Sunday, November 14th, 2010—Bar 308
Day 308—Saturday, November 13th, 2010
Ruby’s Coney Island Bar and the Burger Shoppe
Okay, today is going to be one massive post. I wrote about the closing of Ruby’s Bar on the boardwalk of Coney Island a bit ago and last night they re-opened the bar to have a combination party/protest about the whole deal. I went and took what I hope aren’t the last photos I’ll ever take of Ruby’s Bar, but it doesn’t look good. The powers that be want to put up “sit down” restaurants and sports bars and rip up the boardwalk and cover it in cement. It makes perfect sense...in bizarro world! Why the fuck would anyone take the long train ride out to Coney Island to go to a resaturant or a sports bar? I can spit in any direction in Manhattan or Brooklyn and hit a restaurant or a sports bar. You go out to Coney Island for places like Ruby’s, Cha Cha’s, Shoot the Freak and all the other places on the boardwalk they plan on shutting down. If they shut these places down, I’ll never go to Coney Island again. If you want to help, please sign this petition: Save Ruby’s Bar petition. Supposedly, the lease is over tomorrow, hopefully a miracle happens and it’ll be open again next season. Till then here’s some photos of what I hope isn’t the last pictures I’ll ever take of this historical bar on the boardwalk of Coney Island.
Here we go, the D train to Coney Island.
And through the miracle of the internet, I'll spare you the long train ride with unexpected stops and crying babies and deliver you to the boardwalk of Coney Island. Take a good long look, soon if the powers that be have their way this is going to be all cement.
And here's Ruby's bar. As you can see, they're not going down quietly.
Everybody was taking pictures of what we all hoped isn't the last night at Ruby's.
Two words sum up the whole day.
A petition was making the rounds to help save Ruby's.
I signed it and you can sign it too, online, right here.
Smart and intrepid Egghead says...
Build on vacant lots if you must! Leave the boardwalk alone!
Inside the bar was packed with people who were hoping they weren't paying their last respects.
Here's Mike the bartender we met last September on the bar crawl.
Neon on the inside of Ruby's.
A line up of beers.
Another sign that say's it all.
A father and son show their love for Ruby's.
Coney Island!
Lots of people were wearing "Save Coney Island" shirts.
Well said!
A shadow portrait of Mermaid Day Parades of past on the wall at Ruby's.
Hopefully this won't be my last beer at Ruby's.
There was a power trio playing up front and this guest singer sang an original song called, "Save Coney Island."
The crowd on the boardwalk loved it.
I don't think a sports bar is going to draw this kind of reaction from people.
One of the things I love about Ruby's is all the pictures on the walls. It made me sad to think if it closes on one will see these photos again, so I decided to document a bunch of them here. And here they are, without captions. Every picture here tell's a story, enjoy.
Here's a wedding picture taken at Ruby's and the couple signed it saying, "Thanks for the best day of our lives." Too bad corporate assholes are going to shut this place down and this couple can't re-live this moment again.
Evening arrives and the sun sets on the boardwalk.
Chairs are stacked for what I hope won't be a final last call for Ruby's.
One last shot of Ruby's Coney Island Bar.
Okay, back to bar-crawling business. I'm taking the subway back to Manhattan to meet the BBC and the ABC for Cheeseburger Saturday Night.
And once in Manhattan a cab delivers me to tonight's destination.
Live from New York, it's Saturday Night Cheeseburger! With special guest stars, the BBC and the ABC. Featuring the ready for prime beef player, Marty Wombacher. And tonight's host, The Burger Shoppe!
Here we are at the Burger Shoppe in the Financial District of Manhattan.
The downstairs is a diner style restaurant. But I'm not walking into diners...
I'm walking into bars, let's go upstairs.
I think I know these people...
The BBC (Baltimore Bar Crawlers) and the ABC (Australian Bar Crawlers) are here already! From left: Gene, Shannon, Clacky, Terry and Smoopy. Let the party begin!
Zenith was the friendly bartender on duty. He's also a photographer, check out his website here: Zenith Richards Photography. His photos are wonderful.
The bar and some of the specials written on the mirror.
The BBC and ABC at the bar.
Ketchup!
There's tables at the front of the bar to dine at.
Back at the bar, Clacky starts the flippage for the evening.
My bar's-eye view photo.
Smoopy gets Pabst-wrapped!
Terry and I were both sporting the 365 colors. If you want a shirt designed by our in-house artist, "Boris" check out the 365 Bar Store.
Time to order, I think I'll have...
A cheesebuger! God damn, this was one delicious looking burger and it's stuffed with macaroni and cheese!
After dinner it's time for dueling cameras.
Smoopy takes a shot of our final shot for the evening. Cheers!
And Zenith takes a final shot of all of us.
Goodnight, everybody!
Review
Alright, I’m worn out putting up that massive post and I need to run some errands before I hit tonight’s bar for Sunday dinner, so here’s a review of the Burger Shoppe from New York Magazine.
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It’s a well-established fact that as the economy sputters, comfort food soars. Which is why the opening of Burger Shoppe early into 2008 couldn’t be better timed. Glum Wall Streeters can now take solace in $4 burgers, two-for-$5 hot dogs, and buttermilk-batter onion rings. A two-in-one burger concept, the Shoppe’s ground floor is done up like an old soda fountain, with twelve stools and a Formica counter. The second floor is more P.J. Clarke’s than Peach Pit, with its vintage bar and trendy bar menu (bone marrow on toast!). This being the financial district, there are big deals: The 100-burger “party monster” requires only one hour’s notice and goes for $365. Now that’s a stimulus package. — Robin Raisfeld and Rob Patronite
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And don’t forget to sign Ruby’s petition!
Burger Shoppe
30 Water St. (Near Broad St.)
212-425-1000
28 Comments
Reader Comments (28)
Wow, epic post! I hope Ruby's doesn't bit the dust, but if so, you did a wonderful job of documenting it. Looks like a fantastic night with cheeseburgers and the BBC and ABC! TO RUBY'S AND TO ALL OF YOU!
Marty, this one is a "Crawl de Force!
The Return to Ruby's is a a great piece!
I've signed the petition.
Can we sign it like we vote in Chicago?
"Early and Often"?
You and Terry sporting the "Colors" warms my heart.
Thanks for "pimping" me.
"Crawlapalooza" continues with the ABC and BBC
(you had the CBC in Chicago and Cleveland)
Great work Daddio!
Great post on Ruby's,,,,and Cheeseburger (I would leave out the mac), never been a fan of mac n cheese. Mixed feelings about Ruby's,,,,no one loves dive bars more than me,,,but,, I read a lot about what's going on at Coney Island and though I hate to see this,,,I certainly can understand a company pouring 150 million to renovate and wanting to bring in more crowds, as they have with phase 1 with luna park, over 450,000 visitors just this summer. It's business and it sucks but Coney Island has been dead for years, decaying and these people are trying to protect their investment. Ruby's is my kind of place but a business has to make money,,,,remember they only got that kind of crowd yesterday because of whats going on. Its sad and I know most of my friends here will disagree with me.
@"Boris:" Thanks, Daddio, not only for the comment but for all your work you've done for the 365 blog.
@Al: Business is business, but there's plenty of room to put up new places and leave the old. Ruby's, Cha Cha's, Shoot the Freak are the reasons people travel out there. They plan on putting in "sit down" restaurants and sports bars in their places. Why would anyone travel from Manhattan to Coney Island to go to a sports bar? It's a really bad business idea and they are not going to help Coney Island by trying to turn it into a miniature Disneyland.
Mmmm...that is a tasty burger, and another hell of a night out on the crawl! My name's already on the petition, losing Ruby's would be a tragedy. Shopping malls are for teenagers and flesh eating zombies!
Incredible day !!!
The ABC joined us at 5 more bars ... including Otto's (#1 on the 365). Clacky was a dancing fool ... he dances like a ninja :)
One more day with them ... then we all go home tomorrow :(
PARTY !!!
Great post Marty. Yeah not sure why people think that creating something that already exists everywhere is going to bring in the crowds. Hope there is better news for Ruby's! Great photos Marty. And some great photos of you guys over at Zenith's site.
@kari: I hope Ruby's wins their fight. And those are great photos over at Zenith's site. Hey Zenith, if you're reading this, I tried to leave a comment but it wouldn't take it. Thanks for posting the photos!
Missed you by _that much_, Marty. Oy! We must have left Ruby's seconds before you arrived. What a day. My compliments to the woman with the "Seen one mall, seen 'em all" sign. What the f#$@*. Really.
