On Avenue A, Coney Island Baby debuts tonight; live music returning to the Pyramid

[169 Avenue A last night]

Coney Island Baby opens its doors tonight at 169 Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street with a set by Murphy's Law and other special guests TBA.

This was the first look at the live-music lineup for the bar-venue...

A post shared by Coney Island Baby NYC (@coneyislandbabynyc) on Apr 17, 2018 at 12:53pm PDT

The Coney Island Baby website has the updated list of bands here.

The venue's partners reportedly include Laura McCarthy, former owner of indie-rock club Brownies (in this space from 1989-2002), and Tom Baker and Don DiLego of Velvet Elk Records. Jesse Malin of Niagara, Berlin and Bowery Electric is also involved.

HiFi closed last October after 15 solid years at the address.

Meanwhile, over at the Pyramid, the club at 101 Avenue A between Sixth Street and Seventh Street, announced the return of bands next month ... via Instagram...

**SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT** We’re excited to announce that starting May 20th we’ll be featuring Live Bands on our Main Floor, every Sunday! We’re kicking it off in a HUGE way (those details will come soon). If you’re in a band, or know someone in a band, reach out to us! We’d love to have you perform on the same stage where Nirvana and the Red Hot Chili Peppers performed their first time in NYC! You may send your social media links, videos, and/or contact information to: thepyramidclub@gmail.com Rock On!! See you on May 20th!! #pyramidclub #pyramidclubnyc #thepyramidclub #thepyramidclubnyc #nyc #nycnightlife #nycdj #nycnightclub #nycdjs #newyork #newyorkcity #darkwave #synthpop #goth #punk #punkrock #postpunk #livemusic #liveband #rock #rockband #rockers #drummers #nyclivemusic #nyclivebands

A post shared by The Pyramid Club NYC (@thepyramidclub) on Apr 24, 2018 at 4:12pm PDT

Previously on EV Grieve:
Coney Island Baby opens on April 26 with Murphy's Law

Bar taking over former HiFi space on Avenue A is called Coney Island Baby

Vintage photobooth finds a new East Village home

[On the way to Avenue C]

Early last month, Trixie told me about her vintage photobooth that needed a new home.

It had resided inside HiFi these past five-plus years. She thought that the bar taking over for HiFi on Avenue A would keep it. Unfortunately, the proprietors of Coney Island Baby weren't able to accommodate the photobooth.

This morning, Trixie, a longtime East Village resident, reports that she finally found a taker for the Autophoto Model 14 photobooth, which started its career at Nunley's Carousel and Amusement Park in Baldwin, Long Island, in the 1960s.

"We talked to a lot of people, so many people, and had some very interesting leads, but in the end we were able to keep it in the East Village," she said.

The photobooth has made the blocks-long journey to Bedlam, a bar that opened in 2010 on 40 Avenue C between Third Street and Fourth Streets.

I'm only vaguely familiar with Bedlam.

"It’s a neat place with a lush Victorian feel. Lots of wonderful taxidermy and anatomical specimens. It’s beautifully appointed," Trixie said. "The photobooth is there now, set up and ready for action.

"I think that Bedlam will be a good fit and make a happy home for our dear old photobooth."

The booth was previously at the Lakeside Lounge, which closed in April 2012, on Avenue B.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Lakeside's photobooth has a new home

[Updated] Bar taking over former HiFi space on Avenue A is called Coney Island Baby

[Photo from Jan. 20]

Work continues at the former HiFi space on Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street.

Not a lot is known publicly about the new venture just yet. However, the place does have a name — Coney Island Baby... not to mention an Instragram account, which I discovered last evening...

A post shared by Coney Island Baby NYC (@coneyislandbabynyc) on Mar 7, 2018 at 8:08am PST

Per Instagram: "Coney Island Baby NYC. Newly unearthed East Village bar and performance venue, overlooking the denizens of Tompkins Square Park."

HiFi, which also hosted the occasional book readings, comedy shows and acoustic bands, closed last October after 15 years at the address.

