I've never been in Deno's Party House, the bikini bar on 8th Ave. across from Madison Square Garden. The clientele, and the, ahem, "talent," seem like a generation too old for me. But who am I to judge? I like bars, I like bikinis, I like beer...maybe, someday, I'd give it a shot.

Here's the bar:

But, wait, what could that older gentleman be looking at in the mirror? Why, it's ... an official (sorta), photocopied (most likely) banner proclaiming the bar a supporter of John McCain!

FYI, they also offer free Wi-Fi.

 

 

Chris Cornell, when he was screeching his way through Soundgarden (circa 1988-95), was possibly my favorite singer. The man had pipes. Two exceedingly boring solo albums have dimmed my view of the singer, as did his live show with Audioslave -- yeah, their songs weren't bad, but wow, hearing Cornell try to rap during "Killing in the Name of..." was traumatizing.

Apparently, Cornell has decided his future lies in rap-rock. Well, not quite: he's opening up for Linkin Park on the Projekt Revolution tour, and has apparently finished his first album with hip-hop producer Timbaland. The first single can be heard at the link below...and the "groovy" adult-contemporary vibe of the record does not bode well. Sigh.

Music is the Heart of Our Soul by way of Idolator

Vasmay Lounge, the LES dive bar that was formerly lesbian hangout Meow Mix, and soon became synonymous with the great outdoor signage ("Free beer for AA members"), has moved from 269 E. Houston St. to 179 Essex St.

 

 

 

Hall PR & KB Network News celebrated their merger into KB HALL last night with a cocktail party on the roof deck of the Empire Hotel. The hotel's newest VIP Jeffrey Chodorow as in attendance. He is in talks to take over the restaurant on the 6th floor that will shuttle food up to the roof deck for hungry sun worshippers and cocktail sipping beauties later this year. Meanwhile downtown, Marc Forgione celebrated the opening of Forge, his first solo foray into the restaurant world. The mohawked Marc was making the rounds to ensure guests were getting a chance to sample the sliders, caviar topped potato salad and dumpling soup that was being passed around. Dad wasn't around, but another famous restaurateur was in the house. At around 9PM, Drew Nierpont made a cigar smoked entrance and circled the rustically designed restaurant before settling in the bar area to be mingled with.  - fabiana santana

News that the landlord who essentially kicked Florent to the curb plans to keep acutally keep the resto open broke today and has Florent fans in a tizzy. Using the excuse that her daddy was there first with R&L Restaurant, which Florent immortalized when he decided to keep the signage intact, she plans on keeping the menu the same, the staff the same, the decor the same. She will probably do her best to dress like Marie on Bastille Day. But she will never be Florent and hopefully the tourists will figure it out sooner rather than later.

We just found out that Flirt’s Smith Street location is set to close after eight years on the block since it seems their building has been sold. For those who heart their darling and punchy outfits, don’t fret: not only is their Park Slope shop still in full swing, but until June 30, everything at their Smith Street shop will be 50 percent off. 

Today the news was revealed that KB Network News and The Hall Co. would merge to form KBHall Creative Group. The companies alerted their respective clients yesterday and some today, but planned to let the press in on the news tomorrow. Early leakage from Eater got to them before KBHall could. From the release:

“We can’t think of a more natural partnership than this one with The Hall Company,” says Karine Bakhoum, President of KB Network News, founded in 1993.  “Steven Hall and I worked together many years ago and have been friendly competitors for the past 12 years. In fact we were among the first to open hospitality specific PR companies creating a niche business that has since spearheaded several other boutique agencies. Together we are now able to take our client services one step further by offering a wider range of marketing, consulting and public relations capabilities that have become crucial to our ever evolving industry.”

A celebration is planned for Monday night at the Empire Hotel Rooftop - Jeffrey Chodorow's rooftop spot that he and the Empire went to greath lenghts to deny he had any involvement in. That didn't last long. Let's hope KBHall does.

 

 

George Carlin, the NYC-born comedian with the caustic wit, died Sunday afternoon of apparent heart trouble. He was 71. Instead of mourning, take a look back at the comedy genius, and his many apperances in New York, through this photo gallery.

 

So, Toronto-based (and frequent New York visitors) Fucked Up have signed to indie stalwart Matador. Considering the band's disdain for all things commercial—which includes not maintaining a profile on MySpace or other social networking sites, as well as releasing the majority of their work on vinyl—this almost counts as "selling out." Almost.

Meanwhile (and with much derision from Fucked Up), Alexis Petridis of London's Guardian newspaper goes off on the seemingly ubiquitous use of "Fuck" in a band's name, including two recent blog faves (Holy Fuck and Fuck Buttons), as well as the more obscure (I don't know who the Fuckin' Shit Biscuits are, but count me in next time they're in town! Actually...as the "world's first Punk Jam Band" [sic], count me out...)

 

 

 

Islero (247 E. 50th St. 212.752.1414)  is kicking off their new late night menu in style. The Cintron Brothers, cousins of the famed Gipsy Kings, will be performing live at the restaurants Saturday, June 21st and Saturday, June 28th with no cover charge! The menu of tapas and  cocktails will be available until 2AM and the show starts at 9.