The facade of soon-to-be demolished Mars Bar has seen a few changes in recent days. The words Thanks for the memories have been painted above the entrance, and the latest addition is a mural painted next to the entrance, which depicts a sleek, modern building closely resembling the controversial Cooper Square Hotel.
You'll recall the debut of the Cooper Square Hotel sparked a sensational clash between the hotel and its neighbors, who mounted a spirited protest against a rooftop bar that drew hoards of chattering d-bags under their bedroom windows. Whether or not the new building planned for Mars Bar's location—supposedly a mix of affordable and market-rate units— will have similarly divisive effects remains to be seen. But dive barflies and Mars Bar regulars are bracing for a downtown solar system with no life on Mars.
According to one of Mars Bar's neighbors, locksmith Joe Fiandaca, the demolition will begin anytime between June and September, and the developers have assured him that both the Fiandaca family and Mars Bar owner Hank Penza will be able to continue renting space in the new building—although he emphasized that this understanding is based on "just words, no contract."
Just after noon today we stopped by the bar and found Mangina, a.k.a Patrick Bucklew (who calls Mars Bar his "office") holding court. He said he isn't so sure that Penza will stick around, telling us, "He's old-school, he doesn't want to be in a new building." Among the illustrations, paintings, and collages that hang above bottles of liquor behind the battered countertop of Mars Bar is a handwritten sign that reads: "MARS BAR / The end is near ART SHOW, Sunday 4-24 / hanging / BBQ / 2 pm - 4 pm / Bring art!!!"
When we asked bartender Jessica about the future of this LES institution, she simply said, "Nobody really knows. It's up in the air." But regular Ray Gustus Bell, a Vietnam vet who has frequented the Bar since 2000, offered up a bit more, stating, "From what I hear they're going to tear the whole building down in a few months and turn it into a yuppie bar. Then the drinks will cost twice as much, with less ambiance!" Where's the "Die Yuppie Scum" crowd when you need them?
Melanie Jane Parker/Gothamist
