Sheesh, another rainy and chilly day here in New York. I was saving Pennsylvania Station (AKA, Penn Station and Madison Square Garden) for later, but it was always a rainy day type of thing. Today was rainy so I took the subway to Penn Station.
71) Tracks
When you first get of the subway from Brooklyn, just go down the first set of steps, to the back, and you will run right into Tracks. It used to be a real dive of a bar not that long ago. And, as you can imagine, I stopped in a few times. They closed it for a couple of years and now it is a pretty nice plac.
The dinning area is outfitted somewhat like a railroad dining care. The rest of the bar is decorated with railroad oriented things and memorabilia, but not overly done to be contrived. It was a very nice place to have a drink and was fairly full, being a bit after noon so you had lunch people and the early-for-the-weekend-getaway crowd in there
They had at least eight televisions and nice overhead lights with green shades.
Either this was a very nice bar, because it was the first one and I wasn't in the bag yet, or I, after some of them I went to yesterday, anything halfway decent looked nice.
I had a Sierra Nevada
72) Fridays
Ah, another Fridays. After my experience with the one in Brooklyn I thought I would never go to another. But not all Fridays are the same. The one in Penn Station does manage to have a bit of the dive about it. It was, of course, packed, but it has a really diverse and interesting clientele. All and all, if you are going to go to a Fridays, go to this one.
I had a Bass Ale
73) Kabooz's
Ha! Ha! A place called Kabooz's (sounds like more than one caboose, the last car in a train) in a train station. So Clever. But, it was a nice bar. I think this was once an Itallian restaurant and bar and the head guy was someone that used to work at Cappucine's. Things do change fast.
Anyway, it was a very nice place. A couple of televisions showing CNN and sports, always a good combination. There was a little enclave in the front with a small settee and a couple of tables for drinks. Considering this is Penn Station, this is class.
They had a nice long bar that was separated from the eating area with a partition. They had nice pictures and posters on the wall. My favorite was from a production named "Hail Canada" with The Rockettes and The Music Hall Ballet Company. Poster may make you rethink about whether or not you would mount a mountie.
I had an Anchor Steam
74) Houlihan's
This is a great place to have a drink while you are waiting for a train because you can see the train postings from the bar, depending upon how many drinks you have had.
Another place that is better in Penn Station than its chain-name would have you believe. Order a martini there and get it in a glass you can't sit down other than in the little bucket of ice they serve it to you in (check that sentence for grammatical errors, please).
I had a Dewars and soda there. Didn't see the martini until after I had ordered, thank goodness.
75) Local West
This is a new place, replacing an old place. I don't remember the name of the old place, but we used to go there a lot after Knicks and Liberty games at Madison Square Garden. This place is right across the street so I have emerged from Penn Station. The rain has also stopped.
The place was just about empty, compared to every place in Penn Station. Just two other people in there when I arrived and only me when I left.
Looks like they replaced the bar stools and maybe either put in new sparkly mosaics behind the bar and around, or, they cleaned what was there, or, they just brightened the place up a bit.
It was nice enough and they did have a good nut selection on the bar.
I had a Dewars and soda.
76) Tir Na No
I was going to go home after I hit my 75th bar, but, then as I was leaving Local West, I saw this place above the street. I don't know why I have never gone there before, but it was a very nice place. It was an Irish pub that you might expect to find in Ireland. Not your typical Irish bar, but a real Irish pub.
The bartender was Irish, the waitstaff was Irish, half of the customers were Irish (the kitchen-help and cooks, of course, were either Puerto Rican or Mexican).
At any rate, if you get a chance stop into this place. Nicely carved woodwork, stained-glass windows, just a really nice place.
I had a Tir Na No Stout, their house blend, obviously, and it was pretty good. Tasted a bit like Guiness but with a bit more of a coffee and toffee flavor.
One over my goal, so feeling a bit pleased with myself, as well as a bit mellow. A big 76 trombones and the parade is down to 924 bars to go.
Friday, January 14, 2005
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Desolation Row
I hit up the old neighborhood again today. Took the subway to 14th and then headed East on the North side of the street. I passed a few places that were closed so I will have to hit them another day.
