The York’s Last Hurrah

Elliott Caine

Last night was the final night of operation for The York, a cool bar located in the heart of Highland Park, almost directly across the street from the old Peak Show Compound. I was sad, and surprised, to hear the news. It was always hopping when I was there, which was mainly on nights when Pushbuttons were playing. Fun nights, indeed! The venue had become a sort of home for that band, which was perfect, particularly as Derock Goodwin (of The Peak Show) was a member of the band. So the place quickly felt like home to me too, and to anyone else who used to catch shows across the street. The place also attracted good folks, friendly folks, people who would strike up a conversation with you and then remember you the next time they ran into you. This was a place we wanted to succeed. And it seemed to be doing so. So what happened?

Apparently, the actual owner lives in another country and doesn’t want to deal with the property anymore. Something like that. That’s nothing new. Club owners who don’t live in the city of their venues have been problematic throughout the years, especially when they want to have some sort of say in what the venue is doing. But what this means is that the venue will change hands soon, and will remain a bar. What’s more important is that live music will continue to be a feature of the place. At least, that’s what I’m hearing. I got there a bit before 8 p.m. last night, and the place was crowded. I went to get a beer, and overheard the bartender tell the guy before me that they were out of Guinness, which is what I had planned to order. The customer went through a few other options, but the stock of those had also been depleted. It was the last night, after all. He then asked for an IPA. “I have a hazy IPA,” the bartender told him, which suited the guy just fine. “I’ll take one of those too please,” I piped in. The jazz band, led by trumpet player Elliott Caine, was setting up. They had a regular gig there, but this was the first time I’d seen them. I enjoyed my beer, and enjoyed the music even more. A guy who lived in the neighborhood and had been a regular at the place had started talking to my girlfriend and me (like I said, people strike up conversations at this place). He left a bit before we did, and I saw him say a quiet goodbye to the place just outside the door before he walked away. See, venues like this mean something to people. I hope the new owners will recognize that.