Cafe Charbon Closes to Make Way for Off the Wagon Crew

Bowery Boogie reports that Cafe Charbon, the decade old Lower East Side French restaurant, closed for good on Monday. Back in January, Community Board 3 approved the owners to transfer the license to the team behind fratastic watering holes Off The Wagon, Down The Hatch, and the newly opened The 13th Step (among others). They will keep the 4 AM closing time and have mentioned a private party room and the occasional DJ.

Says the Boogie, "...this is a huge loss for upper Orchard Street." But there's also this commenter's take, "...over-priced tourist rip-off joint to over-priced student rip-off bar. No loss, no gain. Give it a few more turnovers, and the area will be back to its junky days."
· Cafe Charbon at 170 Orchard Closes for Good [BB]
· All Coverage of Cafe Charbon [~ENY~]