Getting to Know Matt Abramcyk

Matt Abramcyk sits down for a little one on one time with the Observer to talk Beatrice, Chelsea and everything else, and boldly states the Beatrice Inn has "become one of the best places in the world of all time". You've got to love the moxy on this one. Plus, the author got some quotes from a familiar face, so please give it a read.

· Baron of Beatrice Inn Branches Out [Observer]

FDNY Hits the Beatrice Inn - Again!

What's the FDNY's favorite bar in New York City? Why, the Beatrice Inn of course! If it wasn't then why would they spend so much time there? A Little Birdy was there Friday night when New York's bravest stopped by yet again, and apparently this was more than just the old in and out. "They came on Friday night when it wasn't crowded at all and were there for a long time, checking the sprinklers and floorplans," our Little Birdy tells us. That's not a fun way to spend a Friday. Until this blows over, we expect the City's tightest door to be even tighter. A slow Memorial Day weekend might just be what the Beatrice's doctor ordered.

McNally Not Buying Beatrice

Radar Online "broke" a story today that Keith McNally was looking to buy DBTH favorite the Beatrice Inn. Thankfully, Eater put the kaibosh on this rumor, with McNally telling them "I've barely heard of this place, let alone considered buying it! An absolute NO to the rumor, but I'm flattered (if that's the word) that I should be someone reckoned to be in the running." This one should have never gotten off the ground, since the space simply lacks the capacity to do enough business to justify McNally's time. We feel dirty doing a post on it, but it is our business.

Beatrice Inn Shut Down Again

Straight from the beak of a Little Birdy who was on the scene, we get word that the Betarice Inn was visited by the cops again last night. Take it away LB:

I was at the Beatrice Inn last night and something was going down. Around 2 they stopped playing music and the dance floor cleared out. When I left a little while later, there were cop cars outside and the doorman was talking three cops. Maybe they got busted for not having a cabaret license again?

Except for running Manhattan's coolest bar, running the hospitality operations at a new Atlantic City resort, celebrity friends and possibly opening new bars on both coasts, these Beatrice Inn guys can't catch a break. We aren't sure why the cops continue this monthly game of saying hello late at night, unless they really want to see MK. And let's be honest, who doesn't? But the Angelo and the crew do a good job of keeping the street clear and we have seen the neighbors drinking at the bar. Just leave Beatrice alone!

The Rules of the Beatrice Inn

It's not just lewd behavior and illicit drugs that are banned at the Beatrice Inn - it's dancing and smoking too. Are you listening MK? That means you!

Freemans Sporting Club Heads West

The barbers from Freemans Sporting Club are heading west in more ways than one. The original is doing so well that Taavo and the gang have decided to double their pleasure, securing a space at 8th Avenue and Horatio place to open a second barber location. However, this FSC location will feature a traditional apothecary instead of clothes. Expected opening is sometime in June.

Rusty Knot: The Video

Behold, a video tribute to the Rusty Knot.

Inside The Rusty Knot

Behold! A Continuous Lean supplies some quality images from the Rusty Knot, Ken Friedman and Taavo Somer's much discussed and admired nautical bar on the West Side Highway. ACL says, "What we found when we arrived was pleasant (granted we went fairly early and on a Monday) and accommodating. No huge crowds, no bridge and tunnel. I suspect everyone in the bar was a blogger of some sort. At least from the quantity of coverage the “dive bar” has been receiving, that would be a logical assumption. We quickly managed to score one of the wooden booths (faux wood carvings and all) and got to work on some very well made Dark N’ Stormys served in tiki glasses. The menu was limited, but very well done." Here, here!

But what follows is really the perfect description, "I like to think of it more as working-class meets Threes Company. I was expecting to see Mr. Roper hanging out at the bar." Go and knock on their door.

Dark N' Stormy in a Tiki Glass

Bar food.

All photos courtesy of A Continuous Lean

Rusty Knot Makes Good Party

We loved, loved, loved our first visit to the Rusty Knot. Good food, good music, good vibe. Just good. But in case you don't believe us, a Little Birdy filed a report, saying " I was at RK last night for the after party for Run Fat Boy Run (Ed. Note: Last Thursday) and wanted to let you know the food was great, I sampled some meat pies, potato croquettes, coke a cola ribs, bbq shrimp, chick pea spread on a crouton, and a rocking Scottish egg. I was really impressed with the place but I am big on nautical themes, someone I was there with though said it reminded them of a bar on the Jersey shore." Sounds delicious, and since the the bar is on the river, we have to think that your friend's feeling means the design is doing it's thing. Thanks for the report.

