West of Eden

I just wrote to Joan Baez on Threads to ask how we get her fab-looking new documentary into a theater on the Upper West Side -- "where all of your fans live!" -- and now my friend Laura has shared this bit of UWS humor, which I completely appreciate, thus solidifying my post-Chelsea residency! 

She writes:

I love this very Upper West Side story. A new Dunkin' opened with a misspelled sign, thus riling up the neighborhood to the point where the company apologized and corrected it. Happy ending, right? Welp . . . still some objections on X, where somebody points out that the lines are no longer aligned, and another somebody points out that it is still missing its THE. No reviews of the coffee thus far.

The Last Picture Show in Chelsea

As a corollary to my earlier post about not going to the movies anymore, I noticed my old regular cinema on West 23rd Street in Chelsea recently closed. (Sorry for the delay on reporting this: My days of being the chronicler of Eighth Avenue are over, too!) 

Although the movie house has changed hands a number of times over the years -- pretty sure it was a Cineplex Odeon when I arrived in the late '90s -- I have many good memories from there, so am sad to see it go. Perhaps my favorite is when I first started dating my ex (Michael) in 2002. I was meeting his group of friends for the first time and they decided they wanted to see the new "Spider-Man." That is NOT my kind of movie -- what's a Tobey Maguire? -- but at the risk of looking like the high-maintenance bitchy boyfriend they would later discover I actually was, I decided to just go along for the ride.

I don't remember much about the movie other than it was very long and very dumb. But I do recall there was a woman sitting directly behind me whose reactions were so unusual and charming that I wound up getting my entertainment from her.

When the lights finally came up, we all gathered ourselves -- and you should have seen my face when I realized the lady providing my diversion was none other than Debbie Harry! (The Blondie songstress, of course, lived just two blocks away at the London Terrace apartments.) 

To my credit, I left her be. I figured at that point she'd already given me more than the film's money's worth of joy, so I allowed her to fade away and radiate, forever seared in my brain. 

If one of the city's hottest neighborhoods can no longer support a movie theater, clearly I'm not the only one staying in.

Chain of Fools

Just what Chelsea needs to go with its Chick-fil-A.

UPDATE:

Wait. Did Auntie Anne come out as nonbinary? 

Anti-Gay Chicken Peddler Struts Into Chelsea

So this is an affront of multiple levels: It was bad enough that a chain like Olive Garden was doing business in a city filled with authentic Italian cuisine. But rather than being happy that the Chelsea location finally closed, now we’re being hit with yet another chain -- only this time it’s the most homophobic of them all. Will the locals tell Chick-fil-a to pluck off? Only time will tell.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back on Chelsea’s 8th Avenue

It was four years ago today that I published "The Heyday of Chelsea's 8th Avenue," my most popular post (not featuring naked men) to date. Although it's only been four years, the once-bustling center of queer life in New York City has gone through dozens more changes. Despite spending less time on the avenue -- the mere fact that I now take the subway to work from Sixth instead of 8th has shifted my entire life to Seventh! -- I've posted now and then in the ensuing years. But a recent trip to my pharmacy on 8th was yet another eye-opener, in some good ways and bad.

 Perhaps the most depressing news was the demise of Intermezzo. In 2015, I singled it out as one of the avenue's oldest residents. Although I was never a regular, I was heartened to see that a new drag brunch had the place hopping on weekends, so it was a bit of a shock to see it gone with no fanfare.

The Bare Burger at 18th and 8th -- home of Damian's beloved bananas foster milkshake -- also closed abruptly. I must confess that I never got over the closing of Better Burger up the way, so always had a bit of a grudge against its younger and cuter replacement. Apparently I wasn't alone. 

I wasn't too surprised to see Chuck & Blade/Buns Bar close. To be honest, the building is cursed. It's been Trois Canards, La Belle Vie, Donatella, Provo Pizza and Heartwood before its latest failed incarnation. And to be honest, the place was run by famous restauranteurs’ children, who somehow didn't even know how to make a milkshake, so what did we expect?

The deli/smoke shop on 18th and 8th bombed ... but the sex shop above it is still in business. (Who buys anything in those???)

And you didn't need to be a psychic to see trouble was brewing here. Ikinari Steak opened two new shops in Chelsea (15th/8th and 19th/7th), both of which quickly closed. While other locations around the city seem to be doing OK, I'm not sure queens of a certain age have caught on to the "standing" phenomenon, for eating or drinking. 

The former home of Wrapido at 15th and 8th is still boarded up years later, with nothing threatening to move in ...

Was sad to see my Ricky's at 17th and 8th close. (The one on 23rd/8th has been gone for a while.) This storefront is another revolving door, but this seemed like the most logical retailer for the neighborhood since Blockbuster Video 20 years ago.

And it's still an empty storefront in the former home of Rocking Horse Cafe, which closed in November after an incredible 30-year run.

The old La Chinita turned 10 Thai places at 18th  is still vacant.

The Haru that was there for 10 minutes is looking sad and lonely at 19th. Sam Chinita and even Nisos seem like a dream to me now.

And the deli between 22nd and 23rd is no more.

On the upside ...

A new Aussie coffee place -- St. Hilda -- opened at 21st/8th, which is my ex-boyfriend's corner. Michael says he hasn't been in yet, but that it appears to be hopping. Need to check it out.

The former American Apparel is now a gigantic bike shop called Trek. Biking is not my thing, but it seems like a perfect fit the Chelsea.

And at 23rd and 8th -- in the former home of S.G.S. Donuts, Breadstix Cafe and then Chelsea Deli & Bakery -- a Mediterranean place called Fle-Fle Grill has finally moved in. (Haven't been -- it's next door to Lions, Tigers and Squares pizza so, you know.) 

And last but perhaps not least, Jungle Bird opened in the former home of El Cid. After a brief renaissance as Sugar & Spice Tapas Restaurant and Sangria Bar, the building underwent a huge renovation and now looks -- as my friend Tim so perfectly put it -- straight out of West Hollywood's Santa Monica Boulevard! Strangely, the outside is completely different yet the inside seems strangely untouched from my view from the sidewalk. (Maybe I'm wrong -- the photos online looks pretty cool.) Jungle Bird bills itself as a "retro cocktail bar," which sounds promising enough! 

Signs of Life on Chelsea's 8th Avenue

Some good news from the evanescent gayborhood. No sooner did the beloved (by others) Rocking Horse Cafe unceremoniously close up shop, Jack's Wife Freda opened in the old home of Mary Ann's at 16th and 8th. Damian and I had brunch there on Sunday and were pretty impressed. The food has a slight Mediterranean flair to it, but not to a fault. 

For instance: The rosewater waffles were fairly straightforward but came with fruit and Greek yogurt.

 Damian had the (Maya's) breakfast bowl, with scrambled eggs, red quinoa, kale, spaghetti squash, grilled tomato and avocado (that he gave to me because it's the ONLY food he doesn't like). They also have fairly traditional eggs Benedict, steak and eggs, and a variety of salads and sandwiches. Dinner leans a little more Mediterranean, with steaks, lamb, fish, Peri-Peri chicken, mussels and so on. 

The dining room is bright and airy ...

And the beardy host/manager type is an added bonus ...

... running around in slim-fit chinos and just being generally adorable.

Across the street is a new location of Ample Hills Creamery. It's the wrong season for ice cream, but we've been to the Gansevoort shop and liked it. Should mention both Jack's and Ample Hills are "chains," but local ones that have their roots in the city. (My beloved Westville started as a single location in the West Village and is now a "chain," too)

And since I'm keeping score, should mention that Sam [sic] Deli & Juice Bar on 8th between 17th and 18th -- which briefly housed the "Splash" sex shop before it moved upstairs and rebranded itself "Rainbow and Triangle" [sic] and now "Sexy Boutique" -- closed a couple of months ago, adding yet another abandoned storefront to the Avenue of Broken Gay Dreams. The place grossed me out because it doubled as a deli and "smoke shop."

And now from east of 8th comes this bombshell: In the old home of Radio Shack on the corner of 23rd and 7th -- just a stone's throw away from Crunch gym -- is a new Taco Bell Cantina! I've never been to one of those so I'm not sure if this is bad news -- that they only have that bullshit menu where everything has cilantro -- or even worse news -- where they have the original menu that I love so much! Damian despises fast food and will divorce me if it's the latter ... we barely survived that time I ordered Arby's.

Remains of the Day (11/01)

KIT212: Chelsea's 8th Avenue suffers its latest devastating blow: Rocking Horse Cafe closes after a remarkable 30-year run

Boy Culture: The Madonnathon turns 15

Instagram: This photo of a jockstrapped Danny Amendola is the sexiest thing I've seen in awhile

Dlisted: Megan Mullally tells the story of how he rhouse was haunted by Nicole Brown Simpson

Metrosource: John Waters art exhibition "Indecent Exposure" brings his signature satire home to Baltimore

New York Post: Jackson Gormley was only 12 years old when he realized he had to choose between his friends and ballet

Instagram: Behold Marton Fucsovics's legs on an examination table

ABC News: Google employees walk out to protest handling of sexual-misconduct allegations

The Daily News: Pro-Trump troll Jacob Wohl claims no women were offered cash to smear Mueller, as bizarre press conference falls apart

Gothamist: The 14 best new burgers in NYC

Curbed: Model and hunky Serbian basketball player (s)ex-hubby sell Midtown condo for nearly half off

Gr8er Days: Fake Jan gets real on TV pay

Focus Features: "Boy Erased" in theaters in LA, NYC, and SF on Nov. 2

The Randy Report: Is Tony Harth the hottest man I've ever seen?

Greg in Hollywood: Montgomery Clift's nephew has made a movie about the late, great movie icon who died far too young

Hot Cats of the Day: Moo-ve over ...

Remains of the Day (07/30)

New York Post: Pantless doctor busted in bed with underage boy

Towleroad: Gay couple forced to separate on Alaska Airlines so straight couple could sit together (this is f**ked up, but something tells me three people paid for their tickets and one used miles and that's what led to this unfortunate situation)

The New York Times: 99 days to go, the midterm elections battleground is not what was expected

Dlisted: See the lucky girl bedding Chris Pratt

Village Voice: Five years in, hearing the voices of Black Lives Matter

BosGuy: Here's one I'm happy to see in -- or out of -- a kilt

Daytonian in Manhattan: My new favorite blog tells the stories behind the buildings, statues and other points of interest that make the city fascinating

Boy Culture: Florida cops spend time busting gay men for consensual sex, but no time for rape kits

Instagram: Whoopi Goldberg is a fan of "Head Over Heels" on Broadway

The WoW Report: How does Lea Michele keep landing these hot men?

OMG Blog: Another day, another "Big Brother" contestant gets buck naked

Gothamist: Four injured after Uber driver jumps curb, crashes in T-Mobile storefront in Chelsea

Gay Star News: Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds gives impassioned -- and shirtless -- speech for LGBTI youth

PinkNews: Canadian leader Justin Trudeau is having brunch with Antoni Porowski and some lucky guests

Daily Xtra: Why LGBT people should care that Chick-fil-A is coming to Canadian

The Randy Report: Attorney General Jeff Sessions announces so-called Religious Liberty Task Force to promote and protect anti-LGBTQ discrimination 

The Washington Post: Rudy Giuliani just obliterated the goal post by saying he wasn't even sure if Trump-Russia collusion is a crime, anyway

Greg in Hollywood: This one's for all you guys who can't get enough blond men

📽 from LikeMag Nederland | Facebook 😲😲😲👍👍👍 ~ double tap ❤❤ 🐱🐱Shop for Cat Lovers 👉 @lovelycatonline bio #sweetcatclub

A post shared by Sweet Cat Club (@sweetcatclub) on Jul 29, 2018 at 3:41am PDT

Hot Cat of the Day: I love that this furry damsel in distress responded with just the level of gratitude one would expect from a kitty ...

Spice Chelsea Corner to Close on 8th Avenue

236 8th Ave.

Less than two weeks after my Death of Chelsea's 8th Avenue update comes news that Spice Chelsea Corner will become the 18th shuttered business along the formerly gay drag.

