78thand2nd

Facelift For Blue Moon

From the tipline: Ken writes in with some insider info on Blue Moon on 75th and 1st, which will "most likely close at the end of May for a full interior demolition and remodeling. Should take a few months."

Anna Maria Closes, Dylan Murphy's Set Up On 3rd

Closed: Anna Maria Pizzeria on 83rd and 1st has shuttered. According to Suzanne, "they were closed for health citations late last year, they have finally shut their doors. A 'for lease' sign was spotted in the window and a note on the door saying it was closed by the city."

Opened: Dylan Murphy's bar, at 1453 3rd Ave., opened its doors last week.

Guy Assaults Cabby On 93rd

What do you do when a cabby tells you he's not on duty? If you're this guy, you attack. According to the NY Post:

"Frank Sestak, 34, asked the cabby if he was on duty at First Avenue and East 93rd Street at 10:15 p.m. Saturday, according to the sources.

The driver, 25, said, "No, I'm parking."

Sestak became irate, breaking the driver's-side window with his hands and assaulting the cabby, authorities said. He was charged with assault and criminal mischief and given a desk-appearance ticket.
The victim suffered minor injuries."

Construction Worker Killed In Fall On 67th

A construction worker was killed today while working on the Upper East Side according to multiple reports.

The man fell from the 23rd floor onto the 14th floor balcony of a luxury condominium being built at 400 E. 67th Street and 1st Avenue, according to 1010Wins.

More:
· Construction worker killed in Upper East Side fall [1010wins]
· Worker fell 9 stories to his death [ABC]

Five Hurt In Fire On 64th

FDNY responded to a fire at a 64th Street (btwn 1st and 2nd Avenues) high-rise this afternoon according to local ABC news. Five people -- two firefighters and three civilians -- were hurt during the blaze, which broke out in an apartment on the eighth floor of 340 East 64th Street just before 1 p.m.

Vudu Part II: Vudu Violence

A quick follow up to the recent Community Board 8 meeting regarding Vudu Lounge on 1st and 78th: According to commenter Ebg, the hearing was held to discuss the "repeated incidents of violence outside the club." Hardly surprising. We've got a call in to CB8 to track down more info.

CB8 Considers Vudu? [78thand2nd]

CB8 Considers Vudu?

What's going on with Vudu Lounge? Jason writes in, asking about an apparent meeting held last week by Community Board 8 to discuss Vudu (on 1st btwn 77th and 78th), and asks went down.

The nightspot tends to draw in some interesting folks--the types who (besides enjoying giant doorknobs) consistently gather in the streets at 4 a.m. to fight, or at least yell at one another about the possibility of fighting. Good times.

I'm curious to know if they're in any trouble or if this is standard CB8 procedure tied to a request for license. Please enlighten us in the comments if you have any info.

St. Patrick's Parade To Kick Off At 11

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade heads up Fifth Avenue, starting at 44th Street, at 11 this morning. The Gothamist has an interview with Tommy Smyth, the St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshall, and he's obviously excited about the day's festivities.

Gothamist:

What does being the Grand Marshall of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade mean to you?
It’s the greatest civic honor that an Irish person can receive in the US. I arrived here in 1963 and it has never crossed my mind that I would lead the biggest Saint Patrick’s Day parade in the world. It’s one of the greatest days in my life.

For those that aren't Irish, how should they (if at all) celebrate St. Patrick's Day?
Everybody should celebrate Saint Patrick's Day. On Saint Patrick's Day the world has 2 kind of people: the Irish and those who want to help us celebrate. Go out and have a good time.

Tommy Smyth, St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshall [Gothamist]

More Babies In UES Bars

Remember a couple of weeks ago when The Times had this? We’ve got more of that with this spot of intel that hit the inbox over the weekend:

“I was at Bar Coastal on Saturday around 6 watching the end of the Cal/UCLA game, and with about 30 seconds left in one of the best college games of the season, a couple wheels in a baby!! Then they rearranged tables for 10 minutes to fit the kid and the stroller next to them -- and the worst part -- the kid (or one of the adults) smelled like a diaper change was in order. WTF?”

“Babies in bars” and the “stench of feces” are on my "how to craft a bad bar experience" list, so I hear what you’re getting at. But it's becoming apparent this "babies in bars" thing is trending upward, so let's do a favor for everyone: Please email us your "babies in bars" stories and let's crown the most likely drinking spots "to watch a couple wheel their kid in" before month’s end.

Baby sightings? PLEASE write in.

UES Continues To Burn

It's been roughly two weeks since our last visit from the fire dept, so the above feels about right. Thanks to tipster Leigh for the pic, taken around 6 PM on 78th Street between 2nd and 1st. No details on what went down yet; if you have an idea, please hit the comments. Um, is there an UES-pyro on the loose?

More fire:
Breaks Out On 78th, Bardolino Restaurant Closed [78thand2nd]
Fire Tears Through Building On 72nd [78thand2nd]
Fire On 78th [78thand2nd]