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You can call us many things, but a Ping Pong hater is not one of them. But when we heard about the membership plan for Spin New York, the new members only ping pong club opening on Park Avenue South, we had to shake our heads. Spin is offering annual memberships for $60 a month or $600 a year for individuals, and $90 a month or $900 a year for families. For that hefty fee, members get access to: a 13,000 square foot ping pong social club on Park Avenue in Manhattan’s Flatiron District. The club offers unparalleled table tennis courts, including Olympic quality cushioned flooring, 16 individual tables, and a stadium-like center court. In addition, SPIN New York houses a pro shop, lounge, bar, private room sponsored by Fred Perry and over a dozen internationally known professional coaches and players who are available for private and group instruction. Wow. Double wow. When cash strapped New Yorker's are budgeting their cash, somehow the $60 a month for ping pong access seems likely to be the first to go.

A Little Birdy was perusing Yelp and came across this announcement, proclaiming that "the fabulous Rose Bar at Gramercy Park Hotel NYC is now open for Happy Hour from 5-8pm." We are fairly confident that this refers to the hours of operation rather than any Buy 1 Get 1 free offer, but we hope to hear tails of unsuspecting Yelpers planning a field trip and complaining about the $18 Manhattans. Rose Bar Coverage [DBTH]

Due to a recent court ruling, the SLA has made minor changes to the 500' rule, which mandated that any license application for a location within 500' of 3 existing establishments within the 500' zone be subject to a public hearing. The revised 500' law now differentiates between the types of exisiting establishments within the zone, hopefully making it easier to get a liquor licenses approved. Full release after the jump.

We turn our eyes to Williamsburg, where the much anticipated Brooklyn Bowl isn't quite ready for the public. The original plan had the space opening in February, 2009, but obviously that date has passed and we still aren't rolling. Time for an update. A Little Birdy tells DBTH that the new opening date is targeted for May 1st, with the soft opening coming in mid-April. In addition, BB has teamed up with their neighbors from the Brooklyn Brewery to create a special brew for the alley, and that the first event will be a combination launch for the beer and Brooklyn Bowl. Our LB also says that the Blue Ribbon crew is testing out a French Bread pizza menu for bowlers and diners. Hot diggity. Until then, the bowling faithful will have to make due with the Gutter and Port Authority Lanes. Brooklyn Bowl [DBTH]

The second most referenced personality in the Sunday New York Times (behind the President) was none other than Steve Lewis, whose design work received not one but two shout outs. First up in Boîte was Aspen Social Club, in which a patron described the feel as “Very retro-modern." Indeed. Next was an update on the recently renovated Webster Hall, where Uncle Steve "added banquettes, tables, and a small likeness of Michelangelo’s David, covered in green stripes." But of course! We congratulate our friend on the recognition, and only hope that we get an ode to DBTH on our birthday too!

A Lonely Night Outside BungalowA peculiar email popped into our Birdy Box this morning. A Little Birdy who is most definitely in the know just wanted to make sure we knew that a top nightclub operator had not been approached by Amy Sacco to buy Bungalow 8. We don't think much about Bungalow these days, but this denial of an unasked question got us wondering if Ms. Sacco is trying to unload the space after all these years, and if so, just who would want to buy it? We put on our Hardy Boys costumes and decided to do some additional sleuthing, reaching out to some additional Little Birdys to see if they had any songs to sing. One LB tells us "they hear something new with her every day. One day she is selling it. The next she is going to redo it." A second tells us "She's been trying to sell forever. But no one has wanted it." Ouch. That's a long way to fall for the former Queen of Cool. Meanwhile, the club still soldiers on for the few who still spend their time there, acting as a fallback choice to newer clubs that mimic the faux exclusivity that Amy helped popularize. As for a potential sale, a guru in these matters questions the chances, saying that the club "isn't worth much anyway!" Double ouch. But as far as she may have fallen, this is a town built by people given 2nd and 3rd and 4th chances. Amy Sacco may be down, but we certainly won't count her out. [Photo Credit]