A friend writes:

They’re closing that location on Saturday. Got into a fight with landlord about improvements they wanted to building etc and couldn’t come to terms. Doors close after dinner on Saturday. Another one bites the dust. According to the waiter, they aren’t looking for a new home either. 

The irony is not lost on me that I used to complain that at one time there were TWO Spice locations within a stone's throw distance on 8th and now there will be none. Will the carnage never end?

B.B. King's Blues Club to Close at End of Month

Jeremiah's Vanishing New York has the grim press release, where the 42nd Street concert spot announced that after nearly 20 years, it would not be renewing its lease:

"Despite many sold out shows, the location's rent escalated to an unsustainable level, leaving us no choice but to close our doors. Unfortunately this has become a growing trend in New York City, with other iconic music venues and businesses falling victim to opportunistic property owners. This venue's legacy extends much further than the stage, playing a role in Times Square's revitalization two decades ago. It is a shame that wasn't taken into consideration regarding its future in the area."

Hear! Hear!

B.B. King's was never my favorite place to see a show. There were too many seats with obstructed views and the staff could be a bit overwhelmed (and overwhelming) at times.

But it was always intimate, and the perfect size venue for the kind of past-their-prime artists I live for -- Petula Clark, Belinda Carlisle, Sheena Easton, Eddie Money, Darlene Love, the Motels, Gordon Lightfoot (with my brothers!) -- and had a rich tradition of hosting Ronnie Spector's annual Christmas party. I have a lot of wonderful memories from that place. Here's hoping they're able to reopen somewhere else soon.

Ronnie Delivers the Spirit of Christmas (Dec. 23, 2013)

Ronnie Spector: It's Christmas Once Again (Dec. 15, 2012)

You, Baby (Dec. 21, 2009)

Weekend in Review: Ronnie Spector Christmas Party (Dec. 17, 2007)

Ronnie Spector's Christmas Party (Dec. 11, 2006)

The Money shot!

New Chelsea Shop Looks to Breathe Gay Life Into Old Neighborhood

As I lamented the sad state of affairs on Chelsea's 8th Avenue -- 17 store fronts now sit empty between 14th and 23rd streets -- it seemed like the right time to also mention something good happening on what was once the queerest avenue in America. The gay boutique Chelsea Exclusive has recently opened in the former home of Spruce Flowers, on 8th between 21st and 22nd streets. While the neighborhood still has (more than) its share of sex shops, Chelsea Exclusive is a refreshing blast from the past, more in keeping with the now-defunct Chelsea staples Universal Gear and the Starting Line. 

The owner writes online: "Over the past decade, we have noticed that there has been a rapid decline in small retail boutiques in the Chelsea area. As a result, our demographic has declined significantly making Chelsea unrecognizable to people that have been roaming the street for years. Hence forth, we decided to open our first men's boutique here. Our mission is to bring back a little taste of the old '90s Chelsea, of fun, unique style that you were once able to find on every street corner. The Chelsea Exclusive boutique represents this and a lots more."

Here's hoping this is the start of a renaissance. On the upside, the new restaurants Temerario, Seamore's and Mexicue and new night spot Rebar seem to be doing reasonably well, as does the little tapas place (Lamano) just off 8th on 20th. And Gym bar renewed its lease for 10 more years. 

The Death of Chelsea's 8th Avenue Part II

8th Avenue in its heyday

Just over three years ago I first wrote about The Death of Chelsea's 8th Avenue, which was once the epicenter of gay life in New York City. It got me so wistful that I decided to celebrate The Heyday of Chelsea's 8th Avenue, which turned into my most-popular post to date. (Nothing makes me happier than hearing Chelsea memories from a reader -- on the street or by email -- who read the post.) After seeing some improvements in the area, I noticed the other day as I was walking to my pharmacy at 16th and 8th that things appeared to be moving in the wrong direction again. A quick stroll between 14th and 23rd, with cellphone camera at the ready, confirmed there are now 17 vacant stores along the stretch -- several of which had opened in the three short years since my original post. As we look at the latest victims of high rents and changing demographics, here's hoping Mayor Bill de Blasio's proposed "vacancy fee" for greedy landlords of empty storefronts picks up some momentum. For a neighborhood that was once the queer heart of the city, it's looking pretty ratty out there.

