Thanks to one of New York's brilliant minds, Yankees fans will have a place to party when the first pitch of the baseball season is made to Kenny Lofton, at 5:05 a.m. ET in Tokyo, on Tues., March 30. Upper East Side party spot Who's on First will open its doors early to welcome the city's most loyal Bombers fans when the Yanks kick off their 2004 Tears Across the Majors world tour.
Pesky liquor laws prevent them from serving liquor till 8 a.m., so we'll have to do with free bagels and coffee at the start. But drinks will flow at 8 a.m., with game-related specials, including free shots if Alex Rodriguez goes deep in his first game in pinstripes.
Today, we chat with Mark Evangelista, co-owner of the bar, and a man whose favorite team fields the "Little Matsui" (how cute).
1. Mark, thanks for opening up the bar so early for us. Any idea who came up with this great idea?
I believe it was Marie Antoinette.
2. So you're gonna open up early and the Yanks are gonna torch the Devil Rays. What can we expect in between at your place?
Carmit and Timmie will be our bartending team. They're much better looking in the morning than Al Roker.
3. How do you plan to cater to Yankees fans in what should be a glorious season?
All season long, if you wear a jersey of your favorite Yankee and he hits a home run, you'll get a free shot. Bring in your ticket stub (within a week after the game) and get a free drink. And any home game that Giambi or Sheffield homers you'll get a free syringe shot! Bring in 10 Yankee fans, you'll get one hour of free drafts (call us in advance at 212.410.2780).
4. Will there be any specials for women who wear Yankees underwear? Or better yet, no underwear?
No, only Yankee tattoos below the belt. Then free drinks if you show me in the office.
5. Are you planning a similar baseball-themed event for when the Mets wrap up another sub-.500 season Oct. 3 against Montreal? (Good seats still available!)
Yeah, it's called Matsui Hari Kari.
6. Do you think the acquisitions of Karim Garcia and Todd Zeile are gonna to the Mets over the top -- as in more than the 66 wins they had in 2003?
It means we get probation for assault.
Paul's Recap: Thanks to Mark for hooking us up, even though each Yankees win is a stake in his heart. C'mon, Bombers fans, don't screw this one up. Let's have a regular hangout for road games and home games where the only seats available are with the heathens in the now-alcohol-free bleachers.
I am going to stumble in there for the game, and bring some pals too. It will be pretty cool to watch it that early. What network is carrying the game? I don't know if I could deal with Joe Morgan that early in the morning. Or even Joe Buck.
Posted by kevin at March 7, 2004 1:44 PM