Riposo 72, a bar on 72nd street just East of Columbus Avenue, has opened a sidewalk cafe over the objection of some local residents who feared that it would showcase the lovelorn world of online daters to impressionable youngsters.
At a meeting last fall, local residents lined up to oppose the sidewalk cafe as a neighborhood nuisance inappropriate for a residential block, DNAinfo reported at the time. They pointedly talked about the bar as a haven for “Internet people.”
“I have seen people say, ‘I met you on the internet,’ and you’re putting that on the sidewalk?” said one resident Al Salsano incredulously. “I don’t want children walking near ‘internet people’ meeting.”
Another resident said he hadn’t been to the bar because “I don’t go out to meet people I found on the Internet.”
Internet people!
The bar’s liquor license was approved by the committee and the state liquor authority after it reduced the number of seats from 32 to 16. At the time, local council members were also discussing banning sidewalk cafes on side streets (as opposed to on the avenues), but nothing appears t have come of that proposal.
“I’m surprised it got approved, being a residential block,” wrote Liz, who sent in the photo above. “Bummer!”
How peculiar for a bar to be known for its abundance of first internet dates.
And if you met on the internet, are you really telling that person, “I met you on the internet”? Don’t they already know that? Hm. Sounds like a bar for robot people, not internet people.
Weirded out by 72nd street sometimes.
Hah, this is honestly the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.
I have been to this place many times and from what I can tell all the patrons seem to be groups of friends or couples that know each other well. The mac and cheese is amazing. And Liz should be more concerned with residents in her building tossing lit cigarets our of the window on the the street. I have been hit by one and the buildings awning has burn holes.
This is comical. Anyone who says “internet people” must be over 75 years old. Objecting to a sidewalk cafe for fear of noise and inconvenience is one issue. Trying to object because of how people may have met who might frequent the cafe is idiotic. I love sidewalk cafes. The more the merrier!
Yes who exactly would protest against people who date via the Internet ? How is this even a story ?? This sounds like the concerns from a small group of old, senile people with VERY misty watercolored memories of the way things were …
lol….dude, you should’ve saved that Streisand lyric for today. It’s her birthday.
I think it also goes without saying that the people complaining about internet daters are too old to have small, impressionable kids (and chances are many of those kids’ parents met on the Internet – feign the thought!). It’s pretty sad when people use fake concerns about “the children” (oh the children!) for their own totally unrelated purposes.
hilarious!!!
I’m shocked, SHOCKED to find that Internet use is going on in here!
Because there are no other places on the UWS where people cruise internet or no. Let’s see, Jake’s Dilemma, Firehouse, Bourbon Street, Malachy’s, Dublin House, Dead Poet, High Life, Prohibition, The Boat Basin, Pier I, Brother Jimmy’s all of which pretty much have sidewalk cafes. Maybe they should try western Kansas or Iowa.
And you can also include Starbucks for that matter — you know those big gang style tables. Tsk, tsk. Are we living in Victorian England?
“I don’t want children walking near ‘lnternet people’ meeting.” … like they’re lepers or something? That’s the most idiotic and presumptuous thing I’ve ever heard. They’re PEOPLE … Happy, smiling people getting to know each other in a cool local spot.
I live a couple of doors away and think it’s great! It adds more room to a local place that’s always hopping with smiling people.
Is this story a joke?
Is this actually a story? If so, I have a story. I man was breathing in Riverside Park this morning and no one noticed.
How OLD are the people having these meetings. Hide your children, don’t leave after dark, run and don’t look them directly in the eye ….those INTERNET PEOPLE are LURKING in a seat near you – with their wine drenched lips and lustful tongues.
I’m shocked the plethora of homeless people sleeping right outside your door seem less concerning to you than the lonely of heart.
Trust me upper west side protesters – you’ll be hard pressed NOT to find a bar, restaurant, coffee shop or even street corner where the internet people aren’t spreading their first meeting exchanges…..best to move out of the COUNTRY!
This must make national news PLEASE….as a joke.
Wait, isn’t this a little late for April Fool’s Day? Or is this an Onion story? Whatever, thanks for the laff.