Last year, DBTH broke the news that Eugene Remm and Mark Birnbaum would be bringing their EMM Group fun to Hoboken by opening a lounge at the soon to open W Hotel. Eugene sent out a blast this morning, saying EMM Group is pleased to announce our expansion into the hotel-lounge business with the opening of The Chandelier Room and The Living Room Bar at the W Hoboken on March 27th, 2009. The 4,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor venue will reinvent the concept of the traditional hotel lounge. Providing guests and residents alike with an expansive river view, the New York skyline serves as the ultimate backdrop as after work cocktails transition to an ideal night out. The Chandelier Room will set a new standard for great energy, great music and great service in the incredibly diverse city of Hoboken,NJ. Not said is how they will "reinvent the concept of the traditional hotel lounge", but we won't sweat those details. Hoboken has never been known for its glitzy nightlife, but maybe this will be the spark that lights the flame. Or a fancy hotel bar. Like the man said, the space opens on March 27th, and the room, pictured above, is resplendent with chandeliers. Natch.

The Ninth Precint has disbanded its cabaret enforcement unit, folding the one seargeant and 3 officers back into the regular patrol. According to a Ninth Precint representative, the decision was made after the unit gained 14 new officers and an additional sergeant, giving them "flexibility to assign more than the old cabaret unit . . . to cabaret enforcement." Of course, CB 3 is up in arms over the decision, with Board chairwoman Susan Stetzer saying there has been “way over 1,000 bar complaints to 311 for the fiscal year, which isn’t even over yet.” We expect there to be little change in the PD's operations in the area. [The Villager via Eater]

Breathe easy everyone. Tahini's run in with the DOH was "Do to electricity problem". As you can see, they will reopen Monday.

Despite the daily barrage of bad news, there are some people that are either unaffected or choose to ignore the reality of the times. And according to a recent Twitter blast by master Steven Kamali, they may all be congregating at Cipriani's Downtown. Good for them! Too bad Giuseppe isn't around to enjoy the one part of his empire that is still kicking.

Looking for the biggest party of the weekend? Perhaps you should turn your attention to Hampton, Virginia, the site of the much anticipated Phish reunion shows. It's been four years since the last one, and the nation's hippie dealers and nitrous outlets will be pouring into the sleepy industrial town, turning the arena's parking lots into the biggest narcotics market since they created Hamsterdam on The Wire. There is a fevered desperation by some Phish freaks to attend the shows, such as this Craigslist poster, who states: Such is my desire to see Phish blow the roof off of Hampton this weekend that I am willing to part with my treasured Jerry Garcia ashes, or rather a random soil sample from my backyard that I will lead you to believe are the venerable JG's ashes, in an intricate ploy to gain entrance. I will also throw in a reasonable amount of cash to make it happen. Don't fall for it ticketholders - they are trying to pull a fast one over on you. Anyway, if you have been troubling scoring, head down I-95 till you smell hippie.

While Noah Tepperberg and Jason Strauss's intentions for the Earth space have been well documented, it seems that the deal has not officially closed. Until now. A Little Birdy reports, "Just writing to let you know that the deal for Jason & Noah to acquire the Earth Space on 10th ave became signed, sealed, and delivered today. Break it first DBTH!!" We did, thanks to you LB. Let's all give ourselves a big old hug!

After taking down 5 shots at Continental, what better way to sober up than with the somewhat healthy and always tasty Tahini? Looks like it's time to move on to Mamoun's, because Tahini has been closed by the Department of Health. Additional photo after the jump.

Hopping along with the rest of the Best of trends, L Magazine has released its Third Annual Bar Awards, including categories such as the "Best Place to Hip-Check a Plate of Steak Frites" and "Most Likely Bar At Which to Find a Sideburn Hair in Your Impeccably Made Cocktail". How kooky! Do check it out.

Despite pending rumors that the bar at 643 Broadway (also known as Woodson and Ford) would soon be opening to the public, DBTH has learned that the below ground space is will not be open to the public in the coming weeks. The propietors are hopeful that they will be able to go 100% public soon, but until then, the space is still only open to private parties. Room rental will run you $400 for the night, and a bar guarantee of $1000, or you can pick one of the other thousands of bars in the City and pay nothing. Irwin M Fletcher you choose.

For those that doubted our announcement that Water Taxi Beach will be invading the South Street Seaport, our friends at Eater get the word that the liquor license application will go before CB 1 and their Seaport Committee at their next meeting. Tourists, commuters, and WTB. What a combo!

