A pub with quite the checkered past, William Barnacle Tavern at Theatre 80 is where to go if you want drinks served with a heavy dose of history. Located at 80 St. Mark's Place, this address was once the site of Scheib's Place, a notorious prohibition era speakeasy operated by Walter Scheib, the Ukrainian frontman for bootlegger and gangster Frank Hoffman. The basement of this secret bar was lined with explosives, a final contingency in the event of a police raid, and was also where, in 1964, the current owner's father discovered two million dollars in gold certificates after buying the building from Scheib. The sordid story of Scheib's, including the fate of the found fortune, is recounted in the tavern's menus and, upon request, by your bartender. It's worth a look or listen.

The speakeasy would go on to become a nightclub where jazz legends from Coltrane to Sinatra performed, followed by a long stint as a film revival house, then an off-Broadway destination for classical theater. Today, this ever-evolving entertainment venue continues to serve the East Village as a custodian for the performing arts, showcasing everything from comedic musicals to magic shows.

The adjoining William Barnacle Tavern does its part too. Every Monday night, the bar hosts live traditional Irish music. The sessions are informal, as the players take five between each song to chat and catch up on life's current events. On warmer evenings, the doors are propped open and passers by, drawn by the sound of Celtic song, poke their heads in and promptly pull up a stool.

The tavern itself is a narrow, eerie space, illuminated by a soft green light presumably meant to match the hue of the bar's featured spirit. Using an antique absinthe fountain, those fond of the green fairy can sample dozens of varieties prepared in both the traditional and "Bohemian" method. If you're a novice when it comes to absinthe, the bartender is happy to give a tutorial and help guide you to a selection that suits your tastes. Or, you can order a hot buttered cider, spiked with absinthe, rum or whiskey. Pair it with a buckwheat galette from the Delice & Sarrasin Creperie window just inside the front door and you've got the perfect drink and dinner for a cold winter evening.

ESSENTIAL INFO:

-Total Cost: About $35 for a drink of absinthe and a savory crêpe. Tax and tip included.

-The music is advertised to begin at 9:00pm, but the players don't all arrive until around 9:30pm. No cover.

-The space is rather small and has limited seating, so get there by 9:45pm if you want to sit.

-The beer selection is pretty limited, though Guinness, Strongbow and Smithwicks are all on tap.

NEARBY: For an inexpensive dinner, grab a bite at the East Village outpost of Xi'an Famous Foods, located on the corner of St. Mark's and 1st Ave.