Beyond this unassuming facade at 82 Stanton lies a building with a story. This is 82 Stanton. It’s a commercial building that stands three stories tall.
Built in 1920, 82 Stanton has seen the Lower East Side evolve. The address is also home to Epstein’s Bar. The bar is located at 82 Stanton Street. It sits near Allen Street. If you want to visit, remember Epstein’s Bar only accepts cash.
Epstein’s Bar is now back on the Lower East Side. It had a two-year break. The new owners seem to focus more on food. Epstein’s Bar serves lunch, brunch, and dinner. The menu has comfort food. There is Short Rib Chili with cheddar. Truffle Mac ‘n Cheese is a popular choice. Disco Fries are on the menu. You can also get salads and burgers. Southern Fried Chicken is available. Waffles cost extra. Cocktails feature a Moscow Mule. Epstein’s Bloody Mary is a favorite. Try the Transfusion. It mixes Tito’s vodka, Sprite, and grape juice.
Stanton Street itself has a vibrant history. It runs west to east in Manhattan. Stanton Street is in the Lower East Side. The street starts at the Bowery in the west. It ends at a dead end past Pitt Street. This is next to Hamilton Fish Park. Another part of Stanton Street is east of Columbia Street. This happened in 1959 after building the Gompers Houses and Masaryk Towers.
Stanton Street has a bike lane, a through lane, and a parking lane. It is north of Rivington Street. Stanton Street is south of Houston Street. The street got its name from George Stanton. He was an associate of landowner James De Lancey.
The area around 82 Stanton has seen many changes. The Lower East Side once had a large Jewish community. German and Eastern European Jews lived here. Later, Puerto Ricans came. Now, new immigrants are arriving. The Jewish character is coming back a bit. This is led by the Stanton Street Synagogue. It is called Congregation Bnai Jacob Anshei Brzezan.
Lady Gaga once lived on Stanton Street before she became famous. This adds a touch of celebrity history to the area. The TV show “Forever” used a building on Stanton Street. It was shown as “Abe’s Antiques”. The movie “The Jazz Singer” showed a crowded Stanton Street market. This was in 1927.
So, as you stand here at 82 Stanton. Think of the layers of history beneath your feet. From its early days as a commercial building to its current life. 82 Stanton continues to be a part of the ever-changing story of the Lower East Side.