There have been a few articles on the Spy Bar over the years, all tongue in cheek over its non-existence and the bar not anonymously located at 139 State Street behind the neon NASCAR sign. This is not one of those articles. I am afraid the news is official: Spy Bar is closed. A lot of you may think this is a ploy to keep the legend alive, but I have to tell you, I'm not that clever...or cruel.

Once referred to as the "cleanest bar in Rochester" with the most eclectic and worthy following, Spy Bar has closed its doors. Wednesday through Saturday patrons would enjoy drink specials and excellent bands and DJs without the crowds of the St. Paul district or East End. This was a haven away from women riding bulls and men in impossible tight shirts. Spy Bar was a bar.

Co-owner John Ritter, along with bar staff Korri, Cory, Jake, Mark, and Nic, said their final farewells this past New Year's Eve. This message was posted on the bar's MySpace site: "Thanks --- from the bottom of our hearts! You've shared with us your friendship, stories, hardships, homeruns, birthdays, anniversaries, stag & stagette parties, divorces, successes, fights & ‘fuck-you's.' For that we'll be forever grateful." The story circulating is that the landlord refused to renew the lease, and like that the Spy Bar is no more. Or is it...?

In other news, East and Alexander's Barfly is closing down for renovations following closing time on Saturday, February 24. I know this may ruin some plans for the next few weeks, but rejoice in checking out new haunts while Barfly gets a makeover. The details of the renovations are very hush-hush, but an insider reveals that along with new paint the bar will be more "interactive." Let your imagination run wild with that one. Barfly will re-open Saturday, March 10, new and improved.