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.



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




Previously.

The Man

Hank

Previously.

Moments

Happy Friday, everyone.


Previously:
Falling star
Souvenir
End of an ers
Happy days
Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war
From Mars, with love
Easter at Mars
While we're on the subject of Mars
Is there life after Mars?
Roy

Falling star

Falling Star



See also:

Souvenir
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

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!



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

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.



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.







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



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 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

Happy Days

See Also:
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

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.



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



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



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!



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!



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



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.



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.

Return to the Chillmaster

This is looking to be the Summer of the Chillmaster!  Thanks to Marty After Dark, I had the chance to visit the Chillmaster again where we drank, danced and were merry.

A toast to the Chillmaster!


A few guests...


Dueling cameras!


See more Chillmaster photos on my Flickr page.

And now, see the Chillmaster show his moves:

Direct YouTube link.

Apologies to Shawn, but I feel his dance skills must be shared:

Direct YouTube link.

A great time was had by all and I'm really looking forward to the next party.


Read more about the party at:
Marty After Dark
One More Folded Sunset
Neither More Nor Less
Slum Goddess

Previously:
Chillmaster
 

Last Friday at Mars?

It's been a ritual for me to drop in on Mars after work every Friday. It's the highlight of the week - seeing friends and catching up with people I only know through Mars. The thought of losing them really makes me sad.



At some point, the place stole my heart...



I know that much of what I've written about Mars in the last six months has been glum. The slow death is agonizing and I almost want it to end quickly so I can move on.

After all, "If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm, you'll never enjoy the sunshine."
-- Morris West



Previously:
Mars art show this Sunday
From Mars, with love
Easter at Mars
While we're on the subject of Mars
Is there life after Mars?
Roy