My first internet date spot was Esca. It worked a lot!
the obvious question is “how would anyone know if people are meeting up via the Internet?” And the next question would be “who cares?”
Before we know it, these hoodlums will be interesting everywhere! What is this world coming to?
Damn auto correct! Was supposed to say “internetting”!
This is a microcosm of that weird thinking of this country as a whole, and why we are headed down the rabbit hole. This doesn’t even really make sense. So strange.
It’s a microcosm of nothing. It’s something funny that one random old guy said. Relax.
I’m an internet people. Hence, I will now meet internet dates there just to annoy this ridiculous ice age commenter. And we will announce to the world that we met over the internet in front of everyone.
#creatingdramaontheUWS
lol….you go girl. be out, be proud!
The guy in the picture is touching a chair where Internet people may have sat. Hope he’s OK.
Before long they’ll be tweeting in plain view. Gadzooks.
I don’t see anything wrong with having a sidewalk cafe. There are just some people in this neighborhood who seem to just want to put a stop to anything, no matter what it is.
Let’s hope they can raise their precious little ones where there is no internet or dating for that matter. Say Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran. Much better environment.
Can someone tell me how much of the sidewalk is a “sidewalk café” allowed to take. I passed one on the west side of Columbus that after I subtracted the space for a tree plot
there was 40 inches left for two way pedestrian traffic. And I didn’t even see a sidewalk café permit posted.
So he is saying if children over hear that two strangers have met over the internet, they are some how scarred or damaged??? Or is he saying that people who meet over the internet are naturally nafarious and and Sophie a danger to children??? Really confused.
Ugh some people are just so dumb. It’s people like that who are ruining the UWS
BEST ARTICLE OF THE YEAR!! I’m laughing so hard I’m crying. Avi-thanks for giving me the best laugh I’ve had in a long while. And thanks to all the commentators for their clever takes…
I don’t knowwhich is more hysterically funny…the article or the comments!
Are these people nuts? There’s a lot more to be afraid of in NY than “Internet people.” How about the coyote? What next!
Okay people, I think that the Internet is the best invention since Chocolate Cheese Muffins. Folks from five to over 90 are on it, meeting people, sharing ideas and not feeling alone on rainy days. When we talk about children seeing people meeting at a sidewalk cafe and sharing a laugh, they are seeing people and nothing more. They don’t question their actions, nor do they equate these strangers with their own parents and how they possibly met. 72nd Street is a commercial street and not viewed as a side street. As for the folks that make offensive remarks regarding age, remember that one day you will be one of “those old people”. Yes! I am close to 80, still finding joy in seeing people meet and enjoying life. You go Riposo!
I am somewhat surprised that they are “expanding” as for the past year or two it seemed that the place was not doing all that well. We take our son to the Taekwondo studio next door and frequent Le Pain Quotidien – also next door on occasion and I’ve just never noticed the place to be all that busy. Frankly, never been interested in going myself. Anyone know if it’s worth a visit?
Are you kidding me????
Would you prefer a Bank or Duane Reade there?
With all the restaurants and people friendly places closing in this neighborhood… I would think this would be welcoming!
You got that right Suzanne!!!
I’m glad this was filed with the tag “Absurdity.” The UWS can truly be the spiritual home of NIMBY-ism and people remarkably forget what it was like to actually you know…have a life…back when they actually went out to eat or weren’t married, old or both.
More than “some” people on the block tried to stop this inappropriate use. 30 residents of the West 72 park block attended a full community board 7 meeting last July to testify in opposition to this application. Although 50 W 72 is zoned for commercial use, the block is predominantly residential. Our council and assembly members were also opposed. Due to some procedural glitches, our opposition was not recorded in time with the NY State Liquor Authority, and so the license was approved, and NYC Dept of consumer affairs also approved. It was not for lack of interest or lack of trying that this intrusion on a block already overcrowded with pedestrian and tourist traffic, and all deliveries [food, merchandise, debris and new material for renovations, etc.] has occurred. Once the genie was out of tghe bottle, all of our efforts were for naught. It’s a sad saga.
I love the depiction of 72nd Street as a quaint side street. Absurd!
