After the quick succession of 2x4, Ambiance, Evolution...it looks as if the awning streak comes to end here at Second Avenue and Fourth Street... oh, and the Brit-style pub/eatery opens today....
And here's the menu ... or at least the parts of it that I photographed... There's an English menu with Bangers and Mash, Fish and Chips, Toad-in-a-Hole... and "an American Grille Menu" featuring deep-fried hot dogs and Buffalo wings... There's also an Afternoon High Tea...
Oh boy. Faithful readers of this space many may know that we've been following the saga of this space on Second Avenue and Fourth Street through various incarnations/awnings...2x4, Ambiance, Evolution..
And now! Not really a surprise, but... Evolution has given way to a new UK-style pub....
Thanks to EV grieve reader Tad for these above photos....
Meanwhile, please bow your heads for a last look at Evolution.... from a video that we shot in January...
"Yes, that's very nice Young Flanagan... but I just wanted a fucking bottle of Bud."
Previously on EV Grieve: At Evolution Lounge: Vodka martini, flipped, not stirred...
EVOLUTION 68 2ND AVENUE(CORNER OF 4TH STREET) NEW YORK NY 10003
WE ARE SMALL CHIC LOUNGE LOOKING FOR ATTRACTIVE EXPERIENCED WOMAN WHO ARE PROFESSIONAL BARTENDERS WHO WILL TRAIN EASY. JUST OPENED THREE WEEKS AGO AND ARE WORKING WITH PROMOTERS NEED INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT EXPECTING TO EARN $300 PER SHIFT. AND LEAVE IF THEY DO NOT LOOKING FOR PROFESSIONALS WHO CAN STICK IT OUT FOR A FEW MONTHS TILL WE TAKE OFF. WE HAVE ALREADY HAD SUCCESSFUL NIGHTS WITH CELEBRITY PARTYS AND WILL CONTINUE.
WE ALSO ARE LOOKING FOR WOMAN WHO ARE WILLING TO LEARN HOW TO SERVE FLAIR. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE FLAIR SKILLS WE WILL TRAIN.WE HAVE TALENTED STAFF WHO LOVE TO TEACH FLAIR
While walking on Second Avenue the other night, I saw that that the Evolution Lounge had (re)opened at Fourth Street...As you may know, we've been following the saga of this space through various incarnations/awnings...2x4, Ambiance, Evolution...
Our old friend Hunter-Gatherer was told by a construction worker last summer that Evolution would feature "flipping bottles, fire tricks…you know, bringing a Las Vegas style bar to New York."
As I queried the construction worker regarding the future tenant he said, “evolution”.
“Really”, I said, “what’s the concept”?
“Flair”, he replied, “flipping bottles, fire tricks…you know, bringing a Las Vegas style bar to New York”.
Fine, fine — I'm there opening night! But according to the transfer: Evolution, 68 2nd Ave (alt/op/renovations/name change) (The Watering Hole of 2nd Ave Corp)
Oh! Turns out that I don't have to wait long.... Hunter-Gatherer, still pursuing the Bennigan's dream, happened by and saw some serious renovations under way. As he reported:
It looked like a fairly serious change as the interior has been gutted and the exterior walls have come down. As I queried the construction worker regarding the future tenant he said, “evolution”.
“Really”, I said, “what’s the concept”?
“Flair”, he replied, “flipping bottles, fire tricks…you know, bringing a Las Vegas style bar to New York”.
“Wow, sounds great”, I replied……..thinking that the description sounded vaguely similar to the former ethos of the hallowed halls of E4volution/2X4/Ambiance…
And from the HG Photo Department:
I said this in a comment over at HG: Seems the problem before was the concept, not the bar. So the owners decided to gut the bar and keep the concept?
My roommate and I have been going to 2 by 4 for years now, so when I saw that it shut down, we had to find out what was up. We swung by there last night and saw Eric and Heather inside, so my roommate banged on the door and they opened up. The whole place was gutted and they're doing massive renovations, but they're reopening in mid-July.
It won't be 2 by 4 anymore, but the ownership is staying the same.
Hmm, perhaps the owners needs some suggestions on a theme for the new bar? I'm sure all of you have some good ideas to share. I've always wanted to open a Patrick Swayze Theme Bar — The Swayyyyyyyyyze. Made in his likeness. With drinks like "Next of Kin" and "Red Dawn." But it seems insensitive given his health.
Went by the bar on the corner of Second Avenue and Fourth Street -- the one that had so many names I'm not even really sure what it's called -- for the flamethrowing contest* last night... and it was...
...closed. 4-ever. Apparently they did spend all their money on new awnings.
I will be hosting a screening of "Cocktail" later today* outside the bar with Hunter-Gatherer and Jeremiah Moss.
