Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
<em>Real Housewives</em> Blows Up Apotheke's Spot
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jun 14, 2010
Modified Jun 14, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jun 14, 2010
Modified Jun 14, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The Real Housewives of New York City ruin everything. On a recent episode of the show, one of the stars, Luann de Lesseps, is taken out on the town by author Coerte Felske—their destination: Chinatown hot spot Apotheke on Doyers Street. The staff pull out all the bells & whistles for the cameras, which at Apotheke translates to huge fireballs lit by the owner himself.
That owner is 40-year-old Albert Trummer, who was busted early Sunday morning for performing a similar pyrotechnic performance as he did on the show, which the Daily News notes included pouring whisky, brandy and vodka on the bar and igniting it. While they report he's now being held without bail for reckless endangerment, the NY Times reports that he was released and the bar reopened Sunday night; he told them, “My intention was not to hurt anybody. I’m an artist. I’m a mixologoist. I’m a cook. But I’m not a pyrotechnic maniac.” FDNY Chief Fire Marshal Robert Byrnes says the stunt, which was performed near curtains, put the bar's patrons at risk. See for yourself in this Real Housewives clip:
Allegedly upon his arrest, Trummer said, "It's just a show," but the bar regularly lights up—their website declares: "it's a stage, a chemistry lab, a theater. Trummer throws liquid fire from flasks." When we visited Trummer in 2008, he was perfecting the art of pouring flaming absinthe, but allegedly the FDNY wasn't tipped off to these antics until last month when they heard about it being featured on the reality show.
Tagged
albert trummer
apotheke
arrest
fdny
fire
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 19, 2026
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .