While I haven't been able to spend nearly as much time in bars as I used to (which, in retrospect, is probably a good thing), I am continually disapointed -- nay crushed -- to witness the slow, painful dismemberment of the Cedar Tavern on University Place as I walk by it every day. As you may recall, the original party line was that the revered watering hole and veritable anchor of University Place was going to close for "several months" whilst a needless and architecturally-incongruous condominium was built above it. Were that plan not infuriating enough (must we continue to erect these big, shiny, soulless shampoo bottles that no one can actually afford to live in?), in the ensuing months since the Cedar closed its doors, it has been absolutely gutted. The booths have been ripped out, the walls have been scraped, the actual bar -- I'm relatively certain -- has been dismantled, leaving only a dusty, yawning, empty space where this age-old, beloved public house stood for so long (though, again, it's not the original home of the Cedar, which was originally down the street….blah blah blah). In a nutshell, even when they re-open (as they've said they will), it simply won't be the same place. It'll be the same plot of real estate with the same moniker, maybe, but the actual recognizable identity and essence of the place are gone for good.
As I've cited before, The Cedar Tavern acted as my second living room when I lived on 12th street. Any time I was meeting friends or needed a rendezvous spot, it was the Cedar. The first proper "date" I went on with the woman who became my wife was at the Cedar Tavern. It may not have been the coolest spot (hell, the food wasn't so hot -- worst french fries in Manhattan -- and you could never really hear the jukebox) but it will always remain my favorite. Suckerpunch the next real estate developer you meet.
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