May 17, 2011
Okay, usually on Tuesday’s I go out and search for the elusive glass swizzle stick. Well, I just found out that tomorrow I have to work until about four in the morning—expect a grumpy-ass post tomorrow, so I thought I’d go tonight. I thought of a place I tried to go to on the bar crawl and it was too crowded to do it in and I had to take that lonely walk to another bar. The bar is Bemelmans Bar in the Carlyle Hotel and it’s pretty goddamned fancy in there! Check out what New York magazine has to say about it: “Nowhere is the discreet charm of the bourgeoisie more palpable than in this bastion of post-war decadence: think white-jacket waiters, 24-karat gold leaf ceilings, and nickel-trimmed glass tables splayed around the ivories.”
But is it decadent enough to serve double gin and tonics with glass swizzle sticks? That is what we will find out soon. Glad I’m getting more overtime this week, I may need it after tonight’s bill!
Wow, it is one foggy-ass night out! Check it out, you can't even see the Empire State Building!
And it's down into the subway we go. We're taking the N train and then transferring to the 6th.
And, once again, through the magic of the internet, you're spared a subway ride which included countless zombies staring at texting devices, a long-ass walk to the 6 train and several, "The World Is Ending on May 21st" posters. Jesus Fucking Christ! Anyway, here we are at the Carlyle, let's go check out the bar.
Obligatory self-portrait shot at the door!
Holy shitballs, it's packed in here and no seats at the bar. Do you know what time it is?
It's time to take that lonesome walk and look for another bar.
Wow, it's really dead out here, I guess everyone was at Bemelmans Bar!
Shit, I've walked over ten blocks and no bars! And no people. I don't like the Upper East Side, it's like a ghost town up here.
I looked to see what 45 that is on display. It's "The Joker" by Steve Miller. Some People call him the Space Cowboy while others refer to him as the Gangster of Love. Two things are for sure, though, he's a midnight toker and he gets his loving on the run. Hey Steve, don't forget to zip up after that loving!
Here's a bar, but it's already got the chairs on the tables. At 11:30 pm! I hate the Upper East Side!
Number 19: Spike his milk bottle with mescaline.
Wow, speaking of drug babies, check out this tea-shade wearing stoner baby on display!
Finally, a bar, we can officially get this over with! I really need a drink at this point.
They wouldn't serve me because I have a t-shirt on. I hate the Upper East Side!
Never mind the manhole, it's just blowing off a little steam. Ha! I'm easily amused at this point of the evening.
Christ all fucking mighty! I've walked over 15 blocks and no bars!
And just when I was ready to give up all hope, what shows up on the block but Donohue's Steak House. Thank you God!
Friendly bartender Rich serves up the double gin and tonic.
He tells me that they've never used swizzle sticks and to tell you the truth, by now, I don't care, I just want a drink!
Here's a long shot of Rich and the classic New York bar.
Here's a look at the other end of the bar.
An obligatory bar room mirror shot...
My drink is done and one last look out the window and it's time to call it a night. And it's been a long one! Let's go outside and get a cab.
Aaaaahhhhhh!
Donohue's
845 Lexington Ave (Between 64th St & 65th St)
(212) 744-0938
Further reading: EV Grieve, 365 Bars, Jon Hammer and Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York. (A wonderful quartet of blogs, may I add! And whoops, I just did!)
You might also like: Sunny and Chair.
Six Sticky Things
Sticky Wicket
Sticky Buns
Sticky Buns
Sticky Ass Glue
Sticky Footer
Sticky Fingers
You gotta move,
You got to move child,
You gotta move.
(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you!)
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Bonus Press Release!
My friend Ida Langsam sent me this press release about the 11th Annual Joey Ramone Birthday Bash. Check it out, it’s this Thursday and I’m going. I’ll have my camera, come up to me and I’ll take your picture!
2011 JOEY RAMONE BIRTHDAY BASH DETAILS UNVEILED;
10 YEARS AFTER HIS PASSING, THE PUNK-ROCK LEGEND LIVES ON
New York, NY: On what would have been his 60th birthday, the life of punk icon JOEY RAMONE will once again be celebrated at the annual JOEY RAMONE BIRTHDAY BASH which takes place Thursday, May 19th at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza. Mickey Leigh, event organizer and brother of Joey Ramone, has announced this year’s lineup and a sellout Bash is expected again. Net proceeds will go to benefit Lymphoma research.
This year's Bash is the 11th annual event commemorating the life and music of the Ramones vocalist and main songwriter. Reflecting on the past decade, Leigh remarked: "You would think it the other way around, and normally it is, but the contributions my brother made seem to be of greater and greater value as the years go on. Even just the fact that his life is still being celebrated ten years after his passing is worth celebrating. Of course, at the same time some of us will also be celebrating the life of Jeffry Hyman, the guy I grew up with, and still look up to as someone who so dramatically overcame tremendous adversity in order to achieve what he did. That person was not ‘Joey Ramone,’ but was certainly someone most deserving of celebration as well."
The celebration will be headlined by Hugh Cornwell (ex Stranglers) featuring Clem Burke (Blondie) and Steven Fishman (James White and the Blacks). Also performing at the Bash will be Black 47, Richard Lloyd, The Rattlers, Sunday Masquerade, and The Indecent. As a special addition, this year’s spectacular party will feature a tribute to Joey performed by the “Joey Ramone Birthday Bashers” who will debut songs from Joey's much anticipated forthcoming, second posthumous solo album. Several special guests will also be offering up renditions of Ramones songs written by the band’s much revered and sorely missed lead singer. Confirmed to participate are Richie Ramone, Tommy Ramone, Richie Stotts (Plasmatics), Bebe Buell, Ed Stasium, Andy Shernoff (Dictators), Ross The Boss (Dictators), Tish & Snooky (Sic F*ck), Ali McMordie (Stiff Little Fingers), Al Maddy, Walt Stack (the Bullys), and Mickey Leigh. Surprise guest are a normal occurrence at this event, video tributes from artists all over the world are expected, and in what has become a Birthday Bash tradition, Sean O’Sullivan's Punk Pipers will round out the night with their rendition of “I Wanna Be Sedated” on bagpipes.
The Masters of Ceremony for this year’s fete will be Steve Craig (101.9 RXP), Matt Pinfield (101.9 RXP and VH1), and John Holmstrom (Punk Magazine). Additional surprises are anticipated at the evening’s events.
RAMONE, who passed away April 15th, 2001, after a seven-year battle with Lymphoma, had a history of encouraging up-and-coming bands in New York’s downtown music scene by showcasing them at his special “Joey Ramone Presents” events. Since RAMONE’s passing, his brother has carried on the tradition “by featuring bands that make great music and gathering together some of our family, friends, and Joey’s fans to celebrate him on what would otherwise be a sad, somber day,” Leigh explained.
This year’s Bash is being sponsored by Manic Panic, the Village Voice, New York Waste, 101.9 RXP and Bravado.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance through Ticketmaster. The Fillmore is located at 17 Irving Place, corner of 15th Street, NYC. Doors open at 7PM.
For ongoing updates, visit www.joeyramone.com. Net proceeds from the Bash go to support the Joey Ramone Foundation for Lymphoma Research. For more information or to request press and photo credentials contact ISL Public Relations at islpr@aol.com; 917-338-6199.
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