Long Island City Friday afternoon linkage
Warm weather this weekend, for all the LIC Arts and Queensboro Bridge Centennial events. Don’t forget about the Grucci Fireworks happening off Roosevelt Island on Sunday evening at 9:15. Hunters Point waterfront is one of the prime viewing locations. There are no 4th of July fireworks on the East River this year, so this is the only chance to get your fix.
Also, there was a rumor in the comments a while back about the supposed elimination of the Hunters Point fire station, and nothing really came of it. Until now. The anonymous commenter made reference to the FDNY getting ready to announce cuts, and as far as prophecies go, this one seems to be manifesting accordingly. Hope that is not the case.
City takes control of Hunters Point South [RealDeal]
Douglas Elliman replaces Corcoran Sunshine @ LIC’s Arris Lofts [Curbed]
REBNY prez speaks at LICBDC breakfast [Queens Gazette]
Bloomberg to speak in Astoria about future of NYC on June 11 [Queens Crap]
Profile on Green development highlights LIC’s Avalon Bay [Housing Finance]
Spotlight on Antonio Masi’s QB Bridge art exhibition [Daily News]
LIC’s Vine Wine owner launches My Little Pony charity/art event [FREEwilliamsburg]
Food, drink, and ‘PIG’ at LIC’s Deitch Studios [Short and Sweet NYC]
FDNY union ad mentions loss of 12 NYC firehouses, including LIC? [WCBS TV]
Oh, that website says the tip of Roosevelt Island… presumably I may still be able to see everything as long as I’m not blocked by the condo towers.
The Ravel was once a sleezy by the hour hotel. I learned tonight that the sleeze part still applies. We had invitations to what was advertised as a no cover cash bar for the fireworks. When we got there, there were goons outside demanding 20 bucks each “for the boys”. When we showed the invitation that said “no cover” they said “that’s for upstairs… but you pay here first”. When we said forget it and walked away the tune changed to “it’s for the two drink minimum”.
I called the hotel and asked to speak to the manager. The reply was “manager of what?” I said “the hotel”. The person who answered said “there’s lots of managers here”. I repeated the story and the reply was “yeah well the deal changed.”
We were looking forward to our first visit to Ravel. Now it’s clear we have no need for the seedy place masquerading as class. We found a far superior place to view on the waterfront and I don’t think we would have had much of a view at Ravel anyway. Certainly the sleeze factor would make Ravel an unenjoyable experience.
I think Ravel is aiming for a specific crowd, where $20 covers for cheezy techno are normal. The only worthwhile thing about it is the view and actually the food is decent. Probably best to go on a weeknight and chill out peacefully instead of on the weekend, or at ‘events’. Just FYI, I was also surprised by the cover (for men only) that was disguised as a ‘two-drink minimum’.
The invitation specifically stated “no cover”. The hotel acknowledged they knew that when they said “we changed the deal.” So I’m glad I now know any deal they might offer is suspect.
I’m glad I left as it would have been an inferior view anyway. As for “a specific crowd” my opinion is the hotel is the same sleezy place it always was. It just has nicer suits and goons with broader shoulders at the door. The place gives me the creeps.
You must have got there after me because I’m a women and the $20 cover and 2 drink minimum was what was asked of me. It is obvious the were trying to milk the situation for what ever they could get. extortion basically. I may right the State Attorney General on this one.
I will never set foot there again
Yes. I don’t think it was $20 for men to get in. What they said to me was “it’s for the boys” meaning the muscle bound thugs at the gate.
I thought Ravel had upgraded its act after all the years as a sleaze joint but the experience tells me not.
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Does anyone know exactly where they are shooting the fireworks off from? I want to know if I’ll be able to see them from my roof.