So, yeah. Max Fish closed last night with an epic sendoff. Yesterday photographer Daniel Savage shared his photos of the bar’s regulars and last night, our own Taji Ameen stopped in (or tried to, anyway) to hang with them. He brought back the video above and the report below.

It was literally sardine-packed front to back, which unfortunately did not make for enjoyable filming inside. As a result, I hung out outside for hours, which was more fun than going inside. There was a line in front to get in. Every local Fish-goer was present including Leo Fitzpatrick, pro skaters Alex Olson and Joel Meinholz were hanging on the scene, and OG bartender Tino Razo flew out all the way from LA. I got to catch up with downtown icon Clayton Patterson, owner of Lit Erik Foss, and pro skater Rodney Torres. All in all it was a blown-out scene of just about everyone who has ever hung out at the Fish, out on one night, to party like it was 1989 again.

(Photo: Anna Silman)

(Photo: Anna Silman)

Today, the bar was being packed up in preparation for its reopening in Williamsburg. How sad/thirsty does it make you feel to see all those PBRs being wheeled out of the place? (And wait a minute, there was beer left over from last night?)

This isn’t the only recent closing on the Lower East Side (miss you already, Motor City) and it won’t be the last: Tonight, Lolita Bar will shutter after 13 years. “We want to thank all of our guests and staff for making the past 13 years amazing for us,” reads a message posted yesterday on Facebook. “Come in tomorrow, have a drink and help us commemorate an amazing run on the Lower East Side.”

(Photo: Anna Silman)

(Photo: Anna Silman)

And White Rabbit is also closing, as Jim Chu, who owned Den of Thieves and Idlewild before it (remember the airplane bar?) is giving up the restaurant and art space on East Houston. “Come join us for a last drink,” reads their goodbye. “Thank you for 19 years of great music and great memories!”

(Photo: Anna Silman)

(Photo: Anna Silman)