Despite Shutters, Birdbath Is Expanding With a Boozy Bakery

City Bakery's little sister, Birdbath Bakery has dealt with the few closures — most recently the East Village outpost and the long-awaited West Village location that hasn't opened because of a real estate issue — but the team is charging on. Owner Maury Rubin is opening a third UWS location next week and is planning a Brooklyn expansion.

This newest Birdbath Bakery, in the old Arte Cafe space, will be the first to serve alcohol (pending approval of a liquor license). Rubin tells DNAinfo that he plans to serve locally-sourced beer, cider, and wine. To go with it, there will of course be plenty of baked goods, but also pizza, salads, and savory small plates for dinner. The space is decked out with vintage 1960's-era furniture, wallpaper, and lighting fixtures. There's bar and communal table seating to give it a "living room" vibe, says Rubin. And, as is fitting a bakery that serves booze, this location will stay open later than the other bakeries, until 10 p.m. or 11 p.m.