May 29, 2011
It’s opening weekend at Coney Island, so what am I doing sitting here writing this? Let’s start this adventure already!
**********UPDATE: The date should be MAY 30th, 2011, but I forgot to flip my calendar and it felt like Sunday today! I can't change it or it will fuck up anybody who has linked to it, so just pretend like that says May 30th up there! Happy Memorial day!
Special guest star for today is Shawn. Shawn's a photographer, documentarian and a pilot. We had a couple beers at my place before heading out, I didn't make any of my legendary snack mix because I didn't want to fill up before we got to Coney Island.
And through the magic of the internet you're spared the agonizing subway ride that no one will take once they rip Coney Island up next year and put in sports bars and high end restaurants on the boardwalk.
And away we go!
We're not even out of the subway and the action is happening already! Shawn noticed that legendary East Village musician David Peel was walking past us. Here's a shot of David and fellow musician Sean Yox.
Shawn, David Peel and Yours Fooly. Have a marijuana, everybody!
And here we are, Coney Island! First stop...
Ruby's Bar! Last November I never thought I'd be walking in here again!
And the beautiful Kara behind the bar was quick with a beer and a lovely smile.
They had a good crowd, I hope this keeps up all season!
A view of Ruby's from where Shawn and I were seated.
It was good to see Mike, who I met on the bar crawl last year.
Classic photos on the wall.
Here's a poster for the this year's Mermaid Parade on June 24th. Update: I just got an email from Tricia at Amusing The Zillion and this is an old poster, the Mermaid Parade this year is scheduled for June 18th. Thanks, Tricia!
This sailor was making the most of Fleet Week at Ruby's!
Nighttime sets on Ruby's bar and Shawn and I decided to get something to eat.
And so it's off to the boardwalk we go!
I have to have a corn dog when I come out here, it's just part of the rules.
And they've got plenty cooked up!
I got a corn dog, a beer and a great smile from this friendly woman behind the counter. It's all smiles at Coney Island, one of the things I love about the place.
Delicious!
After eating, Shawn and I decided to wander around the park and take some photos. Mine are below and check out Shawn's photos and his flickr set from the night in the Bonus Photos at the end of the post.
We decided to have a nightcap at Cha Cha's.
This lovely lady was serving up daiquiris in the hut at the front of the bar. See what I mean about the smiles out here? Beautiful!
Here's Tony who was taking the cover charge of five dollars to get in. But you get a ticket for five bucks off your first drink, so everything's even Steven in here.
The bar at Cha Cha's.
Sip ahoy! (Patented catch-phrase courtesy of Uncle Waltie!)
A view from the back of the bar.
A neon-reflected photo on the wall.
Dueling photos!
Okay, time to call it a night...
After a pit stop at Nathan's!
What's so funny about peace, love and...
A cheese dog with a giganzo 32-ounce beer?
Shawn and I decided to split a car service to get back to the city. The driver let Shawn off in the East Village and I asked him to take me to the corner of 6th and 16th street and then made the sad mistake of closing my eyes and halfway passing out. I woke up and found out we were in Times Square. I asked the driver what the fuck was going on and I swear to God he was almost crying and said, "I don't know, I'm very lost!" I had to direct him to the corner of 6th and 16th Street. He's probably still out there trying to find his way home! Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.
Ruby’s Coney Island Bar & Grill
1213 Riegelmann Boardwalk (Near 12th St.)
718-372-9079
Cha Cha’s
1229 Riegelmann Boardwalk (@Stillwell Avenue)
718-946-1305
Further reading: Amusing the Zillion, Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York, EV Grieve and 365 Bars.
You might also like: XTC, XYZ and XTZ.
Four Other Coney’s
Coney Dog
Coney Dog Sauce
Coney Detroit
Malachy Coney
ARCHIVES
(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you!)
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Bonus Photos From Shaw!
Shawn sent me some of his photos from last night and he got some fantastic shots. Check out some highlights below.
32 Comments
Reader Comments (32)
Well SO FAR from what I can see...
