''Barely Disfigured', Smith Street's New Cocktail Bar Named After A Famous French Poem, To Open Soon

Owners and partners Jeremy Andre, Damien Frey and Regis Vankaster

There are two things to know about Barely Disfigured, the much anticipated new cocktail bar coming to 257 Smith Street. The first is that its name is an homage to the lyrical poem À peine défigurée , written in 1932 by French surrealist poet Paul Eluart.  The second is that the notice  written in gold letters on the establishment's front window assuring passersby that 'this is not a brothel' and that 'there are no prostitutes at this address' is a subtle reference to the infamous massage parlor, which operated at this location for a short period in 2016.

Barely Disfigured, in fact, is imbued with references to both the poet and the previous business. The bar's decor is a throwback to Eluart's time. From the photos on the wall,  to the vintage items on display, to the crystal carafes behind the large serpentine counter, all is of the surrealist period.
Here and there, reference is made to the former house of ill repute. The list of cocktails, for example, included the 'Madame Kelly,' named after the owner of one of the most luxurious brothels in Paris, which operated near the Louvre Museum until 1946.

Co-owner Jeremy Andre explained that he and his partners Damien Frey and Regis Vankaster did not want to shy away from the space's slightly unusual history.  "It is part of the story of the place, so we wanted to embrace it and refer to it in subtle ways," he explained
They choose,  however, to address the issue of illegal massage parlors around the city more directly by planning to donate part of Barely Disfigured's proceeds to the Urban Justice Center.

Barely Disfigured will open on Monday, November 6th. Cocktails will cost between $11 to $15.
Chef Gwenaël Le Pape is planning a tapas menu that includes ceviche, truffle infused Mac and cheese, as well as charcuterie and cheese selections from Stinky Bklyn.  The cocktail bar will feature live jazz.

Andre and Frey (who opened  La Cigogne on Union Street in 2014)  and Vankaster are keeping a special surprise in the back room of the bar till opening night.
Make sure to check it out on the 6th.

Barely Disfigured
257 Smith Street
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