In his closing announcement, HiFi co-owner Mike Stuto wrote that business had been off, noting that the weekend bar crowd was "mostly indifferent to the place." He also stressed that the closure had nothing to do with the landlord, a management company that he said has been "ideal ... in pretty much every sense of the word."

Stayed tuned for more on Coney Island Baby, which presumably is named after (or for!) this. Or this! No word on an opening date just yet.

Updated March 25

The bar's website is live now. Coney Island Baby describes itself as "a new 200 capacity live music venue and bar in the heart of the musically historic East Village in NYC. Booking now."

Alejandro Escovedo is headlining the first show on May 2.

The vintage photobooth from the HiFi needs a new East Village home

[Photo from 2012 at HiFi by Shawn Chittle]

The vintage photobooth that resided inside HiFi these past five-plus years is in need of a new East Village home.

HiFi closed at 167 Avenue A back in the fall. Trixie, the owner of the photobooth, thought that the new establishment taking over the HiFi space would keep the machine... that deal fell through, unfortunately.

"So we’re on the prowl again," Trixie told me. "We still have a booth at Otto’s Shrunken Head on 14th Street, and ideally we’d relocate the one from HiFi somewhere within walking distance of that here in the East Village."

The booth was previously at the Lakeside Lounge, which closed in April 2012, on Avenue B.

Trixie remains hopeful to find another home.

"If we can’t find the right location, a fun bar that’s busy enough to make good use of a photobooth, well then I suppose we’d have to consider selling it," she said. "I know these old photobooths are beloved in the neighborhood, but the neighborhood sure ain’t what it used to be."

Interested parties may contact Trixie via this email.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Lakeside's photobooth has a new home

HiFi’s last stand

[HiFi's Mike Stuto]

On Oct. 18, Mike Stuto, the co-owner of the HiFi on Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street, announced that the bar would close at the end of October after 15 years. HiFi closed after service on Sunday.

In a letter posted on his Facebook page, Stuto said that business had been off, noting that the weekend bar crowd was "mostly indifferent to the place." He also stressed that the closure had nothing to do with the landlord, a management company that he said has been "ideal ... in pretty much every sense of the word."

The bar opened in 2002, after a 13-year run as the rock club Brownies, where Stuto started booking shows in 1994.

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Text and photos by Dan Efram

After 23 years, the Mike Stuto-helmed bar HiFi (previously Brownies) has closed its doors for the last time. Stuto, who fostered community and literal harmony, set up one last hurrah this past Thursday with its popular series "Under Your Influence," a monthly live-music tribute. Thursday evening's show was titled "The Final Chapter: Tom Petty."

"Mike Stuto has always a strong advocate for bands/acts he likes," relays Dave Foster, who, along with Adam Rubenstein, John Brodeur and Mike Fornatale, co-produced this specific "Under Your Influence" show. "From back when it was Brownies he put my band Bubble on bills with acts I'm still friendly with… to HiFi where it’s been a musical home away from home for a lot of the NYC indie music folks. The quality was always top notch."

Some of the featured singers on the final tribute night included Gabrielle Sterbenz (Wheatus), Travis Morrison (of The Dismemberment Plan), Beth Wawerna (Bird of Youth), Matt Keating, John Brodeur (Bird Streets), Don Piper (A Don Piper Situation); Rembert Block, Erica Smith, Lizzie Edwards (Murderer’s Row); Steve Shiffman (The Land of No), Freedy Johnston, Dave Derby (Gramercy Arms), Graham Norwood, Tony Zajkowski (Lotion), Richie Birkenhead (Youth of Today, Into Another), and Adam Rubenstein, among many others.


[Adam Rubenstein, Jeff Litman, Gabrielle Sterbenz]


[Joanna Choy]


[Travis Morrison]


[Jeff Litman and Gabrielle Sterbenz]


[Matt Keating with Murderer's Row]




[Don Piper, singer, songwriter and longtime live sound engineer]



"Most of us have so many wonderful memories playing Brownies," says guitarist and original Under Your Influence instigator Adam Rubenstein. "Our shared fondness of that place and Stuto made every Under Your Influence feel like a reunion of old friends. I will miss it."



