NYC’s first Bitcoin bar sale may be in the offing
A Hell’s Kitchen bar owner is looking to sell his two side-by-side establishments for Bitcoin, making it the first ever restaurant Bitcoin sale, if it goes through, the New York Post reports. Patrick Hughes, who owns Hellcat Annie’s Tap Room and Scruffy Duffy’s, at 637 and 639 Tenth Avenue respectively, near West 45th Street, is looking to sell his two bars for 25 bitcoins or 800 Ethereum tokens. That’s equivalent to about $875,000 in U.S. currency.
“I’m hoping to catch one of these crypto dudes who always wanted to own a bar,” Hughes tells the Post. He’s fielded some informal inquiries so far, and has posted a sign out front that indicates the bars are up for sale in Bitcoin.
Bitcoin real estate sales are still uncommon, but they’re not unheard of. One Chinese businessman used Bitcoin to purchase a home outside of San Francisco in 2018, and there is an interest for such sales in places like the Bay Area and London, England. It would be a novelty for New York City, though, and if it goes through, it’ll likely make it the first restaurant sold through cryptocurrency.
In other news
— Food writer Korsha Wilson looks at how high-end restaurants have failed Black female chefs, including Auzerais Bellamy, who now runs the bakery Blondery, and Nana Araba Wilmot, a former line cook at Le Coucou.
— Chef Jeremy Salamon’s soon-to-open cafe Agi’s will be popping-up at Vinegar Hill House on Thursdays and Fridays every week. Pre-orders are now open, and menu items include chicken paprikash, golden beet borscht, and a walnut spelt cake.
— Bronx pizzerias are participating in a pizza challenge to raise awareness about local businesses and to help each other stay afloat during the pandemic. The effort was organized by the relief group ROAR.
— The East 14th Street and Third Avenue outpost of Five Napkin Burger is being replaced by Tamam Falafel, the Israeli vegan restaurant, which opened its first location on the Upper East Side last year.
— The New York Times sat down with Chris Panayiotou, the owner of Lower Manhattan’s beloved Gee Whiz diner, who has worked to keep the diner open after the death of his father and the founder of the restaurant, Peter Panayiotou, who died from complications related to COVID-19, last year.
— Following rumors that circulated over the weekend over its potential closure, New York’s iconic Economy Candy reassured customers that it is in fact open and has altered its hours for the pandemic.
— Newly relocated Mediterranean restaurant Sami & Susu is hosting a pop-up for chef Ashley Rath, formerly at Lalou, and the Grill, among others. Rath’s food will be available starting January 13 as part of the Sami and Susu’s takeaway packages or for outdoor dining at the restaurant.
— Monday inspiration:
