EAST VILLAGE — The owner of the recently shuttered Mars Bar may open a new watering hole somewhere near his famously gritty Second Avenue saloon, according to reports.
Longtime Mars proprietor Hank Penza is considering reopening a version of his decades-old dive, he told the New York Post. EV Grieve reported on Monday that Penza was looking for a space within five blocks of the former pub.
"I do plan to reopen," Penza told the Post. "I am looking at a couple of places in the area. I just haven't made a decision yet."
Mars Bar was gutted last week after the Department of Health abruptly shuttered the notoriously grimy tavern for a slew of violations ahead of its planned demolition next month.
The Mars Bar's jukebox and bar have been preserved and would be ready to plant in the forthcoming space, EV Grieve noted.
