[UPDATE] Max Fish, LES Mainstay, Closing by End of January

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[UPDATE BELOW] The colorful bar Max Fish, a scruffy Ludlow Street oasis with a disgusting bathroom straight out of Central Casting, will close by the end of January, according to an employee at the bar who asked not to be identified. Rumors have been swirling about Max Fish's demise for months, and in May owner Ulli Rimkus tried to relocate her bar to another location in the neighborhood because of skyrocketing rent. Back in July, Rimkus told the Daily Beast, "Landlords have become the most cruel businessmen. The motivation is money. It is no longer, 'Will this business succeed and flourish in my store?' That's what it used to be like."

In May, the local community board refused to approve Rimkus's attempt to transfer her liquor license to another location, citing the glut of bars and nightclubs in the immediate vicinity, including the notorious sex club The Box. The board explained the vote thus:
"Residents continue to complain about the huge (influx)… of people who come to this block at night to patronize these (establishments) and about the traffic congestion, lines of cars and horn honking that have resulted in taxis and limousines depositing and picking up patrons in front of these businesses."

It's a shame, because while at first glance Max Fish may seem like just another expendable hipster hangout, it's actually a pretty great, unpretentious place in a neighborhood overrun with abominations like, well, The Box. The walls are adorned with a rotating array of artwork from local artists, there is a pool table, and the bartenders haven't forgotten the dying art of the buyback. Coming on the heels of Mars Bar's likely death sentence, we're halfway through the week with two fewer things that make NYC unique. Max Fish celebrated its 21st birthday last week, so head on over there and buy it a drink while you still can. [via Eater]

UPDATE: The Pink Pony, which serves food next door to Max Fish, is closing, too. Owner Lucien Bahaj tells Grub Street that the landlord has tripled the rent and wants $150 per square foot. But he blithely adds, "There’s nothing tragic about it. We can move it somewhere else." Like maybe an LES-themed office park somewhere in Bergen County!

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By John Del Signore in Food on December 8, 2010 2:52 PM

Comments [rss]

aneeka4u

hjhd hjehsu dhsjdhui

shelvesofvinyl

this sucks. yeah, hipsters go here, they go everywhere on the LES. let's be honest. but during the week this place is still the best. always was. really really sucks.

Matthew Smith

oh man. now the pink pony is losing its rent? $150/square foot?

i hate landlords.

Matthew Smith

Wait a minute. Beside maintenance costs - which increase roughly at the rate of inflation - and property taxes - which do increase as the value of the property increases - what are the other costs of owning a building?

Here's one thing I know: increases in property tax do not require doubling rents. Notice, by the way, that the rates have not increased. Right now Class 4 property tax in NYC is at 10.3%, which is more than a point lower than it was in 2004/5. So, in fact, the _rates_ have decreased.

Furthermore, if the property assessment is based on potential rental rates instead of market value of the property, then there is a further question of whether the tail is wagging the dog.

So, basically, commercial property owners' expenses increase at the rate of inflation and at the rate of increase in assessed value of their property. So far, no commercial property owner has done the math well enough to demonstrate that 100% increases in rental rates is justified by expenses.

Consequently, I conclude that commercial property owners who raise the rents as high as they can go, thereby pushing out established local businesses, are greedy bastards who are ultimately drags on the economy since they produce nothing of value.

ed_Extinct

The last time I was in there was '99. Let me guess, a Marc Jacobs is moving in?

Peter Rosa

Back in July, Rimkus told the Daily Beast, "Landlords have become the most cruel businessmen. The motivation is money. It is no longer, 'Will this business succeed and flourish in my store?' That's what it used to be like."

Well, heck. Commercial landlords are not charities. They have expenses that have to be paid, and therefore charge the rents that the market will bear.

Ian Schafer

Anyone know if the pool table (or the video games) for sale?

FILTHBAG

No, idiot - because they are moving.

hans jobe

no jackass, they are not moving. they are closing.

FILTHBAG

Shut your ignnorant mouth. I get my news from the streets - you get your news from Gothamist, who never has all the info. So fuck off.

hans jobe

HAHAHAHHAA
your funny
and hard
are you in a gang?
i bet your super tough too

Gwinny

Max Fish was cool in 1996. However, its now-prime location in the middle of Hell Square means I haven't been there since about that time.

spiritross

Surprising, but that's the way the city goes, if you do not own the building your bar is in, they you are destined to be a finite place.

Change is NYC.
400 years

It continues on...

Kojak

Ahh I remember that place. Overcrowded and filled to the brim with douchenuggets (And too much PBR)

I won't miss it. And another one just like it will open next door.