63) Cellar
Interesting place on 14th between 1st and 2nd. The first thing I noticed were the three dogs running around the place. Two of them left with a customer but the third one must have lived there.
The place had a nice long bar but it was a bit sticky. There was a comfortable looking back room with a couple of tables. There was also a side enclave that had a sofa and a couple of easy chairs with two reading lamps and a tapestry featuring a few deer in a snowy wooded setting. In the front was another small enclave with a couple of small settees by a window.
There were a lot of unlit candles at one end of the bar so I imagine the place is quite festive at night when they are all lit.
I had a Newcastle Brown Ale
64) O'Hanlon's
Down the street, this is a typical Irish bar that has been around a long time. I have been in there many times because a friend of mine has an apartment just down the block. Always a decent crowd in here but not a whole lot to distinguish it. Six televisions all tuned to CNN.
I had a Guiness
65) Quigley's
At the corner I headed uptown and this place was on the northwest corner of 1st Avenue and 18th Street. It was a new smelling place and, in fact, it turned out the place was new. Had 6 televisions above the bar, a couple of nice big ones that were turned off. The ones that were on were showing pool, the world's strongest man competition and OTB.
There was a nice little eating area in the back and a small outside area with a couple of tables where you could duck out for a smoke if you wanted.
The overall look was a bit too blond for a place that didn't have ferns and the crowd seemed much older than the place should have, like they drifted in from somewhere else or were here and they built the place around them.
I had a Dewars and soda.
66) M.T. Armstrong's
This place was up a block and was a nice place with a large beer selection. The bar area was seperated from a line of tables against the windows where you could eat. There was a downstairs with dart boards and a pool table.
I passed up the house beer, M.T. Armstrong's lager for a Samuel Adam's Chocalate Bock. It was a good decision as the beer was excellent.
67) O'Donnell's Bar
Now this was indeed a seedy bar on 23rd and 1st, and one not to linger in, at least if you were me. The place smelled vaguely of urine and the guy next to me was nodding off at the bar. Next to him was a guy who was talking loudly to no one in particular about who knows what. The guy on the other side of me was pleasant enough for being half in the bag. He was complaining about the weather because he had to go to his outdoor construction job soon. I certainly hope it didn't involve heavy machinery.
I dumped down a Dewars and soda and headed out.
68) McSwiggans
On 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue, this was a nice bar with a pool table, darts, video games, the usual.
I had a Dewars and Soda
69) McCarty's
This place was a block over and down, on 2nd Avenue and 20th Street. Just two people in there besides me, and one looked to be nodding off. The other guy was smoking furiously and telling the bartender how he had to quit. Fat chance of that, seeing as how it is illegal to smoke in bars in New York now and he couldn't even make it to the door to light up. This was another kind of small and typical Irish bar that abounds in New York.
70) Posto
My final stop on 2nd Avenue and 18th Street. Not really a bar as much as a pizza place but they did have what looked to be a bar in front with some stools so in I went.
I had a glass of Chianti (it was served in a water glass) and called it a day.
Slip slidding my way to a thousand with only 930 left to go.
63) Cellar
Interesting place on 14th between 1st and 2nd. The first thing I noticed were the three dogs running around the place. Two of them left with a customer but the third one must have lived there.
The place had a nice long bar but it was a bit sticky. There was a comfortable looking back room with a couple of tables. There was also a side enclave that had a sofa and a couple of easy chairs with two reading lamps and a tapestry featuring a few deer in a snowy wooded setting. In the front was another small enclave with a couple of small settees by a window.
There were a lot of unlit candles at one end of the bar so I imagine the place is quite festive at night when they are all lit.
I had a Newcastle Brown Ale
64) O'Hanlon's
Down the street, this is a typical Irish bar that has been around a long time. I have been in there many times because a friend of mine has an apartment just down the block. Always a decent crowd in here but not a whole lot to distinguish it. Six televisions all tuned to CNN.
