Food 'n' Festivities. No BS.: The Bulgarian Experience of a Lifetime!

In all truthfulness, I don’t have any idea where Bulgaria is on a map, but if it’s anything like Mehanata, I would drop my drawers and streak down 3rd Ave for free room and board. Mehanata is a Bulgarian bar… scratch that… Mehanata is a Bulgarian goddess land where little boys become men, girls become women, and Americans realize our culture is boring as $h*t. In one small establishment, you can smoke hookah, dangle from a stripper pole, sway on a sex swing, watch live music, and dress like a soviet while drinking vodka out of chilled, ice shot-glasses!

This is one of my favorite spots in the city by far. I initially came for a birthday party almost 4 years ago on a suggestion from a friend of mine. This place has 3 levels, all consisting of various bizarre pieces to this Bulgarian puzzle. The main floor has a small stage where you can catch live music on the weekends – never anything but odd-to-the-ears music. You’ll also find the sex swings I mentioned (no, there is no sex going on) and a cultured crowd of people swarming the bar. Tables are also available to chill out with small groups of people on this level.

Head upstairs and you’ll find mainly private parties and an area that’s a bit quieter, although if there’s a band, you’ll have your socks rocked off no matter where you go. Grab a drink at the top floor bar and get the hell off this level… I’m bored already.

We’re heading down to the basement now. You’re pumped up, you’re feeling good, and nobody can stop you! Bright, neon blue lights illuminate this lower-level wonderland. Another bar right when you walk down provides drinks to inebriated girls and guys. On the side of the bar is where you’ll find the main alcohol source – Mehanata’s Vodka Room. For $20, join your friends and maybe a few strangers in this 2 minute drinking escapade. The bartender will strap you up in soviet gear, arm you with the one weapon that matters most – a frozen shot glass made of ice, and send you on your way into battle with numerous choices of vodka. Pound as many shots as you can in the 2 minute time limit and then work your way over to the dance floor. You’re now dancing to music you’ve never heard before in your life, you feel loose and limber like you may just grab a Bulgarian bombshell off one of the gypsy poles surrounding you. A friend of yours calls out “Hey, come over here!”

You take a drag out of an assortment of flavored hookah and start giggling like a middle-school student at the 6th grade dance.

This is the experience you get when you come here.

If you’re going to do it, do it right and come with friends. Lots of them. Plan to go between Thursday – Saturday from 8pm-4am because that’s when they’re open. The bathrooms have a nice treat for the guys too. Sorry, but I’m going to ruin it right now with pictures for all the women that will never get to see this. See below: