Yet another collegetown bar bites the dust

[jtwcornell91]

To be honest, something in me likes some of the Stalinist architecture from the 40s and 50s...


I'm probably attracted by the exuberance of ornamentation, something that became anathema in the west because the Nazis loved it and we had to be darn sure to prove we weren't Nazis. Or Socialists.

I actually sort of went to that place when I was in Warsaw a few years back.  For a museum, it's amazingly uninviting.  The biggest problem with the whole thing, of course, is that it's not built on a human scale.  You have to go all the way around those protruding wings to get to the front entrance.  IIRC, there was also a long flight of stairs to the lobby.  I managed to negotiate all that, but couldn't muster the enthusiasm to figure out what sort of ticket to buy and what to look at once I was there, which was pretty much what my guidebook warned would happen.

[Scersk '97]

I actually sort of went to that place when I was in Warsaw a few years back.  For a museum, it's amazingly uninviting.  The biggest problem with the whole thing, of course, is that it's not built on a human scale.  You have to go all the way around those protruding wings to get to the front entrance.  IIRC, there was also a long flight of stairs to the lobby.  I managed to negotiate all that, but couldn't muster the enthusiasm to figure out what sort of ticket to buy and what to look at once I was there, which was pretty much what my guidebook warned would happen.

Bah, decadent Westerners and their dedication to the humanist urge. Clearly you need to re-forge the iron in your soul to the appropriate Soviet scale!

(Yeah, I do note now just how much tarmac we're talking about here. They did seemingly love their car-oriented grand entrances.)

[Trotsky]

I actually sort of went to that place when I was in Warsaw a few years back.  For a museum, it's amazingly uninviting.  The biggest problem with the whole thing, of course, is that it's not built on a human scale.  You have to go all the way around those protruding wings to get to the front entrance.  IIRC, there was also a long flight of stairs to the lobby.  I managed to negotiate all that, but couldn't muster the enthusiasm to figure out what sort of ticket to buy and what to look at once I was there, which was pretty much what my guidebook warned would happen.

Bah, decadent Westerners and their dedication to the humanist urge. Clearly you need to re-forge the iron in your soul to the appropriate Soviet scale!

(Yeah, I do note now just how much tarmac we're talking about here. They did seemingly love their car-oriented grand entrances.)

It's the Orthodox translation of Orientalist gargantuism.  Or something.

They're bad because they intimidated their courtiers.  We're good because we stocked Versailles with booze and whores.  Ignore the Gothic as it doesn't fit the narrative.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

I actually sort of went to that place when I was in Warsaw a few years back.  For a museum, it's amazingly uninviting.  The biggest problem with the whole thing, of course, is that it's not built on a human scale.  You have to go all the way around those protruding wings to get to the front entrance.  IIRC, there was also a long flight of stairs to the lobby.  I managed to negotiate all that, but couldn't muster the enthusiasm to figure out what sort of ticket to buy and what to look at once I was there, which was pretty much what my guidebook warned would happen.

Bah, decadent Westerners and their dedication to the humanist urge. Clearly you need to re-forge the iron in your soul to the appropriate Soviet scale!

(Yeah, I do note now just how much tarmac we're talking about here. They did seemingly love their car-oriented grand entrances.)

It's the Orthodox translation of Orientalist gargantuism.  Or something.

They're bad because they intimidated their courtiers.  We're good because we stocked Versailles with booze and whores.  Ignore the Gothic as it doesn't fit the narrative.

Actually, the pic is Moscow State University.  You reminded me I've been in the one in Warsaw, too, but only for the view.  Skipped the one in Riga, tho.

[upprdeck]

Cornell is pretty good at killing traditions.

[jtwcornell91]

I actually sort of went to that place when I was in Warsaw a few years back.  For a museum, it's amazingly uninviting.  The biggest problem with the whole thing, of course, is that it's not built on a human scale.  You have to go all the way around those protruding wings to get to the front entrance.  IIRC, there was also a long flight of stairs to the lobby.  I managed to negotiate all that, but couldn't muster the enthusiasm to figure out what sort of ticket to buy and what to look at once I was there, which was pretty much what my guidebook warned would happen.