What a Great night out!
So good to see Ruby's again!
Great photos by Shawn (I love the shot of the Coney Island neon and of the bulbs)
and Marty's ain't too shabby either.
Tis the Season for Coney Island!
Nice to see some familiar faces again.
I thought the Show World post was the best MAD entry ... but this tops it ! ... what a awesome way to spend a Saturday ! ..... UFB to the driver who got lost by 30 blocks ! ... WTF ?!??
I agree with Gene and Boris,,,,an epic night indeed. Running into David Peel is just over the top, he looks good, must be all that primo weed. Great to see so many people at CI,,,,Cha Cha's sign says "Live entertainment for the HOLE family" wow, no holding back there,,,huh. And that last picture about the taxi driver being lost,,,,you snooze for a few minutes and you end up in Times Square,,,,that was funny.
another great post...joan earlier the drifters and than tom...who could knock that playlist?...
yes sir...smiles everywhere...
thanks to shawn for those bonus shots they are great...
and who was that in the comments and faves section...
for all the seinfield fans:
Kramer: All right, Coney Island. Okay, you can take the B or the F and switch for the N at Broadway Lafayette, or you can go over the bridge to DeKalb and catch the Q to Atlantic Avenue, then switch to the IRT 2, 3, 4 or 5, but don't get on the G. See, that's very tempting, but you wind up on Smith and 9th street, then you got to get on the R.
Elaine: Couldn't he just take the D straight to Coney Island?
Kramer: Well, yeah..
rr
Great to see Rubie's still standing and intact..I wonder if that petition I signed had anything to do with that. Some truly breathtaking photography on this post, some of the best yet, Marty! And it's surprising how strong a hold Hollywood imagery has on my subconcious...When I see a photo of the Wonder Wheel, I immediately hear David Patrick Kelly in my head screaching like a pissed off alley cat; "Waaaariors...come out to PLAYYYAAAAY!!!" I see the picture of the Cyclone and way deep down inside, I know that 'The Beast from 40,000 Fathoms' is going to come stomping up in another couple of seconds, scarf up a cop or two and start gnawing on the rollercoaster...
@"Boris:" An epic night indeed and thanks to Shawn for coming along and sharing his photos!
@GENE: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! And yeah, I couldn't believe it when I opened my eyes and we were in Times Square! I started yelling at him, but he truly sounded like he was going to start crying, so I just directed him to my corner!
@Al: It was wild meeting David Peel. I remember buying his album when I was in high school! Crazy times!
@rr: Ha ha ha on the "comments and saves" person! And great lines from Seinfeld! We took the D train for the record!
@Jaws: Glad you liked the photography! Mine can't hold a candle to Shawn's though! Great Wonder Wheel memories!
Great photos Shawn! From someone that is learning, you have a lot of talent! Nice to see Ruby's still open. And 2 shots of lines of back ends, nice Marty. Awesome story about the driver! Just sad you guys didn't go on any rides, but looks like a great start to the summer. (we got snow today, not a great start)
Classic post! Great photos from both of you! Felt like I was there! Happy Memorial day to all!
Coney Island!! Great trip & great post. Nice to see Shawn's photographs. It does your heart good to get out there!
@rr: HA! Nice quote. Also, the G is rarely tempting.
@MAD: Maybe you didn't pass out, but blacked out that you demanded to go to Show World. No wonder the cabbie was lost. Jaws is the only time traveling cabbie I know of.
@Shawn: Nice shots.
@MAD (again): Ask Shawn what kind of camera he has, then buy it. Oh, money.
@Kari: Move or sacrifice more virgins to the weather gods.
Fuck , to bad no Fun for me , but just for the moment , have to get my shit ready to move to France , & it's not easy !!! Had to throw & sell allot of stuff , & my place is a mess . So burnt out ,so I just went to Papaya King on 42 St to eat a Hotdog since I can't go to anyone's barbeque for this memorial day , Cheers
@kari: Snow in May? Snow way! Sorry, couldn't resist! Neither Shawn or I are ride guys, I rode the Cyclone once and it scared the living shit out of me!
