Chari & Co (175 Stanton Street, NY, NY), the new track bike boutique on the Lower East Side, opened with a party last night. The store specializes in high-end Japanese track frames, components and accoutrements, which are even nicer to look at with a cold beer in one hand and some sushi in the other. Keirin track frames line the gallery-like space (which was previously an art gallery), while fancy components, track bike jewelry, and a Supreme charm bracelet fill the display cases. The super friendly owners, Ken and Yuki, have a good-looking store with some really nice bikes in stock. They don’t build or repair bikes, but if you’re looking for a fancy Japanese track bike, it would be a good place to start.

You can check out more photos of Chari & Co in the gallery.

From the inbox comes word that a new track bike boutique is opening on the Lower East Side. The new shop, Chari & Co, will “specialize in selling and consigning Japanese track bike frame and other bike parts.” They’re opening this Sunday with a party at 175 Stanton Street, between Clinton and Attorney Streets. Interestingly, that’s about eight blocks from Trackstar, New York City’s first shop dedicated to fixed gear bikes and until now, Manhattan’s only. As of now, the shop is empty and the website has just two frames for sale, so we’ll have to wait and see what they offer on Sunday.

After a nightlife expose of Flatiron clubland the NY Post turns to Lower East Side nightlife and navigates the obstacle course of velvet ropes, cover charges, bottle service and stripper poles. Kicking off the rundown of problems with the “new Lower East Side scene” is word that A-Ron did too well as “creative director” of 205. His network of friends made the place too popular with the moneyed and boring set and they don’t want to hang out there anymore. Added to the fact they felt like bait and it’s not hard to see why.

But don’t pour out your forty just yet. Doug and Bobby say the LES is still the real deal.

“The Lower East Side is the real deal - it’s not pretentious,” says R Bar patron Doug (”they call me ‘the Bus’ “) Corbus, 24. “And there’s lots of tail.”

“Whores!” corrects his pal Bobby Reynolds. “Whores!”

“I work in advertising in Midtown,” Corbus explains. “This is, like, real New York,” he says.

“Midtown has too many JAPpy girls,” says Reynolds.

“It’s maybe not cooler, but it’s more raw,” says Corbus. “People here will order a drink that no one’s drinking instead of what’s popular, or wear clothes that are the hip s—.”

And further proof that not all is lost: the R Bar (formerly Pioneer) did not install stripper poles in the front window. They already had four in back, and thought six would be “overkill.” Moderation is key.