Mason Dixon Gone; 133 Essex Shrouded in JR Plywood
The life of Lower East Side honkytonk Mason Dixon abruptly ended last month, predominantly thanks to the recent crackdown by the Seventh Precinct. It was reported at the time that nightlife impresario Matt Levine, who once had a toehold on Eldridge Street, would be opening a new venture here at 133 Essex. Community Board 3 took some issue with the liquor license transfer last month, and denied unless stipulations were met.
This image has been archived or removed.
Gut renovations at 133 Essex Street have been the top priority since the closure. The bull-rider neon signage was pried from the facade over the weekend, officially signaling the end. By yesterday, a brand-spankin’ new plywood shed was erected and skinned with a familiar style of artwork. From the look of it, seems French artist JR was pretty busy here as part of the Inside Out Project. Another eyes-on-the-street wheat-paste for the neighborhood.
This image has been archived or removed.
According to Eater, Levine’s restaurant will reportedly be more food-oriented, reducing bar size at the expense of a larger kitchen. It’s a melting pot menu “influenced by the many cultures that make up the Lower East Side…German, Jewish, Irish, Italian.”