EVB Debut @ The Hose | Photo: Shutterbug for HN
….why. This isn’t the first time The Hose has mysteriously closed — they shut down because of Board of Health violations back in June– so we didn’t rush to report on the sudden shut down this time around. Our sources had no information to add, but according to Gerry Visco for the NYpress.com:
“The rumor is that the Hose was shut down because the owner refused to renew the lease,” says Benjamin Haber, a regular at the bar who plans to participate in a farewell celebration and vigil on the sidewalk in front of the bar Friday night. “We heard from the bartenders and door people on Tuesday night and they’d heard the same night from the manager, who wasn’t actually too involved in the running of the bar. I was told the actual owner decided to not leave the bar to him anymore.”
Sadly, this means Thursday night’s Judy party, “Muppets Take Judy” had to be postponed because of the last minute notice–they found out on Tuesday night. The East Village, once thriving with gay bars and clubs, has lost many nightspots in the past few years including Boys Room, Rapture Cafe, Star Bar, Starlight, Family @ Ave C… we could go on. But before we get all nostalic on you for an EV that we never experienced (see Edo Bertoglio’s “Downtown 81” or Julian Schnabel’s “Basquiat” for that version), read Matt Harvey’s piece: “The East Village Isn’t What It Used To Be… And It Never Was.”