Ins't or Ous't: Antik

Name: Antik
Address: 356 Bowery, NYC
Statu: Ous't

Don't tell us you're shocked. While this place seems to consistently attract a crowd, it's Antik's operation that has branded it officially Ou'st. We aren't sure what ad wizards decided to open a lounge without a bar, but it is one of the worst concepts we have ever seen. Because of the weird operation, most people make a bee line for the basement bar King's Cross, which when we went was staffed by one bartender, totally overwhelmed by a normal size crowd attempting to order drinks in a room that had no air conditioning. Impossible. So it's back back upstairs to Antik, only to remember that there is no easy way to order drinks there. So in that situation, what else can you do but leave without ordering anything?

To add insult to Antikury, a Little Birdy lets us know that he was threatened by the Antik doorman 45 feet from the entrance, saying "I walked out Antik because it was so terrible, and the doorman was busy talking to girls rather than manning the rope. I just walked around it and he told me that I have to wait for him to let me out. I told him that he should relax, and he started yelling at me for no reason. After walking down the street, the guy wouldn't shut up, and wound up running after me to get in my face, threatening me. What kind of bullshit are they running? Place is a joke"

Customers that can't get a drink, no air conditioning, and door men that threaten people is a losing combination. Antik is officially Ous't.

Commenter Intel: Antik

Antik, the new semi-speakeasy on the Bowery just opened last week, and already the place is generating all sorts of reviews by our faithful readers. What say thee - commneters?

· WTF?? You cant get a drink in this place to save your life. Couldn't find a waitress and there is definitely no bar for patrons. Only for waitresses if you were lucky enough to find one. Found out later today when I was talking to some friends that this place doesn't have a liquor license or something and that's why you won't find a bar in Antique. Anyway not sure where those models were, but if they would have been there I might have been able to stay around longer and die of thirst!

· This place sucks, definitely not hipster or cool. The people are whack, service is horrible, and models?? Who are they kidding? Obviously they are writing their own good comments on here.

· I'm so sick of these "speak easies" that are being rolled out one after another. Would you like a honey infused, peppermint, pomegranate, ginger, fizz????!!

Ouch, ouch and more ouch. That is not the way to open up. Because this is the site of a former bar, we are pretty sure that they are properly licensed. But it does seem like they are operating Kings Cross and Antik as two bars with cross access. We obviously need more information, and we think we know the right person.

K&K Do Antik

Thanks to a fast moving Little Birdy, we can drop some additional intel on the soon to open Antik. According to the LB, "It is the latest creation from nightlife impresarios Larry Kramer and Craig Koenig, the team behind the rustic-lounge Retreat." Now, R&R was not half bad during its short run, but Retreat? We are having trouble coming up with something nice to say. Best to just leave it alone. Overall, impresarios may be a little too strong of a word here.

Bonus note: The late M&R bar has also been renovated into King's Cross Tavern, which fancies itself as an English pub of sorts. It's been open for a few weeks now, with some early intel making it sound not half bad. We also hear that they have been letting people upstairs into Antik, even though it's not open yet. Stop by tonight and let us know how it goes.