June 28,
2007
Long and Strong
Closing time at Third & Long? Nope, a reprieve!
By Jackie
Beach
All good things must come to an end – or so they say. Third and
Long,
a 16-year veteran of the New York bar scene, recently
celebrated the extension of a lease renewal that surprised both
employees and customers.
Hordes of guys and gals jammed into the Murray Hill corner
saloon last Thursday to commiserate the bar’s last night as a
Manhattan mainstay.
Owners Jim and Matt Long had been wrestling
with landlords for months and the bar was slated to close.
However, upon arrival the mood at the packed bar felt lighter
than I expected. People were too happy and too nice (although I
later learned this is the common vibe of Third and Long on any
given night).
“We extended our lease for a year, with hopes of a long term
lease,” said Curtis Lanton, bouncer and longtime Third and Long
employee. “So instead of a closing night ceremony, it’s a
celebration!”
Even after discovering the good news, patrons still asked where
they could buy the shirts sported by the hard working
bartenders.
The shirts read: “Third and Long 1991 – 2007.”
“This is it?” a young man exclaimed as he walked through the
doorway.
“We got a year extension,” Curtis replied. Bursts of hand
slapping and cheers ensued. This exchange was repeated all
night.
“If I go anywhere, I come here,” said Katie Diamond, a young
blond seated in front of the fan at the bar. “I’ve been living
in the neighborhood for 5 years, and I don’t go anywhere else.
Years ago, I came here, sat in this very spot, and was friends
with everyone in the bar by end of the night.” Her friend
Lindsay Swart nodded emphatically.
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The bar’s popularity was echoed by the number of ex-employees
who came back to work at the bar for what they thought would be
its last nights.
“I worked here for about three years,” said Craig Smith.
“When I heard they were closing, I wanted to come back and
be
involved in the finale.”
Other diligent ex-workers came through the doors as patrons.
More than one young professional flashed “The Card,”
circa 1995, to the bouncer, who laughed and showed owner Jim
Long.
‘THE CARD,” as is printed on the gold “credit” card, was
distributed to employees in the nineties and
entitles the bearer to cut lines, knock back drink specials,
and enjoy other special privileges.
Photography by Danielle Guimac
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Also participating in the celebration was the band du jour,
Hell or High Water.
An eight-piece for the evening, the band consisted of three
guitars, bass, drums, mandolin, keyboards, a singer,
and a drop-in harmonica.
“We love this place because they have buckets of ice cold beer out for
the band. We love that.”
He pointed to the big white bucket full of ice and bottles on the ground
by his feet.
(Note: The bottled beer from behind the bar is ice cold, too – a
summertime necessity!)
Together for 18 years strong, Hell or High Water performs in venues
across Manhattan.
Playing Neil Young, Clapton, and Roy Orbison covers, to name a few,
James Quigley on keyboard,
Tom Wipf on lead guitar, Steve Bernstein on mandolin, Glenn McCready on
bass, Chuck Menduni on guitar,
Tony Ieva on drums, Stells on guitars, and Charlie dropping in on
harmonica, rocked the rowdy house as people cheered, danced, and sang
along to the classic tunes.
“I didn’t even know a band could fit in here!” said Sally Noonan,
wiggling to the music.
“They should have live music more often – this is awesome!”
To read more about nightly events and real-life stories from Third and
Long, check out:
http://diaryofthirdandlong.blogspot.com
For more Hell or High Water info, visit
HOHWBand.com
Links:
The Diary of Third
and Long
Third & Long (myspace)
Third & Long (MurphGuide)
Third
& Long (citysearch)
Hell or High Water
MurphGuide Directory of
NYC Closed Bars (Third & Long is NOT on it)
Jackie
Beach
And Then What
Happened?...
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