A Love Letter to Lucky
Being closed, all we can do is reminisce. Here’s a wonderful love letter from one of Lucky’s favorite regulars:
"Growing up in NJ, my trips into Manhattan were for clubs, concerts and sporting events, so I never really had a neighborhood bar that I frequented in the city. I would go to a couple in Hells Kitchen BITD and the Blarney Stone around the corner from MSG before any event. I have literally gone to that bar before every game or concert at the Garden since I was 17 years old. They replaced the old Irish bartenders with young attractive females over the years, but who am I to stand in the way of progress? They still pour a nice drink. Being busy with work and school, as well as getting married and having the kids so young, cut down on bar life and when it was time to re-emerge in the late 80’s, it was for NYC club life. I guess the Mission Bar between A & B on 5th was the closest to a real bar as opposed to a nightclub. So, after the club years were past their heyday, we wound up frequenting the Beauty Bar and Double Down more than any other of the bars “downtown.” They were always fun, but could get to be a bit much at times. When you opened Lucky, that all changed. For me, you had the perfect spot: a small old school bar with no video screens. It was exciting watching it be born, nourished and grow into what it has become. I have met many wonderful, fun people at Lucky and run into many old acquaintances as well. And I love your bar staff. Pinky, Cara, Tracie, Zofia, Donovan, Zero, et al, have all treated Blair and me so well. It was always great to get out of midtown and head down to Lucky after a day in a place/neighborhood I didn’t want to be. It made the day and my mood so much better. 30 of my 63 Instagram posts are pics taken at Lucky. I miss it and I miss you. There’s still a retirement party to be had, as well as many more memorable times. Can’t wait to get back onto Avenue B. I don’t drink at home much. It took me two months to drink a 750ml bottle of vodka. One drink a week on Friday evening. I am now down to 25 unopened bottles of vodka. At the same rate I guess it’s about enough for four years. Hopefully, it will only be down to 24 the next time I can sit at your bar. I’m looking forward to that wonderful feeling, as well as seeing you."
Thank you, Ivan! I miss you too!
Cheers to the day we can all toast together again!