A Bambi Lake poetry collection gets an East Village launch party

A poetry collection from the late Bambi Lake will be celebrated Thursday evening at Francis Kite Club, 40 Avenue C between Third Street and Fourth Street. 

"Devour Me, Again" gathers the work of Lake, the San Francisco poet, performer and punk musician who died in 2020 at age 70. According to organizers, the anthology explores themes including love, heartbreak, transgender identity, underground nightlife, queer survival, chosen family, desire and downtown decadence. 

The launch event will feature readings by Silke Berlinn, August Bernadicou, Perry Brass, Kay Gabriel and Harron Walker.

Bernadicou, executive director and co-founder of The LGBTQ History Project, described Lake as "the San Francisco street poet and punkette who once proclaimed that her greatest talent was making people cry."

Lake was associated with the Cockettes and Angels of Light and chronicled a period of LGBTQ life and culture that helped shape generations of artists and performers. 

RSVP here.

The newish office building at 1 St. Mark's Place is no longer empty

Sephora now has some upstairs neighbors, as the building at 1 St. Mark's Place has secured its first office tenants. 

According to a report in The Real Deal, two firms have signed 10-year leases totaling more than 16,000 square feet in the nine-story office property developed by Real Estate Equities Corporation (REEC). 

An investment firm leased 9,500 square feet across the sixth and seventh floors, while a technology-focused investment firm took 6,800 square feet on the eighth and ninth floors. The tenants were not identified. 

The leasing activity marks a milestone for the roughly 60,000-square-foot building on the NE corner of Third Avenue and St. Mark's Place. The project, developed by Brandon Miller's REEC, has had a complicated path — including financial challenges before and after the pandemic, as well as a lender-backed refinancing. Miller reportedly took his own life in the summer of 2024. 

Sephora, the first (and only?) retail tenant, opened a 7,800-square-foot store on the ground floor last month

A final look at Somtum Der

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

We stopped by the former Somtum Der space at 85 Avenue A between Fifth Street and Sixth Street on Friday, where auction crews were arriving soon to remove the restaurant's remaining fixtures and equipment.

As we first reported, the Michelin-recognized Isan-style Thai restaurant served its final meals on May 31, ending a nearly 13-year run in the East Village. 

On Friday, owner Supanee Kitmahawong said there are no plans to reopen elsewhere in the neighborhood. She said her daughter has graduated from school and that she has been working for a long time. "I'm tired and want to rest," she said. 

Kitmahawong said she was grateful for the many customers who supported Somtum Der over the years, whether they were regulars from around the block or diners who traveled across the city for the restaurant's signature northeastern Thai dishes. 

She is a partner in the Brooklyn location. In 2024, the team rebranded its Red Hook outpost as Goog Thai Cook Shop, shifting the focus from spicy Isan cuisine to Thai comfort food inspired by neighborhood cook shops in Bangkok.

Meanwhile, the chapter that began on Avenue A in 2013 has come to a close.

Another inexpensive slice shop bites the dust at 20 Avenue A

Photo by Stacie Joy 

It appears the latest cheap-o pizza concept is kaput at 20 Avenue A. 

Paper now covers the windows at the Italian Slice, which took over for Alphabet 99 Cent Pizza ... and NYC Pizza and Fried Chicken. 

Given there are seven establishments serving liquor on this block between Second Street and Houston, you'd think this might be the SpaceX of late-night dollar-slice joints.

Signage alert: FKA on 2nd Avenue

Signage recently arrived at 221 Second Ave. between 13th Street and 14th Street for a new bar called FKA — short for "Formerly Known As." 

The venture is taking over the ground-floor space that previously housed Wayne & Sons, the taqueria that relocated to Williamsburg last year in search of a larger home. 

According to a Yelp listing for FKA, the concept is built around a "high-low" approach, pairing cold beer, martinis and classic cocktails with a menu featuring raw seafood, smoked meats and burgers. 

The description also promises pinball machines, gumball machines, vinyl records and the slogan: "Good, clean filth." 

There's no word yet on an opening date. They have an Instagram account here.

The rear of the property is no longer home to a speakeasy, as both The Spirits' Speakeasy and Sincerely, Ophelia have gone dark. The front of the address has seen several concepts come and go, including Dear Rufio and Chicken & the Egg. 

Finnerty's, the Bay Area sports bar, closed here in December 2020 after 11 years in business. 

At Sophie's and beyond: More Knicks championship photos

Photos by Kyle de Vre 

We have more Knicks celebratory pics, starting at Sophie's on Fifth Street near Avenue A ... and on the surrounding streets...

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week include (with a photo from Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg)

 Never miss an EVG post with the weekly EVG newsletter. Free right here. 

