View Full Version : Raven bar, NYC heavily damaged by fire
Sorry to report that urban75's favourite NY bar was in a major fire last night and it could be the end of the place :(
Apparently a boiler caught fire and the damage is serious. Here's what my friend Jim said: As for the future of the bar it's up in the air at the moment. The building is very old with wooden floor beams that appear to be
charred. It's in the hands of the City inspectors as to whether or
not the building can be saved.
:(
Some pics of the aftermath of the fire here: http://web.mac.com/jscooch/iWeb/Raven_NYC/Raven_Photos.html
bluestreak
02-03-2006, 16:59
that sucks, i loved that bar.
That's very sad.
I look forward to seeing The Raven rise from the ashes (quite literally).
Good luck to 'em.
Oh that's terrible. I only went there the once, but it was great. I hope it's salvagable.
Had a long chat with Jim earlier, and they should be finding out if the building is going to be demolished or not tomorrow.
Thing is, with the entire area yuppifying at a rate of knots, I guess there may be a whole load more financial incentive for the landlord to demolish the bar and rebuild some swishy 'lifestyle' flats on the site.
:(
How long had it been The Raven?
Mr Retro
04-03-2006, 02:01
Awful to hear this. We spent a week visiting some friends last April and this was our bar of choice (have read about it here).
Editor is your friend the big -slightly scary- barman guy with long redish hair? This guy knew you anyway and I bought him a drink for you :D. Rolling Rock if I remember. I think we may have been talking at cross purposes because this guy was adamant you were a DJ there!? I was saying unlikely given you live in London.
I'm not confident the raven will open again. I was in that area in 1992 and when I went back last year I was simply stunned at the gentrification. $$ will rule this descision and I fear the raven will be reborn as appartments
phildwyer
04-03-2006, 02:06
Had a long chat with Jim earlier, and they should be finding out if the building is going to be demolished or not tomorrow.
Thing is, with the entire area yuppifying at a rate of knots, I guess there may be a whole load more financial incentive for the landlord to demolish the bar and rebuild some swishy 'lifestyle' flats on the site.
Don{t know about that, there{ve been about a million bars opened on Avenues B, A, 1 and 2 in the last five years or so, and they all seem to be doing a cracking trade. When I lived there it was dead in the evenings east of 1st Ave, so the gentrification has obviously encouraged the bar trade.
Editor is your friend the big -slightly scary- barman guy with long redish hair? This guy knew you anyway and I bought him a drink for you :D. Rolling Rock if I remember. I think we may have been talking at cross purposes because this guy was adamant you were a DJ there!? I was saying unlikely given you live in London.
I have indeed DJed there on a few occasions - there was even a mini Offline there last year - but I can't think who you're referring to.
My mate Jim is one of the DJs (Dandysex) there although I wouldn't call him scary looking (unless red/blue hair and a gothy appearance troubles you!)...
Don{t know about that, there{ve been about a million bars opened on Avenues B, A, 1 and 2 in the last five years or so, and they all seem to be doing a cracking trade. When I lived there it was dead in the evenings east of 1st Ave, so the gentrification has obviously encouraged the bar trade.Thing is that the Raven is an old-school neighbourhood bar, with a relaxed vibe and a loyal clientèle. Most of the new bars aren't like that at all.
Mr Retro
04-03-2006, 23:00
I have indeed DJed there on a few occasions - there was even a mini Offline there last year - but I can't think who you're referring to.
My mate Jim is one of the DJs (Dandysex) there although I wouldn't call him scary looking (unless red/blue hair and a gothy appearance troubles you!)...
didn't realise you dj'd there
I mean 7 feet across the shoulders 7 foot high scary but sound gentle giant Bloomberg hater when approached. Probably a couple of shifts a week bar man.
I do hope they get it back together. It's one of those bars that is nothing special on the surface but lots of small things makes it special.
For example the buy back system seems to have died out in many NYC bars around the gentrified areas but not at the raven. Even when it's packed the barman will always remember your 4th beer and give it to you with a enthusiastic "That cheers guys!!!!"
......that's terrible news.
My lasting memories of the Raven are of a friendly place where my friends and i could sit in the dim lighting and enjoy some liquor and fine tunes. I was last there on Dec 29th, 2005.
In 2001, Joey Ramone had just died (although we didn't know it at that time)....my friend and I were walking and saw the sign out the front 'RIP Joey Ramone'. We staggered in and were greeted with free shots (well, we are Australian), a smile and Rock n' Roll High School on the TV screen. A night that is still talked about every time we catch up.......
Let's hope this place is rebuilt and another LEGENDARY New York isn't lost.....
*editor, keeps us informed*
Duvel (Melbourne, Australia)
Great news! The inspectors have deemed the building safe and the bar will reopen!
They reckon the bar might be back open in around a month (which seems a tad optimistic) but I'm delighted that the Raven will live on!
Long live the Raven! :D
Raven news update:
Hello Ravenites,
Yesterday was salvage day at The Raven. Lots of activity with
insurance adjusters, city inspectors and most importantly a rebuild
estimate team from the landlord!
The building is in pretty bad shape and the landlord really did not
want too many people inside putting stress on the floor. Harold was
allowed in to grab what he could. In particular his priceless vinyl
record collection. I am happy to report that he was able to rescue
his entire collection. Though a bit damp they should dry out with time.
Harold was also able to find Taz's collection of salsa cds. Taz's Red
Hot Latin afternoons will return once the Raven re-opens hopefully
just in time for the warm weather.
Big Paul's keys were also found and although a little grimy none of
them were melted. Unfortunately his cellphone is still missing inthe
rubble so he is planning on getting a new one.
I have posted 12 new photos from yesterdays salvage. The inside
photos clearly show the damage to the ceiling beams. As most of you
know The Raven was heavily soundproofed. Since the soundproofing
material is non flammable it's my opinion that it really helped keep
the fire contained. See for yourself.
http://web.mac.com/jscooch/iWeb/Raven_NYC/Raven_Photos.html
I have also post photos from the Raven Memorial Party at the
Boulevard Tavern last Friday night. Thanks to all who were able to
come out to the event and show Harold, Ria and the employees of The
Raven your support. You can see the party photos here.
http://web.mac.com/jscooch/iWeb/Raven_NYC/Raven_Memorial_Party_Photos.html
I also want to remind everyone that after 8 years Bartender Beth will
be leaving us for good. She is hanging up her bartenders hat and
moving to Portland Oregon with her husband Frank. Mark your calendars
for March 18th and join Beth one last time at Haold and Ria's new bar
in Brooklyn, The Boulevard Tavern. It will be a goodbye party to
remember.
My Friends from Urban75 in the UK have posted some thoughts and
photos. The Raven is their number one bar in NYC. Much thanks to the
Urban75 crew.
http://www.urban75.org/news.html
I spent a very enjoyable afternnon/evening in the Raven alst tuesday, but didnt venture down on wednesday as i had other things to do it being St.David's day and all that.
Anyway thursday I ventured down for another drinking session and was gutted when I turned the corner to see the shutters down and a police car still camped outside with that blue and white incdent tape stuff across the street.
Pleasesto see that its going to be up and running again cos was a great spot everyone remembered me from last year and were speaking highly of the Ed and his spot last year.
I think the "scary" barman is probably Paul, a big originally Russian guy with very scary teeth and smile in a James Bond baddie type way!! great guy tho with an encyclopaedic knowledge of music.
DJ DandySex
07-03-2006, 22:52
Hello all
The Editors friend Jim from NYC here. It warms my heart to see that the Raven is so fondly remembered.
The scary looking barman is indeed Paul. Don't let his size fool you he is one of the nicest persons I have ever known and yes his knowledge of music is a large as his big heart.
Hopefully I will have good news to post tomorrow.
Cheers till tomorrow.
Good to see you posting here Jim, and Paul is indeed a top bloke.
If you see them would you please say hi to Paul, Alex and Greg. They'll remember me as the urbanite who was in there last tuesday, I did call round again on thursday to have a few beers with them all and say bye, but by then it was too late!! :(
DJ DandySex
08-03-2006, 23:19
Today was a busy day at The Raven. The Insurance company was out in full force taking inventory and preparing estimates. Inspectors were busy inspecting the damage trying to determine the exact cause of the fire.
While Ria was busy taking inventory with the hysterically funny insurance inspector, Harold Taz and I salvaged what was authorized to be moved.
I am happy to report that the DJ station survived intact.I am sure once we are able to extract it from the bar and find some electricity the Crazy Baldhead Sound System will thunder once again. I for one can’t wait to be behind those decks again.
Taz was able to rescue his battery powered scooter. At the moment it does not start, probably due to being soaked with water. Taz is confident that in a few days drying time and with a battery recharge he will once again be zipping along the streets of the East Village again.
