Dispatch from Sodom and Gomorrah

At Merkato 55, 2 p.m. Is the New 2 a.m.

Saturday afternoon in the meatpacking district: The community board must be proud.
Saturday afternoon in the meatpacking district: The community board must be proud. Photo: Ben Leventhal

It’s very rare to see throngs of boozers outside a club in the plain light of day. Usually it takes the 7:30 a.m. raid of an after-hours den, or it’s Alaska in the summer. Or, in the meatpacking district, it’s just a lazy weekend afternoon of bottles and brunch. Overheard outside Merkato 55 this past Saturday at 2 p.m. (pictured above): “I just want to buy a couple bottles of Champagne and I’m not getting in.”

Earlier: Meatpacking Brunch Bunch

At Merkato 55, 2 p.m. Is the New 2 a.m.