• NY Copy Print & Ship Center preparing to close after 34 years on 7th Street (June 8)

• Report: Judge clears way for men's intake shelter to open on 3rd Street (June 11) 

• Village View board exploring development options for one of its parking lots (June 9)

• Rabbit Books and Bar owners share an update ahead of a mid-July opening on Avenue A (June 10) 

• The incoming Barnes & Noble gets the plywood treatment on Avenue A (June 8) 

• Early voting underway (June 13) 

• Work starts on new 10th Street pedestrian bridge to East River Park (June 10) 

• Knicks fever in the East Village: A photo essay (June 10) ... Saturday night on Avenue C, Knicks NBA championship edition (June 14)

• Scenes from the 3rd annual Lower East Side Puerto Rican Parade & Festival (June 7) 

• These are the free movies screening in Tompkins Square Park this summer (June 9) 

• Former Karma gallery for lease on 2nd Street — for use as a gallery (June 10) 

• The wurst is over: Crif Dogs signage returns to St. Mark's Place (June 12) 

• A visit to Singapore Social (June 11) 

• Openings: Alma Mexicana Restaurante on 3rd Street (June 9) … Tacos Domingo on 1st Avenue (June 8) 

• Closures: Gooey On the Inside Cookies (June 8) 

• Signage alert: Kuroneko on 10th Street (June 10) 

Thanks to Allan Yashin for this spectacular sunrise pic from the past week...

And discarded couch questions on Avenue B: Why are the privileged faces so sullen... photo by Stacie Joy

Saturday night on Avenue C, Knicks NBA championship edition

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

As you may have heard, the Knicks won the NBA championship last night in a tense game 5 versus the San Antonio Spurs, setting off celebrations across the city, including in the East Village. 

These photos were taken along Avenue C between Sixth Street and Seventh Street, where ABC Beer Co. and HiLot were streaming the game outside.

The two broadcasts were slightly out of sync, creating a ripple effect as cheers erupted up and down the block after big shots, blocks and fouls.

After the final buzzer, hundreds of fans poured into the street. 

There was plenty of hugging, dancing, singing and the occasional shower of beer. Some people climbed onto cars, scaffolding and light poles for a better view of the scene.

Police arrived but largely kept to the sidelines as the celebration unfolded. Fireworks went off overhead, and smoke from flares and fireworks hung in the air as fans lingered well into the night.

Now, when Journey sounds really good ...

Avenue C celebrates the Knicks championship win pic.twitter.com/Mqmzd1yjAo

— Stacie Joy (@Joy_of_photos) June 14, 2026

The 6th annual WasteFest is TODAY in Tompkins Square Park

Hardcore veterans Urban Waste are hosting their sixth annual WasteFest this weekend ... with Day 2 in Tompkins Square Park this afternoon.

On the bill:

• Millions Of Dead Cops 
• Urban Waste 
• School Drugs 
• Chemical X 
• Litmus Green 
• Counter Violence 
• On The Loose 

The free show starts at 2 p.m.

Saturday's parting shot

Earlier today on Second Avenue...

Early voting for New York Primary Elections starts TODAY

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In the East Village, residents will be voting on:

• Representative in Congress 10 

• State Comptroller 

• State Senator 27 

Find more info, including your voting site, here.

Saturday's opening shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

A Knicks/Superman mural by Fumero arrived earlier in the week in Freeman Alley (off Rivington near the Bowery). 

Your Game 5 forecast — here anyway... mostly sunny and warm (high 89). BUT, a lot less humid. A fine day for free outdoor activities.

Friday's parting (INCOMING!) shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

When it got really stormy for a few minutes this evening... view to the west from Houston at Avenue A...

Only U

 

Nautics, an NYC band who've been playing together since high school in 2015, are on the free Show Brain bill tomorrow afternoon in Tompkins Square Park.

The video here is for "U23" ... their latest single. 

Pinc Louds is recording their new record live tomorrow in Tompkins Square Park

Tomorrow's free Show Brain show in Tompkins Square Park features headliners Pinc Louds (5-6 p.m.), who'll be recording their new album live during the set. 

The afternoon lineup includes an album-release show by locals Telescreens (3:35-4:35) ... plus Nautics (2:40-3:10) and Abbie Roper (1:50-2:20).

There's also an after-party at 96 Tears on Avenue A near Seventh Street.

Set times are subject to change!

The wurst is over: Crif Dogs signage returns to St. Mark's Place

On Wednesday, an EVG reader alerted us to the return of the Crif Dogs' wiener-shaped signage at 113 St. Mark's Place, between Avenue A and First Avenue. (Thanks to the reader for the top pic!) 

The oversized frankfurter was removed months ago for a facade-restoration project at No. 113...

Crif Dogs opened here in 2001.

Friday's opening reminder

Photo by Stacie Joy 

The annual Drag March — one of our favorite events of the year — is two weeks from today... (Friday, June 26!) at the start of Pride Weekend. 

Participants will start gathering in Tompkins Square Park around 7 p.m.-ish... before stepping off for the march over to the Stonewall Inn. 

Revisit Stacie Joy's photos from last year at this link.