Previously on EV Grieve:
The HiFi Bar, home of NYC's best jukebox, is closing at the end of the month

The HiFi Bar, home of NYC's best jukebox, is closing at the end of the month

[Image via the HiFi website]

Late yesterday afternoon, Mike Stuto, the co-owner of HiFi on Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street, announced that the bar will close at the end of October (Oct. 29 is the last day) after 15 years.

In a letter posted on his Facebook page, Stuto said that business has been off, noting that the weekend bar crowd was "mostly indifferent to the place." He also stressed that the closure had nothing to do with the landlord, a management company that he said has been "ideal ... in pretty much every sense of the word."

Stuto gave me his OK to share the letter that he posted:

I (sorta) regret to inform you that my bar HiFi will be closing at the end of this calendar month, ending my 23 year tenure at 169 Avenue A. All parties booked before the end of the month will happen as planned.

The story? Quite simply, the renovations we undertook a few years ago to reinvigorate the business were not successful in putting us back on a good financial footing. The generation of people who inhabit this neighborhood on weekends remain mostly indifferent to the place. HiFi seems to occupy a place square in the middle between "dive bar" and "mixologist paradise" — and while I hoped that would help us have a broad appeal to the newbies, it turns out that it translated as utilitarian (aka boring) to their tastes.

Could we have pivoted again? Yeah I guess so, but it turns out that I only want to run a bar if its one that I would want to hang out in. Otherwise it'd just be a job I have no passion for. And I don't want to live like that.

I want it to be clear that the building's landlord is in no way to blame for this outcome. Yes, the commercial rents in this neighborhood are all over-the-top insane, but at every turn, throughout the roughly 20 years that Time Equities has managed the building they have been an ideal landlord in pretty much every sense of the word. I have been lucky and honored to work with them and to know that there are good honorable people everywhere, even in nyc commercial real estate. Who woulda thunk it?

For the past 18 months or so I have known this outcome was inevitable, and in that time I have passed through all of the "stages of grief" about this era of my life coming to an end. There is no shame in being a 50 year old who no longer knows how to appeal to 25 year olds. So while this is at best a bittersweet moment, I am happy with the end result and very excited about what the future may bring.

The space was previously Brownies, the celebrated live music venue that opened in 1989. Stuto, who worked in the record business in several capacities, started booking shows at Brownies in early 1994. After a stint at Columbia Records, Stuto returned to Brownies a few years later, this time as a partner.

In 2002, after Brownies had a successful run, Stuto and Co. turned the space into HiFi, home of EL-DJ, the homemade digital jukebox he created with 4,000-plus tracks ... which is arguably the best jukebox in town.

(You can read more about Stuto and the bars in this Out and About in the East Village feature from February 2014.)

In the past two years, HiFi returned to hosting music as well as comedy nights and book readings.

A tribute to Leonard Cohen at HiFi

Hifi is hosting a tribute to the late Leonard Cohen tomorrow evening... check out the list of performers here. The show is free and starts at 7:30 in the bar's back room. Hifi is at 169 Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street.

Here's more about the renovations underway at HiFi on Avenue A

You may have noticed some work happening over at HiFi, one of our favorite bars around (long live EL DJ!).

Proprietor Mike Stuto explained all in a blog post yesterday at the HiFi website. For starters, workers will be renovating the interior and exterior of the bar at 169 Avenue A near East 11th Street... which means HiFi will be closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and maybe a few Wednesdays in the coming weeks.

"We’re going to do this long-awaited redesign in little pieces so we don’t have to close down on the weekends," Stuto wrote.

And what about the redesign?