See you next summer at Brighton Beach. За счастье !
@Grade "A" Karen: I just checked out Grade "A" Fancy and we have similar posts today and some of the pbotos are almost identical! Sorry we didn't bump into each other, but I have a feeling we'll be seeing each other sometime real soon!
I was out there yesterday too. I hope they don't close. You got some great shots and I love that you got photos of some ofthe pictures on the wall. Nice touch.
what a great post to "crawl" back into on...put my 2 cents in for ruby's awhile back...before my evil computer did me wrong ...guess my stuff is just gettin' old...off topic...the bbc and abc are lookin' great on the crawl...good to see all...GENE like to see a couple shots of clacky the dancin' ninja...well the crawl has abc.bbc.i'm going with the aac (ol' 365 the "all american crawler")...damn could be a thriller...KOC
rr
I just spent like 20 min on this ONE post....it's fantastic no matter how long it is! :)
I'm here in Dallas and don't visit New York nearly as often as I would want to anymore, but I feel that will change soon. You guys have such an incredible beer/food/wine culture up there it's not even funny. So many historic areas and places to drink great beer at and eat great food!
On the diner...I know that's not what this blog is about, but damn that looks like one nostalgic step back in time type of places you should totally check out one day! :)
P.S. First time on your blog, keep it coming...totally love what you're doing!
Ilya
@Ilya: Thanks for the nice comment! I tried to leave one at your blog but it didn't show up, check your spam folder. Everyone check out Ilya's blog here:
http://www.damnthatsgoodbeer.com/
Holy crap....I was the first one to post this morning and it didn't register!
Ah well
Great burgers at Burger Shoppe and Zenith was an awesome guy who joined us for a shot on the house.
Too bad for Ruby's. I signed the petition online but there's not much more I can do from the land of OZ.
Big flight tomorrow so we've been forced to abandon the BBC midtown somewhere. But some how I think they'll be able to look after themselves.
Ninja dancing: I suggest everybody learn.
@Biff: Sorry love, but Browns couldn't hold it!
Rock on Marty and we'll hopefully see each other real soon mate!!!!
I'll be back on the post around thursday.
Take care Y'all!
Just had tears when we said goodbye to the abc :( we really enjoyed meeting them and had a great time! Hope to get togetber with everyone in the future again...safe travels to you! Marty we will see you!
Smoopy's toasted tonight...too much magner's?? Never!!
@Tim Clack: Great to meet and hang out with yourself and Shannon! I hope you come back to New York soon, I look forward to our next beer together, had a great time with the ABC!
@Smoopy: As always, a blast to drink with the ultimate bar crawlers, the BBC! Have a safe trip home and I look forward to seeing all of you again! Cheers to the BBC and the ABC!
FUCK , I was working while you where having fun & I could been there with you , but ...........
TO : Ruby's !!!
I'm pist off at myself for letting my job suck my life away !!!!
But ........................
Yes wait & see Motherfuckers !!!
SHIT PISS FUCK !!!!!
@raginrr: Great to see you back! KOC--keep on commenting!
@JHwang: At least you're going to have a nice payday! TO RUBY'S!
@Clacky: They almost pulled it out (that's what she said). Maybe next week!
Hey, Marty - thanks for taking us out to Coney Island for another look at Ruby's. I hear what Al's saying about the business end of things, but maybe the powers that be could renovate parts and leave some old charm intact? If you build it, they will come - and then stop into Ruby's for a beer or four. In any event, thanks for posting all those photos. They're amazing and I hope that sometime I can see the whole wall in person.
As for your dinner, a burger stuffed with mac and cheese, you say? Genius! Carb me up, Scotty, I'm STAHVIN! I like the bar with its tiled walls and Zenith seems like a great bartender. I might opt for the upstairs, though. It looks like they'd have awesome milkshakes, and swivel stools rock.
By the by, those are the smallest PBR cans I have ever seen. Were you and Clacky being punished?
@Biff: That's all Ruby's and the businesses are asking, that they bring in new businesses (there's plenty of space to build on) and leave the original one's intact. Sadlly the powers that be aren't listening and soon Coney Island will be on boring strip mall. T.G.I. Fridays anyone?
Actually the Pabst cans weren't that small, Clacky and I ate so much we were that much huger, if huger is indeed a word.
I am TOTALLY signing the petition to Save Ruby’s Bar!