Bah, decadent Westerners and their dedication to the humanist urge. Clearly you need to re-forge the iron in your soul to the appropriate Soviet scale!

(Yeah, I do note now just how much tarmac we're talking about here. They did seemingly love their car-oriented grand entrances.)

It's the Orthodox translation of Orientalist gargantuism.  Or something.

They're bad because they intimidated their courtiers.  We're good because we stocked Versailles with booze and whores.  Ignore the Gothic as it doesn't fit the narrative.

Actually, the pic is Moscow State University.  You reminded me I've been in the one in Warsaw, too, but only for the view.  Skipped the one in Riga, tho.

Did they build them all to the same plan or something?

[Beeeej]

Actually, the pic is Moscow State University.  You reminded me I've been in the one in Warsaw, too, but only for the view.  Skipped the one in Riga, tho.

Well, they had changed chefs...

[jtwcornell91]

Not a bar and not Collegetown, but sort of in the same vein: Denny's has closed, leaving Ithaca with no 24-hour sit-down dining options:

https://www.14850.com/013012460-dennys-closed/

I have to say I did not realize until the discussion on mha's facebook feed that Manos had closed, or that the State Street Diner is no longer open 24 hours.

[Scersk '97]

I have to say I did not realize until the discussion on mha's facebook feed that Manos had closed, or that the State Street Diner is no longer open 24 hours.

Well, the State should go back to 24 then!

[Trotsky]

I have to say I did not realize until the discussion on mha's facebook feed that Manos had closed, or that the State Street Diner is no longer open 24 hours.

Well, the State should go back to 24 then!

I didn't realize it ever stopped.  John's post really threw me and for a second I thought State was dead!

BTW, I swear every time I go there State has gotten even farther west.  I expect it to wind up in Mecklenburg.

[Scersk '97]

BTW, I swear every time I go there State has gotten even farther west.  I expect it to wind up in Mecklenburg.

I frequented the State more as a townie than as a student or expatriate. But it was always nice to know it (and Manos) were there late at night if necessary.

Remembering the atmosphere of Manos, part of me thinks that the anti-smoking regulations had something to do with all this. Sure, great societal benefit that I generally support, but you lose some things in the process.

[RichH]

Remembering the atmosphere of Manos, part of me thinks that the anti-smoking regulations had something to do with all this. Sure, great societal benefit that I generally support, but you lose some things in the process.

No. Manos closed in 2014, 13 years after the smoking ban. Bill Manos was 76, tired after 52 years, and got a sweet payday when freaking Marriott decided it wanted his location. It's as simple as that.

This article is remarkably in-depth: https://ithacavoice.com/2014/12/ithacas-iconic-manos-diner-suddenly-closing-52-years/

[ugarte]

Remembering the atmosphere of Manos, part of me thinks that the anti-smoking regulations had something to do with all this. Sure, great societal benefit that I generally support, but you lose some things in the process.

No. Manos closed in 2014, 13 years after the smoking ban. Bill Manos was 76, tired after 52 years, and got a sweet payday when freaking Marriott decided it wanted his location. It's as simple as that.

This article is remarkably in-depth: https://ithacavoice.com/2014/12/ithacas-iconic-manos-diner-suddenly-closing-52-years/

truly, the hands of fate

[Trotsky]

Remembering the atmosphere of Manos, part of me thinks that the anti-smoking regulations had something to do with all this. Sure, great societal benefit that I generally support, but you lose some things in the process.

No. Manos closed in 2014, 13 years after the smoking ban. Bill Manos was 76, tired after 52 years, and got a sweet payday when freaking Marriott decided it wanted his location. It's as simple as that.

This article is remarkably in-depth: https://ithacavoice.com/2014/12/ithacas-iconic-manos-diner-suddenly-closing-52-years/

truly, the hands of fate

But who will watch the place when the Master is away?

[Scersk '97]

I meant the demise of the 24-hour diner, not Manos specifically. Cigarettes keep you awake, you know.