104 8th Ave.

The former home of Rue des Crepes and Swich is now also the former home of Wrapido.

106 8th Ave.

The Japanese restaurant Blue Ginger had been on 8th between 15th and 16th as long as I can remember. 

116 8th Ave.

Mary Ann's Mexican -- which claimed to be relocating to 20th and 2nd but never did -- was supposedly becoming a WeWork location. But after the office-sharing company bought the iconic Lord & Taylor building in Midtown, the place was suddenly for-rent again.

300 W. 17th St.

The local favorite Camouflage clothing store gave way to a Caffe Bene franchise, which didn't last long.

166 8th Ave.

The former home of La Chinita Cuban-Chinese has since become TWO failed Thai restaurants: Room Service and Rhong Tiam: Express Your Inner Thai.

158 8th Ave.

The former home of legendary French bistro Gascogne gave way to Montmartre, a similar theme under new management. But when that didn't pan out, it became Vita, a "vegan paradise" lost . 

174 8th Ave.

The old home of Galaxy Cafe II eventually became the new home of El Cid. That flirted with closing over the years -- then eventually did only to reopen (and close again) as essentially the same thing but called Sugar & Spice Tapas Restaurant and Sangria Bar. 

176 8th Ave.

Perhaps the most high-profile flop was the quick demise of Haru Sushi, which has several successful locations around the city. The company spent years transforming the former home of Sam Chinita and Nisos into a whole new restaurant, only to close up shop in less than two years. 

181 8th Ave.

The rather large home of now-defunct American Apparel has been vacant for quite some time now. It's a deceptively large space -- it used to be Jennifer Convertibles showroom -- so its abandonment is especially noteworthy.

199 8th Ave.

Spice Grill was yet another "in and out in no time" business. The fast Indian joint took over Spice Thai, which still has its second location inexplicably across the street.

297 8th Ave.

Perhaps fearing cooties, no one has moved into the old home of Rainbow Station, which moved two doors down a few years ago.

218 8th Ave.

Eising Opticians had been there since at least the 1990s -- the company was founded in 1893 -- but closed quietly in the past year or so.

254 8th Ave.

The former home of S.G.S. Donuts became Breadstix Cafe and then Chelsea Deli & Bakery. Now it's just another empty storefront. (Where will I get my gourmate coffee and dessert?)

238 8th Ave.

Not sure if this Chase ATM location is gone for good or not. But it's been in bondage for years.

222 8th Ave.

Google says Spruce Flowers may have moved to 29th Street (aka Fake Chelsea), but it's a huge loss to the neighborhood. It had been Village Florist back in the 1990s, so longtime residents miss a floral presence on the block. The only good news is that a new place called Chelsea Exclusive just opened. The store is a cross between the now-defunct 8th Avenue clothing stores Starting Line, Universal Gear and Efor, with its handsome, pompadoured owner telling me: "We needed a fun store, not a sex store."

218 8th Ave.

The only thing sadder than Kitchen/Market becoming a Subway all those years ago is the space now being a boarded-up location of the sub-par sub maker. 

216 8th Ave.

The former home of the great Bright Food Shop was a Qdoba before becoming an Organic Avenue, which has opened and closed twice but seems to finally be down for the count.

192 8th Ave.

The building that housed gay greeting card, tchotchke and porn shop Rainbows and Triangles was fittingly blown to the ground. It's now slated to be yet another luxury condo building.

Got a tip or memory to share? Write to me HERE.

UPDATE:

236 8th Ave.

Make that 18 businesses. Spice Chelsea Corner is closing on April 28.

UPDATE: On Nov. 1, 2018, it was announced that Rocking Horse is closing after an incredible 30-year run. I've reached out to owner Roe DiBona for comment and will keep you posted if I hear back.

UPDATE (10/18/21): I haven't updated this post in a while because the heyday of 8th Avenue has long since passed. But I felt I would be remiss to not mention the closing of The Dish, once the heart of the gayborhood where throngs of hungover boys went for a cruisy breakfast the day after a night out at Splash, G and the Roxy. Truly the end of an era.