@Barfly: Happy Memorial Day to you!
@onemorefoldedsunset: Thanks! You're so right about it doing your heart good!
@csp: You and your conspiracy theories! And yes, money is always an issue!
@JHwang: Good thing you didn't get a corn dog there! Mine was cold in the middle when I was there.
@Marty, I'm not a ride person either, I just want to watch other people :)
@csp, Utah does have a lot virgins that should be sacrificed...maybe the weather is asking for it
Here's something for your listening pleasure, Marty. David Peel's "The Pope Smokes Dope" Live in Japan.
You can listen to the individual tracks listed on the right.
http://new.music.yahoo.com/david-peel-and-the-lower-east-side/tracks/pope-smokes-dope-live-in-japan--207102153
Seemed like only yesterday that I heard this in Washington Square Park.
@kari: Believe me, you would not enjoy the Cyclone!
@Uncle Waltie: Thanks for the link and for the catch-phrase. Sip ahoy, my friend!
@MAD: The Cyclone, fun and exciting. Passing out on the D train and waking up at 4 AM on Jerome Avenue in the Bronx, terrifying. Almost a perfect call on the car service.
Ahhh, but remember that the city is a funny place
Something like a circus or a sewer
And just remember different people have peculiar tastes
and the ....
I'd like to send this one out for Lou and Rachel
and all the kids and P.S. 192
Coney Island baby
Yet another NYC treasure I've never experienced - we have a lot of exploring to do on our future trips!
Since we don't have a stove right now I think I'll make hot dogs tonight - hot dogs and beer - perfect combo, I'm tellin' ya!
Oh I absolutely *love* Coney Island. I hope to get there at least ONCE this summer.
@csp: Both the Cyclone and passing out on the D train sound terrifying to me!
@Harry: To Lou and Rachel! Coney Island, baby!
@Britta: You should try and make it out this year, because next year they're tearing all the good stuff up and replacing it with high-end bullshit.
@Meleah: Like I said to Britta, you should get out there this year before it's all over!
Great post as always!!!!!, but I think that Mermaid Parade poster might be from a different year. The website says the parade is June 18th this year, not the 24th. Unless I'm wrong.
@Brian: Thanks! And you're absolutely right about the Mermaid Parade, I just got an email from Tricia and I've updated the post! Thanks for chiming in!
Ahahaha! That bit about the driver cracked me up. Looks like a great time - I'm really going to miss CI. There's no place like it.
Ah, it's good to see Coney Island alive and kicking! Maybe a miracle will happen and gentrification will miss the train. Great photos by both of you - I especially like the one with you and the Pabst can. You're like the Phantom of the Beerpera.
@Goggla: At first I was pissed, but then he really seemed like he was on the verge of tears, so I was nice to him.
@Biff: "You're like the Phantom of the Beerpera." Ha ha ha! You still gots it, Bifferoonie!
@Marty - that is messed up - we are planning on coming back at least one more time this year so it will go on the list for sure!
That camera was my little throwaway 6MP Nikon D50 but with a pretty fast f/1.8 50mm Nikon lens. I also set the color mode to "vivid" and shot on upwards of 800 ISO.
DSLR cameras with good glass give you shots that allow you to focus on the subject and let the background fall away. Of course the scenery and willing subjects help!
Thanks again Marty for a fantastic time! I'm in for the next time for sure!
@Shawn, your "little throwaway" would be a dream camera for me!!
@Britta: You really should see it before they rip up the Boardwalk!
@Shawn: It was a blast hanging out with you, we'll definitely do it again! I'll talk to you this week. Thanks again for sharing your photos, great work by a professional!
Coolest tour ever!!I had a great time!!Thanks, Marty.
@Melanie: Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for chiming in!
What kind of cheese is that!!! it looks like something that came out of a Nuke Factory . Maybe it is part of the Blob but in yellow.
I wouldn't even feed that to the Card Board Man