October 31, 2011

I’ve heard rumors and read stories that the death of Ruby’s bar on the boardwalk of Coney Island may not come true after all. The business that was going in there pulled out at the last minute. Karma, is that you calling? I can’t find concrete evidence one way or the other, so the best way is to just go out and see what they have to say.

The sun sets on the boardwalk at Coney Island.

Here's Paul's Daughter's food stand, they were one of the businesses that was going to be forced out.

But with the businesses pulling out, maybe they'll be here next year. I sure hope so.

And here we are, Ruby's Bar, let's go check out closing night of the season.

A decent crowd has assembled on this cold night.

There's three familiar faces at the bar...

It's the Duncester, Lindsay and Shawn. Time to let the party begin!

The tables are filled with people having their last drinks of the season.

Historical photos of Coney Island through the years hang on the wall behind the bar.

A long shot of the wooden bar at Ruby's.

And here's Mike behind the bar. I asked him if Ruby's was going to be open next year and he told me that all he could say was that they're in negotiations. Well, that sounds promising!

I asked him if the new TV on the wall was part of the negotiations and he just laughed and said, "Maybe." Hey, if it takes a TV in Ruby's to stay in business, that's fine by me, I just won't look at it.

Here's a couple starting Halloween celebrations a night early.

A song is chosen for the jukebox...

And a couple gets up and dances to it. Hopefully this won't be the last dance at Ruby's bar.

Harpo!

Cheers!

This woman told me she just moved here from the West Coast and hopes to see another season at Ruby's.

Leonardo was selling beads in the crowd.

So I bought a strand for good luck and posed with Leonardo and Lindsay.

Melody confirmed that Ruby's is in negotiations to stay on the boardwalk and asked everyone to keep their fingers crossed. I told her I'd keep my eyes crossed as well!

Shawn flashes a peace-out in front of a Warrior.

Vintage Coney Island books sit side by side with the booze behind the bar.

The boardwalk signs have been brought in for the season.

The bar is starting to clear out.

The chairs are stacked on the tables...

And I take one last obligatory bathroom mirror shot for the road.

Hopefully we'll see you next season, Ruby's! Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark. and One More Folded Sunset.

Further reading: Amusing The Zillion, Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York, The Gog Log and One More Folded Sunset.

Then we went down to Coney Island on the coaster and around again,
And no one's gonna ever tear us apart cause she's my sweetheart.

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

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Bonus Photos From Shawn!

Shawn sent me some photos he shot from last night. Wonderful shots, Shawn, thanks!

September 5, 2011

Okay, tomorrow’s a holiday, so that can only mean one thing: Chillmaster Road Trip Party To Coney Island!

And we're off. We're all meeting at the Chillmaster's place and then taking the subway out to Coney Island for the day and evening. It should be a lot of fun.

Here we are at the Chillmaster window, but the Chill Chair is empty.

Here he is, walking around the block with Victoria. Let the party begin!

Inside the Chilmaster Lair, having a drink or two and chilling out till everyone arrives.

And pretty soon, everyone has shown up. The party included: Goggla, Ed, Shawn, Lindsay, Eric, Kate, Victoria and of course, The Chillmaster. Time to hit the road and take the subway to Coney Island. This is the end of the captions, as I have a lot of photos to post and they pretty much all tell their own story. Thanks to everyone for coming along. It was a great day and evening of chilling the fuck out in Coney Island!

Thanks to everyone for coming along and making the day and evening a ton of fun! Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.

Further reading: EV Grieve, One More Folded Sunset, Single Linds Reflex Photoblography, Shawn Chittle and The Gog Log.

You Might Also Like: Paper Plates, Paper Hats and Paper Planes.

 Four Other Islands
Island In The Sun
Celebrity Love Island
Galapagos Islands
Gilligan’s Island

Coney Island Baby.

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

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Bonus Photos From Lindsay!
Lindsay sent in a couple of excellent photos she took yesterday. Check out more of her photos here: Single Linds Reflex Photoblography. Thanks, Lindsay!

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More Bonus Photos From Kate!
Kate also sent in some great photos from yesterday. Check out more of Kate’s photography and writing here: One More Folded Sunset. Thanks, Kate!

