The Meaning Behind Lazy Point and the History of Bars in Greenwich Village, NYC

Greenwich Village has always been a lively gathering place for locals. In the 1950s, it was the center of the Beat Movement, and in the ‘60s, it set the stage for bohemian culture. And even before that, it was a meeting place in the 19th and 20th centuries for greats like Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, Salvador Dalí, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol.

Musical legends like Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and James Taylor also became mainstays there. It's always been a mecca for creativity—and everyone who has it, whether artists, writers, or a bevy of eclectic and avant-garde residents. Art galleries, theaters, and controversial publications have thrived in the Village. So, it should come as no surprise that bars have played a big part in it all, too. After all, the best ideas are usually born on a cocktail napkin. As a result, creative cocktails are mainstays in the area, even today.

Greenwich Village is not only the center of a vibrant local scene but also of many great bars, like Lazy Point. Known as a birthday bar, our laidback spot mixes history and fun to create a vibe worth celebrating. Located in the historic Dennison and Lydia Wood House (circa 1818), so much has happened in the space—much like in Greenwich Village itself.

Funny enough, where Lazy Point stands didn’t start out as a bar, but that doesn’t make its location any less impactful on New York City’s history. Dennison Wood’s rise as a ship captain paralleled New York’s development in the early and mid-19th century, and into the country’s dominant port and financial capital. And while it was originally home to a ship captain, we like to think Lazy Point’s storied location lends itself to a beach vibe in the heart of the city.

But while a beach bar and a laidback vibe – Lazy Point is named after Lazy Point Beach in Montauk – don’t seem to go hand in hand with a birthday bar automatically, the combination fits considering the history of the area—and fits well. “I think it takes a lot of the pretension out of celebrations,” says Strawn. “It’s not a pretentious bar whatsoever. You’re not putting your pinky up when you’re having a cocktail there. It’s just laidback, fun, and, in my opinion, pretty good music.”

While you won’t find a dive bar vibe here, Strawn admits, “99% of the time here, everybody’s there just to have a good time. No one’s in here, just surly, drinking, looking for a fight. Everybody’s dancing. Everybody’s having fun.”

While we’re sure Dennison Wood’s idea of home wasn’t necessarily a vibrant scene with a bar built for birthdays—after all, this place was built in the 1800s—we do think that Lazy Point is a testament to the evolution of New York City; it’s always changing, but so much of its roots stay the same. And whether you think of its history or its cocktail culture, bars like Lazy Point stand the test of time while offering a good time.