Thursday, April 22, 2021
[Updated] 145 2nd Ave. returns to view
Report: Mermaid Inn plans to reopen, though the SLA isn't helping
[Photo from Aug. 22]
Under current law, new or revived restaurants and pubs outside New York City can obtain a temporary liquor permit within 30 days, while the State Liquor Authority reviews an applicant’s request for full license — a process that could take anywhere from four to six months.
... unlike their peers in other parts of the state, Big Apple restaurants that want to open or reopen are barred under the law from obtaining a temporary permit to sell booze pending the SLA’s months-long review on whether to provide a two-year license to sell liquor.
Hmm.
The more restrictive treatment of city restaurants under the state alcohol and beverage control law is a result of complaints from city residents and lawmakers who railed against the proliferation of bars in certain neighborhoods, sources familiar with the law said.
According to Abrams, alcohol sales account for 40 percent of a restaurant's revenues.
"What's the purpose of opening a restaurant without serving alcohol? If you can't offer a glass of wine with the oysters, diners will go somewhere else," he said.
Abrams decided to reopen the Mermaid Inn after renegotiating a lease with the landlord and seeing "more foot traffic and economic activity."
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Wednesday's parting shot
The EVAC, an arts venue, replaces FlyeLyfe on 1st Avenue after 1 day in business — why?
Signs of life at Sanshi Noodle House
This will be the second location for the restaurant ... joining the original outpost in Flushing. You can check out some food pics via the Sanshi Instagram account. Here's a menu for the Flushing location.
On second thought, Chef Hans looks to be the new tenant for 120 1st Ave.
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Tuesday's parting shot
Virtual 'Spring Rituals' via the Ukrainian Museum on Saturday evening
This celebration of Easter and spring will lead off with a brief discussion of Ukraine's rich Easter traditions and their pre-Christian pagan roots by Lubow Wolynetz, the Museum's curator of folk art, followed by performances of traditional Ukrainian springtime melodies by Go_A (Ukraine), Balaklava Blues (Canada), and Ukrainian Village Voices (U.S.).
Our special guests from Kyiv, Go_A, draw inspiration from traditional vocal repertoires associated with springtime rituals. Go_A is Ukraine's official entry in the Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam on May 18–22, a competition that draws millions of viewers around the globe. Go_A has recorded a special set specifically for The Ukrainian Museum.Iryna Voloshyna, a graduate student at Indiana University's Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology, conducted an interview with the electro-folk group's members, which will be presented during the event.
Bluestockings officially reopens Friday in new Lower East Side home
Previously on EV Grieve:
• Today is the last day for Bluestockings on Allen Street; new LES location in the works
A little of the old Coyote Ugly at the new Coyote Ugly on 14th Street
In announcing the closure, CEO and founder Lil Lovell had this to say in a video clip: "After sitting closed for six months due to COVID restrictions, we simply can't afford to pay the rent." This was the very first of the Coyote Ugly saloons — featuring bartop dancing and body shots. There are now more than two-dozen global outposts.
The Blind Pig, the sports bar/pub, closed after service in June 2019. At the time, the owners of the 13-year-old Blind Pig said they were hit with an untenable 50-percent rent increase.
A print edition of the Village Voice is now out
Back in 2017 we stopped the print edition of the Voice. Turns out that, like Joe Biden, we just needed a few years off. Look for the Spring 2021 edition of the Voice, distributed to select boxes around town, retailers, eateries, bookstores, and apartment buildings.Expect to see longtime columnist Michael Musto's byline again... he pens an Oscar night preview for the print edition (and online).
Monday, April 19, 2021
Monday's parting shots
At the March to Save East River Park
Concern for the main lawn in Tompkins Square Park
On the CB3-SLA docket tonight: applicants for the former Brazen Fox and Loverboy spaces
Reopenings: Ukrainian East Village restaurant, Little Poland
ICYMI: Starting tonight, you can stay out until midnight at a bar or restaurant
It's a minor win for restaurant and bar owners who have been calling on elected officials to lift the state's pandemic curfew for months and seen only incremental change."It's great news," says one south Brooklyn bar owner, who requested anonymity in order to speak freely. "No curfew would obviously be better, but we do have to watch out for 'Cinderella Covid' which only comes out at midnight."
As Thrillist pointed out: "Subways are still out of service from 2 to 4 a.m., too, which could pose a challenge for hospitality workers trying to get home once the new curfew goes into effect."
And the reaction from Andrew Rigie, the executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance:
The extra hour is good news for restaurants, bars and customers, but we need to also lift the rule that prohibits customers from being seated to eat at a bar in NYC, and revisit removing the requirement that a “food item” be served with a drink. @theNYCalliance https://t.co/z80fuV8QRA
— Andrew Rigie (@AndrewRigie) April 14, 2021