Co-owned by Katie Kutscher and Clyde Rennie, this recent addition to the Lower East Side has become not only a popular watering hole, but a showcase for up and coming new artists.

Originally from Michigan, (Clyde from Howard City and Katie from Grosse Pointe) the friends didn't meet until around 1998 when both were working for a record company in New York. After a few years of working together, the pair decided to go into business themselves. And since they both lived and hung out on the Lower East Side it was a natural to open their establishment there. They finally settled at 266 Broome Street, between Orchard and Allen. They stocked the bar and arranged for DJs to spin from Wednesday through Sunday after 10. They decorated the walls with some artwork donated by a local artist and placed comfy couches in the back room. They had hoped to create a homey little bar that would be LES friendly without being trendy - a "mom and pop" place.

And so they did.

After opening its doors in September of 2000, Lolita has been a hit with the neighborhood and with the tourists - a rare combo. However, the artwork that originally decorated the bar is no longer there. When the bar began selling the pieces on the wall, Clyde and Katie decided to showcase a different local artist every month. And, if you're ambling north, check out their new place, Bouche Bar, on 5th between A an B Avenue.