Restaurant Name: Destination Soups

Location: 141 Union Street, Downtown New Bedford

Owner: Devin Byrnes

How long have you been owner of Destination Soups?

New Year’s Eve has always been a great time for celebration around the world.  Here in New Bedford it’s no different… we make it one of the most sensational nights to go out and about the city.  There are family-friendly events for people of all ages to enjoy, and there are also many activities geared a little more toward adults.  No matter how you want to spend your New Year’s Eve, you will be able surely be able to find something great to do in New Bedford!

There are also plenty of forms of public transportation that are available for those who would like to have a couple drinks or a night-cap before heading home.  Please don’t drink and drive: the police will be out.  My only wish is that everyone has a great (and safe) time and that you work on making this 2011 year a better one for yourself and all those around you.

Now let’s get into business!!!

New Year’s Eve events are listed alphabetically by venue.  Click on the venue for directions and/or additional information.

Arts & Culture

Artworks
New Year’s Eve Artworks is bringing the community together from 12P.M. to 4P.M. (Thursday & Friday).  Enjoy crafts and storytelling by Karen Chase from “Story Bug”. While she’s telling stories, everyone is invited to make and create hats for the New Year’s Eve Parade at 4:30P.M.  Awards will  be given to the biggest, fanciest, and most creative hats.  Then display your hat by marching in the parade!

New Bedford Visitor Center
Take your kids for crafts and games with the 19th Century Ladies from 5 to 7 P.M.

Whaling Museum
Fire & Ice!  Watch live ice sculpting at Custom House Square starting at 5 p.m. and stick around for real fire-eaters at 6 P.M.

Live Music/Nightlife

AHA! & Fairfield Inn Marriot
Ring in 2011 with the AHA! ReNew Year’s Eve Party.   from 9 P.M. to 1 A.M. at the newly-opened Waypoint Event Center at the Fairfield Inn and Suites.

Bar 908
Live DJ and dancing, champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight, party hats & noise makers, horns & tiaras, and it’s all FREE! That is if you’re our Facebook friend and you RSVP for your tickets! It’s just our way of saying “Thanks” for being our friend and supporting Bar 908 all year long!
RSVP NOW! Tickets are limited! Keep checking our FB Page for more details.

Bristol Hall
Swing dance to the beats of the The Hep Cats as they play from 5 to 7 P.M.

Café Arpeggio
For great folk music, Open Mic Night from  5 to 8 P.M.

Candleworks Restaurant
Infamous dining and drinking is what you will find at Downtown’s #1 restaurant this New Years Eve!!!  The Candleworks Restaurant is the place to be… A gourmet menu designed by executive chef & owner Jared Morgado will bring you into the 2011 with live piano music followed by the sounds of Vintage Soul, playing from 10 P.M. to 1:30 A.M. Make your reservations now or settle for something less.

Black Watch Pub
Ring in the New Year at the Black Watch Pub, where you’ll find three bands playing!
Lesser Knows
Figures
Aaron Alves
The fun starts at 9:30 P.M.

Café Funchal
New Year’s Eve party in the main ballroom.  DJ Music by Chris Saraiva of Sound Explosion.  Champagne toast and appetizers.  Doors open at 5:30 P.M. with appetizers at 6 P.M. Entrées will also be served.

Tickets are $75 for Adults/ $40 for Children (under 12)
**Formal Dress Required**

Catwalk
I’M SINGING!!! IT’S NEW YEARS EVE AND I’M SIIIINNNNGGIIIINNNNG!!!
Jim and Doris will host karaoke 10pm – 2am down at Catwalk. So come down and ring in the New Year to 2011 with a great bartending crew serving all your favorite drinks. The kitchen will be open till 9P.M. There is No Cover Charge, and the music starts at 9:00 P.M.

Celtic Coffee House
Eddie Dillon plays traditional Celtic Music from 5:30 to 7 P.M.

