If I was ever in the Continental, 3rd Avenue and St. Mark’s Place, the memory has slipped between the cracks in my head as I don’t recall it. I do recall getting into arguments with my friend Gary (who is now in Minneapolis) about Yoko Ono’s singing voice and Miles Davis’ disdain for his audiences on this block, but I don’t remember if they were in the Continental or not.
What originally opened in 1991 and had been Continental Divide in 2006, a rock venue playing host to the likes of The Ramones and Iggy Pop later evolved into a “shots bar” you see in the photo. Along with the accompanying buildings, it was razed a few years ago and though I haven’t been by in a while, may still be an empty lot.
It hasn’t been without its troubles. The bar has filed for bankruptcy twice and was accused of a racist door policy back in 2010. [Owner Trigger] Smith writes in his letter that the door policy was always “strictly about dress code and vibe code,” noting that they “denied entry to more intoxicated, caucasian, bro types than any other group or race.” [Eater]
Smith noted that “It’s truly heartbreaking that we and so many Old Skool places are falling by the wayside but unless you own your building that’s how it goes.” And indeed, that corner of the East Village has seen many of its longtime tenants either move (as Trash & Vaudeville did in 2016 when its home on St. Mark’s Place sold for $10 million) or shutter their doors outright (as St. Mark’s Bookshop did, after a long fight and a move to Third Street). [Curbed]
As always, sick transit, Gloria!
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10/12/23