From 1985-1988 The Holiday Cocktail Lounge on St Marks Place my living room. I was an employee at The Metropolitan Museum at the time and a group of us would go after work every night of the week. We would grab a falafel at Rakka or a slice of pizza from Stromboli’s on the corner when we got hungry or swing for dinner at Dojo’s beforehand. We always shut the place down at 1am and if we felt like staying out, the Blue and Gold, St. Marks Bar & Grill or The Gold Bar were happy to have us. It made sense that I met my husband in The Holiday since this is where I spent all my time.

It also made sense to revisit The Holiday for our 20th anniversary. Stefan, the owner, is about 90 years old and we doubt his sons are going to keep the place going once he’s gone. The bar opened in 1965 and was a hangout for beatniks and commies. By the time I discovered it in the 80’s, it was a bustling dive bar. Many of the old timer regulars (drunks) have since come to an early demise.

Beer was $1.50 and mixed drinks: $2.00. 2008 prices are $4.00 per drink. Apart from the prices and Stefan, the jukebox is just about the only thing that has changed. The black booths are held together with duct tape, but more than one of us remembered them being red, so maybe they have been replaced in the last 20 years. Bathrooms: same. Christmas lights: same. Shadows on the wall from people leaning: same.

If you want to experience a real NYC dive bar, better get to The Holiday soon. I’m not clued in to any changes, nor am I psychic, but I’m glad I got to see The Holiday one last time before it goes the way of CBGB’s. Just a hunch even though Stefan owns the building.

Our first timer friend knocked down a clock that had probably been there since opening day.

Tourists from the past. Geez, we’re older than the bar itself.

Related: NY Press