New York's best live jazz bar for townies closed last night.
Detour * was not just a intimate venue with a strong rotation of talent, it was proudly local and for neighbors. I could count on seeing people from my building and around the neighborhood there that I would otherwise not see for months, if ever (it's just across the street from my apartment - a mixed blessing).
Considering the massive NYU-ification of the East Village - they are building another dorm on 13th between First and A! - I guess the fall of Detour could be viewed as unfortunate but inevitable. I've heard that the new owner plans to open a restaurant, and there is a rumor that there are plans to have giant wide screen plasmas on the wall. College kids love those giant plasmas!
I had the privilege of playing there a couple times just recently before it closed. Here's what it looks like from the stage - the snap was taken October 4.
(Some notes. Foreground couple are Naomi and Donnie, my next door neighbors. A klatch of kids behind them, my co-workers - including the captain of Volleyball Club. All the way to the right, glasses and goatee, standing: Paul Armstrong, the amazing pianist who I played with that night. Seated, stroking chin thoughtfully: Bill of Stuy Town. Behind him, at the bar: Kelly and Jim. Kelly has her back to the camera ... )
* P.S. One funny memory of Detour was constantly hearing the bartender on duty try to give the web address over the phone. If you check out the link you'll see what I mean. Let me know if you need help with this one
3 comments:
Well, That really bummed me out.
Detour was my first local in NYC. Before I owned a cell phone I would take and receive calls from the little pay phone they had on the bar beside the jukebox. I never learned any of the names of the people that I drank with there (except Stevie and Evan who worked there) but I always felt welcomed and always had a great time.
I raise a pint of Boddingtons!
I agree it sucks. I still have 3 drink tickets left.
No sweat, there's always T.G.I.Fridays
(Sad thing is - Yabs knows: I'm only half-joking)
Next stop, Holiday
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