Cork
Cork will be open all day and at night, they have a special New Year’s Eve menu with Prime Rib, Surf ‘n Turf (with Tenderloins and a Baked Stuffed Shrimp), along with other seasonal specials.

Fathoms
Come celebrate the New Year at Fathoms.  Tickets cost $50, and the event runs from 9 P.M. to 2 A.M.  With your ticket you will receive valet parking, appetizers, a champagne toast, waterfront views, fireworks, and live entertainment provided by Slingshot!

Fins

Fins is closing down during the upcoming week for remodeling, but will be reopening December 31st 2010, just in time for New Years Eve.  Doors open at 7 P.M. with a free pizza buffet and a Champagne toast to ring in the New Year.  Music will be provided by DJ Lou.  You’ll be able to watch the ball drop on the new t.v.’s, and dance the night away on the new floor!

Ginger Grill
Adam Payne from 6 to 8 P.M.

Hibernia
Video Lounge starting at 10 P.M.  Forget your average DJ.  This New Years Eve DJ JK Music is going to have you dancing in the New Year. NOT ONLY will you hear all your favorite top-40 songs and requests, but you get to see the video’s while the songs are playing!

Ice Chest
Get your tickets early for Ice Chests’ 4th Annual ‘Ticket Only’ New Year’s Eve Party!  Reserved seating and sit-down dinner party with music by the Relics.  Party favors and a Champagne toast will also be included.  This event always sells out so it is advised that everyone get their tickets early! Starts at 6 P.M.

Inner Bay
For just $39.95, enjoy a wonderful Dinner for Two, which includes a dessert and a bottle of wine!

Kirby’s
Free appetizers and a Champagne toast at midnight.

Knuckleheads
Rock & Blues X-plosion will be going on down here at Knuckleheads to help you rock in your New Years Eve!!!
Music from everyone’s favorite Shipyard Wreck, and “Rock, Rhythm, & Blues All Star Band”. Party favors and champagne toast at midnight!!!

Libads
There is going to be a Champagne toast at midnight, giveaways, drink specials, and food.  Oh ya and don’t forget to come by and ride the Mechanical Bull, YEEEHAAA!

National Park
Fado musician Ana Vinagre will play from 7 to 8 P.M.

New Bedford Art Museum
The Michael Rollins Group will be playing jazz from 5 to 7 P.M.
The HQK Jazz Ensemble plays from 7 to 8 P.M.

New Bedford Public Library
If you’ve got kids, we’ve got activities! The Toe Jam Puppet Band will have concerts at 5:30 P.M. and 7 P.M., plus face-painting with Lulu the Clown before each show!

Pilgrim United Church
The Anchors, a local teen band, will play from 6 to 7 P.M.

Pour Farm
Doors open all day starting at noon.  Neal McCarthy will be playing from 9P.M. to Close. Come on down and rock in the New Year with one of New Bedford Favorite’s. No Cover Charge

Rose Alley Ale House
Free Champagne Toast, $5 all you can eat Chinese Buffet (made by RAAH), & live entertainment.  No Cover Charge! Party starts at 9:30 P.M.

Seaport Inn & Marina
Diane Blue And The Beantown Boys from 6-10:30 P.M.
$25 Show only: $50 Dinner & Show

UMass Star Store
The HQK Jazz Ensemble plays from 5 to 6 P.M.

Whaling Museum

The Showstoppers will play from 5:30 to 6:30 P.M.

Dori Legge & Butch McCarthy (from the MRL Trio) will be performing a duet from 7 P.M.-10 P.M.

Zeiterion

Hosts one last big night of music for 2010: Shelley Chandelier & Her One Night Band, Boo City, Santa Mamba, Buzzard Blue Band, and Pumpkin Head Ted. From 4:30 to 8 P.M.

Other Cities/Towns:
I called around and there are no other city or town-sponsored events taking place on New Year’s Eve 2011.  Can you believe that there is nothing happening from Fall River to Wareham?  It’s just another of the many reasons why New Bedford is the bee’s knees.

