August 7, 2011

Live from New York, it’s Cheeseburger Saturday Night! Starring Ray’s Candy Store and a street party in front of the Mars Bar! And now, ladies and gentlemen, from the East Village in New York City, Ray’s Candy Store!

And it's off we go into the night. There's a protest/party starting out at the BMW Guggenheim Lab thingy and then ending up at the Mars Bar for a street party. The BMW portion was too early for me, but I thought I'd stop by Ray's and get a cheeseburger and then wander over to the Mars Bar for the street party/protest. The man organizing this party/protest is longtime NYC activist, John Penley. Last Halloween John was organizing an event for Halloween and we traded comments on EV Grieve and he promised me a kiss! The event didn't happen though, so I didn't  get to receive my kiss. Tonight I'll see if John will make good on that promise.

It's sprinkling a little outside, but it's not that bad and it's brought the heat down.

And here we are at Ray's, time for Cheeseburger Saturday night to begin!

There's a line inside which I always like to see at Ray's.

And here's the man himself, Ray flanked by two of his pretty co-workers.

Ray recently became an American citizen, here's a photo of the legendary day. Congratulations, Ray!

They were out of cheeseburger ingredients for the night, so I opted for a hot sausage with mustard and carmelized onions.

It was delicious!

I also got one of Ray's classic vanilla milkshakes. And now it's all gone. Burp. Okay, off to the street party at Mars Bar.

Hey, where is everybody?

Oh, here they are!

And here's the man who put it all together, John Penley. The group gave the BMW Guggenheimer's a run for their money and I was sorry I missed it. But at least I made it to this portion.

A sign is hoisted in front of Mars Bar.

"Gentrification is class war! Fight back!" The message for the evening.

LES Jewels had a poem he had just written earlier in the evening.

It was a great poem and read with heartfelt conviction. Nice job, LES Jewels!

Ace photographer Bob Arihood was on the scene documenting everything. I look forward to his take on the evening which should be forthcoming this week.

Perfectly summed up. I've asked many people what the point of this whole BMW Guggenheim Lab thing is, and no one seems to know. I haven't gone yet, but it seems like one big circle jerk to me.

And the wine is brought out, let the party begin!

A corkscrew was brought out and the uncorking of the wine begins.

Here's everyone milling around.

Hey John, how about that kiss?

This photo by Bob Arihood just may be the highlight of this blog so far! It'll be hard to top this moment! Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.

Further reading: EV Grieve, Neither More Nor Less, facecrack and The Gog Log.

You Might Also Like: Peaches and Herb.

Five Songs About Parties
Where’s The Party by Madonna
Party on the Patio by ZZ Top
It’s My Party by Lesley Gore
1999 by Prince
The Party by Phil Ochs

In the city there's a thousand men in uniforms,
And I've heard they now have the right to kill a man.

ARCHIVES

(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you! This one’s a day late.)

August 6, 2011

As some of you know, there was a problem with the comments section here the last couple of days and it was driving me fucking nuts. I pestered the shit out of the support staff at Squarespace and they’re probably kicking themselves that I picked them as a host. People's comments weren’t showing up and it was stressing the shit out of me, I had visions of everyone abandoning this blog. Well, the support people at Squarespace are great and they did find a bug and patched it and most people seem to be able to comment again. Jaws can’t and I’m not sure about Biff, but we’ll see what happens tomorrow. (Update: Jaws is posting again and I bet Biff will be able too as well. Finally! I had a two day massive obsession fest over this.) The end of my work night sucked too and all I want to do is have a beer or seven and chill the fuck out. Now where should I go to chill out? Hmmm...

Okay, it's off into the night we go.

Okay, I've been staring at this ad in the subway station for about eleven minutes now. What the fuck is this? I mean I know it's an ad for Jello pudding, but what does the hell? "You never forget a Pudding Face?" What does that even mean? And why did they capitalize the words, "Pudding Face?" Why would I ever eat pudding again after seeing this monstrosity of an ad? The answer is simple, I won't! What the fuck is a Pudding Face?

Oh shit...it's a whole campaign. I got a feeling this could haunt me in the future. I thought it was bad when Bill Cosby was their spokesman. Pudding Face? Fuck.

