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21st Century Bars: Coney Island’s Freak Bar Featured in New Book

Posted in Books, Food & Drink, historic preservation, tagged 21st Century Bars, book review, Childs Restaurant, Coney Island USA, Freak Bar, Philip Tusa, Photography, Surf Avenue on May 11, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Coney Island USA New Freak Bar & Museum Gift Shop designed by Philip Tusa, Architect and photographed by Paul Warchol; Freak Bar View. Photo via Philip Tusa Architect’s flickr

We’re not surprised to find Coney Island USA’s Freak Bar among the more than 60 architecturally interesting new bars profiled in a coffee table art book. Editor Andrew Hall describes 21st Century Bars, published this month by Images Publishing, as a globe-trotting “journey to some of this century’s most interesting bars.”

Designed by architect Philip Tusa and completed in October 2008, the Freak Bar has been a shining oasis on Surf Avenue amid the desecration of swaths of Coney Island by real estate speculation. What a pleasure it has been to meet our freaky friends at the bar on Mermaid Day and New Year’s Day!

Of the 1917 Childs Restaurant Building, which is owned by Coney Island USA and currently under consideration for New York City landmark designation, Tusa has this to say in the book…

Of historical note, hidden underneath aged plywood signs were the beautiful arches that were part of the historic facade; these are now revealed and incorporated in all their splendor. Decoratively, the ‘Coney-esque’ style has been successfully employed. Historically, Coney Island USA has sought to evoke an atmosphere that signifies the nostalgia that Coney is to all people worldwide, whether they remember it personally or have just heard of it.

Cheers to Coney Island and Coney Island USA!

The Freak Bar, Coney Island USA, 1208 Surf Avenue, Coney Island, 718-372-5159

Coney Island USA says: “Currently the Freak Bar hours are Thursdays and Fridays 8pm to ?? (1am-ish) for Burlesque At The Beach. Saturdays and Sundays 12pm to ?? (10 pm or later depending on customer flow.) The hours will change after Memorial Day, and we will be open seven days a week. The earliest we will open any given day is Noon, and the closing time will depend on the typical factors of a Coney Island day.”

21st Century Bars, edited by Andrew Hall, Published by Images Publishing, 2010. Hardcover, $50

Coney Island USA New Freak Bar & Museum Gift Shop designed by Philip Tusa, Architect and photographed by Paul Warchol; Exterior View looking toward the Coney Island Wonder Wheel amusement ride. Photo via Philip Tusa Architect’s flickr

Presidents Day Weekend at Coney Island USA’s Hall of the Presidents

Posted in Events, Photo of the Day, tagged Brunch, Coney Island, Coney Island USA, Freak Bar, gift shop, Marie Roberts, mural, Presidents Day Weekend on February 12, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Marie Roberts murals for Hall of the Presidents, 2008 Creepshow at the Freakshow at Coney Island USA. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Happy Birthday Woodrow Wilson and Calvin Coolidge! We’ve been saving this pic of the seldom seen Hall of the Presidents in the Coney Island USA Building for Presidents Day. CIUSA artist in residence Marie Roberts painted the murals in a back stairwell for the 2008 Creepshow at the Freakshow . The artwork still exists though it will be painted over next Halloween. The theme was Phantom of the Presidential Wax Museum. The mural is meant to be viewed under black light as seen in this superb photo from jamie nyc’s flickr set of the haunted freak show tour.

While the Hall of the Presidents is not in a public area of the building, you can celebrate Presidents Day Weekend in Coney Island by watching the Polar Bear Club Swim on Sunday at 1 pm. Join the Bears for brunch afterward at CIUSA’s Freak Bar. Bagels, cream cheese, coffee, espresso and cappuccino will be available for purchase at Sunday’s Polar Bear Brunch.

While America honors Presidents Day with sales galore, Coney Island USA continues its online gift shop sale of Mermaid Parade, Film Festival and Creepshow posters; Funny Face, Madame Twisto and Serpentina T-shirts; and Dreamland Bar & Grill tokens. Winter hours at the Coney Island Museum and Gift Shop are Saturday and Sunday, 12-5 pm.

