Big Lee's, East Village Dive Bar, in Danger of Closing: Here's How to Help

EAST VILLAGE, NY — The popular East Village bar Hard Swallow Saloon, commonly known as Big Lee's, at 140 First Ave. closed last week, EV Grieve reports. Fans of Big Lee's are fighting to keep their beloved bar open, and started an online fundraising campaign to help the cause.

Big Lee's was a dive bar by default, with cheap drinks, loud music from a jukebox and quirky bartenders. So far, the campaign has raised $1,700 out of their $10,000 goal to cover a legal fee to keep the bar open.

Here is a part of their heart-tugging plea:

"Due to a re-neg on a purchase agreement of the bar, our friends are now having to incur some serious legal fees to fight this injustice, and also cover lost revenue while the bar is closed. Big Lee & Sasha have always welcomed everyone into their bar, and have done everything possible to make them feel at home, including cooking a Thanksgiving dinner for the patrons of the Hard Swallow, also known as The Hard Swallow Family. They put their heart & soul into this bar, fixed it up, and now they have to fight to keep it open. These are great people, true New Yorker's, and people you've known & loved for years."

Big Lee's opened July 16, 2015, where Spanky and Darla's used to be. Big Lee was the former bouncer at Hogs & Heifers in the West Village, and he has a devoted following of dive bar patrons.

Supporters on the GoFundMe page shared messages of encouragement and love for the bar, like "Best home away from home" and "Because where else can I have my burger soaked in moonshine!"

Patch called the bar, but no one answered the phone.

For updates on this story and real-time alerts from East Village Patch, subscribe to the East Village Patch Daily Newsletter.

Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim/Flickr