Not to be all gloomy as we stand on 2013's doorstep or anything, but we thought it only right to bid one final adieu to some people and things we left behind in 2012. Hey, it's not all bad! We weren't that broken up about the death of, say, Mitt Romney's presidential aspirations. Couldn't wait to pound the nail in that coffin. But when it comes to some old haunts that closed this year, for example, we found ourselves getting a little nostalgic. Let's take a stroll through yesteryear together, in the spirit of auld lang syne.
1. TC'S LOUNGE. RIP to what was one of the best dive bars in town and a favorite Phoenix staffer hangout until it perished in an electrical fire this past March. We had many good times and many cheap beers in its dank bowels. Never forget.
2. THE OTHERSIDE CAFÉ. Speaking of our favorite bars closing down, when we got word that the Otherside was shuttering, we were all, Man, WTF? Pour one out for the best vegetarian joint slash beer bar this city had.
3. LOEWS HARVARD SQUARE. It was a total drag to learn that, after 1500 midnight screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, we wouldn't have the chance to do the "Time Warp" again there — ever — after the theater closed its doors in July.
4. THE CELTICS' BIG-THREE ERA. The triple threat had a pretty fucking golden five-year streak, so attention must be paid. Even non-rabid fans like ourselves shed a green tear when Ray Allen headed for the Heat.
5. MIKE MERCOGLIANO OF MIKE'S PASTRY. The owner of the North End bakery and goldmine died at the ripe old age of 90 just a few weeks ago. And while we haven't stepped inside the place in years for fear of getting trampled by cannoli-frenzied tourists, we'll still pay homage to his legacy.
6. OPERA BOSTON. Even if soaring arias aren't your musical steez, you have to admit that the closing of one of the city's great cultural institutions due to lack of funds is a sad thing. The fat lady officially sang on January 1, 2012.
7. LOCKE-OBER. Less a restaurant than a Boston landmark, the downtown eatery that served generations of blue-blooded Brahmins closed its doors after 137 years in business in October.
8. KEVIN WHITE. We'd be remiss if we didn't reflect on the passing of one of Boston's most influential mayors. The colorful politician stood at the city's helm through four terms in times of both great strife and abundance before losing his battle to Alzheimer's in January.
9. TWINKIES. Okay, we know these aren't Boston-based, but come on! The thought that we may never again feast upon one of these golden treats, or any other Hostess products, is super lame.
10. THEBOSTON PHOENIX. And then there was this one time when we switched from newsprint to glossy. We totally did that!
