Back when we eulogized The Annex, we knew little about its fratastic replacement, Doghouse Saloon, other than the beer pong and free hot dogs on offer. (Talk about a swiney combo!) Now comes word that alleged uptown socialite Tinsley Mortimer graced the Orchard Street sports bar while shooting Empire State, her upcoming CW reality show. More»

Orchard Street rock bar The Annex is dead and buried. Although the place had gone downhill, its closure still qualifies as a footnote to the ever-expanding obit of Lower East Side cool. But maybe it shouldn’t. In its heyday, The Annex threw some great parties: Ruff Club (a VERY sweaty electro bash), tiswas (an indie rock affair) and, briefly, LESS (for the techno heads). But it also had dapper doormen charging a cover to get beyond a velvet rope and into the self-consciously dumpy venue. Despite its musical cred (secured once and for all when Taylor Momsen’s band played there), More»