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Jemaine and Bret Mime Guitar at 169 Bar

Where: 169 East Broadway [map], New York, NY, United States, 10022
January 26, 2009 at 2:57 PM | by | Comments (2)

Last night's episode of Flight of the Conchords returned to its usual light and fluffy (dare we say sugary?) storyline centered around the poverty of Jemaine and Bret. When Bret's $2.79 spending spree (on a cup for tea time) puts the boys' bank account into overdraft, Brett is forced to sell his guitar. The guys attempt to earn money in various ways (giving Mel $30 massages, selling super straws, and eventually prostitution) but all to no avail. Jemaine is thus forced to sell his guitar too.

All this happens as the duo get gigs at the Lower East Side's 169 Bar at 169 East Broadway. The bar is real and real old, about 80 years. However, it was recently purchased by New Orleans resident and musician Charles Hanson in 2006 who has gone about turning the bar into a slice of Nola music heaven.

The bar is open from 4pm to 4am. Happy Hour is everday from 4:30 to 7pm. "$3 off well booze, $2 off of everything else." And of course, the bar features nightly live acts of "acoustic genres of the world, Latin, R&B, Soul & Jazz-Funk. " However, while Jemaine and Bret got away with mime-guitaring for a few nights, it only earned them zero stars in the New Zealand consulate's newsletter.

Related Stories:
· Flight of the Conchords Map [Jaunted]
· 169 Bar [Official Site]

Comments (2)

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yay

Thanks for this - I'm seriously always trying to see if I can figure out where they area. God I love this show.
JetSetCD on January 26, 2009 at 10:27 PM #Permalink

Obviously they didn't get the joke...

...and trying to capitalise on the notoriety of being in an HBO production. 169 BAR regularly preys upon the desperation of musicians like the duo portrayed in "Conchords".

If you are truly desperate to play in New York City, there are plenty of venues where you will be treated with the dignity you deserve.

Any self-respecting artist will do themselves a huge favor and turn down any offer from the folks booking the 169 Bar in NYC's lower east side.

They expect you to all the promoting for your 30 minute set who's start time is not guaranteed, then they will take $150 off the top of your take at the door.

So, you'll need to convince at least 15 of your fans to pay $10 then wait (they don't refund your $10 if you leave beforehand) for the bar to decide what time they'll let you play your a half hour set-just to break even. You'll need to get in 20 people or you may not even play at all and have to answer to a small handful of fans who've just been ripped off for $10 each.

Like I said, there's plenty of places in NYC to play where you can get your 15 or more people in, play an hour set or more, produce your own night if you like, charge whatever you want and keep most or all of the door.

Seven foot Bailey on March 3, 2009 at 9:53 PM #Permalink

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