For those of you planning on not wasting a single minute of the New Year, here are a few ideas to get you started:

January 1, 2011

The 1st Annual Polar Bear Plunge at Fairhaven’s Fort Phoenix Beach.  All the money raised from this event (through T-shirt sales at the Plunge) will go toward a scholarship fund created in memory of victims of domestic abuse.  Also in support of this cause, New Bedford Guide will giving out five (5) FREE NBG T-shirts to the first five people who come to us (after going into the water).  Additionally, we will be selling New Bedford Guide T-shirts for $10 and ALL money will be donated to the Polar Bear Plunge Committee for its fund-raising purposes.

First Day at Kennedy Park in Fall River, from 12-3p.m.  This event is open to the public and is FREE.
In the case of inclement weather, the event will be postponed until Sunday, January 2, 2011, 12:00 noon- 3:00pm (and will be called Second Day… just kidding).

Check back to LocalOracle for additional entertainment and activities.

Organized and presented by AHA! and the City of New Bedford: Arrive early and stay late!

Ring in 2011 with fireworks in Custom House Square—and be home in time to watch the ball drop in NYC Times Square.  AHA! and the City of New Bedford present “City Celebrates! New Year’s Eve 2010,” in the heart of the downtown historic district.   Join the AHA! partners for a family-friendly evening in downtown New Bedford.  The FREE New Year’s Celebration goes from 4 to 9 p.m. — but feel free to arrive early and stay late!  “Every SouthCoast resident is invited to join us in downtown New Bedford for what promises to be an evening of fun and family-friendly entertainment,” said Lee Heald, program director for AHA! “We’re ringing in 2011 with a warm sense of community. The downtown partners have come together to pull this off, and it looks to be a fabulous night for all of SouthCoast to share together,” Heald said.

FREE programming from 4 to 9 p.m. includes:

• The night kicks off with a parade from City Hall to Seaman’s Bethel at 4:30 p.m. There, marchers can partake in an Ecumenical Church Service from 5 to 6 p.m.

• Fire & Ice! Check out real fire-eaters on the Whaling Museum Plaza (18 Johnny Cake Hill) starting at 6pm and watch live ice sculpting at Custom House Square starting at 5 p.m.

• If you’ve got kids, we’ve got activities! Head to the New Bedford Public Library (613 Pleasant St.) for Toe Jam Puppet Band concerts at 5:30 and 7 p.m. Plus face-painting with Lulu the Clown before each show!

• Take your kids for crafts and games with the 19th Century Ladies at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center (33 William Street) from 5 to 7 p.m.

• Enjoy crafts and storytelling with Artworks!

• Hit up the Family Magic Workshop with Jedlie’s Magic Circus!

Music-lovers, you’re in luck! What a night we have in store for you:

• The Zeiterion Theater (684 Purchase St.) hosts one last big night of music for 2010: Shelley Chandelier & Her One Night Band, Boo City, Santa Mamba, Buzzard Blue Band, and Pumpkin Head Ted. From 4:30 to 8 p.m.
• Eddie Dillon plays traditional Celtic Music at the Celtic Coffee House from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• For more acoustic music, head to the Ginger Grill to hear Adam Payne from 6 to 8 p.m.
• The Michael Rollins Group plays jazz at the New Bedford Art Museum from 5 to 7 p.m.
• The HQK Jazz Ensemble plays at the UMass-Dartmouth CVPA from 5 to 6 p.m. and at New Bedford Art Museum from 7 to 8 p.m. Swing dance to the beats of the The Hep Cats as they play at Bristol Hall from 5 to 7 p.m.
• The Showstoppers will play at The Whaling Museum Theater, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• The Anchors, a local teen band, will play at Pilgrim United Church from 6 to 7 p.m.
• Folkies, head to Café Arpeggio from 5 to 8 p.m. for Open Mic Night.
• Fado musician Ana Vinagre will play at the National Park from 7 to 8 p.m.

