Ryan Maguire's heavily damaged by fire

I was shocked to find out (via Bill Shunn's blog) that Ryan Maguire's Ale House, the place where we went every month after the New York Review of Science Fiction Readings at the South Street Seaport, was terribly damaged by fire last night. This was a lovely, welcoming bar that made us feel at home whether we showed up with five people or 50 -- good food, good drinks, and a wonderful staff.

Ironically, February was the last month that the NYRSF readings were held at the Seaport -- because it no longer could offer its facilities, the readings are moving to the SoHo Gallery for Digital Art starting next Tuesday. And what we kept saying that we'd miss the most wasn't necessarily the space at the Seaport, but going to Ryan Maguire's afterwards.

All my best wishes to the owners and staff at Ryan Maguire's, and I hope that they are up and running again very soon.