Thursday's parting shot

Day 1 of the World Cup as Mexico beat South Africa 2-0... watching the end from Fourth Street at First Avenue...

Report: Judge clears way for men's intake shelter to open on 3rd Street

A State Supreme Court judge has cleared the way for the city to relocate its main intake shelter for homeless men to 8 E. Third St. near the Bowery, ending a legal challenge that had delayed the move for more than a month.

As reported by The New York Times, Justice Sabrina Kraus ruled yesterday that the city provided a rational basis for moving the intake operation from the deteriorating former Bellevue intake center on East 30th Street to the East Village facility to the Renewal on the Bowery facility. 

Neighbors who sued to block the move argued that converting the site into an intake center — where people typically stay only a few days — would have a different impact on the neighborhood than the substance-abuse shelter that has operated there for decades. They contended that the change should have triggered additional public review. 

In her ruling, Kraus acknowledged residents' concerns and frustration over not having an opportunity to weigh in on a decision that could affect the character of the block, but said the court could not substitute its judgment for that of the city.

Attorney Randy Mastro, who represents the residents challenging the move, told the Times that his clients are considering an appeal. 

The city announced plans in March to move the intake operation to 8 E. Third St. after determining that the longtime men's intake center near Bellevue was in poor condition and needed to close immediately.

Project Renewal was founded in 1967, and the organization has used the spaces at 8 E. Third St. and 333 Bowery for decades.

A visit to Singapore Social

Photos and interview by Stacie Joy

Singapore Social is still settling into its new home at 15 Avenue A between Houston and Second Street, but the restaurant has already found an audience. 

Since opening in late April in the former Foul Witch space, the restaurant has been drawing diners eager for dishes rooted in Singaporean, Malaysian and Indonesian cooking — cuisines that co-owner Suriane Sahari (below) believes remain underrepresented in New York.

We caught up with Sahari before her return to Singapore to talk about the early response, favorite dishes, expansion plans and why the East Village feels a little like home. 

You’ve only recently opened your doors. How has it been so far? 

The majority of the people who come in are Southeast Asian. We have mostly Southeast Asian guests, and it was quite a shocker for us because we just blasted on Instagram and a majority know us from Instagram/social media. They were so thankful that we're open here because here we find that the Singaporean, Indonesian, and Malaysian cuisines are underrated in New York. 

That's why we want to represent it properly, with its authenticity, while still taking a fun approach to the New York crowd. 

What do you think of the East Village? 

Oh, it's been amazing. It's so lively, and it never stops. New York kind of reminds me a bit of Singapore. The diversity and the people, all so nice, so assertive. We are truly blessed.

So far, what is the best-selling menu item? 

The best-selling item has been our satay, the chicken satay. And our chicken rice — the roasted chicken rice and the nasi lemak ayam berempah (coconut rice with chicken, fried egg, peanuts and anchovies).

Actually, all of our dishes are equally selling! It's been all good, nothing down, nothing that's not selling. We are so proud, and it keeps us very busy because every one of our items is labor-intensive. It’s all housemade. So that's why it's a good challenge for us, labor-wise, because we need to have a lot of people.

And then bringing in the recipes, which are new to New Yorkers, is another good challenge, and we get to expand our food to all New Yorkers. 

Do you see yourselves expanding? 

In New York, definitely. Maybe we're looking for more of the Upper East Side, if it's possible. But we still want to get the momentum going first. Then maybe we think of expanding. We don't want to be overachieving something. 

New York is a great place. This is a great location. It's the people who play a lot of the part here, and we have people from Brooklyn and even New Jersey. Most of the Southeast Asians are there, and then they travel all the way here to eat. And then we are like, oh my God, you shouldn't. But thank you for coming all the way here. 

And getting the liquor license was very complicated. For me, as a first-timer here, there's a lot to do: paste this and that in the restaurant, and then they have to take pictures. There are many procedures here. It's different from Singapore, actually. 

Really? How so? 

Yeah, in Singapore, it's just quite straightforward. It's just everything in one. But here, you have to print certain things, then paste them on the wall, and you need a legal license and all.

So, it's different...it's definitely more complex, more steps as compared to Singapore.

If you were to eat a meal here, what would you pick? 

Oh, me personally? My favorite is the nasi lemak ayam berempah. It is so well seasoned, and it's just… whoa! And it's the whole day you can last on it. You don't have to eat anything else. 

Also, our coffee and tea are imported; sourcing was difficult because they were hard to find in New York. So, it’s a similar taste but different brands.

And we hope to expand the menu soon to add more noodle dishes, and maybe a famous Singaporean dish called carrot cake, made of radishes and rice flour. It has no carrots! 

Here's a look around the space...

Hours: 5-10 p.m. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 

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Sahari and her partner, chef (and other co-owner/co-founder) Jonathan Lim, has already returned to Singapore. They are both senior managers for Roberta's in Singapore. 

Roberta's co-founders, Brandon Hoy and chef Carlo Mirarchi, opened Foul Witch here in January 2023.