50-64 3rd Ave. is going, going...

Not much remains of the six buildings at 50-64 along the west side of Third Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street. 

Here's the latest demolition watch, the view from 11th Street...

Kinsmen Property Group — a joint venture between State Building Group and another Toronto company, Madison Group — bought the walk-up buildings over several years, paying more than $60 million for the parcel. Residences are planned for the space — the site allows for 160,000 square feet of new construction. However, there is no sign of new building work permits just yet.

About Night Club 101, taking over the former Baker Falls and Pyramid space on Avenue A

Photo Saturday by Stacie Joy 

On Friday, the news became official about the next tenant for the storied venue at 101 Avenue A.

The owners of Brooklyn performance space Baby's All Right are teaming up with the Knitting Factory to debut Night Club 101 in 2025. The bi-level space between Sixth Street and Seventh Street will host live music, DJs, themed dance nights, art shows and "community-building events." 

As we first reported in October, Baker Falls moved on from here after a year in the space. East Village resident Nick Bodor has set up shop at 192 Allen St. between Houston and Stanton — the former Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 — where he's creating his "decrepit-manor in the woods fever-dream alt-rock concept." 

Baker Falls, which featured a bar, cafe, and live performances, anchored the Knitting Factory's latest iteration at the longtime former home of the Pyramid Club. The venue closed in late July for extra soundproofing. 

As we noted in October, a known operator was taking over and rebranding the 101 space, hoping for a legacy name. Reliable sources tell us that the Baby's All Right team (who also ran indie-rock venue Elvis Guesthouse down the block) wanted to use the Pyramid name in the new venture but was rebuffed by the former owners, who are also the landlord of the building. 

So, the team landed on Night Club 101. 

Per the announcement, the space will feature: 

• An Eclectic Music Lineup: A curated blend of live performances and DJ sets spanning genres — indie to jazz, electronic to experimental and beyond. 

• Immersive Events: Art shows, themed dance nights, and multi-disciplinary performances that push creative boundaries. 

• Community Focus: Partnerships with local artists and organizations to ensure the venue remains deeply connected to the East Village's artistic roots. 

• Playful Energy: The name Night Club 101 isn't just a cheeky nod to nightlife culture—it's an invitation for all to join, learn, explore, and participate in defining something ever-changing. 

You can check out the venue for yourself on Thursday with a Pitchfork Club Night (tickets here).

Night Club 101 is expected to make an early 2025 debut. There's a placeholder Instagram account here. 

The Pyramid closed in October 2022 after 40-plus years in business between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. The club ushered in an era of socially conscious drag performances featuring Lady Bunny, Lypsinka, and RuPaul, among many other trailblazers. As a music venue, the Pyramid hosted Nirvana's first NYC show in 1989. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• The next iteration of the Knitting Factory coming to the East Village 

• At the last night of the Pyramid Club on Avenue A

Signage alert: Compton's Sandwich Shop on 1st Avenue

Photo by Steven 

Coming soon signage has arrived for Compton's Sandwich Shop at 123 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. 

This will mark the sixth shop for the quick-serve business that offers a variety of breakfast sandwiches, wraps, burgers, etc. (Find the menu here. See below for some pics.) 

Some background:

In 2018, Alex Compton opened his first shop in Queens with the goal of serving food that tastes as good as it looks. With a menu that stayed true to his New York roots and had a little something for everyone, Compton's quickly became a go-to neighborhood spot. 

In addition to the original in Long Island City, there are outposts in Astoria, Greenpoint, and Cliffside Park, New Jersey. 

Memphis Seoul closed here after 11 months back in July amid an ongoing gas-service issue with the landlord.

 

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Sunday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

As seen on Avenue A at Sixth Street. (Background.)

Weekend parting shots

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Congratulations to Daniel Weiss on the release of his first photo book, "Pay Phone" (Smog Press). 

Shot between 2008-2020, the book chronicles the last days of the public telephone in NYC. 

On Friday evening, Sixth Street Specials hosted a book signing party...

A note from Benny, the full-size bed frame

As spotted yesterday on Third Street between Avenue C and Avenue D (thanks to Ayo Harrington for the photos). 

The heart-tugging note reads: 

Please .... help me! 

My mom said I'm old enough to leave home so here I am looking at you but I'm only 3 years old! She said she's tired of making my bed and bided me farewell today, Dec 14, 2024. I know she still loves me because she even put mittens on me. Listen, I still have a lot to offer. I'm sturdy, dependable, and free. But, I'm so cold now and really don't want to go to a shelter. Please take me home with you. I love you! 

Benny, the full-size bed frame! 

We hope that Benny found a new home!

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a photo by Derek Berg of the mural for "A Complete Unknown" on Ludlow and Delancey)... 

