"The Half King, the journalist-backed restaurant and bar near the High Line known for its readings and photography shows, will close at the end of January after 18 years. Journalists Sebastian Junger and Scott Anderson along with filmmaker Nanette Burstein write in the announcement notice that "times have changed and we can no longer avoid financial reality." Since its opening in 2000, the Half King has served as a neighborhood pub with burgers, wings, and a popular daily happy hour. But beyond the typical bar fare and drinks, the restaurant became a destination for writers, journalists, and people in the publishing and film industries. The bar hosts a popular reading series on Mondays as well as other literary and photography events, including slideshows of photojournalism." - Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya