The Blarney Cove has a (fake Zagat rated) menu!

Never noticed this before... a reader sends along a photo of the Blarney Cove menu... mini burgers ($3), knishes ($1.50), pizza ($1.50) and quesadillas ($2.50). The photo is a little blurry... but you can see that someone has written in "Zagat rated."

Anyway, add a beer to these four menu items and you have the five food groups represented, of course ...

Meanwhile, outside the former Blarney Cove...

[Photo by Cassandra Gaylor White via Facebook]

Spotted along the plywood near the former Blarney Cove on East 14th Street …

"I have rich parents and I am going to rent your apartment for $6,000 a month just because I can!"

[Photo by Bobby Williams]

Some day, this stretch of East 14th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B will be home to a new luxury retail-residential complex that will look something like this.

That $6,000 should get her a nice 1 bedroom!

The other afternoon at the Blarney Cove

On 14th Street just past Avenue A. Can't resist that sign. Will have one drink.

Maybe 12 people in the place.

The man puts a few bills in the jukebox. When "Smooth," the Santana/Rob Thomas ditty, comes on, he and his wife start to dance in the front of the bar.

Helene, with a wink, says the place is going to be busted for violating the cabaret laws. The two dance very well together.

An Andrea Bocelli song comes on. The couple slow dance. In the back, another man and woman -- these two much older -- also dance. We're all going to be thrown in jail, Helene says with a laugh.

James Brown comes in. Popeye 86'd him previously. He can't stay. So James Brown smiles, shakes a few hands and leaves.

The older woman who had been dancing in the back collects her cart with the Rite Aid and Associated bags she had parked under the TV and makes her exit.

One of the regulars keeps apologizing for no reason. Stop apologizing, the others say -- you're not in church.

One of the old-timers sitting in the middle of the long bar dozes off.





Five drinks later, I leave. Still light out.







Related:
Blarney Cove (Jeremiah's Vanishing NY)

Report: Gunman robs the Blarney Cove

From today's NYPD Daily Blotter in the Post (not yet online): A "gun-toting bandit" made off with about $1,000 after robbing the Blarney Cove on East 14th Street. The report doesn't say what day this happened, only that it was at 4:30 a.m. "He ordered the bartender to the back, stole cash from a register and fled," according to the report.

Good news for the Blarney Cove?

I tend to worry about things, such as seeing large parcels of real estate on the market next to the beloved Blarney Cove. This area on 14th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B is ripe for development. So when when the "space available" signs went up last summer...Hello Marc Jacobs! Hello huge Chase branch!



But back to reality, here we go...the new occupant along this stretch...with the BC safe and sound for now.



Let the sunshine in....



Many thanks to our friend Cat Sitter for the tip!

Liquor license blockbusters for September: And how do we interpret that Blarney Cove application?

The CB3/SLA agenda is out now for Sept. 20, and there are many, many items of interest... well, to me anyway.



Here's a look at some of the items:

Applications within Resolution Areas
• Table 12 (188 Ave A Take Out Food Corp), 188 Ave A (wb)
• Totale Pizza, 36 St Marks Pl (wb)
• Corp to be Formed, 150 E 2nd St (wb) (aka: 24 Ave A)
150 Second St. is Nicky's address... which must mean those rumors of Nicky's leaving are true...

Alterations/Transfers/Upgrades
• One & One (12 1st Ave Restaurant Corp), 12 1st Ave (alt/op/convert basement service bar to standup bar)
• Justified LLC, 102 1st Ave (alt/op/extend to backyard)
The good people at the International are taking over the former Lilly Coogan's space here...

• Corp to be Formed, 14 Ave B (trans/op) (Butterfly Butterfly)
This is that ginormous space on Second Street and Avenue B ...

• Max (Luigi Iasilli), 235 E 4th St (trans/op) (Tonda)
So! Luigi Iasilli who runs Max around the corner on Avenue B, is taking over the rather doomed location here that was once EU....

New Liquor License Applications
• Wackywok (Panasia Kitchen Ltd), 129 Ave D (wb)
• Thai Playground LLC, 99 3rd Ave (wb)
The former Hea space looks to become another Thai joint

• Porchetta LLC, 110 E 7th St (wb)
• Prime & Beyond NY Inc, 90 E 10th St (wb) (Danal)
Hmm... must do some digging on this... Danal moved to Fifth Avenue... the space here is below the 123 Third Avenue Sales Office!

• Blarney Cove (510 E 14th Pub Inc), 510 E 14th St (op)
Uh-oh... Uh-oh.... What's all this? NO! NO! NO! NOOOOOOOOOO!

Related reading:
Eater has coverage of the CB3 docket too.

Blarney Cove memories

Jeremiah captures the spirit of the beloved Blarney Cove on 14th Street today. Another EV Grieve favorite. Reading his post reminded me of one of my first visits, whenever that was. (Also, seems as if my dive-bar anecdotes all involve food.) Three of us went in during some off time in late January one year. Only one other person was at the bar, way down by the door. It was the first time that I'd seen this bartender. And he certainly didn't know us. He was friendly as all the BC folks are. After a few rounds, he asked us if we were hungry. Not really. Still, he said he had some food that he could put out for us. "Oh, thank you very much. That's very nice of you. We're just not hungry at the moment." Perfect! With that, he bolted down the basement steps and gingerly came back up carrying a six-foot party sub wrapped in plastic. Where this thing had been stored (and for how long), we didn't know. With the care of, say, a paleontologist, he unwrapped the beastly thing. I may be wrong about this, but I swear after the unveiling the bartender did a little "ta-da!" Keeping with the paleontology theme, the bread was as hard as a fossil. We politely nibbled at it and thanked him. And ordered another round.

Blarney Cove prepared for the warmer weather

At our beloved Blarney Cove, where nothing ever becomes too fancy.

[Photo by the long-lost Intern of EV Grieve]

Sidewalk bridge arrives for start of demolition on East 14th Street; last chance for Blarney Cove sign

Workers began erecting the sidewalk shed along the doomed section of East 14th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B yesterday. Demolition of these one-level empty storefronts should commence soon enough.

As previously reported, eight parcels consisting of 222 Avenue A and 504 - 530 E. 14th St. (excluding No. 520) were leased for a retail-resident complex that might look like this ...


[500 E. 14th St.]

... and this...


[524 E. 14th St.]

Workers still need to finished putting up the sidewalk bridge to the east...



To date, we haven't spotted any plans on file with the city for the new buildings.

Meanwhile, it's really last call for that Blarney Cove sign...





[H/T @cgashcraft]

Previously on EV Grieve:
East 14th Street exodus continues

The disappearing storefronts of East 14th Street

[Updated with correction] 8-lot parcel of East 14th Street primed for new development

East 14th Street corridor now nearly business-free ahead of new development

Here is the future of East 14th Street and Avenue A: 7 stories of residential and retail

City OKs permits to demolish the empty storefronts along this section of East 14th Street

Here is the next new section of East 14th Street

Those ongoing rumors about the future of East 14th Street between Avenue A and B

Ever since the fire wiped out Stuyvesant Grocery and Pete's-a-Place on East 14th Street at Avenue A, we've heard all sort of rumors about what was coming next. Dorm! Hotel! Condo!

The usual.

In the past six weeks, we've heard from a dozen different people who passed along various tips about incoming development. To date, there hasn't been much hard evidence, such as a real-estate listing or demolition permit.

We heard more after yesterdays's post about the East Side 99¢ store relocating.

Per THE NOTORIOUS L.I.B.E.R.A.T.I.O.N.:

Someone recently told me the stretch of 14th Street between Avenue A down to the Blarney Cove is about to get a major overhaul.

Per Gojira:

The vet at ABC Animal Hospital, Dr. Tufaro, is also looking for new space; he told me yesterday that the whole south side of that block from the former Stuyvesant Grocery down to his location is slated for demolition and development. He also said the owners of Bargain Bazaar were in court trying to hold onto their lease, which runs through 2016 but which the landlord wants to break. Can you say "upscale luxury condo", boys and girls? Sure you can.

This is consistent with what we've heard. And various tipsters/readers have passed along three different scenarios:

1) All the space to the west of the Rainbow clothing shop, the area that fell to fire, will be developed into some type of housing-retail complex.

2) All the space starting at the Rite Aid west to Avenue A will be developed into some type of housing-retail complex.

3) The big one. All the space starting at the ABC Animal Hospital west to Avenue A will be developed into some type of housing-retail complex.

So far, there isn't anything to prove any of these rumors. And remember — they're only rumors at this point. (We recall walking into the Blarney Cove about 10 years ago only to hear the news that they were closing soon due to a new development. And we got to drink for free since they were closing!)

However, the last time we heard this much chatter about a rumored development: 74-76 Third Ave. ... and in a few months, all that became official with the news of an 82,000-square-foot, nine-story residential building with 94 units.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Conspiracies: What next for 14th Street and Avenue A?

Those persistent rumors about 74-76 Third Avenue and the future of Nevada Smiths

[Images via Google]

One opinion (not mine) on the "Top Ten Dirtiest Bars in New York"

Meet Now Live's Nightlife and Bar Guide just featured the "Top Ten Dirtiest Bars in New York." Presented here in its entirety without comment. (Oh, as an aside, the post featured a photo of Mona's with the caption, "You can smell this place through your computer." However, Mona's wasn't on the list.)