• Report of a fire at 328 E. 9th St. (Saturday) 

• City launches community engagement campaign for '100% affordable housing' on 9th Precinct parking lot (Thursday) 

• St. Marks Veterinary Hospital is closing this month (Wednesday) 

• Scrooged: 14th Street Trader Joe's employees say their hours are being cut this holiday season (Thursday) 

• Strand employees reach tentative agreement, return to work pending ratification vote (Wednesday) ... Strand Books employees go on strike in bid to increase minimum-wage salaries (Monday)

• At Day 1 of the Cookie Walk (Sunday) 

• At the 33rd annual Tompkins Square Park Holiday tree lighting (Monday) 

• The curbside dining structure is coming down at Il Posto Accanto (Tuesday) 

• Openings: Noona's Ice Cream & Bakeshop (Wednesday) 

• Lower East Side cafe puts a Pause on laptops and iPads (Tuesday) • 9 Bleecker St. is for sale — and rent (Wednesday) 

• The former Rockwood Music Hall is for rent on the Lower East Side (Monday)

• Checking in on the former 7-Eleven on Avenue A (Monday) 

• This place on 1st Avenue is going to be Bananas (Tuesday)

• Signage alert: Tipsy Shanghai on 2nd Avenue (Thursday) ... Tiki Tiki on 1st Avenue (Monday) 

 ... and a few days later — Blowin' in the Wind...

At Day 1 of the Cookie Walk

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

The 2024 edition of the Cookie Walk is underway this weekend at St. Nicholas of Myra Orthodox Church on Avenue A and 10th Street. 

Yesterday kicked off the event, offering one spot in the East Village where lines and Santas were anything but annoying. (And don't be turned off by the line: It moves quickly.)

We saw Rev. Father William (Bennett) and longtime event organizer Kim Busel at the event...

This year's theme is "international cookies," with over 80 varieties. (The church's 100th anniversary is next year, and they hope to have 100 cookie types available.) 

In addition to cookies, the event features a holiday gift market, a craft station for kids, a photo station with Santa and his elves, a cocoa bar with an array of toppings, and a gift wrap section for packaging your cookie boxes. 

Here's a look around...

The Cookie Walk is back in action today, with posted hours of noon to 3 p.m. (you may want to get there closer to the start time). 

You can follow the Cookie Walk on Instagram here.

From 2nd Avenue, the last full moon of 2024

A dispatch about last night from Felton Davis of the Second Avenue Star Watchers... 

Has a December full moon and a Santacon parade in sub-freezing weather all taken place on one day? Not in my memory! It was after 9 p.m. when the moon, Jupiter and Aldebaran lined up in the constellation Taurus, and the crowds of revelers were thinning out, except for two guys who almost poured their beers down inside the telescope while leaning over to get a look. They told me I should have a bottle opener attached to the tube...

And this was the last full moon of 2024.

Sunday's opening shot

Photo and text by William Klayer 

The cards have spoken... as seen on Avenue A and Third Street...

Saturday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

Costume clash on Avenue A today...

Report of a fire at 328 E. 9th St.

Photos by Steven 

The FDNY is responding to a fire that broke out this afternoon on the fourth floor of 328 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 

Witnesses reported seeing flames shooting out of a front window...

The FDNY was on it quickly...

There's no word at the moment about the extent of the fire, its cause, or any injuries. (Preliminary word is no injuries.) 

Two eyewitnesses reported that a group of SantaCon revelers made a joke at the scene ("We can keep warm by the fire") before taking a fire selfie. 

Updated 4:30 p.m.

The FDNY remains at the scene... UNOFFICIAL word is a space heater is to blame.

Updated 5 p.m. 

There doesn't appear to be much damage to the retail spaces here... waiting to hear more from the owners tomorrow... 

Updated: Unfortunately, there is significant water damage to Jane Cookshop, and the busiess will be closed for the foreseeable future (their online shop is open) ... an.mé and Pillow Cat Books had some clean up but are OK, per their Instagram accounts...

Happy birthday, London Calling

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A reminder about the local connection here... photographer Pennie Smith shot the album's iconic cover of Paul Simonon smashing his bass at the Palladium, 126 E 14th St. between Third Avenue and Irving Place... now an NYU dorm with a Trader Joe's ...

 

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This interview with Simonon from 2011 has more about him smashing his bass. That part starts at the 3:10 mark...

 

'The last man standing' at Panna II

This September photo by Stacie Joy was the most liked, commented on, and shared on the EVG Instagram account this year. 

As reported then, the upstairs-downstairs block of Indian and Bangladeshi restaurants at 93 First Ave. was down to one — Panna II. 

We bring this up because the Times checked in with a feature on Panna II. 

Boshir Khan, 49, the Bangladeshi-born owner of Panna II, which sits on First Avenue just around the corner from the old Curry Row, finds it bittersweet to be the last man standing at the vibrant entryway. He was still greeting visitors on a recent Friday in November, though with less urgency. 

 "Sometimes I'm glad — it's less stress," he said, recalling the vigorous competition with his neighbors.

And... 

Mr. Khan, who grew up around the corner from his restaurant, began working shifts at Panna II in the sixth grade with his father. He remembers the area being "rough" in the '80s. 