And, of course, don’t miss the FIREWORKS in Custom House Square at 8:30 p.m.! Besides all these great FREE events, downtown’s museums, art galleries and unique boutique shops will be open all day and will stay open late for the New Year’s celebration.   AHA! (Art, History, Architecture!) partner restaurants will be open all night long for dinner, live music and spirits perfect for counting down to 2011:

• The Waterfront Grille (36 Homer’s Wharf) offers seafood and a sushi bar.
• Head to Purchase Street for one of No Problemo’s (813 Purchase St.) classic overstuffed burritos.
• The Catwalk Bar & Grille (34 Union St.) has mouth watering ribs.
• Check out the traditional Irish grub at Hibernia (109 William St.
• Freestone’s City Grill (41 William St.) for award-winning chowder
• The Ginger Grill (778 Purchase St.) for some amazing Korean.

Looking for a hot chai or coffee to warm your bones? Look no further than the Celtic Coffee House (42 N. Water St.) or Café Arpeggio (800 Purchase St.)

For a full list of restaurants, events and sponsors, go to www.ahanewbedford.org or call (508) 996-8253 x 205.  You can also pick up Night-of schedules at the participating sites the week of the event.

Directions: From I-195 E or W. Take Exit 15 (Rte. 18). Follow Rte 18 to 2nd traffic signal; take a right onto Union St. At the first traffic signal take a right onto Second Street and take your first left for parking in Custom House Square. Visitors can park at Elm Street garage; the City of New Bedford trolley bus will pick up visitors at the garage and shuttle them between venues from 4 to 8pm. On street parking is available for free after 6 p.m.

Are you a student, New Bedford resident, or perhaps a person seeking adventure and inspiration?  If so, there is an obscure historical gem available for public viewing, recognized primarily by sailors and Moby Dick enthusiasts.  It never speaks out loud, but silently beckons those with a heart and passion rooted in the sea.  During the living night, inclement weather or still darkness, it sings a song of serenade, honor, and triumph to those who never returned home.

In the early morning’s tranquil bliss, it bathes in the glimmering glow of the golden sunshine, remembering and bereaving the ones who never returned, for each is forever fortified in the very soul of this stunning architectural masterpiece.  Their chronicles may hold residence here for a final rest, but their everlasting presence can be experienced in every flickering lighthouse beacon, felt in every breaker crashing upon the shore, and most significantly, heard in the omnipresent roar of the ocean’s lore.

Here atop Johnny Cake Hill stands a silent legend, world-renowned in every ocean port on the map:  The Seamen’s Bethel.  Everyone living in the New Bedford area should take advantage of the opportunity to explore one of New England’s finest historical relics.  Don’t underestimate the feeling of antiquity in your soles as you walk the majestic cobblestone street leading the way to the Bethel.

Erected May 2, 1832, by the New Bedford Port Society, the Seamen’s Bethel is a landmark honoring the New Bedford whalers and fisherman who perished at sea.  Thirty-one cenotaphs hang in remembrance of these individuals, encased in black frames (possessing semblance to traditional gravestones), and adorned with hand-carved text.  Cenotaph means ’empty grave.’  It is a tomb, plaque, or monument dedicated to a person whose body or remains are buried in an alternate location.  Twenty-three of these cenotaphs are dated prior to 1900, and each provides a brief summary of the hardship associated with the person’s death.  In some cases entire crews were lost at sea, and a few more current cenotaphs remember these affiliates.

In 1851, the Seamen’s Bethel was given everlasting fame when it was referenced in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick.  Melville describes a scene set in the Bethel, depicting a sermon given from an imagined pulpit that didn’t exist during Melville’s time.  However, after the 1956 Moby Dick film was released, a pulpit mirroring the film version (as the prow of a ship) was added to the Bethel in 1961 to promote tourism. Melville himself visited the chapel in 1840. The pew where he sat is now inscribed with a dedication to him.

An excerpt from Moby Dick states, “In this same New Bedford there stands a Whaleman’s Chapel, and few are the moody fishermen, shortly bound for the Indian Ocean or Pacific, who fail to make a Sunday visit to the spot.”  It was tradition for a whaler to visit the chapel before any departure to the sea, and this is what Melville was referring to.

Here is some information for those who are interested in the Seamen’s Bethel, or planning a visit:

New Bedford Port Society
15 Johnny Cake Hill
New Bedford, MA 02740
508-992-3295

Memorial Day through Columbus Day
7 days a week: 10:00am-4:00pm

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I would strongly suggest that those interested in typography and arts spend some time viewing the interior of the Seamen’s Bethel.  Inside, the extraordinary cenotaphs are suspended on the walls far above the pews that line the central portion of the floor.  A balcony around the perimeter allows for access and close viewing of these cenotaphs.  In my experience,and with a collegiate background in Graphic Design/Letterform, I immediately noticed a cenotaph which exhibited striking resemblance to the classical typeface Bodoni.

Bodoni is an elegant typeface which evolved from handwritten text.  It is considered a modern font with anatomically thick stems and skinny serifs.  If you’re interested in the trade, pictured below below and to the left is a macro image I took of the beautiful numbers carved into the aforementioned cenotaph.  I have labeled a few key elements of typographic characters that artists use to describe the anatomy of letters and numbers.

Typography is a diminishing art form. Listed below are some of the most important structural terms used to define letterforms and how they relate to each other. These elements are what make hand-produced type so elegant, raw and stunning:

A. serif :: foot at the end of a stroke

B. baseline :: letterform base

C. stress :: orientation of the letter form

D. finial :: rounded non-serif terminal to a stroke

E. counterform :: negative space within letterform

I do believe that the chiseled appearance of the cenotaphs express the rawness and magnitude of the tragedy they recall.  Typographers must deal with issues such as readability, style, space, size, hierarchy, and individuality, as well as the effectiveness of conveyed message.  It is the manner in which a typographer utilizes his canvas that directly influences the feelings evoked in the viewer.

Here the written word is communicated in a tactile manner, as close observance reveals an imperfect yet beautiful arrangement of letters and numbers.  Every character has an individual quality, and no two are alike. You can feel the history cascading off the surface with it’s chiseled design, porous stone, and faded undertones.  Contrasts between the smooth surface of the stone and the jagged, asymmetric symbols facilitate the characters to truly express their similarities and differences; they almost assume a personality of their own.  Serene balance, aesthetic satisfaction, and comfortable eye movement throughout the piece creates a pleasant encounter for the spectator.

Johannes Gutenberg invented printed letters in the fifteenth century by casting individual blocks of lead.  Each block had a relief of a singular letterform.  Gutenberg’s classification consisted of literally thousands of metal pieces bearing letterforms that were organized into wooden boxes containing a grid framework.  In newspaper printing, one would arrange the blocks into desired text, ink the protruding surface of the letters and finally send the ink-covered text and paper through a press.

Gutenberg’s system was based solely upon the literature of ancient, natural handwritten scripts.  Subsequent forms of printing deviate away from the elegance and sacredness of the classical ink and hand style of writing.  Written text indeed functions as a means to represent ideas, but how it is conveyed (substance wise, mechanically and aesthetically) depends upon the emotional and physical response of the reader.  We understand the meaning of written characters only through association and language, but notice how written words and type style can influence the way you perceive a letter or document.

In the case of the Bethel cenotaphs, each is elegantly carved with sinuous lines and ornamentation that further solidify in our minds that these are memorial plaques to honor the soul of a deceased person and represent the idea of their eternity as an honorary societal member.  Can you feel a natural connection between the words and their meaning?

Picture the same human accounts typed on paper, for instance in a typical Times New Roman font.  Would the words have as much of an impact on your emotional chords?  Would you maybe view it as more hollow, unable to evoke the tragic nature of the situation?  In my opinion, definitively and unequivocally, yes.  Idiosyncrasies spotted in the stone and carved type captivate,liven, and season the allure of these characters; anthropomorphic in personality and indelible in nature.  I suppose you would have to experience the cenotaphs in the flesh to genuinely appreciate the impact their design has on the observer.  It is truly amazing how our human minds relate words with pictorial images, smells, tastes and memories.

