Cheazza

Cheazza’s Choice: Crocodile Lounge On East 14th Street

The East Village’s Crocodile Lounge isn’t a traditional dollar slice spot. Instead, this dive bar along 14th Street offers free personal pies all day, every day.

Alright, nothing in life is truly free. There is a caveat. Each drink purchased at Crocodile Lounge garners one ticket for a free pie. But drinks here come cheap. You can easily grab a $5 draft and personal pie and lounge in one of Crocodile Lounge’s many dark corners all evening.

The pizza process is a cinch. Buy a drink, get a ticket. Take your ticket to the oven smack in the middle of the bar. Slide your ticket across the counter and grab a formidably sized pizza in return.

Crocodile Lounge doesn’t skimp on size. One pie makes for a satisfying dinner, especially if you’re nursing a beer on the side. Ample red pepper flakes, garlic powder and cheese are scattered around the bar and you can add toppings for an additional price.

The pizza quality, however, is inconsistent. On a good night, you’re handed a pie fresh from the oven. The crust has a great crunch when it’s piping hot. The pies are always a bit shy with the cheese, but it’s perfectly melted without sliding off each slice.

On an off night, you’ll get a pie waiting on the counter. The crust is a bit dry, and the cheese seems downright skimpy. You’ll quickly resent the solid inch of boring crust on each slice.

The risk is worth it. Crocodile Lounge presents a deal that can’t be beaten. You’ll get a cheap dinner – around $6 for a drink and a pizza – in a bar worth spending the evening in. 

Check in on Wednesdays for a challenging trivia session or during warmer weather for the great outdoor space out back. 

VERDICT: Quantity trumps quality here. You get a satisfying dinner – complete with a drink – for around $5. The pizza is hit or miss, but the hit nights feature crunchy crusts and perfectly melted cheese.

See what others have to say about Crocodile Lounge on Yelp:

The pizza was actually good, too. Evan after tipping the pizza guys in the back, you’re still paying next to nothing for a pizza. Awesome place even if you’re just looking to get one drink and a pizza… it’ll be worth it.

How can the hour not be happy when you get a ticket for a free mini personal pan pizza with every drink you order?

Crocodile Lounge
325 E 14th St
New York, NY 10003
(212) 477-7747