"After 5 o'clock, you can't even go out," he said. "But I miss the old neighborhood."

You can read the feature here. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Dimmed lights on 1st Avenue: Only 1 Indian restaurant remains at Instagram-friendly address

Check out the Sirovich Holiday Art Sale TODAY

An EVG reader shared this with us today... the annual Sirovich Holiday Art Sale is happening. 

We missed Day 1. You can stop by today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ... in the auditorium at the Sirovich Center for Balanced Living at 331 E. 12th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 

We've bought a few things here through the years, and the proceeds support the art programs at Sirovich.

FYI: SantaCon is today

In case you were blissfully unaware, today is SantaCon, which Curbed noted is "perhaps the most dreaded NYC event of the year." 

Con24 officially kicks off at 10 a.m. on Broadway and 39th Street, with an announced end at 8 p.m., when participants will quietly and orderly return home. 

The $15.93 "donation" (read about their charity here) gets your Santa Badge and access to participating bars, mainly in Midtown West and East... As always, the East Village is a main attraction. 

• Amsterdam Billiards & Bar, 110 E. 11th St. at Fourth Avenue 

• 10 Degrees Bar, 121 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue 

• The Laurels, 231 Second Ave. at 14th St. 

• Coyote Ugly, 233 E. 14th St., between Second Avenue and Third Avenue 

• Solas, 232 E. Ninth St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue (serving as a "Huge Venue") 

• Bull McCabe's, 29 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue 

• The Phoenix, 447 E. 13th St., between Avenue A and First Avenue 

• Doc Holliday's, 141 Avenue A at Ninth Street 

• Horseshoe Bar/7B, 108 Avenue B at Seventh Street 

The map lists The Grayson at 16 First Ave. near First Street. They closed in the spring, and a new owner operates Lydia's there. Not sure if they are taking part or not.

As we've seen in previous Cons, bars not on the official list also participate, including Downtown Social on Second Avenue at Ninth Street. The SantaCades arrived here earlier this week. (Photo by Steven)

Enjoy the day! Let us know how it goes. We're in Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland, right now.

95 Bulls session

 

This mini set via 95 Bulls was released on Nov. 22... filmed live at Mrs. Morgan's Flower Shop in Bronxville... and presented by Show Brain, which brought lots of live music to Tompkins Square Park (and elsewhere) this past year (bands that included 95 Bulls).

EVG Etc.: Anthony Weiner eyes Council race; Ramones film with Pete Davidson looks in doubt

Second Avenue and Ninth Street the other morning 

Headlines of interest this past week include...

• After acquittal in subway chokehold trial, Daniel Penny says he was vulnerable in the encounter (The Associated Press) ... Opinion: The Penny verdict reveals how NYC failed Jordan Neely (The Washington Post) 

• Anthony Weiner, jailed for sexting child, eyes political comeback in City Council race for Carlina Rivera's term-limited seat (The Associated Press) 

• Fatal stabbings exceeded gun deaths in NYC in November (Gothamist) 

• Dozens of low-income New York City families will soon begin receiving regular cash payments through a new program funded by City Council (Gothamist) 

• Get ready for the next big fight over Airbnb's reach in NYC (Politico) 

• DOT pushes back on a Council bill to require the agency to register and issue license plates for electric bikes and e-scooters (Streetsblog) 

• Coffee prices climb to near 50-year highs (CNBC)

• The 2025 edition of the New Colossus Festival — March 4-9 at venues in the East Village and Lower East Side — just added 100 artists to the schedule (Brooklyn Vegan) 

• Panna II keeps the spirit of Little India alive (The New York Times ... previously on EVG)

• Ramones Netflix film with Pete Davidson is in doubt as Johnny Ramone's estate wins latest legal round (Variety) 

• "A Christmas Carol" this December at the Merchant's House on Fourth Street (Official site) 

• Moody Tongue Pizza, serving Tokyo-Neapolitan-style pizza, debuts at 123 St. Mark's Place (Time Out ... previously on EVG) 

• Bar Miller on Sixth Street receives its first Michelin star (Eater ... previously on EVG) 

• A centennial celebration of the work of photographer, filmmaker and artist Robert Frank (Anthology Film Archives)

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Sweet! Get your 10,000 steps in at the Cookie Walk this weekend

Reminder! The 2024 edition of The Cookie Walk (CW24!) takes place this weekend (Dec. 14-15) at St. Nicholas of Myra Orthodox Church on Avenue A and 10th Street. 

The two-day Walk will be held in the church's lower level tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. (while supplies last).

As the name suggests, you take one of the provided boxes and walk (slowly) around cookie-filled tables (there are more than 60 varieties — of cookies, not tables) to pick your favorites. 

More details are available at the church's website. The first Cookie Walk here took place in 2009.

Thursday's parting shot

Photo by Robin McMillan 

Billy Idol photo shoot today outside Cherry Tavern on Sixth Street (not sure for what).