You’ve all accidentally stumbled into a bar that’s so disgusting that you wouldn’t even send your ex-girlfriend’s rich, better looking new boyfriend to. That bar that smells like throw-up and poop on top of a freshly burnt cat? You know what I’m talking about. Here’s a rundown of those bars.

1. Mars Bar - East Village - Why? Let’s just say last time I was there, there was a used bloody condom in the window sill.

2. American Trash - Upper East Side - Why? This place is the unflushed turd left in the toilet at the frat house that is the Upper East Side. Go here to score drugs.

3. Billymark’s West - Chelsea - Why? This place was featured in a previous post giving it the title of “Weirdest Bar in Manhattan.” Loaded with local homeless people, this place is more shelter than hot nightspot.

4. Rawhide - Chelsea - Why? Rawhide is your typical rough ridin’ Gay joint. Fully equipped with big burly old men who drag tiny little boys out the door 24/7. Stay away or go have some fun…either way.

5. Welcome to the Johnson’s - Lower East Side - Why? The used, very old, “white trash” furniture is just plain musty. Don’t sit down or else you’ll get herpes.

6. McSorley’s Ale House - East Village - Why? This place is gross due to its age. One of the oldest bars in NYC, McSorley’s sports an old spongey bar top, 2 types of beer (Dark or Lite) and has an inch of sawdust on the floor. Tread lightly because you may step on an old drunk that went missing 2 nights ago.

7. J Mac’s - Hell’s Kitchen - Why? J Mac’s is a dingy little place you can stop off at on 57th street right before you head out on the West Side Highway. Other than that? Not really sure why anyone would go here.

8. Blarney Cove - East Village - Why? Just walk by this place and peak your head inside. That’s about as far as you want to go with this place.

9. Down the Hatch - Greenwich Village - Why? Although this IS one of my favorite Saturday drinkin’ spots, DTH is pretty dirty. The fact that it is in a grungy basement doesn’t help at all.

10. Pussycat Lounge - Financial District - Why? Part awful strip joint, part stink hole, the PCL is a great place to die. No one will ever find you.

Honorable mention: Jimmy’s Corner & Coyote Ugly.

Of course, Mars Bar and the Blarney Cove are two EV Grieve favorites...

Extell's new development at 524 E. 14th St. launches lottery for 50 affordable units

[Rendering of 524 E. 14th St. looking to the west via Extell]

Extell Development announced yesterday that the application process for 50 middle-income units at 524 E. 14th St. is now underway. (H/T 6sqft!)

This is the smaller of the two retail-residential buildings that Extell constructed between Avenue A and Avenue B. No. 500 at the corner of Avenue A is the larger of the two developments, and will be home to the small-format Target store.

As for the housing at No. 524, Curbed breaks it down here:

There are a total of 50 affordable apartments up for grabs at the rental with apartments being offered in studio through two-bedroom variants. Rents start at $1,114 for a studio, which is definitely a bit on the pricier side for affordable units, but this is the East Village after all. Rents on one-bedrooms start at $1,196, and two-bedrooms start at $2,733, from the information we have so far.

The affordable rentals are being offered in two groups: people making 70 percent of the area median income and 130 percent of the area median income, which translates to anywhere between $40,080 to $124,020 depending on various family sizes.

For an additional fee, residents will also have access to amenities like a fitness center, a children’s play room, an indoor pool, a residents lounge, and a steam room.

Speaking of the pool! Here it is (complete with apparitions) ...


[Rendering by McGinley Design]

Nice, but it's no Blarney Cove Cove.

Anyway, qualifying residents can apply for the middle-income units until April 11, 2018. You can find the application and other details here (PDF).



To date, Extell hasn't released any leasing information for the other residential units.

Previously on EV Grieve:
New 7-floor buildings for East 14th Street include 150 residential units

Target offers details about its flexible-format store opening summer 2018 on 14th and A

The disappearing storefronts of East 14th Street

Week in Grieview

[St. Mark's Place near 3rd Avenue on July 26]

Remembering Michael Brody (Monday)

Dr. Dave is fighting eviction on East Second Street (Thursday)

Celebrating 25 years at Paul's Da Burger Joint (Monday)

Google employee accused of raping woman in East 12th Street apartment (Tuesday)

First signs of the Alphabet City-Tompkins Square Slow Zone (Friday)

Out and About with Lauren Edmond (Wednesday)

Work starts on Mars Bar 2.0 (Monday)

Rice burgers coming to East Ninth Street (Thursday)

About the Between the Seas Festival (Tuesday)

Veselka turns back the clock (Wednesday)

The return of I Coppi (Wednesday)

Time-lapse video of the baby hawks (Wednesday)

A reboot for Oyama (Tuesday)

At the Blarney Cove Cove (Monday)

Covering the mural wall on the Bowery and East Houston (Thursday)