Boy, I'm really not having a good streak of luck lately. I thought I'd go to the Chillmaster's and chill out with him and some of his classic soul music, but his window is shut down and it's not even midnight! I'm going to have to give him shit about this at the next Chillmaster Dance Party.

I decided to get a bag of beer and just wander around the East Village and take some photos.

Okay, the first beer is bagged and ready to go. I put a straw in it to give it a more soda-like look in case I encounter a cop. Kind of pathetic, I know.

And here we go for a leisurely stroll around the Lower East Side.

Wow, that's a fully loaded psychic window.

These three pretty ladies were chilling on their stoop, so I thought I'd stop and say hi.

I asked them their names and they are (from left): Luninisa, Georgia Peach and Poison Puss. They were really nice and they know of the Chillmaster. They read about him on EV Grieve and said they'd stop by the next Chillmaster Dance Party on the 14th of this month.

Like a magnet I was pulled to the now shuttered Mars Bar.

Shit, Terry's art got tagged.

Mike Grey's tribut to Hank got blacked out last week and now it's been retouched somewhat.

A note to Myriam on the sidewalk.

I'm going to try and get some shots of the inside from the window up here.

The bar's gone, but some of the graffitti and empties remain.

Sad.

According to the DOH, there's over 17,000 fruit flies in that blue cup alone! Danger, danger!

Some people were nice enough to stop and take a photo of Gumby and I toasting the Mars Bar.

A photo of the photo takers. Thanks!

Here comes the wrecking ball!

Thanks for the memories Mars Bar! Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.

Further reading: EV Grieve, The Gog Log, Neither More Nor Less, One More Folded Sunset, Slum Goddess and Single Linds Reflex.

You Might Also Like: The Onion, An Apple and A Fish.

Five Things People Do To Relax
Drink
Nap
Masturbate
Masturbate with Bob Crane
Bludgeon Bob Crane

When it comes to men like you I know the score,
I’ve heard it all before.

(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you!)

-------------------------------------
Bonus Photo By Bobby Williams!

Bobby takes shots for EV Grieve’s blog and snapped one of the Chillmaster the other day. He sent me the original and here it is. Thanks Bobby and keep up the great work!

July 19, 2011

Well, we knew it was coming, Mars Bar is closed for good. EV Grieve had the story yesterday at his fine blog, here’s the post: That’s It: The Mars Bar is closed for good. So it turns out we were there on the last day. Fuck, where am I supposed to go this Easter? Cheers and farewell to the Mars Bar and anyone whoever had twelve too many in there. Check out Goggla’s flickr page for great and definitive Mars Bar photos. I and others consider her to be the official documentarian of Mars Bar and she nailed the joint in this tribute: “Cry, ‘Havoc!’ and let slip the dogs of war...”

Mars Bar—Hank and Ray, July 17, 2011. One for the road.

I’m still hungover from the Chillmaster Dance Party III a little tired tonight, and kind of bummed out about Mars Bar, so I thought I’d try to find someplace close to home to go to. I enjoyed going to the Super Taco Truck last week and I found another late night taco truck nearby where I live, on the corner of 14th and 8th. It’s called El Idolo and they have two buck tacos there, so let’s go check it out!

Okay, it's a straight shot down 8th to 14th street and then it's taco time!

Gumballs!

The answer to the question: "Does anybody really know what time it is?"

Goddamn it's humid out here tonight and now it's starting to spit rain, let's find this goddamned taco truck already!

And here we are...

Now where's this taco truck?

Hello!

And due to the heat and sprinkling rain, there's not much of a line here. Let's go get a taco.

There's lots of items to choose from, but I'm going to stick to the original plan of a taco. You usually can't go wrong with that order at a taco truck.

This friendly fellow took my order.

As you can see, the truck is sparkling clean.

And quicker than you can say: "¿Dónde está mi taco?" Dinner is served!

And it's a delicious taco! Very nicely prepared!

One of the secrets to eating at a food truck is learning to lean in to the truck and this gentlemen has it down pat. Let's go say hi.

His name is Jeff and he was a good sport for letting me take his photo. Happy taco trails, Jeff!

And, just a block away from the taco truck is the Donut Pub, time for a little dessert!

I was going to get a donut, but those chocolate chip cookies look really good.

And look, my cookie is served!

It was really good.