May 29, 2011

It’s opening weekend at Coney Island, so what am I doing sitting here writing this? Let’s start this adventure already!

**********UPDATE: The date should be MAY 30th, 2011, but I forgot to flip my calendar and it felt like Sunday today! I can't change it or it will fuck up anybody who has linked to it, so just pretend like that says May 30th up there! Happy Memorial day!

Special guest star for today is Shawn. Shawn's a photographer, documentarian and a pilot. We had a couple beers at my place before heading out, I didn't make any of my legendary snack mix because I didn't want to fill up before we got to Coney Island.

And through the magic of the internet you're spared the agonizing subway ride that no one will take once they rip Coney Island up next year and put in sports bars and high end restaurants on the boardwalk.

And away we go!

We're not even out of the subway and the action is happening already! Shawn noticed that legendary East Village musician David Peel was walking past us. Here's a shot of David and fellow musician Sean Yox.

Shawn, David Peel and Yours Fooly. Have a marijuana, everybody!

And here we are, Coney Island! First stop...

Ruby's Bar! Last November I never thought I'd be walking in here again!

And the beautiful Kara behind the bar was quick with a beer and a lovely smile.

They had a good crowd, I hope this keeps up all season!

A view of Ruby's from where Shawn and I were seated.

It was good to see Mike, who I met on the bar crawl last year.

Classic photos on the wall.

Here's a poster for the this year's Mermaid Parade on June 24th. Update: I just got an email from Tricia at Amusing The Zillion and this is an old poster, the Mermaid Parade this year is scheduled for June 18th. Thanks, Tricia!

This sailor was making the most of Fleet Week at Ruby's!

Nighttime sets on Ruby's bar and Shawn and  I decided to get something to eat.

And so it's off to the boardwalk we go!

I have to have a corn dog when I come out here, it's just part of the rules.

And they've got plenty cooked up!

I got a corn dog, a beer and a great smile from this friendly woman behind the counter. It's all smiles at Coney Island, one of the things I love about the place.

Delicious!

After eating, Shawn and I decided to wander around the park and take some photos. Mine are below and check out Shawn's photos and his flickr set from the night in the Bonus Photos at the end of the post.

We decided to have a nightcap at Cha Cha's.

This lovely lady was serving up daiquiris in the hut at the front of the bar. See what I mean about the smiles out here? Beautiful!

Here's Tony who was taking the cover charge of five dollars to get in. But you get a ticket for five bucks off your first drink, so everything's even Steven in here.

The bar at Cha Cha's.

Sip ahoy! (Patented catch-phrase courtesy of Uncle Waltie!)

A view from the back of the bar.

A neon-reflected photo on the wall.

Dueling photos!

Okay, time to call it a night...

After a pit stop at Nathan's!

What's so funny about peace, love and...

A cheese dog with a giganzo 32-ounce beer?

Shawn and I decided to split a car service to get back to the city. The driver let Shawn off in the East Village and I asked him to take me to the corner of 6th and 16th street and then made the sad mistake of closing my eyes and halfway passing out. I woke up and found out we were in Times Square. I asked the driver what the fuck was going on and I swear to God he was almost crying and said, "I don't know, I'm very lost!" I had to direct him to the corner of 6th and 16th Street. He's probably still out there trying to find his way home! Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.

Ruby’s Coney Island Bar & Grill
1213 Riegelmann Boardwalk (Near 12th St.)
718-372-9079

Cha Cha’s
1229 Riegelmann Boardwalk (@Stillwell Avenue)
718-946-1305

Further reading: Amusing the Zillion, Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York, EV Grieve and 365 Bars.

You might also like: XTC, XYZ and XTZ.

Four Other Coney’s

Coney Dog
Coney Dog Sauce
Coney Detroit
Malachy Coney

From the park you'll hear the happy sound of a carousel,
You can almost taste the hot dogs and french fries they sell.

ARCHIVES

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

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Bonus Photos From Shaw!
Shawn sent me some of his photos from last night and he got some fantastic shots. Check out some highlights below.