Friday, July 29, 2011

Friday afternoon at Mars

For the past several years, I've spent the majority of my Friday afternoon/nights at Mars. It was a ritual for me and, despite Mars closing almost two weeks ago, I can't keep away.

I had the day off work, so what better way to spend it than to sit on the sidewalk with Hank and watch the world go by on 2nd Avenue?  Until now, I usually went inside to wile away the time.  But, today, I sat outside as long as he did.

There was no shortage of company...

Friday afternoon at Mars

Despite the bar being closed, we had our own happy gathering out on the sidewalk.

Friday afternoon at Mars

Friday afternoon at Mars

 I'm really going to miss this place.


Previously.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone

This is a drawing Ed made for the last Mars art show.

Mars

That's Mayor Bloomberg as a robotic monster, clutching Coney Island in one claw, a wad of money in another, and crapping out "big box" chain stores.  Mars Bar flips him off from the lower left.

I took the above photo about two hours after Mars was permanently shut down by the DoH on July 18.  I'd just run inside to salvage what ever art was left on the walls and this drawing was one of the survivors.  Below, you can see where it hung on the wall - up top between the horses and "Furburger in Paradise."

Mars art show

Speaking of paradise lost...



Direct YouTube link.


Previously.

At home in Mars

Are you getting sick of all this yet? Well, as I've said before, I originally started this site to showcase the Mars Bar. I just never thought I'd live to see its demise, so forgive me while I keep posting...

Here's Mike, making the Hank pins that were so popular in the last several weeks.

Mike making the Hank pins

I'm kicking myself for not placing my last order for Renee's catfish.

Renee's catfish

One of my favorite memories of Mars was me sitting at the bar one weekend afternoon, reading a book. The bar phone rang and the bartender called out, "Hey, it's for you!" Uhhh...? Who one earth would call me there?? I picked up the receiver and heard the familiar voice of Renee asking me if I wanted a catfish sandwich. Hell yeah! Ray was dispatched to Chinatown to pick up the fish and, shortly thereafter, here comes Renee into the bar carrying a hot sandwich wrapped in a paper towel. It smelled divine and tasted out of this world.

Thank you, Renee, for your kindness, generosity and most amazing cooking! Yours is the best catfish on this planet, hands down.

And, lest we forget Mars was a scholarly hangout...

Smith Corona


Previously.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Souvenir

I was sitting in Mars last Saturday with Hamlet when he asked me what I'd be taking from the bar as a souvenir. "Pictures," I said as I looked around, noting everything in sight was too grimy or trashed.  "Or, maybe a fan blade."

"You need the spider!" he said as he laughed and jumped up on the bar to take down the glittery decoration that had been dangling over the sunny end of the room for months.

Aaaa...perfect!

Hamlet's spider

Previously:

End of an ers
Happy days
Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war
Mars art show this Sunday
From Mars, with love
The Mars way - dive in
Easter at Mars
While we're on the subject of Mars
Is there life after Mars?
Roy

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

End of an era

I knew this day was coming, but it was still shocking to hear Mars had suddenly closed yesterday afternoon.  I went by after work only to find the gates down and workmen inside, already tearing things out.  George called me in to identify art pieces he was taking down from the walls - there just wasn't time to contact everyone.  Then, a Department of Health inspector told me to leave.  I asked if there was a possibility of re-opening and he told me, "That's it, no more" and shut the door.  My heart sank.

CLOSED

I returned at sunset for a candlelight vigil.  There was a nice gathering of people despite the threat of a storm. Secretly, I hoped lightning would strike the building and blow it up so we could write off the destruction as an act of God, rather than that of developers.

No mo Mars Bar

Gravity

James

I had a hard time leaving George.  He's lived on the block forever and now has nowhere to go.

George

A candle-bearer told me the past and future both exist in the present and that is all we ever have. We were there, we are here and we will continue...

I'll be back...

I'll post happier photos in the coming days.

More photos from the last day can be seen here.

Previously:

Happy days
Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war
Mars art show this Sunday
From Mars, with love
The Mars way - dive in
Easter at Mars
While we're on the subject of Mars
Is there life after Mars?
Roy

Friday, July 1, 2011

Cry, 'Havoc!' and let slip the dogs of war...

Last Friday, I found this guy sadly sitting on the curb on Houston Street.  He seemed pretty bummed to be all alone on a Friday night, so I picked him up and took him for drinks at Mars Bar.  What could possibly go wrong?

He seems a bit flashy for the joint, but Mars is known for welcoming freaks of all shapes and sizes.

Mars Bar

My new friend orders a beer and water, then demands money for the jukebox.

Mars Bar

He really hits it off with one of the Regulars...

Mars Bar

After a few drinks, the urge to stand on the bar and launch into a tirade about gentrification becomes irresistible:

Friends, drunks, gentlemen, lend me your ears!
I come to bury the East Village!
The evil that men do lives after them,
The good is oft forgot with their cheap architecture;
So let it be with Mars!


Mars Bar

Erm, something, something, something.  Then, the dreaded moment arrives...the one every Mars patron has feared at some point...

Behold!  The most horrific place on Earth!

Mars Bar

Ah, but our friend is fortified with enough beer to conquer the most hostile environment.

Mars Bar

I go out to get us some falafel, but take longer than expected.  When I return, I find my friend unconscious in the corner, face-down, with what looks like several bullet holes in his back.  I ask around to see what happened, but no one says anything except for a shadowy figure at the end of the bar who grumbles something about bad taste in music.

Mars Bar

What song on the Mars jukebox could possibly induce such violence?  I guess we'll never know...



Direct link.

Good night, and thanks for the memories!


See more photos on my Flickr page.