And now it's time to go home and drink about 23 toasts to the Mars Bar. Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.

Further reading: Jeremiah's Vanishing New York, EV Grieve, The Gog Log, Slum Goddess and NY Times.

You also might like: Bill or George or anything but Sue!

Five Other Tacos
Holy Taco
New York Taco
Taco
Taco Tunes
Swedish Jesus Taco

C.J. now, hit the gas,
Hear Marky kick your ass,
Go, Johnny, go, go, go,
Go Tommy, O-way-o.

ARCHIVES

(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you!)
----------------------------------
Bonus Linkage!

Secret Weapon!
“Boris” and Gidget’s Secret Weapon Show got a nice write up at the Broken Hearted Toy blog written by Terry Flamm. Check it out here, it’s the eighth item down: Secret Weapon on Broken Hearted Toy. And of course Secret Weapon can be heard only on Woody Radio.

-----------------

Blarney! At Grade “A” Fancy!
MAD pals, Karen and Jon have a wonderful new entry at Grade “A” Fancy celebrating the history of the Blarney Stone bars in NYC. Wonderful writing and artwork, check it out here: Blarney!

July 1, 2011

There’s been rumors floating around that tonight is the last night of the Mars Bar. I was there last week and was assured this wasn’t the truth, but just to be safe, I think that’s going to be tonight’s destination. To be honest, it’ll almost be a relief when the place is finally closed. The end is near and it’s kind of like watching a sick relative die. I’m a little tired of thinking about it and this may just be my last night in Mars Bar whether it stays open or not. Okay, I’m officially depressed now, let’s go to Mars Bar, I need a drink or twelve.

And here we are, I'm only going to take a couple pictures tonight, I've documented this place well and will share some of the photos at the bottom of this post. Tonight I just want to enjoy the Mars Bar one last night and have some drinks. So there's just going to be two more new photos here.

So make it one more for my baby...

And one more for the road.

Mars Bar Memories

Goodbye Mars Bar, thanks for the laughs and for all the nice people I've met in there. To Mars Bar and to all those who lost some brain cells inside the place. I salute you and I will miss you. Cheers, beers and love.

Further reading: EV Grieve, The Gog Log, 365 Bars, Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York and Slum Goddess .

You also might like: Pizza Jesus, Cheeseburger Jesus and Jesus Beer.

Four Drinks You Should Never Order At Mars Bar (Or Any Bar For That Matter)
Fancy Nancy
Rainbow Brite Blowing Sunshine Up Your Butt
Wild Squirrel Sex
Daddy’s Milk

Well, that's how it goes,
And Joe, I know you're getting anxious to close,
So thanks for the cheer,
I hope you didn't mind,
My bending your ear,
So make it one for my baby,
And one more for the road.

ARCHIVES

(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you!)

-------------------------

Bonus Photo

Here's Danny, who I met last night and agreed to take my photo in the bathroom at Mars Bar. Most bars would frown on you for taking a picture with your pants down while seated on their toilet in front of all the patrons, but at Mars Bar no one even batted an eye as we did this. Only at Mars Bar...only in New York...only for now. Here comes the condominium and the wrecking ball. Look out, here comes tomorrow.

June 20, 2011

It’s Sunday and there’s an art show at the Mars Bar...need I say more?

This is the piece of art I made for the show. I used the Mothers of Invention album artwork for "We're Only In It For The Money" and turned it into "We're Only In It For The Mars Bar." I used photos from Easter Sunday at the Mars Bar to add to the Mother's original collage which was their parody of the Sgt. Pepper album artwork.

I really dread seeing this corner when the Mars Bar is gone. Oh well, let's celebrate the fact that it's still here.

Here's Terry posing in front of the latest and possibly last mural he had just drawn on the outside of Mars Bar.

Terry and Ray check out my Mars Bar art. I made a lot of copies and gave them each one.

I think it's time to go in, why not?

It's safe to drink and that is good to know!

Some of the art from today's show hangs on the wall behind the bar.

Bartender Jessica is behind the bar.

Here's Ed and Goggla. Goggla brought me some swizzle stcks to add to the MAD collection which was really nice!

You can't really tell from the photo, the swizzle part lights up and turns different colors! Very cool! Thanks, Goggla!

Bob and Lindsay were sitting up front by the window.