An Evening At: The Rusty Knot

Last week, we took the opportunity to enjoy An Evening at the Rusty Knot, the high end nautical dive bar that Ken Friedman and Taavo Somer quietly opened for business in the old West Space. Walking in, you can't help but feel you've stumbled into the local bar in some rural town in Maine. Busch Beer on tap, box wine on the shelf, Tiki glasses, Spider Bowls, a killer juke box, pool table and furniture crafted from what seems like the remnants of the Love Boat set only enhance the mood. The space is tight, but capacity is only 75 or so, which should render any problems moot. Unless you are stuck outside that is. We stepped in and ordered a Rusty Knot, the refreshing house cocktail made from Rum, house sour mix, and mint, that went down smooth as sugar. A few stools opened up and our party settled down.

The Knot isn't only a place to drink and stare at Jersey City. They also got some kick ass bar food. Oysters, peel and eat shrimp, classic shepard's pie, razor clams, giant pigs in a blanket. Bar food to the extreme. The best we had? How about a Chicken Liver, Bacon and Avocado sandwich that scream luxury even as you are sucking down a smooth drinking tap Busch. Aww yeah.

The best news is that this can all be yours until 4 AM, 7 days a week. Look out Corner Bistro. Expect desire to experience this to be at a full burn as of tonight, so if you want to go, best get their early. Because once you get a seat, chances are you will be hanging at the Knot all night. Aye Aye.

Waverly Inn's Secret Red Cocktail

What's the latest cocktail craze at the Waverly Inn? Why, the secretive Off the Red Wagon, a cocktail who's recipe is so crazy it's better if you and DBTH don't even know the recipe. Just fork over $15 and they guarantee that you will love it. But will you?

As an aside - nice little post today on the Waverly Blog, as Emil Varda finally figures out that managers and publicists are more than willing to alert the paparazzi when their clients are out and about. Good for you Emil. Now maybe you can work on updating the Waverly's tired dinner menu, which is the same as when they opened the joint a year ago.

The Woes of Socialista

There are thousands of cabs in Manhattan, but last night we stepped into the best. After giving our driver our cross streets, not only did he speak New York English, but also knew what was at that address. Our cabbie then began to regale us with stories about New York City nightlife, both past and present, and by the end we wanted to hire him to join this here site.

One of the most interesting tales we heard involved Socialista, Armin's snazzy little Cuban joint in the far West Village. According to our cabbie, even before the Hep A incident, Socialista was having trouble drawing the nightlife elite. It wasn't because of the location, the tight door, or the prices (although they probably all contribute), but because Armin ran such a clean joint. He has actively kept any known drug dealers out of the club, which means that his customers who dabble in that thing either choose not to come, or have to leave when the booze starts to make them sleepy. The club was in trouble before that, and this Hep A scare will either be the nail in the coffin or a real wake up call for him to change his ways.

Now, this was just the story that our cabbie told us. But the guy knew his stuff. A lot of stuff. And from our experiences at Socialista, the place is definitely on the level. But we will let you our readers make up your own mind. And don't feel too bad for Armin, Harvey W. and Cirpriani - we know a few hotel guys that would probably be happy to take that lease off their hands.

And when we asked the cabbie for his card, he politely told us "no", saying "you either already have it or you get lucky enough to get in my cab. I don't give my number to no one." And that's that.

Catfight at Beatrice

Here's the most blatant example of why hipsters may not be so bad. Captain Nick Denton has the scoop on a super catty cat fight from the Beatrice Inn, featuring Hud Morgan of Men's Vogue and Spencer Morgan of the Observer. According to Nickita, the argument went like this:

Spencer: "Dude, why didn't you respond to my email?" (He had apologized for the insult to Hud's teen girlfriend.)

Hud: "Do you want me to drop you?"

Spencer: "Yeah, sure. That's a good idea."

Hud walks down the stairs. Spencer follows, slaps him, later telling friends: "He needed a dose of reality."

Hud: "He punched me!"

Bouncers escort Spencer to the side room to the right of the entrance, with the couches. Close scene.

How utterly lame! So when you see a group of tight pants'd, blow dried, parakeet toting hipsters drinking a West 12th and dancing to Hall and Oates, remember, anything's better than uppity journalists.

[Photo Credit]

Hep A @ Socialista

Look out! NY1 is reporting that people who went to Socialista on certain nights were possibly exposed to Hepatitis A and should get vaccinated. Apparently, a bartender came down with the disease and health officials are worried that the disease may have spread to some 600-800 patients. Yummy. Our Little Birdy who passed along the news notes, "Somewhere, a bunch of guys who got denied at the door are having the last laugh. And yet no one has (reportedly) contracted anything from the cross-dressing midget at The Box, who 'jizzes' 'semen' on random patrons... Madness." Oh how true.

Maybe Sophia should reconsider her choice of locales. But hey, what's a little Hep between friends?

