FIRST IMPRESSIONS: EVENING BAR
Announced as a speakeasy, the new bar at the Smyth is actually a classic hotel bar—and it’s bringing swanky back. The lobby has tremendous charm, too. Check them both out.

DEVELOPER FILES PLANS FOR CHURCH STREET POCKET PARK
DDG, the developer of controversial 100 Franklin, is proceeding with its attempt to refurbish the no-man’s land between Sixth Avenue and Church (in front of the Tribeca Grand). Here are the renderings….

IN THE NEWS
••• 11/20: Seaport redevelopment plans have been revised with a shorter tower and a middle school. Plus: Century 21 debuts high-end shop-within-shop; remembering PEP officer Gerry Esposito; Bandits Roost grand opening party.
••• 11/21: Deluxe mancave on White Street. Plus: 1 Wall to go condo and rental; another Shinola store; inside 443 Greenwich’s courtyard; FlowCycle review; South Street Seaport Museum support; A/C tunnel construction; curling lessons.
••• 11/22: Vogue’s new office has a rat problem. Plus: Senate aide David Krone; FDNY test tomorrow morning at the 9/11 Museum; Seaport development survey; artisanal chocolate studio at the new ICE facility.

SEEN & HEARD
••• 11/20: Bikram Yoga NYC is still on. Plus: Steven Alan Home Shop postponed its move again; wonderful paintings of Lower Manhattan; 460 Washington semi-revealed; White Street bar menu.
••• 11/21: Fusion Physical Therapy is opening on Reade. Plus: Warren 77’s sign gets a rebuttal (left); Teen Entrepreneur Boot Camp’s new Mad Libs; a question about Tribeca street numbers.
••• 11/22: The Brookfield Place ice rink is open. Plus: ARChive of Contemporary Music CD and record sale; Secretariat woodcut print; Bright Horizons book-basket contest winner; Seaport zig-zag building; Christmas tree vendor already here.

LOOKING TO THROW A HOLIDAY PARTY?
Judging from what readers have been searching on this site, at least a few of you are searching for a private-party venue. Here’s a handy roundup of terrific places that are all within walking distance.

WHERE IN TRIBECA…?
Congratulations to Robert Ripps for correctly identifying last week’s Where in Tribeca…?—and in record time, no less. (Click the link to see the answer.) We’ll play again Friday morning.

ROB MANGO ON OPENING A TRIBECA GALLERY IN 1984
Neo Persona debuted during the time when artists and businesspeople overlapped in the neighborhood—to their mutual benefit. If you haven’t been reading these excerpts from Rob’s book, you really ought to—they’re entertaining.