Post #504580 by donhonyc on Fri, Jan 15, 2010 10:34 AM

I'm wary of any bar or restaurant that opens these days on the Lower East Side where Painkiller is set to open. At one time this was a pretty crusty/not so popular, underground area. But over the last 10 years it has unequivocally become Douche-Central/NYC. Veteran Lower East Side/East Village artist Penny Arcade was quoted recently saying "The 10 most popular kids from every high school in America now live in New York City. This used to be the place where you would get away from them, now they're all here". I'll amend that by saying they congregate (mostly on the weekends) on the Lower East Side. But I digress; I sincerely hope that both Painkiller and the Hurricane Club are worth checking out and visiting frequently. NYC desperately needs some good authentic Tiki that will appeal to both hardcore and casual fans. Otto's is definitely a good effort, but they're lacking in the drink department. Everything else about that place is really cool. Waikiki Wally's was another one that gets "A" for effort, but there's a reason, good reason why that place is gone. If you ask me, Trader Vic's should install, at least, the same type of Mai Tai bar that they have at the Beverly Hilton at one of the upscale hotels here in NYC. It would probably do well.

By the way, Moss is the owner of Frankies in Vegas and the Double Down Saloon here in NYC.

[ Edited by: donhonyc 2010-01-15 10:39 ]