STUDIO 151
Interview by Josefina Lopez de Romaña, Photos by Mel Huang
There’s nothing quite like the transcendental moment of finding your new favorite local bar—especially when it’s just two blocks away from your East Village apartment—quietly becoming the place you return to again and again. And yes, this is coming from someone who goes out a little too much.
For me, that moment happened at Studio 151.
It started as a fake project; one of those FIT assignments that a classmate of mine, Ashley, was just as committed to making something real. I complained constantly about how rare it was to find a place in New York where people were actually dancing and fully enjoying themselves to truly good music. Ashley (props to you, wherever you are) suggested we host our “imaginary” project at Studio 151, a vinyl-and-omakase bar created by the owners of Nublu as an ode to the iconic Studio 54.
This space perfectly combines two of my favorite things: sushi and rock music, which you can experience every Tuesday at their “I <3 Rockstars” night. What really drew me in, though, is that the bar is known for spinning exclusively on vinyl all night, making the whole experience feel more alive. Instead of relying on a pre-built set loaded onto a USB drive, the DJs have to trust their instincts because being a good DJ isn’t just about having an extensive knowledge of music, but also about knowing how to build an atmosphere and read the room.
Getting my friends to go out on a Tuesday nearly took a month of persuasion; after surviving a long weekend with a dreaded 9 a.m. class the following day, no one was exactly begging for another late night. But after that first visit, we never looked back. I’ve been to plenty of clubs and bars across downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn, but what struck me most about Studio 151 was the crowd and the way the entire space pulls you in. There’s something about walking up that dark set of stairs and slipping past the velvet curtain that instantly cuts you off from the outside world, dropping you into what always turns into an all-night dance party. I have to give credit to my friends for always showing up and bringing the right energy, but Studio 151 makes it easy. From the low lighting and beautiful bar staffed by some of the coolest bartenders, to the DJ booth stacked with some of my all-time favorite records, every detail just works. And of course, their dirty martini deserves an honorable mention, easily one of the best in the East Village. I still need to ask where they get those perfectly juicy olives.
One of my most memorable nights here started with everyone headbanging to Rock the Casbah by The Clash, which somehow transitioned into Pass the Dutchie by Musical Youth, making my friend Mel and me completely lose it at how random yet perfect it felt. Later, after some quick and necessary introductions to the DJs, we realized we had both been at the Air concert at the Brooklyn Paramount the week before. So, of course, he closed out our night by playing Sexy Boy.
Go for the omakase, go for the vinyl, go for that martini. But more than anything, go for the feeling. At Studio 151, people actually come to dance and let go, filling the room with a kind of energy that feels rare in the city. Along with Nublu downstairs, these venues tap into the artistic, punk-rock spirit that has long defined the East Village, making for one of the most transportive nights out in the neighborhood.
