11/27/2023 0 Comments Fat cats billiards nyc![]() ![]() What was it like to work on opening a bar during a pandemic? Fortunately, in New York City, kind of anywhere you are you kind of get that, but in Times Square, that’s amplified so much. And the good thing about it was in Times Square we were dealing with people from all over the world. And it just sucked me into this hospitality vortex and it was just incredible dealing with people and being at the top of my list of favorite pastimes of life, human interaction. So I got my start in Times Square at John’s Pizzeria. And the hospitality industry has got to be probably the number one welcoming industry when it comes to a fresh-faced kid coming out of high school. That portion of my life where I was doing a little bit of finding out how to financially be stable for yourself. ![]() I got into the hospitality industry, I would have to say, in the middle of high school. How did you get into the hospitality industry? When asked what he imagines the crowd there to be like, he said, “bridge and tunnel people, suit and ties from FiDi, but you’re also going to get the West Village, the people that are jamming out on the corners.” And as for what changed, while Fat Cat only had peanuts and chips, and allowed outdoor food to be brought in, Hernandez worked with BHG’s culinary director and executive team to create a “very simple, approachable menu” with fun bite-sized treats like nachos, grandma pizza, and of course, in keeping with its name, “a really cool hot dog option.” And it will still have the same game hall feel, with patrons shooting pool and playing ping pong, shuffleboard, foosball, checkers and chess at the same exact tables that stood in the old bar. The 30-year-old has been in this business for close to 15 years, and teamed up with Arthur Backal, CEO of Backal Hospitality Group, the co-owner behind this new venture, when he worked at another legendary spot, Madison Square Garden.Īs for the traditions they kept from the original space, revelers will still be watching live jazz, complete with the old setup of church pews in front of the stage, which will welcome celebrated musicians every night. ![]() The Queens native, who got his start in the industry in high school, is grateful that he’s able to be a part of the city’s history by not only reopening an iconic Manhattan venue, but also taking on this labor of love during a pandemic. The revitalized and one-of-a-kind establishment’s dedicated general manager Eric Hernandez spoke with us hours before their opening night on June 30. When it came time to reopen the former Fat Cat - the legendary live music and game hall that illuminated 75 Christopher Street and closed at the start of COVID - the experienced team behind the relaunch as Cellar Dog worked to maintain the eclectic atmosphere set by its predecessor, while adding some necessary updates. ![]()
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