Typography is an art, but it is a dying craft.  If you would like to learn more about how typography is implemented into the gravestone carving process, please visit here or here.

Jennifer Violette recently graduated from Umass Dartmouth with a degree in graphic design.  She is available for questions, comments, and freelance design work.  She can be reached at: javisions@gmail.com.

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The Artificial Marketplace is located on William Street in Downtown New Bedford next to Solstice skateboard shop.  It has been described as an antiques shop, but after I spoke with owner Jared Vasconcellos, I found out its more of a vintage, mid-century shop.

There has been a bit of a turnover with ownership at the store. What got you into the business?

Jared: I am the third owner.  I’ve owned the store for two and a half years now, and have transformed it from a junk/consignment shop into a vintage mid-century shop.  All items at Artificial Marketplace are hand-picked by myself; I’ve always been a collector of sorts.  I try to purchase things in the best possible condition, but some things I have to refinish.

I fix iPhones and iPods as well…pretty much anything Apple.  I also fix smart phones and some PC laptops.

Did working at your brother’s skate shop next door to prepare you to deal with the public?

Jared: Yes it did.  I worked at Solstice for awhile, and I still do whenever I have time.

Do you plan to start an online store at some point?

Jared: An online store would be nice, but being just one person, doing what I do would be pretty hard to maintain.

I do occasionally sell items on eBay, mostly things’ that normally wouldn’t move for a certain price in-store, like a brand new aluminum Christmas tree still in the box.

Jared: If mom asked what kind of shop it is I’d say… I’d have to say its a store filled with items carefully picked from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s and strategically placed to look like it would in a house.  Anything from glassware, couches, books, records…pretty much anything you can think of-minus planes, trains, and automobiles.

You can visit The Artificial Marketplace seven days a week, from 11-5pm.

Restaurant Name: The Candleworks Restaurant

Location: 72 North Water Street, New Bedford, MA

Owner: Jared Morgado

How long have you been involved with The Candleworks Restaurant?

I started working here in 2000 as a chef.  I became executive chef in 2002 and owner on October 7, 2007.

What did you do before owning Candleworks?

Prior to Candleworks I was a corporate chef with Naked Fish Company out of Boston.  I was the sous chef at Waverly Grille, which opened in 1998 at Waverly Oaks Golf Club.  I also worked on Block Island serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner to over 1,500 people per day,

How would you describe the dining experience in your restaurant?

Candleworks dining is the casual affair with the upscale flair!  Great for a date, perfect for a business meeting and awesome for late night relaxed entertainment or dancing like its 1999.

What is the meaning behind your business name?

The building we occupy was originally a candle making factory back in the early 1800’s, and has been a historic landmark and trademark for more than 200 years.

Do you have a favorite chef?

I love Gordon Ramsey!!!  I tried out for Hell’s Kitchen.  I was told I was over-qualified.  The video was great but the outcome was better.  Gordon fears “Chef Jared Morgado”

What are the most popular dishes at Candleworks?

The most popular dishes are the Filet Al Chef and Pasta Modena but…if you’re going for the “lite” fair, try our Sashimi Tuna.  Its out of this world!

What kind of regular specials do you have?

Regular specials are for regular restaurants…we are not regular.  We always change what we are doing.  Come in every week to see what we are doing.

What big events do you have coming up?

Big events?  If you need a corporate or political event we are your #1 headquarters.  But wait and see what is coming for New Year’s Eve, January, and that forever special Valentine’s Day!  If your reservation is with us for Valentine’s Day we guarantee a great night that will provide lasting memories for a long time…

It happens to the best of us:  even the healthiest, most organically conscious person will at some point find themselves eating the most delicious slice of processed pizza of their life, at 3:00AM.

Usually how it happens is that you’ve had a great night out around New Bedford, Dartmouth, and Fairhaven, and your stomach starts rumbling.  You know with eating comes the threat of seeing everything else you consumed that evening come back up, but the urge to get some delicious late night food almost always wins out.