[T]he idea is to NOT change the vibe, appeal, and personality of HiFi. We hope that will all stay pretty much the same as it has always been ... The short description is that we will be redesigning the entrance and storefront, changing the furniture and the colors, and adding in a 40-ish capacity room with its own separate bar that will have a myriad of uses; from private parties to trivia nights, comedy nights, readings, and even some live music. For those of you who still pine for the days when I ran a rock club in this space, this is NOT a return to the golden era of Brownies ... there will be no drum sets played inside HiFi."

You can see the transformation for yourself when the bar is open.

"So for the next few weeks please join us for a strangely-fun, sometimes-truncated, surely-temporary version of the bar while we jump through the hoops of framing, painting, bathroom-relocating, new-room-building, furniture acquiring and re-upholstering, and many other re-workings ..."

EV Grieve Eatery Etc.: New awning for HiFi; 'training event' for L'Apicio

Just a few random items from the last few days/nights...

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We like HiFi on Avenue A. We also like restaurants/bars with awnings (mostly). That said. HiFi now has a new-look front with an awning...

[Bobby Williams]

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Over on East First Street in the Shoppes at Avalon Bowery Place, L'Apicio is closer to opening... there was a soft opening of sorts last night...

Sign called it a "training event." The New York Times noted that "some entrees, like roast pig, will be available family-style, for sharing." And apparently they have good meatballs.

And here is the kitchen entrance.... adorned with new art...

Did you get to say goodbye to those GIANT SUSHI ROLL PHOTOS along here?

[Last summer]

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And another sign of fall: People's Pops recently closed for the season on East Seventh Street...

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And a reader noted the chalkboard outside outside Fresco Gelateria on Second Avenue...

Lakeside's photobooth has a new home

The Lakeside Lounge closed after last Monday night... Meanwhile, Trixie, the owner of the venue's vintage photobooth, was looking for a new home for the machine... and she has found one...

The booth arrived at HiFi on Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street on Friday... And here's how it's looking inside HiFi...

We like point No. 3. And No. 4. Have a drink.

[HiFi photos by Shawn Chittle]

About HiFi (and long live El DJ!)

So yesterday afternoon, several readers noted the presence of some big yellow NYPD notices outside HiFi on Avenue A ... While we usually do call/e-mail for details on something like this, we did not yesterday. We quickly posted the photos. And we assumed the worst — as we've seen in other situations involving bars and the NYPD.

So while the bar did receive a summons from the NYPD, it did not have any impact on their business hours. HiFi was open as usual yesterday afternoon. We apologized to the folks at HiFi last evening. And we're sorry for causing any unnecessary hysteria among fans of the bar.

Meanwhile, onward!

Long live El DJ 2.0!

Here's a nice piece on El DJ by Chantal Martineau at Fork in the Road.

OK, then! HiFi is open

Well, that was fun. After learning that the NYPD put all those yellow stickers on HiFi earlier ... the bar is open ... a bartender says they did "get a ticket," but it's back to business as usual.

[From EV Grieve corespondent Shawn Chittle]

We removed the original headline ... the bar is open

Wow... here on 169 Avenue A...

To be continued... Photos courtesy of Shawn Chittle.

Unruly patron tosses trash can through the HiFi front windows

A tipster passes along word that an unruly patron tossed a trash can from Avenue A and 11th Street into the front door and window at EV Grieve favorite the HiFi...

Per the tipster, the patron — known to those in the bar — became verbally abusive Sunday evening and was told to leave. He walked to the corner and returned with the trash can. Which ended up in the window. Given the blizzard, the police couldn't immediately respond to the scene. The bar did file a report later, though.

Hi Fi's new jukebox now 50,000 songs strong

Over at Fork in the Road, Chantal Martineau reports that Hi Fi on Avenue A has a new digital jukebox. Per the article:

Hi Fi's new EL DJ, a redesigned version of the machine first launched in 2003, is the brainchild of the bar's owner, Mike Stuto. The upgraded digital jukebox features a smoother trackball navigation system, more user-friendly interface, and leaner body. The collection now includes some 50,000 songs culled from Stuto's own personal stash.

Among the 50,000 tracks — two Nuggets box sets and 21 full-length albums by The Fall.

Did I say the Fall?