Tao Group’s 199 Bowery is Vandalized
This image has been archived or removed.
Here’s something for the Tao Group to chew on.
Despite ongoing interior renovations, vandals last week struck the garage doors of 199 Bowery with some rather large bubble-letter tags. The white spray paint is still there as of this morning. PEAR and HOUND holding court. The latter also bombed the rolldown gate a few doors south.
With the bi-level 199 Bowery, Tao Group again tapped the services of celebrity chef Chris Santos.
The team hopes to mirror some of the magic from Beauty & Essex, and will include an up-front faux “gallery” entrance. As previously reported, programming here will revolve periodically to include anything from a flower shop to a music store (what they call “a little surprise”). Overall theme will include a “street art vibe” from muralists, “not graffiti from the 70s,” as it was explained. Guess PEAR and HOUND really put it to ’em then.
Community Board 3 approved full liquor licenses for both levels earlier this month. There had been some wrangling with CB3 members over final operating hours, and whether early closing meant noisier dismissal onto the streets (rather than alleged staggered exiting if later closing). The Tao crew ultimately settled for 1am closing times during the week and 2am on weekends; 3am closing time all days for the basement lounge.