Deeper discounts now at Kim's, closing soon (Wednesday)

A look at the new Max Fish signage (Tuesday)

The quick-rising new luxury buildings on Lafayette (Tuesday)

"You were walking through the east village with broccoli casually tucked in your backpack" (Wednesday)

Coffee shops with WiFi (Friday)

Birdbath Bakery still closed (Monday)

Here is your Red & Gold Crab Shack! signage (Monday)

French bistro taking over Apartment 13 space (Thursday)

Stuyraq Swim Club now ready for the season

[Extell Lake photo from December 2014]

On East 14th Street, Extell Lake between Avenue A and Avenue B is now just etched in our memories, visions of endless nights hanging out at Blarney Cove Cove and having fun despite not even enjoying local access yet to rolled ice cream.

The foundation work has taken care of the issues with the underground stream that fed the cleansing springs of Extell Lake.

However, through the miracle of nature, we can now head one block to the west for a new watering hole ... at the Stuyraq Swim Club ...


[Photo by Brett W.]

Work continues at the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office, where there are currently approved plans for an 8-story, 114-unit (23 affordable, 91 market rate) mixed-use building here... and workers have struck water.

Reps for the developers (Benenson Capital Partners in association with the Mack Real Estate Group) are lobbying to receive a zoning variance for a 12-story building. In an analysis of the plot, the developers note that "unusually elevated groundwater levels and exceedingly soft and unstable soil (owing to the presence of an underground stream) ... result in extraordinary construction costs."

Last week, Community Board 3's Land Use, Zoning, Public & Private Housing Committee tabled the a vote on the zoning variance, asking the reps to return with alternatives to increasing building height.

Meantime here, mud baths are available.

Rite Aid on E. 14th St. closes at the end of October

Employees at the Rite Aid on East 14th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B received word last week that the store will close at the end of October. A manager confirmed the closure.

This is the latest business to exit ahead of some new, unspecified development via Extell ... Rite Aid joins Rainbow ... The Blarney Cove... Bargain Express ... Petland ... and the ABC Animal Hospital as former block mates. (The laundromat moved toward Avenue B. ABC Animal Hospital is now at 200 Avenue A.)



As we first reported last December, eight parcels consisting of 222 Avenue A and 504 - 530 E. 14th St. (excluding No. 520) were leased for a 99-year period by the respective owner of East Village 14 LLC. As The Real Deal reported, city property records show that Gary Barnett of Extell Development signed a 99-year lease worth $35.14 million to rent eight Sol Goldman-owned properties.

Workers had been test drilling ahead of the construction in recent weeks... we saw workers pack up the Davey drill last Thursday...


[Bobby Williams]

To date, reps for the developer have yet to file any demolition permits or building plans.

Previously on EV Grieve:
East 14th Street exodus continues

The disappearing storefronts of East 14th Street

[Updated with correction] 8-lot parcel of East 14th Street primed for new development

Bargain Express has closed on East 14th Street

East 14th Street corridor now nearly business-free ahead of new development

Father Knows Best

Spotted outside the Blarney Cove on East 14th Street this weekend... And happy Father's Day...

Thanksgiving leftovers

Were you away for the holiday? If so, then welcome back. Anyway, we posted a bunch of stuff the last few days... In case you missed it the first time around...:

• Your CB3/SLA booze and bar agenda for December.

• Thanksgiving at the Blarney Cove

• More about Puddin' on St. Mark's Place

• Looking at the Robin Raj holiday window display

• People lined up really early for Black Friday at the Union Square Best Buy

• Lingerie-clad model in a lamp post photo shoot

• You may now buy Christmas holiday trees

• Chico creates a new ad mural on Houston and Avenue B

Dancing with Mr. Brownstone

Can you read this? It was scrawled in a doorway adjacent to the Blarney Cove on 14th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Use you're head and keep your ass alive. b.c. youre the only one who's gonna do it...so you be careful the next time you go dancing with Mr. Brownstone.

All I want for Christmas is…

The old Blarney Cove sign. Still there on East 14th Street. How do we get this down ahead of the demolition of this block?

Also on the xmas list, world peace, etc.

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning Edition

Celebrating marriage equality outside the Stonewall Inn (Eater, Runnin' Scared)

City transfers parcels of Children’s Magical Garden to the Parks Department (The Lo-Down)

Look at Bleecker Bob's now (Flaming Pablum)

Photos go underground with the MTA (Wired)

Goggla's farewell to the Blarney Cove (Gog in NYC)

Lou Reed, still the same (Spin)

Steve Nash gets his kicks in Chinatown again (BoweryBoogie)

Death of a block via a Duane Reade and bank branch (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

NYC pools open again today (Gothamist)

What if Frank Zappa was in the Archie comics... (Dangerous Minds)