I had a Guiness
65) Quigley's
At the corner I headed uptown and this place was on the northwest corner of 1st Avenue and 18th Street. It was a new smelling place and, in fact, it turned out the place was new. Had 6 televisions above the bar, a couple of nice big ones that were turned off. The ones that were on were showing pool, the world's strongest man competition and OTB.
There was a nice little eating area in the back and a small outside area with a couple of tables where you could duck out for a smoke if you wanted.
The overall look was a bit too blond for a place that didn't have ferns and the crowd seemed much older than the place should have, like they drifted in from somewhere else or were here and they built the place around them.
I had a Dewars and soda.
66) M.T. Armstrong's
This place was up a block and was a nice place with a large beer selection. The bar area was seperated from a line of tables against the windows where you could eat. There was a downstairs with dart boards and a pool table.
I passed up the house beer, M.T. Armstrong's lager for a Samuel Adam's Chocalate Bock. It was a good decision as the beer was excellent.
67) O'Donnell's Bar
Now this was indeed a seedy bar on 23rd and 1st, and one not to linger in, at least if you were me. The place smelled vaguely of urine and the guy next to me was nodding off at the bar. Next to him was a guy who was talking loudly to no one in particular about who knows what. The guy on the other side of me was pleasant enough for being half in the bag. He was complaining about the weather because he had to go to his outdoor construction job soon. I certainly hope it didn't involve heavy machinery.
I dumped down a Dewars and soda and headed out.
68) McSwiggans
On 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue, this was a nice bar with a pool table, darts, video games, the usual.
I had a Dewars and Soda
69) McCarty's
This place was a block over and down, on 2nd Avenue and 20th Street. Just two people in there besides me, and one looked to be nodding off. The other guy was smoking furiously and telling the bartender how he had to quit. Fat chance of that, seeing as how it is illegal to smoke in bars in New York now and he couldn't even make it to the door to light up. This was another kind of small and typical Irish bar that abounds in New York.
70) Posto
My final stop on 2nd Avenue and 18th Street. Not really a bar as much as a pizza place but they did have what looked to be a bar in front with some stools so in I went.
I had a glass of Chianti (it was served in a water glass) and called it a day.
Slip slidding my way to a thousand with only 930 left to go.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
A Short Stroll
It is a bit chilly today and quite damp. I have put in a few good days so I thought I would take it easy today and just do a short stroll around my neighborhood. Tomorrow it is supposed to get up to almost 70 so I will plan on a longer day back in Manhattan.
60) Paradisus-121
This place just opened about a week ago and was formerly Las Tres Palmas. It is on 121 Livingston just off Adams, which is the main drag if you drive into Brooklyn over the Brooklyn Bridge. By the time you go up another block to where I live Adams has changed its name to Boerum. This, as you can imagine, is a source of confusion to many people coming into the neighborhood for the first time.
The place has been newly remodeled and has a nice bar in front with a sofa by the windows where you can sit and have a drink. They still have a Cuban/Puerto Rican style menu, but the prices have jumped quite a bit. But now there are tableclothes, so I guess it is worth it.
I had a Dewars and soda.
61) Kevin Barry's
About a block away on Willoughby between Jay and Lawrence, this is a nice Irish bar with quite a lunch crowd. I wonder what the place is like at night. Just two televisons that I could see and they were both tuned to news.
I had a Guiness
62) K-B's 140 Club
Just around the corner on Lawrence was this place, and I would say it was an Irish bar, except I was the only white guy in the place. Guess it was more of a Black Irish bar. Pleasant enough bartender, but they had Maury on the television and the crowd, such that it was, was way too into it. The topic was women who were accusing men of fathering their babies and then the DNA results to establish paternity were presented. Whew, what a concept.
A fellow that I used to drink with at a Chinese restuarant that had a bar in the back that has since closed came in so I chatted with him for awhile about the "old days."
I had a Guiness
Just 938 bars to go.
60) Paradisus-121
This place just opened about a week ago and was formerly Las Tres Palmas. It is on 121 Livingston just off Adams, which is the main drag if you drive into Brooklyn over the Brooklyn Bridge. By the time you go up another block to where I live Adams has changed its name to Boerum. This, as you can imagine, is a source of confusion to many people coming into the neighborhood for the first time.
