Photos Friday by Stacie Joy
Rumors have been circulating recently that Anyway Cafe, the wholly unique Russian restaurant-vodka-bar-live music venue at 34 E. Second St. near Second Avenue, is closing.
This is true, though a new like-minded establishment from the Anyway staff is in the works.
Management at Anyway addressed the situation in a Facebook post last evening... noting that tonight will be the official last night...
Most of you already know that we are in the midst of negotiations for a new lease. Wish us good luck!! This Monday, February 27, is our official last night as Anyway Cafe.Hey, as in life, when one door is closing, the other one is opening. It's just in our case we want it to be the same door!
So, this Monday we are all gathering together — staff, musicians, neighbors, and if you'll be in our area, please stop by after 7 p.m.And guys, we don't have enough words to express how much we love and appreciate you!!!!!!! YOU are the ones who make our precious place fun, inclusive, family-like and simply one-of-a-kind. More to come; stay tuned!! We LOVE you!! The tightest hugs!!Truly and always yours, Anyway staff.
Anyway Cafe first opened here in 1995.
I have been going here for years and know everyone personally. This is heart breaking and total s**t. The EV doesn’t need more empty store fronts or delusional boutiques. It needs its needs to keep places like Anyway and its diverse ecosystem.
ReplyDeleteDelusional boutiques!! Love it. Just discovered Anyway and it is a gem. Sad the landlord doesn't agree....
ReplyDeleteThis is/was a very special and unique place. Cozy, family-like atmosphere, everyone welcome. Had some wonderful nights there with friends, vodka, music, dancing...there's really nothing else like it. I hope they can reopen in the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteAs someone going there since 2000s....being real and honest here. It's had it's amazing and really bad times...good and really bad enertainment, service, food and atmosphere. So having mixed feelings about their doors closing.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I had an unforgettable night at Anyway the first night we met. Thank you for being a wholly unique, inspiring place to gather.
ReplyDeleteHaving visited multiple times since 2000...comme çi comme ça. Don't see it as a greatest loss
ReplyDeleteWhy do people always want to hate on other businesses when rightfully being sad about the demise of another business? The "delusional boutiques" aren't the ones causing places like this to leave. Anything occupying a vacant building is better than nothing.
ReplyDeleteThis space will probably become another Smoke shop as I see them opening up all over the place on the LES/EV.
ReplyDeleteMy ex bf and I experienced our first blind date there in 2010 with many dates which followed because we loved the ambience. We endured seven wonderful years, but eventually decided to forge ahead on our own separate, yet amicable paths. Whenever I walk past this restaurant, I still think of him and what we once used to be. It is such a special destination with warm staff and loving memories. Can't believe another EV gem is closing. It will forever hold a place in my heart.
ReplyDeleteWhy are they getting rid of the Anyway name if they might reopen in the same place?
ReplyDeleteProbably doesn't belong to those involved in the new venture
DeleteSad. I loved playing music there. They had ongoing noise problems with the tenants above, which was confusing given their longevity.
ReplyDeleteSupport live music with your dining and drinking dollars people. Or else all we'll have is sports bars, smoke shops and Spotify playlists.
There isn’t a single decent sports bar around. A lot of dives like anyway.
Deletedamn.
ReplyDeleteShit. I always meant to go there. So it goes.
ReplyDeleteI met so many great musicians there, fun nights, twas like my living room at some point living only a couple blocks away. It felt like the real New York but I must say that some of the staff was outrageously rude to many people... and always complaining and unhappy to be working there.
ReplyDeletetake another piece of my heart NYC 💔
ReplyDeleteThis is a true loss to our neighborhood. Celebrated my 21st birthday here many years ago and became a regular for the live music, incredible vodka, and the cozy vibes. So few places like this are left in EV.
ReplyDeleteSo sad to see another institution close its doors. I have some great memories here. What is the name of the corporation? We look forward to following their next steps.
ReplyDeleteOh no! Such a warm, lively, distinctive place. Tiny but enveloping —a kind of Slavic sukkah/tardis. It lent so much character to the neighborhood. I’ve brought friends there many times over the years for lichi martinis, live music—sometimes open mic. I went online to see if they had live music planned for this Friday (Women’s Day), I’d wanted to take a group there-and learned the news. What a shame!
ReplyDelete