Sunday Bloody Socialista

Straight out of the Inbox, a Little Birdy tells us:

"Sophia Lamar is hosting Sundays at Socialista and it started last night:

I JUST WANT.................
Body: TO THANK EVERY BODY THAT CAME LAST NIGHT TO SOCIALISTA AND MADE IT POSIBLE, SUCCESSFUL AND FUN. I CAN WAIT FOR NEXT SUNDAY.THANK YOU.

That's the bulletin she posted on myspace last night [Monday] and everyone that went said it was a great time.. i'll have to check it out next week!"

Everyone knows Sunday's are the night to really throw down and here goes Socialista, tossing it's Cuban hat into the ring. Thankfully, our Little Birdy will be there to let us know if Sophia and Armin can pull it off. We'll be waiting with baited breath.

Riverview Getting It's Demo On

Courtesy of our friends at HotelChatter, things are moving right along at Eric Goode and Sean MacPherson's newest hotel venture, the Riverview. Interior demolition has begun, and we have to believe they are making moves to try and clear the remaining tenants. We have also come to learn that the dynamic duo is going to turn the magnificent tower overlooking the water into a lounge. Very cool, if they decide to let anyone in or serve non-guests drinks. But we also wonder what their tenants at Socialista are feeling? More on this to come.

Developing: Beatrice Inn Raided

Hot off the rumor mill, we are hearing that the Beatrice Inn was raided last night and shut down. We are still trying to get 100% confirmation.

UPDATE:The Bea was closed down from Midnight until 2:00 AM last night, and was allowed to reopen. Everything is back to normal and you can now come down off the ledge.

Beatrice Inn - The iMix

Have you been hearing about this Beatrice Inn place, but somehow never been able to break through the iron velvet ropes? Today may be your lucky day. A Sherlock Holmes esque Little Birdy passed along this little nugget of Joy - The Beatrice Inn iMix, saying "so im not sure where this came from, but the there is a beatrice inn playlist on itunes that you can buy. it's an imix under the name beatrice w12 & 4th. . . honestly, it looks like its reached a saturation point if you can create the "experience" in your own home thanks to itunes. i guess all you need to do is download the album, lower your ceiling, and have everyone smoke in your face!" Exactly. It does seem to encompass the entire 2:30 - 4:00 AM playlist, including the sure to please Rich Girl. We hear that's MK's fave.

Quick Hits: Let Us In

There are some really tough doors in this city. Two of the toughest just happen to be two of our favorites. In this very special edition of Quick Hits, our faithful readers ask for advice on breaking through the iron velvet rope.

1. Went to rosebar last mth & they've told me that i need a reservation! I've never made a reservation before (well, they had d&g party that evening and that had something to do with it?) well, anyways.. one of my gal wanted to go & she emailed but never got a response.. so.. what's the secret?

2. Any tips on scoring a reservation at rose bar? They never seem to respond to emails.

3. The only thing that I am irked about is that I have not been able to get access into Beatrice Inn- maybe it's because I've shown up at 2:30 or 3 in the morning the two times I went-but both times me and my two (attractive) girl friends were turned away! What is the secret to that place?!

We hate to see our readers not being able to enjoy themselves. However, not gaining entry to Rose Bar means you are saving some serious scratch. Drinks were going for $21 a pop last Friday. Ho-lee. But as always, it tends to be who you know. Go early on what may be an off night and try to sweet talk the doormen, be nice, and ask if you can stop in for a drink sometime. If that doesn't work, you can always try the direct approach, but we predict a rough time. Do you have any advice? Comments are open.

Photo Credit

Goode and McPherson Buy a Riverview

After some joint work by DBTH and our friends at HotelChatter, the HC crew comes in with the final blow. Eric Goode and Sean McPherson, the hottest boutique hotel company this side of Jason Pomeranc, have apparently come to terms on the Riverview Hotel. According to an HC tipster:

The Riverview Hotel was purchased by Sean and Eric for approx $33.0 Million recently. The Hotel is an SRO (Single Room Occupancy), which means that none of the rooms have their own bathrooms, sinks, kitchens or even basic amenities.

The reason they are not accepting any reservations is b/c they would like to begin the process of removing any and all long term residents, most of which are homeless, drug addicts and drunks---similar to those you would find in the Whitehouse on the Bowery.

By not allowing any new "guests" they limit their risk and exposure for new problems. They will have a very difficult time removing most of the long-term stays, especially since there are strict laws prohibiting the harassment of such individuals.

Excellent point. But when there is a financial will, there certainly is a physical way. May we suggest hiring the Pinkertons, who we hear have been slowly rebuilding their forces somewhere in the mountains of West Virginia, waiting to be called on once again.