Maybe its breakfast food you’re looking for.  Maybe you would like some pizza or some other form delicious late night forbidden delicacy.  Of course everything is different the next morning but that’s for another article.  Now, on to the point: lets eat!!!

Golden Greek: 1103 Acushnet Avenue New Bedford, MA (508) 997-8811
Late Night Hours: Fri & Sat 11pm-2:30am
Delivery: pick up only
Specials: large menu best
Late night menu: yes
Special Info:  “Best restaurant in town.  If your not here by 2:30 you won’t find a seat. We’re jam packed!”

Minerva’s: 280 Union Street New Bedford, MA (508) 992-3344
Late Night Hours: Friday & Sat. 11pm- 3am
Delivery: Until 11pm
Specials: BBQ Chicken Pizza and Steak n cheese sub
Late night menu: Fresh pizza, steak n cheese, grilled chicken subs
Special Info: There is high demand for quality late night food and we are here to fill that void…. Open wed night!!! Thanksgiving EVE & New Years EVE!!!!

Sarducci’s: 640 Pleasant Street New Bedford, MA (508) 990-7827
Late Night Hours: Open Till 3am Every Night
Delivery: until 3am every night!
Specials: none
Late night menu: whole menu available

IHOP: 47 Faunce Corner Rd North Dartmouth, MA (508) 996-1999
Late Night Hours: Sun-Thurs 12 and Friday & Sat till 3am
Delivery: no
Specials: no
Late night menu: Full menu and Special dinner menu

Cobblestones: 7 South 6th Street New Bedford, MA (508) 999-5486
Late Night Hours: 11:30-4 Friday Sat.
Delivery: No
Specials: No
Late night menu: Breakfast and hamburgers chicken tenders and fries

Johny Ray’s Cafe: 623 Brock Ave. New Bedford, MA (508) 999-4800
Just opened for late night eats in the South End
Late Night Hours: Thursday-Saturday 10PM – 2AM
Specials: No
Delivery: No
Special Info: Last order taken at 1:45 AM. Check out this cool new place for great breakfast and luncheon. At night we transform the cafe’ into a lounge atmosphere with great music, light show, and of course fantastic food!  Its an awesome way to finish the night. We will be opening on New Year’s Eve at 12 midnight.

Well there you have it.  I hope you find this guide to late-night eateries helpful.  If I missed some places please let me know and I’ll be sure to add them.  In the mean time, have a great night out and about the New Bedford area, be safe, and maybe I’ll see you at one of these fantastic late night eateries!

Bar name: Kirby’s Irish Pub

Location: 818 Kempton Street, New Bedford, MA

How long has Kirby’s been open?

March 10, 2011 will be our three year anniversary.

What made you decide to get into the bar business?

Getting into the business was suppose to be a fun family adventure. However, after a tremendous amount of adversity and a completely reconstructed pub, it became a project of determination!

What did you do before owning Kirby’s?

Everyone involved had and continues to sustain a full time job.

What is your favorite part of running the business?

Enjoying time with family, friends, neighbors, and patrons. We are a true neighborhood pub!

How would you describe the dining experience in your bar?

Even though we have the appropriate license, we don’t have a kitchen so we don’t serve food. However, we have a great relationship with Solonika’s Pizza and the Grand Wok Chinese restaurant. Not only is ordering something from one of local restaurants permitted, it’s encouraged.

What is the meaning behind your business name?

Our name was chosen after much debate. We had several names to choose from and Kirby’s fit, as it (the building) was built by a Kirby (Bob), owned by a Kirby, and run by Kirby!

What kind of regular specials do you have?

We have Rolling Rock (after all it is a premium beer) for $1.50, $2.00 shots and weekly seasonal specials!

What big event do you have coming up?