Harold was able to pull down all the photos from the walls that he could find. Most importantly the old black and white photos of the Coney Island Thunderball Roller Coaster. Once upon a time Harold’s Grandparents owned that ride. Apparently they lived in a house underneath the roller coaster. How cool is that?
I am posting more photos from inside the bar that I took today. It’s amazing what a mess there is and how wet everything still is. I dug through the mess behind the bar for an hour looking for Big Paul’s cell phone. I am afraid it is gone forever and with it hundreds of phone numbers. I was able to salvage the Gargoyles that protected the cash register but I am afraid the stuffed ravens that looked over the bar aren’t looking so hot.
Harold and Ria are busy looking at their options. They want to rebuild soon but as you can see from the photos below it may take some time. There is a lot of damage to structure that needs to be repaired before any Raven renovation can take place. I will keep you posted.
Take a look at the latest photos here.
http://web.mac.com/jscooch/iWeb/Raven_NYC/Raven_Photos.html
Cheers,
Jim
It's weird - it looks more like like a gang of vandals have gone berserk in the bar rather than it's been hit by a fire!
Still, it could have been worse - look what's happened to one of our favourite Brixton bars: http://urban75.org/brixton/bars/the-queen.html
DJ DandySex
09-03-2006, 16:45
How could a building like that get demolished? I am afraid to ask what they put up in it's place.
Harold and Ria are considering moving two doors down the block. They only have two years on their current lease and prior to the fire the landlord informed them that the rent would be doubled to over $8000.00 per month. Unless a compromise can be reached it is doubtful that the Raven will return in the same space. Hopefully the landlord will be reasonable.
Update from Mr Dandysex:
Finally! Dumpster Day on Avenue A. It’s been one month since the fire
and progress is finally starting to happen. Harold, Ria, Paul and Jim
along with three workers from the landlord spent the day hauling
rubble. It was back breaking work but little by little we were
finally able to clear what was once on the ceiling from the floor.
With no light except what filtered through the opened gates and the
clouds of dust to work by The Raven slowly came back to life. Some
old guy actually slipped past us in our cleaning frenzy and took a
piss in one of the toilets. Just like old times.
With Harold off to Queens to rent a van and Ria salvaging what she
could from behind the bar, Paul and I descended into the water filled
basement. I really don’t want to know what the liquid was that we
waded around in but it sure did smell swampy. Hundreds of beer
bottles had to be drained of the mysterious fluid. They seemed to be
never ending but load after load went into the dumpster. Working in
the dark with nothing more than a flashlight Paul eventually found
the clogged drain. With the help an easily bendable piece of copper
tubing and a lot of coxing the drained finally cleared and amazingly
the floor reappeared.
Right on cue Harold returned with the van. Time to load up all that
was salvageable for the trip to the basement of the Boulevard Tavern
in Brooklyn for temporary storage. Devin came from around the corner
to help with the heavy lifting at The Raven. Bill was waiting at the
Boulevard to help with the unloading. Two trips and everything was
nearly moved. Much thanks to both Devin and Bill for lending a hand.
You guys rock!
The end of the day was capped off as it should be with a nice cool
bottle of beer. The coolers behind the bar were all stocked and the
beer was surprisingly cool. Drinking in the glow of the one 60 watt
bulb we could get working felt good.
Now it is up to the landlord to shore up the floors and ceiling. Once
that is done The Raven renovation will begin. Harold thinks it might
be nice to get customer ideas on how he should rebuild the bar. It
looks like there will be more space to work with. The Raven will be
back bigger and better than ever. If anyone would like to contribute
ideas or well wishes please contact Harold@raven-nyc.com.
Photos from dumpster day are here.
http://web.mac.com/jscooch/iWeb/Raven_NYC/Raven_Photos.html
Oh dear, things are now looking bad for my fave NYC bar :(
The Raven still sits vacant. It would appear the the landlord is not
going to do any repairs in the near future. I believe he is going to
let the building sit empty until the current leases expire in 2
years. With no pesky tenants and businesses to deal with he will be
free to renovate and up the rents or sell the building. This is what
happened in the 1980's when the gentrification of the East Village/
lower East Side began. As of now the future is looking very dim.
Oh dear, things are now looking bad for my fave NYC bar :(
Indeed. I'm doing a reading down the block from there tomorrow - would've been a great place to go for a post-performance drink.
ps I'm in the process of moving back to NY
ps I'm in the process of moving back to NYWoohoo! I hope to get over there soon - hopefully to do another Offline night somewhere!
vBulletin® v3.7.4, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.