The place has been newly remodeled and has a nice bar in front with a sofa by the windows where you can sit and have a drink. They still have a Cuban/Puerto Rican style menu, but the prices have jumped quite a bit. But now there are tableclothes, so I guess it is worth it.
I had a Dewars and soda.
61) Kevin Barry's
About a block away on Willoughby between Jay and Lawrence, this is a nice Irish bar with quite a lunch crowd. I wonder what the place is like at night. Just two televisons that I could see and they were both tuned to news.
I had a Guiness
62) K-B's 140 Club
Just around the corner on Lawrence was this place, and I would say it was an Irish bar, except I was the only white guy in the place. Guess it was more of a Black Irish bar. Pleasant enough bartender, but they had Maury on the television and the crowd, such that it was, was way too into it. The topic was women who were accusing men of fathering their babies and then the DNA results to establish paternity were presented. Whew, what a concept.
A fellow that I used to drink with at a Chinese restuarant that had a bar in the back that has since closed came in so I chatted with him for awhile about the "old days."
I had a Guiness
Just 938 bars to go.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Union Square and Around
Another cold day that actually saw a wee bit of snow later on in the afternoon. I headed back again to my old stomping grounds, this time the Union Square area, but ended up going a bit further astray on the way home.
52) Coffee Shop Bar
This place once upon a time long ago was a real coffee shop. It is on the corner of Union Park West and 16th Street. When Union Square moved from being a real drug dealers paradise (it was totally fenced off and patrolled by mounted cops for two years) to an upscale haven the Coffee Shop went with the trend. The place has a nice bar up front with a glassed in area behind it with tables. Most people in there were eating (it was about noon) but there were a few having drinks like me. There is also a neat downstairs lounge area that comes alive at night.
When you first walk in there is a large curvey bar/counter where you can either order food, coffee or a drink.
I had a draft Yuengling Lager to get my day started on the right foot.
53) Heartland Brewery
Across the street from the Coffee Shop Bar and still on Union Park West This place used to be a real brew-pub and made their beer on the premises. They expanded to three locations and now their beer is made off-site and the brewing equipment is for show only. The quality of the beer has, in my opinion, slipped a bit. Needless to say the owners do not agree.
The decor in this place is kind of rural midwestern (check out the murals above the bar).
I had a Smiling Pumpkin Ale and it tasted a bit funky to me. Just my opinion, but I have drunk a lot of beer in my day. Suffice it to say I would not order it a second time.
54) Republic
Right next door to Heartland and kind of a large, Asian style place. A bit austere and loud. They have a decent menu and their soups are especially good.
I had a hot saki.
55) Havana Central
This place was around the corner and down a bit on 17th Street. There was a small bar in the front and booths in the back. More of a lunch place than anything else. No bartender so I had to flag down a waitress to get a drink. She seemed a bit put-off by it. Probably won't be going back here again unless I want a sandwich or something.
Rum and coke.
56) Basta Pasta
I was heading down 17th toward 6th to catch a subway back home and passed this place. It is fairly small with a small bar in front. It smelled good and their was an open kitchen just to the right of the bar. Italian food on the menu. The wait staff, mostly Asian, was very pleasant. The kitchen staff looked to be all Italian. Interesting pictures above the bar.
I had a 2001 Salviano Turla (a red wine) that was very good.
I got on the subway intending to go home but fate stepped in and dealt me an opportunistic hand. The subway stopped at Houston (pronounced HOW STUN) and I needed to change trains to continue on home to Brooklyn. I decided to pop above ground to see what was going on in this neighborhood during this time of day (way early by most standards).
57) Lucien
A very nice French restaurant with a very small, 4 stool, bar in front. A little kitchen in full view and about 8 tables that I could see. There might have been more somewhere else, but out of my sight.
I had a 2001 Cafe de Rhone (a red wine).
58) Lil' Frankies
This place, the only other place open on either side of the street without going more than a block from the subway, really wasn't that lil'. It was actually quite large.
I had an espresso and sambuca.
