Sophie’s Bar documents the time I spent working as a day shift bartender on New York City’s Lower East Side in the mid 90′s. I hand printed this small book and have sold it at Sophie’s and through various art press book stores over the years. It’s still dear to my heart. The bar symbolizes a piece of the New York City of years gone by that I have fond memories of. I also have fond memories- in some cases, if not fond, at least strong- memories of the men I served during those shifts. I listened to stories about their youthful exploits, sexual conquests, and sometimes their anger and bitterness about how their lives had ended up as they watched the world around them change. Each evening at around 7 pm, I’d watch as the vibrancy and confidence of these men became subsumed and eclipsed by the young drowd that trickled into the bar. Until finally, by the time I left at 8, all that was left of them was the stereotypical vision of silent old men drinking steadily at the bar. In my memories and in this book lives the other side of these men; most, if not all, of whom are now dead.