We have a DJ on Thursday nights, Live music on Friday nights, and Free Juke Box on Saturday nights. Next week we have a blockbuster line up of events starting Tuesday(11/23/10) night with the NBHS Gridiron Hall of Fame post-party kicking off at 9pm. Wednesday night (11/24/10) we have DJ J. Krack spinning music and hosting Karaoke. That starts at 9pm immediately following the rally and bonfire. Thanksgiving morning we’re open at 8am for indoor tailgating! We’ll have Bloody Mary’s, Mimosas, Irish coffee, breakfast pastries, and Deep Fried Turkey catered!! We’ll close at 3pm and reopen at 7pm with Free Juke Box for everyone! We can’t wait to see you all there!!

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Facebook has reached well over 500 million users.  There is even a movie scheduled to release on 1 Oct titled “The Social Network” that tells the story of the founders of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg (CEO and face of the company), Dustin Moskovitz, Eduardo Saverin, and Chris Hughes.  Facebook is used by everyone and most businesses promote themselves with groups and/or pages.  These groups and fan pages are a great way for companies to spread news or promote their events.  For example, a bar will likely post live music details, drink specials and other happenings in order to generate visitors to their venue.  Members that join the groups or “like” the pages get the updates in their Facebook member feeds.  The good news is that most companies have a group or page.  The bad news is that most don’t update them. This article will list the best New Bedford specific Facebook pages or groups. These pages and groups are listed based on relevance to New Bedford and activity. Basically, are they posting frequent updates and are the updates useful to people living in New Bedford?

New Bedford Guide (Facebook Page)

Yes, we are tooting our own horn, but honestly there is not a more relevant Facebook page for New Bedford residents.  The official New Bedford City Facebook group hasn’t had an update since December of 2009!  The New Bedford Guide feed provides relevant articles written by New Bedford residents.  Subscribers can expect to get articles and reviews on local business (i.e. Bar and Restaurant Reviews), “Best of  ….” articles and more on a regular basis.

AHA! (Art – History -Architecture) (Facebook Group)

AHA! (Art • History • Architecture) Night is a FREE arts and culture event that takes place the 2nd Thursday of every month in Downtown New Bedford.  Subscribe to the AHA! Group and get a reminder several days and hours before each AHA! Night.  They also promote other cultural and art events throughout the month.

Downtown New Bedford, Inc (Facebook Group)

Downtown New Bedford, Inc is non-profit organization representing all downtown stakeholders: property owners, business people and residents.  They post updates on events, economic updates, business development and other important issues related to improving New Bedford.

Zeiterion Theatre (Facebook Page – Facebook Member)

If you are like me you love to attend events at the Zeiterion Theater.  Subscribe to their Facebook page and membership to keep up-to-date on what’s going on at the Z!

The New Bedford Whaling Museum (Facebook Member)

The New Bedford Whaling Museum has changed considerably over the past few years.  No longer is it simply a static whaling museum.  The museum hosts outside tent sales, AHA! and the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra.

SouthCoast Today (Facebook Page)

This is the Standard Times Newspaper’s office Facebook page providing daily news updates.  The problem is unless you are a Standard Times online subscriber you can only read the headlines and a short blurb. When you click on the news feed on their Facebook page you will be taken to the news article on SouthCoastToday.com (the digital version of the Standard Times Newspaper).  If you are an online subscriber this is a great page to be a fan.

The New England Business Bulletin (Facebook Page)

The New England Business Bulletin provides tons of updates each week providing valuable information for businesses owners and professionals in New England.  This is also owned by the Standard Times, but you do NOT have to be an online subscriber to read the The New England Business Bulletin online.

I am from New Bedford (Facebook Group)

While not affiliated with any organization, this Facebook group is generally active with community postings. There are several thousands members that will pictures, videos and events related to New Bedford.

New Bedford Cape Verdeans (Facebook Group)
This is a very active group for Cape Verdeans in New Bedford. There is no requirement to be cape Verdean to join this group, but obviously the main discussion will revolve around Cape Verdian issues.

Did I miss a great Facebook page or group? Post a comment to share your favorites!

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