59) TGIFs
After getting off the subway in Brooklyn I passed by this place on the way home and it was kind of like shooting a fish in a barrel. This place used to be a very nice restaurant called Gage and Tollers. The owner got into some legal difficulties (can you say mobbed up) and ended up selling the place to TGIFs which then immediately began to disregard the land-marked status of the old place and make changes in violation of the building codes. They were stopped before they could do too much damage.
I had a Dewars and soda and was charged $9.78 which, when you add in the tax that everyplace else just counts as part of the price of the drink, made it a cool $10.50. Now this is the most expensive drink, by far, that I have had to date on my journey, and in a TGIFs, of all places. Needless to say I wouldn't go back there again if I was dragged kicking and screaming.
Well, beating the dead horse, I now have 941 bars left to hit.
52) Coffee Shop Bar
This place once upon a time long ago was a real coffee shop. It is on the corner of Union Park West and 16th Street. When Union Square moved from being a real drug dealers paradise (it was totally fenced off and patrolled by mounted cops for two years) to an upscale haven the Coffee Shop went with the trend. The place has a nice bar up front with a glassed in area behind it with tables. Most people in there were eating (it was about noon) but there were a few having drinks like me. There is also a neat downstairs lounge area that comes alive at night.
When you first walk in there is a large curvey bar/counter where you can either order food, coffee or a drink.
I had a draft Yuengling Lager to get my day started on the right foot.
53) Heartland Brewery
Across the street from the Coffee Shop Bar and still on Union Park West This place used to be a real brew-pub and made their beer on the premises. They expanded to three locations and now their beer is made off-site and the brewing equipment is for show only. The quality of the beer has, in my opinion, slipped a bit. Needless to say the owners do not agree.
The decor in this place is kind of rural midwestern (check out the murals above the bar).
I had a Smiling Pumpkin Ale and it tasted a bit funky to me. Just my opinion, but I have drunk a lot of beer in my day. Suffice it to say I would not order it a second time.
54) Republic
Right next door to Heartland and kind of a large, Asian style place. A bit austere and loud. They have a decent menu and their soups are especially good.
I had a hot saki.
55) Havana Central
This place was around the corner and down a bit on 17th Street. There was a small bar in the front and booths in the back. More of a lunch place than anything else. No bartender so I had to flag down a waitress to get a drink. She seemed a bit put-off by it. Probably won't be going back here again unless I want a sandwich or something.
Rum and coke.
56) Basta Pasta
I was heading down 17th toward 6th to catch a subway back home and passed this place. It is fairly small with a small bar in front. It smelled good and their was an open kitchen just to the right of the bar. Italian food on the menu. The wait staff, mostly Asian, was very pleasant. The kitchen staff looked to be all Italian. Interesting pictures above the bar.
I had a 2001 Salviano Turla (a red wine) that was very good.
I got on the subway intending to go home but fate stepped in and dealt me an opportunistic hand. The subway stopped at Houston (pronounced HOW STUN) and I needed to change trains to continue on home to Brooklyn. I decided to pop above ground to see what was going on in this neighborhood during this time of day (way early by most standards).
57) Lucien
A very nice French restaurant with a very small, 4 stool, bar in front. A little kitchen in full view and about 8 tables that I could see. There might have been more somewhere else, but out of my sight.
I had a 2001 Cafe de Rhone (a red wine).
58) Lil' Frankies
This place, the only other place open on either side of the street without going more than a block from the subway, really wasn't that lil'. It was actually quite large.
I had an espresso and sambuca.
59) TGIFs
After getting off the subway in Brooklyn I passed by this place on the way home and it was kind of like shooting a fish in a barrel. This place used to be a very nice restaurant called Gage and Tollers. The owner got into some legal difficulties (can you say mobbed up) and ended up selling the place to TGIFs which then immediately began to disregard the land-marked status of the old place and make changes in violation of the building codes. They were stopped before they could do too much damage.
I had a Dewars and soda and was charged $9.78 which, when you add in the tax that everyplace else just counts as part of the price of the drink, made it a cool $10.50. Now this is the most expensive drink, by far, that I have had to date on my journey, and in a TGIFs, of all places. Needless to say I wouldn't go back there again if I was dragged kicking and screaming.
