Cookie Gates at Lit Lounge (Photo by Erik Foss)
When Lit Lounge’s co-owner Erik Foss announced a month ago that the East Village institution would close after 13 years, we thought the place would have at least a few more wild nights in store if not the goodbye party of the decade. But after a particularly unseemly incident (even for Lit) a couple of weeks ago, the bar unceremoniously shuttered without so much as a nod and a “later, guys.”
If there was any doubt Max Fish’s return to the LES would be epic, it was put to rest Saturday when the art bar’s reopening brought lines to its new door at 120 Orchard Street. Among those who packed into the sweltering room were downtown “it” girl Vashtie Kola, filmmaker Bill Strobeck, photographer Atiba Jefferson, artists Aliya Naumoff and Shelter Serra, and pro skater Braydon Szafranski.
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Shelter Serra’s “Dripping Rings” and Ray Geary’s “Happy Putin” (Photo: Courtesy of Currentee)
If the Sochi Olympics have taught us anything, it’s that Russia is a strange, strange place. On the flipside, putting the spotlight on Russia and its political and social climate has brought about brave reactions from those advocating for freedom of speech, acceptance of diversity and the wellbeing of stray dogs.
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