The Laurels takes over for Bait & Hook on 2nd Avenue and 14th Street

Workers put up signage yesterday for the new establishment coming to the NW corner of 14th Street and Second Avenue — The Laurels. (Thanks to the reader for the photo!) 

We haven't heard anything just yet about the business. The classified ad for kitchen help states that Dan Fleming ("as seen on Chopped, Beat Bobby Flay, Dishmantled") is the culinary director. "This is a fast-growing company that is looking to expand. We welcome all candidates to be part of something new and revolutionary happening in the East Village."

The Laurels takes over for Bait & Hook, which went dark at the start of the year after nearly 11 years in service, and without any notice to patrons. 

Before Bait & Hook, the space was the Meatball Factory, then Hole Foods ... and before that! The Pizza Hut-Nathan's-Arthur Treacher's combo, which vanished in 2010. 

A notice to remove the sidewalk dining room at the now-closed Bait & Hook

Bait & Hook has been dark this year... with no signs of life at the sports bar-"seafood shack." 

Google lists Bait & Hook as "permanently closed." However, there hasn't been an official notice from the restaurant or its social media properties. (Someone did remove the Philadelphia Eagles flag above the front door.)

Meanwhile, this past Thursday, the Department of Transportation posted a removal notice about Bait & Hook's outdoor dining area...

The large sidewalk structure, which looked like a converted mobile home, was one of the more egregious violations of the outdoor dining concepts in the pandemic era...

The place has shuttered before. In January 2020, a "closed for renovation" sign arrived a week before a for lease sign. Then they reopened. 

Bait & Hook debuted in 2012.

Before Bait & Hook, the space was the Meatball Factory, then Hole Foods ... and before that! The Pizza Hut-Nathan's-Arthur Treacher's combo, which vanished in 2010.

Bait & Hook has not been open lately

Pinch brings us word that Bait & Hook has been closed of late on the NW corner of 14th Street and Second Avenue... paper covers the front windows...

No posted signs about any kind of closure — temporary or permanent. And no messages about it on the bar-restaurant's website or Instagram account. It seems like an odd time for a football bar to close with the start of the NFL playoffs starting this past weekend. 

This isn't the first time the place has shuttered. In January 2020, a "closed for renovation" sign arrived a week before a for lease sign. Then the place reopened. 

Bait & Hook debuted in 2012.

Bait & Hook returns

Bait & Hook returned to service this past week on the northwest corner of 14th Street and Second Avenue.

To recap: The sports bar went dark in January, followed by the arrival of a for rent sign. ... several weeks later, there was a banner announcing that it was "Opening soon under new management."

Not sure at the moment what might be new — things appear the same from the outside, down to the Philadelphia Eagles flag. (The specials, such as Taco Tuesday, are also the same.)

Bait & Hook debuted with promises of a New England-style seafood restaurant in September 2012. In the opening announcement, Executive Chef Joe Bachman said: "We wanted to open a place that offered New Yorkers an affordable, casual dining experience, with the feel of a seafood shack but the taste of an ocean-side eatery."

The space eventually transitioned into a sports bar and SantaCon stop.

H/T Pinch!

It is alive: Bait & Hook is returning — under new management

A for rent sign arrived at the recently shuttered Bait & Hook on the northwest corner of 14th Street and Second Avenue several weeks ago.

Now, as EVG regular Pinch notes, there's a new sign on the space: "Opening soon under new management."

Bait & Hook debuted with promises of a New England-style seafood restaurant in September 2012. In the opening announcement, Executive Chef Joe Bachman said: "We wanted to open a place that offered New Yorkers an affordable, casual dining experience, with the feel of a seafood shack but the taste of an ocean-side eatery."

The space eventually became another sports bar and SantaCon stop.

View this post on Instagram

Come join us tomorrow for Santacon 🎅🏼at Bait & Hook 14th St and 2nd Ave. Live Dj, No Cover Charge and Enjoy our all day Specials.

A post shared by Bait & Hook (@baitandhook) on Dec 7, 2018 at 5:27pm PST

We'll see what version of Bait & Hook the new management decides to go with...

Bait & Hook has closed

The now-former home of Bait & Hook is for lease on the northwest corner of 14th Street and Second Avenue.

EVG reader Jimmy reports that a "closed for renovations" sign arrived last week...



... followed by the arrival of the for rent sign on Friday. (And H/T Shiv and Pinch!)

Bait & Hook opened as an alleged seafood restaurant in September 2012.

Per the press release at the time:

Bait & Hook offers a laid-back, relaxed atmosphere where seafood is the star. Diners can enjoy a reasonably priced meal without compromising high-end, quality cuisine and service. Bait & Hook provides the perfect destination for a quick bite, affordable date or a group gathering, with something on the menu to please everyone in your party.

"We wanted to open a place that offered New Yorkers an affordable, casual dining experience, with the feel of a seafood shack but the taste of an ocean-side eatery," said Executive Chef Joe Bachman.

The space soon earned the nickname Bait & Switch via a few neighbors when the place became a sports bar (an Eagles gathering spot during the NFL season) and SantaCon stop.

There were signs on trouble early last year when the "closed for renovations" signs arrived along with a three-day rent demand from the landlord.

Before Bait & Hook, the space was the Meatball Factory then Hole Foods ... and before that! The Pizza Hut-Nathan's-Arthur Treacher's combo, which vanished in 2010...

Renovations and a 3-day rent demand at Bait & Hook

Bait & Hook, the sports bar on the northwest corner of 14th Street and Second Avenue, has been closed the past 10-plus days for renovations. (H/T Pinch for first sharing this.)



Meanwhile, as EVG regular Laura notes, a 3-day rent demand has arrived next to the Closed for Renovations signage...





According to the notice, the owners here owe $104,000 (and change) in back rent (and various fees) dating to October.

Bait & Hook opened in September 2012. The press materials noted at the time: "Bait & Hook offers a laid-back, relaxed atmosphere where seafood is the star. Diners can enjoy a reasonably priced meal without compromising high-end, quality cuisine and service."

View this post on Instagram

Come join us tomorrow for Santacon 🎅🏼at Bait & Hook 14th St and 2nd Ave. Live Dj, No Cover Charge and Enjoy our all day Specials.

A post shared by Bait & Hook (@baitandhook) on Dec 7, 2018 at 5:27pm PST