New Bar: 124 Rabbit Club

by Naomi Ekperigin

124 MacDougal Street is pretty easy to miss. Slightly below street level, a black door marked “124” looks like it could be a shipping entrance for the neighboring Ethiopian restaurant. But a small doorbell glows, signaling to those in the know that The Rabbit Club is open for business (which starts at 6pm). Ring the bell as if you were buzzing into a friend’s apartment, and you’ll be let into a snug little bar with a vast array of European beers by the bottle—more than 60, to be not at all exact.

Formerly The Bourgeois Pig, one of the finest wine bars in the West Village (which now makes its home on 7th Street between First Avenue and Avenue A), The Rabbit Club replaced the Pig's harem-y red walls and baroque chandeliers with stenciled rabbits, white tile, and dark sponged paint, giving it more of a “dungeon casual” feel. A friend and I entered around 6pm, and were greeted instantly by the bartender, who’s quick to give recommendations based on your personal tastes. As a non-beer drinker, I think I’m doomed, until Nick pours me the Rodenbach Sour Red. It’s tart and refreshing—and, at only 5 bucks, I find I’m a cheap date. The drinks are moderately priced, with more expensive Lambics coming in at $16, and Duvel pints for $9. Tasty brews can work up an appetite, but the Rabbit has your back with fancy pretzel sandwiches that may not be worth the $10 price tag, but, after two or three Duvels, you won’t really care (apple, honey, and brie, hooray!).

Normally MacDougal Street is packed with college students, which can be a deeply unappealing scene to those looking for a quiet, non-hipstery spot in the area. Luckily, the Rabbit Club’s inconspicuous coziness coupled with a price range that mostly prices out the college kids, make it home to 20- and 30-something beer aficionados who like to kick back with a friend while non-intrusive Otis Redding jams play in the background.

Oh, and did I mention it’s a total sausagefest? They say beer is a man’s drink, and that appears to be true here, as pairs of guys bond over brews and broaden their palates beyond PBR. Ladies, if you’re looking to meet a man who probably reads Details, this is the place.

The cons are its diminutive size, which makes it less than ideal for groups, and the fact that it’s currently cash-only—though the good bartender says this may be remedied shortly. With beers at $16 and $12, it’s easy to rack up a tab, and being able to swipe the plastic would take the edge off any guilt you may feel during your international tasting. There’s only one bathroom, but seeing as it maintains an intimate crowd, there’s never a line, no matter how much everyone’s drinking.