Well, beating the dead horse, I now have 941 bars left to hit.
Monday, January 10, 2005
The Old Stretch
Today I thought I would take a trip up memory lane, and in my case that meant 3rd Avenue. At one time I lived on 22nd Street between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue and worked on 17th and Park Avenue South. I also spent a bit of time in the Gramercy Park Hotel. About ten months, in fact. So anyway, today I took the subway to 14th street and began my journey.
41) Barfly
This is an old haunt of mine on the corner of 3rd Avenue and 20th Street. We used to have some fun company parties here in the old days. This is a nice bar, suitably dark for 11:15 A.M. and, best of all open. A pool table in the back and 4 nice televisions above the bar that were all showing, for some reason, a fashion show. There were another 6 televisions strewn around the place that began to click on one by one while I was there, and they mostly featured sports.
Lots of blue and white Chirstmas tree lights and lots of white, somethings that looked like trees with no leaves. All and all though it was kind of pretty.
I had a Bloody Mary.
42) Paddy McGuires
Across the street and back a bit was another Irish bar that had the same type of white tree-like things and was also strung up with the same kind of lights. Also a Christmas tree in the front window that was in the process of being dismantled.
No tables or booths in this place but stools and chairs along the walls which had little shelves so you had a place to put down your drink.
They had a total of 9 televisions that I could count and 2 pool tables in the back.
They had 16 draft taps but a few duplicates. The standard Irish bar beers on draft but Tetley's English Ale was a nice departure.
I had a Newcastle Brown Ale.
43) Rolf's
Now this was kind of close to home. In fact it is only half a block from where I used to live. You have to see this place to believe it this time of year. The Christmas decorations look like something you should have to pay to see, if you could even find a place. It truly is like being inside a story-book.
This time of year in addition to their usual German fare they have goose on the menu and it is fabulous. I may end up going back before the end of the month, when they change the decor and the menu, just to have it.
I had a Dab Dark Dortmunder and toddled on down the road.
44) Molly's
This place, on 3rd between 22nd and 23rd, back when I lived in the neighborhood, was once Molly Malone. New owner's but the place has pretty much remained the same. A sawdust on the floor Irish bar with the best Irish coffee and hamburger in the city, as far as I am concerned at least. As a plus The Pogues popped up on their sound system while I was there. If you don't know who The Pogues are I would suggest that they may be the best Irish rock-band ever.
Anyway, I had a Guiness and headed out.
45) Andrea's
Just across 23rd at 307 3rd Avenue is this good sized Italian restaurant that specializes in pizzas. It is fairly fancy with a shiny wood bar with a brass rail. The two round brass beer stations had plastic replicas of the Venus de Milo on top and a few more of them were on the shelves behind the bar. There were mirrors behing the shelves and opposite the bar the wall had mirrors that looked like wooden framed windows. That wall is brick but the walls in the rest of the place are wood paneling.
I had a glass of red wine.
46) Bulls Head Tavern
Back across the street from Molly's was the Bull's Head Tavern and it had finally opened up.
Another fairly large place with a couple of pool tables and a dartboard. They had some interesting, somewhat religious, paintings on the wall and 3 televisons that I saw and a bowling and a golf machine.
I would have stayed longer but interviews for staff were being conducted and the person that was conducting the interviews had, for me at least, a very unpleasant voice. Something off-putting about conducting interviews within earshot of the customers, both for the customer and, I would think, for the person being interviewed. The bartender, however, was a very pleasant person.
I had a draft Boddington's Pub Ale.
47) Plug Uglies
Down the block a bit, and I was getting lazy and let the bartender write the entire review:
"Plug Uglies, hot bartenders, titillating personalities, shuffleboard, pool table, free spankings. Ask for Elizibeth, she is so charming you will stay all day."
Well, that about sums it up except that I couldn't stay all day, places to go.
I had a Dewars and soda.
48) Mumbles
There are a few of these around town and this is another one. Most notable thing about this place is that it used to be the Old Forge back in the day when I used to hang out in the neighborhood and have a drink or two. Very nice bartender though who, when he heard about my quest, bought me a free one.