Coney Island USA, 1208 Surf Ave, Coney Island. B,D, F, Q trains to Stillwell Ave.

January in Coney Island: Public Meeting, Live Music & More

Posted in Events, tagged Coney Island, Footprints Cafe, Freak Bar, free event, live music, public meeting, Round Robin, Save Coney Island on January 17, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Coney Island’s amusement rides reopen for the season on Palm Sunday, March 28. We’re already counting the days! But Coney Island the neighborhood is open year round. ATZ’s calendar of upcoming events includes a Save Coney Island meeting and country bluegrass jamboree fundraiser, live music at Footprints Cafe and the Freak Bar, and much more. The New York Aquarium, Nathan’s, Williams Candy and Coney Island Beach Shop are among the businesses that are open every day. During the winter, the Beach and the Boardwalk remain a popular destination for residents and visitors, including photographers, walkers, joggers, cyclists and even swimmers–if you happen to be a Polar Bear!

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21

Public Meeting on the Future of Coney Island sponsored by Save Coney Island

Info and discussion about efforts to landmark historic buildings such as Nathan’s and prevent the permanent reduction of the size of the amusement area. Learn about initiatives underway to bring in additional amusements for the 2010 season and other key projects to revive the amusement area as the Playground of the World.

January 21, 7:30 pm, Save Coney Island Meeting, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Coney Island, 2801 W. 8th Street, Coney Island (F train to Neptune Ave)

Footprints round robin

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26

Arabian Knights Round Robin at Footprints Coney Island

Footprints Cafe, one of our favorite places to dine in Coney Island, just happens to be open year round and has live music on weekends. Sign up for their e-news to find out about upcoming special events like Brooklyn’s premier Round Robin on Tuesday, January 26. The round robin is held at over 18 bars and lounges in Brooklyn at a different location every week. This year’s theme Arabian Knights includes an appearance by a belly dancer. Pop/reggae singer Primadonna is the evening’s featured performer. ATZ highly recommends the seafood and vegetarian dishes on the cafe’s Caribbean fusion menu. Everything is carefully prepared with the freshest ingredients and always delish.

January 26, 9 pm until, Arabian Knights Round Robin at Footprints Cafe, 1521 Surf Ave between 15th & 16th Sts, Coney Island, 718-265-2530. No cover, no minimum. (B, D, F & Q trains to Stillwell Ave)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 30

Gone Country for Coney: Save Coney Island Benefit

Country bluegrass jamboree and Wild West variety show featuring five bands–Animal Pharm, Central Valley Wildfire, Rob Hecht, Pinataland and Citigrass. Plus the Prospect Cowgirls dancers, burlesque show and food from Jake’s BBQ.

Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit Save Coney Island’s advocacy efforts on behalf of the People’s Playground. Tickets are $20, $15 till 5 p.m.

January 30, 3- 9:30 pm, Save Coney Island Benefit at Galapagos Artspace, 16 Main Street at Water Street, DUMBO. (A & C trains to High, F to York)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 31

Apres Polar Bear Swim: Live Music by Canonball at the Freak Bar

After the weekly Polar Bear Club Swim at 1 pm, the Bears and friends will adjourn to Coney Island USA’s Freak Bar for brunch and live music by Canonball. This is the band that rock and rolled on the Boardwalk in front of Ruby’s on New Year’s Day. Bagels, cream cheese, coffee, espresso and cappucino will be available for purchase at this Sunday’s Polar Bear Brunch at
the Freak Bar.

The Coney Island Museum and Gift Shop at CIUSA are also open. Where else can you find a vintage Mermaid Parade poster or a Madame Twisto Tee? Winter hours are Saturday and Sunday, 12-5 pm.

January 31, 1:30-5 pm, Canonball at Coney Island USA’s Freak Bar, Coney Island USA, 1208 Surf Ave, Coney Island. No cover, no minimum. (B,D, F, Q trains to Stillwell Ave)