Openings: Oddball on Avenue B

Photo by Stacie Joy

Oddball debuted last night at 188 Avenue B. 

The cocktail bar takes over the space between 11th Street and 12th Street from Hi-Note. The team includes LaTeisha Moore and Philip Reichenberger from Hi-Note and Beverage Director Logan Rodriguez and bartender Allen Oino, who have assembled a debut menu built around "odd couples" featuring ingredient pairings like a daiquiri made with blueberry, ricotta whey and horseradish. 

The space has a 1970s-inspired look with wood, stone and metal details, and the bar will feature spirits from smaller and New York–based producers. 

Per an Oddball rep: 

Guests will find a smoked sunchoke spirit from Matchbook Distillery, waste-upcycling distillates from Acid Spirits (made using food and farm scraps), and experimental botanical batches from Empirical Spirits. The backbar reflects a commitment to conscientious craftsmanship and a passion for working with makers who are creatively ahead of the curve. 

Hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. 

You can follow the Oddball Instagram account for updates. 

Hi-Note closed last month after three years in the space.

Cue the next track: Hi-Note bids farewell (for now) on Avenue B

Hi-Note has closed for now after three years at 188 Avenue B between 11th Street and 12th Street. (Thanks to EVG reader Carolyn Blair for the photo!)

The cafe-bar-community radio station (yes!) closed after service on Oct. 6. However, the owners have a new concept for the space. 

Here's part of the message via the Hi-Note Instagram account: 

This concept has been a true labor of love, and every sip, every set, and every shared moment has meant the world to us. 

While it's bittersweet to share this news with you all, this is not the end; it's the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our team and cozy space on Avenue B. We're so excited to share more with you! Please also follow along here for updates on the new home for Hi-Note Radio. 

We owe a special shout-out to this piece of the adventure, since what started out as a small (yet logistically lofty) dream to create a radio bar has become such a big part of the community. We're so grateful for everyone that tuned in over the years, and to the DJs, both local and from afar, that joined us for live radio sets and opened our eyes to all kinds of new music. Our wonderful collaborators, listeners, and team are what made this a success, and that magic will remain in Hi-Note Radio's next location. 

The venue carved out a niche with its in-house radio programming, featuring dozens of DJ-hosted shows, and its Monday-night open-deck sessions, where anyone could spin their own LPs and 45s near the bar. Sounds like that spirit will return with the next incarnation.

Signage alerts: Hi-Note on Avenue B; Le Burger on 5th Street

From the EVG inbox... reader-submitted photos showing new signage... Annabelle shared the top pic from Hi-Note, opening soon at 188 Avenue B between 11th Street and 12th Street in space that was previously the jazz club Rue-B. 

This will be a coffee shop-cafe-karaoke bar (at night) combo from the team who ran Baby Grand, the now-closed karaoke bar on Lafayette. (Read our previous post on Hi-Note for more.)

You can follow the Hi-Note Instagram account for updates.

Meanwhile, signage is up (H/T JG!) for Le Burger at 540 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B... the former home of Black Iron Burger (RIP 2019).

According to the questionnaire from last month on the CB3 website, ownership ran the now-closed UES spots 1742 Wine Bar and Giorgio's Brick Over & Wine Bar.

The hours here are to be noon to midnight daily.