We are safely ensconsed in a new decade (What did we ever end up naming the old one, by the way?).  And frankly, the only way we're looking back on 2009 is in the rear-view mirror of a stolen muscle car, flipping it off and pelting it with gravel as we speed away to a brighter future. As we go, we can't help but reflect on a few of the many places that did not survive the big '09.

We'll miss...

The Jane Hotel Bar

The neighbors hated it—so it must have been good! Even Monday nights saw a New York-only amalgamation of infamous scensters, party people, straight-laced business-types, couture models and eccentric artists, all dancing to sick jams spun by leading DJs. It was a scene that never got old...because it never had a chance to. 

The Shank

The Boom Boom Room gets all the blog buzz and Abe + Arthur's gets all the celebs. But how many other spots in 2009 got a feature article in an NYC print publication? (Or at least one that wasn’t ghostwritten by some PR toady?) Sure, the NYPress piece dropped well after this ramshackle Williamsburg after-hours spot was kaput, which just adds to the mystique...as does the fact that it wasn’t particularly, you know, legal. 

Waikiki Wally's This place was dorkier than the three-part Cursed Tiki episodes of the Brady Bunch (and similarly themed). Still, in a town where the need for being cool or hot is often all-consuming, it was fun to occasionally chuck all the expectations and drink a volcano with pineapple slices in a place where Weird Al could've been the waiter. Looks like it's back to Otto's we go...

Cattyshack

Like the LES's Meow Mix way before it, the surprising closure of this enduring (and inclusive) lesbian hot-spot felt like the final nail in yet another neighborhood coffin. When considering the success of her first two places, we have seroius doubt that Brooke Webster will resurface with a new enterprise anytime soon—or ever.

We won’t miss...


The Beatrice

Thank you 2009 and (for once) the persnickety "neighbors association" involved for ridding us of this ostentatious den, sprinkled with "alleged" drug use, self-worshipping starlets and customer-as-adversary security. We would've voted Guiliani back into office to keep our streets safe from places like this. 


Studio B

Double that for Studio B, because someone should've taken some Plan B before giving birth to this dump. The staff was rude, the sound system came straight from Radio Shack and the drinks were obscenely expensive (even for a wannabe nightlife destination in Greenpoint's desolate carting district). The resulting vibe could've made the cast of Glee miserable. 

Country Club So 2009 wasn't a terrific year to go posh...especially when the club in question was essentially a slapdash redux of the equally short-lived Dirty Disco. Maybe a less alliterative name next time? Maybe set your celebrity co-owner sights higher than a .500 pitcher from the Cincinnati Reds? In other words, this Country Club stood as much chance as Bushwood did in Caddyshack.