This is Dave who's shooting a documentary on the last days of the Mars Bar.

See, he's got the camera to prove it! He filmed me telling the story of how I bought pizza on Easter Sunday when I did my bar crawl last year.

This is Gary, who's a longtime regular of Mars Bar.

And here's Melanie, a fellow NYC blogger who I met for the first time at the art show!

Dueling photos!

A fuzzy shot of Eric. One of these days I gotta learn how to use this camera!

Goggla in action taking a photo of the art on the wall.

Hamlet points to the art he brought for the show.

My collage was placed below Hamlet's on the wall. I'm proud to have it included in what might be the last art show at the Mars Bar.

I had heard a rumor that Lindsay had lost her left elbow, but here she proves that it was just an untrue rumor after all. Thank God!

There's Goldfish at the bar and they are Flavor Blasted! Soon I will be just plain blasted. That always happens at the Mars Bar.

Lisa showed up a few hours into the festivities.

Kate checks out something on this guy's phone. The nails match his shirt, nice!

Goodbye Mars Bar.

Darkness falls on Mars Bar and I've had quite a lot of drinks.

Time to exit, stage left!

Holy shitballs, it's dark out here! Great to see everyone and see you all tomorrow after dark.

Further reading: EV Grieve, Musings By Melanie, Neither More Nor Less, The Gog Log and One More Folded Sunset.

You also might like: Adam and Eve.

Four Other Mars Bars
Mars Bar & Restaurant
Mars Bar
Mars Bar
Mars Bar

Red lights, green lights, strawberry wine,
A good friend of mine, follows the stars,
Venus and Mars are alright tonight.

ARCHIVES

(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you!)

April 25, 2011

Okay, it’s Michael O’Keefe’s birthday and it’s Easter Sunday. That can mean only one thing...MARS BAR!

Last year I bought pizza for everyone at the Mars Bar, but this year, they're having a BBQ, so I thought I'd bring dessert. I spent all night Saturday decorating this special Jesus Easter cake for the event. And it is special, isn't it? Okay, the rest of the pictures are going to be caption-less, because as Rod the Mod once sang: "Every picture tells a story, don't it?" And there's a million stories inside the Mars Bar. And I don't have time to type them. Especially since I came home drunk out of my mind and spilled beer all over my keyboard and now my computer doesn't work. I came in to work early to post this (I'm off the clock for any of my bosses reading this.) I don't feel too well right now, but yesterday was a ton of fun! Here's a little glimpse of the festivities. But you really had to be there and I'm sorry if you weren't. I think I had a really good time.

The Mars Bar
Another epic Easter at the Mars Bar. People always ask me what was my favorite night on the 365 Bar Crawl and I never hesitate when I say it was last Easter at the Mars Bar. I always have so much fun there. I don’t go that often because I’m always nervous that for some reason it won’t be as much fun as the last time, but it always is. I think it’s because everyone lets their guard down in there. It’s one of the true non-judgmental zones I’ve ever been in.

What a night. It was great to see Terry, Hamlet, Lisa, Goggla, Ed, Eric, Bob, Bob’s two friends, the guy with the white beard, the giant Easter bunny and the guy who had a trash bag on and was kind of dressed like an alien and everybody else who was in there. I’d like to try and describe the feeling, but you had to be there. I will tell you that when I heard “Good Vibrations” coming out of their classic jukebox and everybody was laughing, drinking and shoving things into the Jesus Easter cake, it felt like one of the best times of my life. Another Epic Easter at the Mars Bar. Where will we be next year at this time? Only time will tell and hopefully time will be on our side. I hope to see everyone again. Mucho love to the Mars Bar and all that inhabit it. Happy birthday Michael O’Keefe!
Long ago it must be, I have a photograph,
Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you.
—Paul Simon

The Mars Bar
25 E. 1st St. (@Second Ave.)
212-473-9842

Further reading: EV Grieve, Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York, Nadie Se Conoce, The Gog Log and Village Voice.

You might also like: Rubber Bands, Band on the Run and The Band.

Six People Born on April 24th
Michael O’Keefe
Jim Capaldi
Shirley MacLaine
Eric Bogosian
JIll Ireland
Cedric The Entertainer

 

Running: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday,
Saturday Sunday,
What have I done?

ARCHIVES