More evidence of the death of gay Chelsea: Jeremiah's Vanishing New York reports that the Rawhide -- a staple of the 'hood for decades -- is closing.
He writes: Opened in 1979, the Rawhide is one of the last of a handful of old-school, unpretentious gay bars left in New York City. It is a survivor. But it won't be for long. The building that houses it on 8th and 21st in Chelsea was sold a couple of years ago and the new landlord has jacked up the rent, nearly doubling it from $15,000 to $27,000 a month. The Rawhide has officially been evicted. Their last day will be March 31.The Rawhide was never my "scene," yet this breaks my heart. Can hardly wait to see the new nail salon/bank branch/chain restaurant that takes its place.