Did the Onion hijacked the West Side Rag? Da fu?
It sounds like a bunch of stuffy people. It is a bar. People use social media to meet people.
This neighborhood is getting richer and richer..if you want old money..move to the east side
It has been approved unfortunately.
I would agree with those against a sidwalk cafe. As noted, it is primarily a residential block which, unfortuately, is becoming more and more congested.
There are sidewalk cafes just about everywhere on Columbus and Amsterdam so lots of other choices. (And on some blocks on Amsterdam, the cafes take up so much of the sidewalk that pedestrians have to “wait on line” just to walk by)
I just figured it all out. Those coyotes that are roaming the UWS…INTERNET COYOTES planning to meet at Riposo 72. Uh oh.
Awesome! As one of the “Internet People,” I’m thrilled to know about a new place where I don’t have to be bothered by pesky children!
I love how they try to pass off West 72nd street as residential when it has 4 lanes of traffic. My guess is they don’t want tourists drinking into the late night with their NYC internet friends.
The bar is right by the corner of W72nd and Columbus – exactly where you want outdoor seating. https://goo.gl/maps/xoG5v
The people who complained that having this small outdoor cafe seating on their block would endanger children and destroy the neighborhood are idiots. Apparently, the Community Board agreed.
Ok Everyone: this is the story. One, I live on this block, yes, I would like it to be serene. I was not so excited about the cafe. But; I have changed my mind for many reasons. First; this “internet talking and corresponding doing business, dating, yes, and homework for children is a way of life. I can not believe that someone is using a poor excuse saying ” internet dating ” is going on there.
Internet dating is going on everywhere. Even the best restaurants where you maybe taking your children. How would I know this? Because I have been at quite a few. Quite to the contrary I don’t do Internet dating in a bar.. Lol…. BUT I do visit reposa for their delicious flat bread pizza, their outstanding Citrus salad, and God love then for their vegetarian pizza!!! Maybe people go there to just eat and have a nice glass of wine.
Why are people casting aspersions at people who go there? I feel quite safe to go alone. No body bothers you or tries to pick you up. The bartenders/ waitresses are friendly and you feel at home…
Furthermore; before someone sent me this amusing email/ story, I was walking down the street crossing 72nd street, which I found has grown more hazardous to
Pedestrians since the bikes go flying through red lights and I actually got hit by a hit and run cab driver on my “walk light” .
Some of the children with the consent of their parents have actually made that corner more hazardous. The reason: the scooters. The parebts let then go on a head and I have seen these kids fall on their face and hurt themselves, and another scoot across 72nd street cross eat and he almost went into the car. Yesterday; I saw a parent, at least holding his two year old while crossing the intersection, but he was holding a small plastic scooter. These scooters have caused more problems with small children. What possibly could these parents me thinking? There is less hazard walking by riposa- where quite frankly, I was surprised how quiet it was and the people of all ages were sitting and eating as well…
You have to be kidding. I actually thought that the outdoor cafe, which I was initially against has served as as a bump in the sidewalk to slow the kids down in their hazardous scooters and has actually acted as a safety
Feature for the very hazardous seventy -second street
Intersection…
The casting aspersions at different people meeting… And by the way!!!! There are lots of locals who go there without dates…. To eat after a movie…
This argument is sheer stupidity. Quite frankly; I am more concerned about the patsbts of these kids allowing their kids to run that intersection on a scooter. And I am talking about the same ” little guys” next store. And those parents with baby carriages blocking fire egress es in pain de Quotidien. puhleeze, there are more safety hazards at that corner with scooters, bikes cabs etc . You people should be looking at the safety hazards rather than imagining who you think is sitting at those tables
Good luck riposa
Sorry for the typos on my iPhone: but I think you can all get the gist of what I am saying here.
Thanks
Actually no, I had quite a bit of difficulty following your train of thought
EVERY food & drink establishment should have a sidewalk cafe’! I’m sick to death of parents being concerned over what their children are exposed to! This is life in the big city, if you find it inappropriate move to the suburbs!!!
The people that are upset about this cafe should move to the burbs where they belong!!