9.12.2013

DOLFANS NYC FANS & BIG APPLE MIAMI DOLPHINS FANS TAKE NOTE:

While most of you are well aware of where to go for OFFICIAL Miami Dolphins Watch Parties now that Third and Long is no longer in business, we are still getting inquiries from Dolphins fans visiting NYC and the few of you who are still out-of-the-loop.


To be clear, the new home of DOLFANS NYC (almost 1400 members strong and growing), the OFFICIAL NYC Miami Dolphins Club is:







(8 East 36th Street, between 5th & 6th Ave, Manhattan)


*Accept no substitutes*.


Good luck this season!


6.28.2013

2992: THE FINAL POST.

June 26th, 2013.  The final night at Third and Long turned out to be a memorable, bittersweet night.  A night where we found ourselves being overwhelmed by an outpouring of love and support from friends of the bar from the past 20-plus years.  It was sad and beautiful all at once.  To listen to Matt and Jim Long share memorable stories and watching the various reactions of everyone in the bar was something that I will always carry with me for the rest of my life.

And getting to speak to various individuals from both the present and the past and listening to their favorite Third and Long moments was something that I truly enjoyed as well.  The fact that people were willing to sit in a hot, sweaty bar to pay respects to our bar says a lot.  This, of course, made me feel even sadder that all of this was soon going to end.

(photo credit: Michele Tabet)

(photo credit: Allison Churchill)

I had more than one person ask me throughout the course of the evening this one question:  "What was the most memorable event that you can recall in all of the years you were here?"  And to be honest, there were so many moments that stood out over the years that I could probably write a book on them.  Hell, I've probably forgotten more memorable moments that most people could have experienced at the bar in their lifetime.

However, if you had to put a gun to my head and made me choose a specific moment that stood out for me, I'd have to go back to the Gold Medal game between Team USA and Canada during the Vancouver Winter Olympics.  That was such a magical event where you had a bar filled with fanatical fans of both countries, dressed in their country's colors and cheering passionately for their respective teams.  To make it even better, both teams played such an epic game that you couldn't help but to get caught up in the frenzy.  Long story short, it was the best game I'd ever seen with a group of patrons at the bar.  Hands down (click the link for the full story).

(photo credit: Mike Carver)

The one frustration that I had with the night was the fact that my iPhone battery died early into the night, so I didn't get to take as many photos as I would have liked.  However, I did get to see some of the Vine/Instagram posts from the night and it made me feel good yet sad at the same time.  That being said, if any of you were present at the goodbye festivities, PLEASE post any photos you may have on our Facebook page.  It would mean a lot to me.

(photo credit: Marie LaPilla) 

 (photo credit: Sujohn Sakar)

  (photo credit: Sujohn Sakar)
  

(photo credit: Courtney Smelter)

(photo credit: Shivank Kumar)

(photo credit: Sujohn Shakar)


And by the time we finally called "LAST CALL" at the end of the night, it really became real.  We had a good number of patrons who were reluctant to leave- some were even adamant about not wanting to leave.  But the sad reality was that this was it- it was time to raise the lights on a 22-year run.

As I wind down my 2,992nd post, it suddenly dawns on me that this is the last post that I will ever write for this blog.  I mean, if there's no more bar.... it's only right that I retire the blog as well.  After 8 1/2 years of posts, it's the right time.

But before I sign off for the last time, I want to say from the bottom of my heart, it's been an honor to be a part of the Third and Long Family for the past 21 years.  I want to send a special thank you to MATT and JIM LONG for giving me an opportunity back in 1992 after a chance meeting in the Hamptons.  If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have all of the experiences and memories I leave with today.

I also want to pay a special homage to all of the great staff that I had the pleasure of working with over the years.  From the managers I had, to the co-managers I worked along side by side with, to the employees that worked for me- It was because of you that I enjoyed going to work each and every night.  Our "family" was and will forever be a tight knit one;  A family that even after moving on, can still connect and pick up where we left off without skipping a beat.  That's rare to find in any occupation.

And finally, I want to acknowledge you, the patrons.  As much as we enjoyed working at Third and Long, the bar wouldn't have had the 22 year run it had without you.  A good friend from across the pond said it best:  "Good people make a pub".  In my eyes, we couldn't be what we were without you.  You accepted us for what we were: A neighborhood pub who knew how to treat its customers right.  In many cases, I've gained wonderful friendships from individuals who started out as patrons.  And for that, we will always thank you.

So with that, I'll leave you with this quote from "The Office" that pretty much sums up Third and Long:

"No matter how you get there or where you end up, human beings have this miraculous gift to make that place home."

And that definitely held true here.




Thanks for the memories....

(if you want to keep up with me and my "new adventures", post 3 & L, follow me at my new blog!)

6.26.2013

IT'S TIME TO SAY GOODBYE....



THIS IS IT: After 22 years, tonight we say "Last Call For Alcohol" one last time. Stop by to say "goodbye"! While the doors will close for good after tonight, the memories will last a lifetime.  Join us to lift a final pint and create one last memory (or two).  

And if you can't be here in person, join us in spirit:  Virtual Closing Party, 9pm EST, where ever you may be raise a glass and say good bye to great NYC Pub....

It's been emotional.

6.25.2013

#BLACKHAWKS: STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!

CONGRATULATIONS to the Chicago Blackhawks on winning the Stanley Cup in dramatic fashion, much to the delight of Blackhawks' fans at Third and Long. The turnout out for what turned into the final game of the NHL season was great, with both teams having a plethora of fans in the house.  The banter between the fans were great, the game itself was great and most importantly, the game itself ended in dramatic fashion!  As a result, the Blackhawks win the series, 4-2 and in the process, raise the Cup for the 2nd time in four years.  Good job!






Sadly, this was the final NHL game at the bar and it's a shame.   We will miss the legion of hockey fans that we've attracted over the years.  They are certainly a unique bunch!  It's been amazing to see hockey's rabid fanbase grow here the past few years and a pleasure to provide them with a proper venue to watch such a great sport.  Thanks for your support, hockey fans!

TWO NIGHTS LEFT!  JOIN US!

6.21.2013

#HEAT: BACK-TO-BACK NBA CHAMPIONS

An enthusiastic pro-Miami Heat crowd gathered at the bar last night to cheer on their beloved team to victory and the Heat did not disappoint their fans.



Game 7 was everything we expected it to be: a tight back-and-forth game with numerous lead changes and a dramatic finish.  The San Antonio Spurs took it to the Heat throughout the series but at the end of the night, it was Miami hoisting up their second straight trophy, much to the delight of Heat fans in Miami and here in New York City.



So as the Heat celebrated their victory, we saw a jubilant celebration at the bar by Heat fans and more specifically, members of the DolfansNYC Club, who, due to our closing, will be locating to a new location for next season.  So it was appropriate to see them celebrate a Heat NBA Championship in their last appearance at Third and Long.  We want to thank the DolfansNYC Club for their loyalty and choosing to make Third and Long their home the past few years.  We opened our doors to them when they had no place to go, and watched them grow from a few in number to a large, vibrant organization that's well known throughout the country.  We wish them nothing but continued success at their new location (Slattery's Midtown Pub).  Good luck guys!

Now that the NBA season is officially over, we look forward to Game 5 of the Stanley Cup, on what is our last official weekend in business.  Of course, we'll air the game (Saturday, 8pm w/audio), so get here early!  It's also Fête nationale du Québec Weekend for our friends from  the North,  so we wish them the very best.  It should make for a busy and memorable weekend.  If you're around during the weekend, feel free to stop in for a celebratory pint (or two).


Cheers!