Saturday, September 29, 2012

Third & Atlantic: Thursday Night with Friends





















Ominously close to Barclay's Center, on ever-swankier Atlantic (despite the re-opened House of Detention), Hank's is still hanging around for a little longer.  The building has been sold, along with adjacent property (that prime corner is too sweet a development spot to miss), but the bar has managed to get its lease renewed for three years, albeit, of course, at a higher rent. Hanks is looking for help to deal with bills, & a fundraiser is planned.
Though I generally hate the term dive-bar, which now seems to include hipster hangouts that have been around for hmm, maybe six months, Hank's Saloon - dim-lit, cement-floored & still frequented by a real mix of drinkers - is a dive of the best order.  Once the Doray Tavern, second/third home to the Mohawk ironworkers who lived in the neighborhood, it's also a piece of city history. With three years left before the old place meets the wrecker's ball, I intend to be there as often as possible.

See also:
The building in the 80's
The Doray Tavern in the late 70s

4 comments:

Marty Wombacher said...

Great photo of Hank's! Great hanging out with you, Goggla and Ed there! Oh and of course I have to add...check...check...check...

onemorefoldedsunset said...

Glad to see you guys, & your move sounds exciting. Don't forget to check in from Illinois!

Laura Goggin Photography said...

If there's one good thing to be said about the Barclay Center, it's that it could very well save Hank's. I hope so as this is such a great place.

I bet that sound check is still going on...

onemorefoldedsunset said...

I think it's unlikely Hank's will continue at that location once a new building goes up there. I suppose they might find a new space, but I can't imagine the bar somewhere else. But who knows? At least there's some time left.
Yes, the sound check was very thorough!