Reliving Tuesday night, when people broke out into song ("We are the Champions," no less) in the streets

Finally getting back to Tuesday night when, as you read exclusively here first, Barack Obama was elected as the 44th President of the United States.

I stopped by the usual places in the neighborhood during the evening. I went by Sophie's too -- and the place was full. Good for them. I've never seen the old place so crowded. Lots of longtime regulars were there. Like Caveman and Freddy. Freddy had been in his native Puerto Rico in recent times. He was telling people that he came back just to vote in New York. Anyway, there were balloons and food. Couldn't stay long, though -- nowhere to sit. Or stand, really. And I wanted to be near some of the people that I knew. So I moved on to the next place. Next time.

Meanwhile, there's all sorts of video from the celebration that erupted on St. Mark's...here is just a small sampling that provide a few different views:

From willgmcc:





From jewishnyactor:



From Caity180:



From the Play the Game of Life blog:





Meanwhile, Bob Arihood was there for compelling photos and a narrative. And Jeremiah has photos from his trek from First Avenue and St. Mark's to Union Square. Hunter-Gatherer was there too.

Appreciating a classic

Given the news that the Holland Bar may be closed for good, it's time to tip our hat to some of the like-minded bars in the city. (Dive bars. Lonely old man bars. Whatever you prefer!) Such as the well-traveled Subway Inn.








Related:
Ken Mac has some excellent shots of the Inn here.

Noted

The first clues are emerging that Wall Street pay will plummet this year . . . Bonuses for top executives could plunge by 70 percent. (New York Times)

Walking on Madison

For some reason late yesterday afternoon, Mrs. Grieve and I found ourselves walking on that really faboo stretch of Madison Avenue in the 70s and 60s. And all those designer places -- Armani, Jil Sander, Dolce & Gabbana, et al. And you know we didn't see one person shopping in any of these stores. Seriously. Post-election hangover perhaps? Or maybe the richies just don't shop in a light rain on weekday afternoons? Or maybe the economy is really fucked. Anyway, every store was the same: A handful of well-dressed employees standing around looking expectantly out the store windows.

Rooftop tumor continues to grow on Third Avenue

Near 13th Street.

Money! Get your money!

In the Flatiron District.

Noted

The night after Election Night

On 11th Street near Avenue B.

How Bloomberg is going to deal with the budget gap

Layoffs. (New York Post)

Here's Lenny Waller's response to the article/cuts:

"Think SoHo"

Gothamist has a Q-and-A today with Robert Prichard, who worked the door at the Pyramid in the 1980s before opening Surf Reality’s House Of Urban Savages in 1993. He's getting ready to unveil Queensbridge Theater in Long Island City.

Having been priced out of Manhattan, where do you see the Lower East Side/East Village area in 5 or 10 years from now? Think SoHo. The community board is already telling bars and lounges that are up for Liquor License renewals that they will only give their support if the bar agrees to closing at 1 a.m. Look for more boutiques, national & international chains like Gucci and expensive restaurants.

Same old story

One-story structures seem to be a rarity in the East Village these days...this business at 238 E. 4th Street near Avenue B is no exception...it will become a two-family residence, according to the paperwork taped to the front....

Blinded by the site

(Photo taken last Friday...in case you were wondering...)

Noted

On Henry Street in Chinatown.

Yes!: We won't have to move to, say, Greenland

See you in 2012, bitches

Democracy in action!

Yes, just successfully voted! Hello Maverick penis sleeve!

P.S.
No line...went by this morning just after 6, and there were some 300 people waiting. For voting.

C'MON PEOPLE! THERE'S STILL TIME TO KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE! WE CAN DO IT! NINE HOURS TILL THE POLLS CLOSE

Memories of Election 2008

Oh, my apologies: That headline should have read Bad memories of Election 2008!

RIP Holland Bar

Ugh. Jeremiah reports today that the Holland Bar on Ninth Avenue near 39th Street at the ass-end of Port Authority is now closed. Arguably the best lonely old man bar in the city. I could go on about the double-whammy of hitting the Holland and the neighboring Bellevue (which is now Duff's in Williamsburg) for an afternoon or evening. Last time I went to the Holland, the bartender asked me if I wanted some snacks. They had tortilla chips! I politely declined, but he insisted. I watched him struggle with opening the sealed bag. He dumped some into a plastic bowl for me. Despite coming from a freshly opened bag, the chips were soggy. Beyond stale. It just seemed perfect.

[Photo by Shanna Ravindra/New York]

Noted

The Daily News had this brief today (and I see Brooklyn Vegan had the item yesterday...). Anyway, here's part of a press release on the opening of the the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ANNEX NYC in Soho next month:

This November, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ANNEX NYC will open its doors for the first time. The highly anticipated ANNEX will take visitors beyond the typical museum experience in a dynamic and immersive journey that recalls some of the most defining moments in rock and roll history. When the ANNEX opens on November 24th, visitors will journey through multiple galleries to discover the moments ignited by hundreds of music revolutionaries like John Lennon, Madonna, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan. Additionally, The ANNEX will open its first special exhibit in true punk rock style, honoring the Clash. The Clash exhibit, which debuted at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, OH in 2006 will now appear at the ANNEX for a limited run.
As the first of its rotating featured exhibits, The ANNEX will open its doors with an exhibit dedicated to the Clash, entitled Revolution Rock: The Story of the Clash. This exhibit will allow visitors to get an in-depth look into how the band’s politicized lyrics, musical experimentation, and rebellious attitude have helped shape rock history. As rebels with a cause, The Clash took the manic anger of British punk and transformed it into a political and aesthetic agenda. Album after album, as they railed against the status quo of corporate rock and safe middle-class values, The Clash was a burning reminder of why punk mattered.
The exhibit will examine the music and lives of the band with artifacts including well-known instruments, stage clothing, rare posters, set-lists and original manuscripts. Highlights include Joe Strummer’s Fender Telecaster and Mick Jones’ Gibson Les Paul Jr. guitars and handwritten lyrics for “London Calling,” “Know Your Rights” and “Clampdown.”
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ANNEX NYC is proudly supported by official sponsors Citi, Best Buy, Diesel for Bloomingdale’s, and Gibson.