔥
• Brunch Benedict – two poached eggs on house biscuit with smoked salmon & dill-hollandaise 🍳
• Baby Kale Caesar – shaved Parmesan, garlic croutons, crisp capers 🥗
• Grilled Cheese Trio – cheddar, Gruyère & provolone on sourdough with tomato-bisque dip 🧀
• Chimichurri Fries – skin-on fries tossed in garlic-parsley sauce, perfect for sharing 🍟
• Veggie Quesadilla – roasted peppers, spinach, Oaxaca cheese & avocado crema 🌮
• Brooklyn Brownie Sundae – warm fudge brownie, vanilla ice cream & espresso dust 🍨
Pros
👍 One stop for brunch, craft beer, AND live music—rare even in NYC
👍 Kitchen open later than most Village diners, ideal after-show refuel
👍 Outdoor seating with heaters keeps the vibe alive through winter
👍 Open-mic Mondays draw rising talent; no cover, great entertainment value
👍 Wallet-friendly pricing (many mains under $15) in an otherwise pricey neighborhood
Reviews
- “Came for brunch, stayed for the vibes! Huevos Rancheros were perfectly spicy and the bottomless coffee kept flowing. Staff never rushed us.”
- “Caught an acoustic set at 10 PM—sound was crisp, and you can still chat without shouting. The Antifolk Burger lived up to the hype: juicy, messy, delicious.”
- “Love that they serve solid vegan options—my Veggie Quesadilla had melty dairy-free cheese and tons of flavor. Only wish the fries were hotter on delivery.”
- “Happy-hour cocktails are a steal—$8 East River Mule with real ginger bite. Patio heaters kept us cozy even in March.”
- “Open-mic Mondays are magical: raw talent, welcoming crowd, and you might spot tomorrow’s indie star. Order the brownie sundae—best decision of the night!”
From sunrise coffee to last-call encores, Sidewalk Café blends diner comfort, indie-music soul, and downtown edge into a single, unforgettable East Village hangout—serving big flavors and bigger creativity that keep locals and travelers lingering long after the check arrives. 🎶🍳