Recommendations

This neighborhood bar/clothing exchange/designer's co-op takes local to a new level.

Strengths

• NYC-based designers rent a rack near the entrance for 4 months and get to keep 90 percent of whatever they sell. Plus, they gain access to a workspace downstairs where they can craft their wares.
• The selection is diverse and includes accessories, so something is sure to catch your eye.
• Street hawkers and their catcalls are pleasantly absent from this block of Orchard.

Shortcomings

• The Dressing Room is for night owls, not early birds: it’s open from 1pm to midnight, Sunday through Wednesday, and 1pm to 2am, Thursday through Saturday.
• Doesn’t the FDA know that consuming alcohol and buying clothing is a lethal combination?

Insider tips

• Don’t miss a trip down the stairs in the back of the bar: men’s and women’s clothing is resold in the basement.
• Like the shoes downstairs? One of The Dressing Room’s favorite sources is Girls Love Shoes, around the corner on Hester.
• A schedule for upcoming film screenings should be up on The Dressing Room's website soon.
• You can find Vibe here!
• Go at night if you’re looking to mingle at the bar. It’s great place to take a breather during the day, but the scene’s pretty dead.

Anecdotes

• My friend Sophia walked in with a bag of clothes to sell, and the salesgirl picked the best of her contemporary and vintage stuff. Sophia decided to keep 60 percent of the clothes’ value in bar credit (the lush!), instead of taking 30 percent in cash or 50 percent in exchange credit. Rejects go to charity, so Sophia left tipsy and guilt-free.
• Sick of traipsing the LES in too-cute-for-their-own-good shoes, I took a productive pit stop at the bar, where I whipped out my MacBook and wrote an entire article. Internet’s free and the girls who work here are super nice. Just don’t spill a Sunkist and vanilla vodka Creamsicle Kiss on your laptop!