(Photo courtesy of Drexler's)

(Photo courtesy of Drexler’s)

While Jesse Malin expands his portfolio by opening Berlin underneath 2A, another East Village proprietor, Darin Rubell, is making moves a couple of blocks away. This Wednesday, Rubell (owner of Boulton & Watt and, more recently, Forrest Point) will replace his old spot, Ella, with Drexler’s, a cocktail bar serving meats, cheeses and spreads.
The seasonal drinks menu by Dustin Olson (Forrest Point) will include clarified milk punches, spins on the classics (the Paloma is made with Jarritos grapefruit soda and smoked sea salt), and a $26 tiki-inspired drink for two, called the Employee of the Month, that’s served in a trophy cup. There’s also a drink called the Summer Intern that, at $12, will probs be affordable to a summer intern only if her skeevy boss is taking her out. For beer drinkers, a custom seasonal brew from Kelso puts a lemon verbena spin on the Clinton Hill brewery’s pilsner. Check out the menus below.
The decor, designed by the same folks who did Rubell’s other places (including bygone Gallery Bar), includes old bathtubs filled with cold beers and (for those who already miss the ones at Lit) repurposed church pews. Ella’s upright piano remains, so expect the DJs to break for the occasional live act.

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Drexler’s, 9 Avenue A, nr. Houston St., East Village; 646-524-5226.