Following the Back 40 and Allen Delancey's lead, many new restaurants have announced sales on their cocktail programs. Spots like Little Giant (buy 1 get 1 free), Elletaria (half price from 5-7) have joined the fun, and we can't say we are upset by it. But, in these tough times, folks are always looking for ways to stretch a dollar. So before letting your minds become convinced that $6 for a Manhattan Flip is a steal, may we remind of you of the best booze deal in town. The Continental on 3rd Avenue is still slinging any 5 Shots for $10, which after figuring for tips, means you are walking out of there more drunk with more cash left in your wallet. Drink smart Birdys. [Photo Credit]

NY Barfly is reporting that the Knob Creek Distillery did not anticipate the growing demand for its bourbon, so they are facing a supply shortage through 2009. A rep for the company tells NYB, "We could lower the proof from an honest 100 to something lower, change the age statement from 9 years to 8 years and 3 months or shrink the flask-shaped bottle. If we did that though, it wouldn’t be Knob Creek. It would just be another bourbon." We agree, so either stock up now or switch bourbons. [NY Barfly]

Snow is on the ground, but summer is just around the corner. With that comes our first rumor of the season, and it's a doozy. According to a Little Birdy, Anthony Martignetti and the Southside crew are all headed to the Hamptons, and are planning to "open this summer at Bamboo location in East Hampton." The space had been operating as a sushi spot for the past few seasons will get a heavy dose of New England and Australia from May through September.

Hey all. DBTH is looking for a few good editorial and tech interns to help out with various tasks around the non-existent office. If you love shoe shines, bubble baths, whiskey, and doing stuff, you may just be right for the job. If interested, please write a few sentences about why you may be right for the post, a link to your blog if you have one, and a resume in an email and send to Tips@DownByTheHipster.com. No attachments will be accepted. Humbly, DBTH

When most clubs think expansion, they usually look to Las Vegas, Miami, London or Dubai. Naturally. That's why we were surprised when a Little Birdy in Austin, TX (a Mockingbird, perhaps?) reported seeing a sign that Kiss and Fly was poised to open in the heart of the Texas capital, saying "Just saw this . . . Either someone is ripping off the brand, which is super gay, or they are actually opening here which is super retarded." While we don't like your tone LB, we do have to commend your ability to read the tea leaves. By looking at the logo, it's either straight brand theft or a licensing deal. But unlike K&F NYC, Kiss and Fly Austin is billed as "Austin's Only Gay Nightclub". We thinks we smells a lawsuit. If you are in Austin and looking for some gay fun, the party starts March 25. It may not last long.

A couple of handy guides to share with you today. NY Magazine has realesed their annual Best Of edition, including the always handy Best of Nightlife. If you are under 21, GoaG put together an informative if unscientific guide to the Best Places for Underage Drinking. If you are a member of the NYPD and are looking to write some tickets, you may want to keep this guide in your pocket. If you are under 21 and get a ticket at one of these places, you may want to remember who told the Six Up where to find you. You're welcome.

Are you all tore up that Socialista is gone and you have no reason to head to Jane and the West Side Highway? Good news! The Jane Hotel is putting the finishing touches on its hotel lounge, descibed by a commenter as "Rose bar meets Freeman's restaurant." Translation? A warm space with comfy couches, gorgeous artwork, and of course, taxidermy, because the stuffed animals craze will never cease! A rep for the Jane tells DBTH that the opening is targeted for April, but like anything, that is a moving taget.

More fun from the Eldridge, where unlike other lounges in New York, the customer is the #1 top priority. According to a Little Birdy, a would be birthday girl worked with club management to celebrate a special birthday with friends in the tiny space. When they showed up to get the night started, the entire party was turned away. Our LB says, "she had planned it way in advance and they made her promise to buy several bottles of overpriced alcohol." Left out in the cold with the birthday potentially ruined, the group started working furiously to find an alternative. LB says, "finally, bungalow took them (they got a table and bottles)." You know they always have room. Another stunning example of the Eldrige being in a class of its own.

A bar-café that links a former bodega and two other Boerum Hill storefronts. More...