The quote from the bartender was "Mumbles - where the elite meet to drink! From young to old, laid-back to bold - the spirits are always first class."
Two Dewars and sodas.
49) Shades of Green
This place is on 15th and, as long as I was heading back this way to the subway, I had to stop in. For some reason it wasn't open when I walked down the stret earlier. It is your typical Irish pub and, by this time, I wasn't really able to notice anything that would differentiate it from any other Irish bar I have been in. Might have something to do with the number of drinks I had in me. It is a friendly local bar.
I had a Guiness.
50) 119 Bar
Another bar on 15th that you could almost miss if you didn't know it was there. Kind of looks like a basement rec-room, if your basement had a pool table and a bar in it. Kind of dingy, but hey, it was open this time around. I believe this used to be a Polish-American club of some type and, if I am not mistaken, it still operates upstairs.
I had a Dewars and soda.
51) Belmont Lounge
Just down the block on 15th, a bit of a dark place that wasn't quite open yet so I just downed a quick one and left. I used to go to this place once in awhile long ago and it was a dark place then, but it did have a little open area in the back that was nice when the weather was warm. They also had a pool table back there, but I didn't actually look this time around.
I had a Dewars and soda.
I was just going to go to six bars today but because so many memories came bubbling to the fore I just decided to go with the flow and almost doubled that. I am glad that I did, but I do not expect there will be many days like this.
Well this makes 51 bars down and 949 to go. I feel like I have passed a milestone of sorts and am begining to think that I am making real progress. I cannot afford to let down, however, so I will be back in the neighborhood again tomorrow.
41) Barfly
This is an old haunt of mine on the corner of 3rd Avenue and 20th Street. We used to have some fun company parties here in the old days. This is a nice bar, suitably dark for 11:15 A.M. and, best of all open. A pool table in the back and 4 nice televisions above the bar that were all showing, for some reason, a fashion show. There were another 6 televisions strewn around the place that began to click on one by one while I was there, and they mostly featured sports.
Lots of blue and white Chirstmas tree lights and lots of white, somethings that looked like trees with no leaves. All and all though it was kind of pretty.
I had a Bloody Mary.
42) Paddy McGuires
Across the street and back a bit was another Irish bar that had the same type of white tree-like things and was also strung up with the same kind of lights. Also a Christmas tree in the front window that was in the process of being dismantled.
No tables or booths in this place but stools and chairs along the walls which had little shelves so you had a place to put down your drink.
They had a total of 9 televisions that I could count and 2 pool tables in the back.
They had 16 draft taps but a few duplicates. The standard Irish bar beers on draft but Tetley's English Ale was a nice departure.
I had a Newcastle Brown Ale.
43) Rolf's
Now this was kind of close to home. In fact it is only half a block from where I used to live. You have to see this place to believe it this time of year. The Christmas decorations look like something you should have to pay to see, if you could even find a place. It truly is like being inside a story-book.
This time of year in addition to their usual German fare they have goose on the menu and it is fabulous. I may end up going back before the end of the month, when they change the decor and the menu, just to have it.
I had a Dab Dark Dortmunder and toddled on down the road.
44) Molly's
This place, on 3rd between 22nd and 23rd, back when I lived in the neighborhood, was once Molly Malone. New owner's but the place has pretty much remained the same. A sawdust on the floor Irish bar with the best Irish coffee and hamburger in the city, as far as I am concerned at least. As a plus The Pogues popped up on their sound system while I was there. If you don't know who The Pogues are I would suggest that they may be the best Irish rock-band ever.
Anyway, I had a Guiness and headed out.
45) Andrea's
Just across 23rd at 307 3rd Avenue is this good sized Italian restaurant that specializes in pizzas. It is fairly fancy with a shiny wood bar with a brass rail. The two round brass beer stations had plastic replicas of the Venus de Milo on top and a few more of them were on the shelves behind the bar. There were mirrors behing the shelves and opposite the bar the wall had mirrors that looked like wooden framed windows. That wall is brick but the walls in the rest of the place are wood paneling.
I had a glass of red wine.
46) Bulls Head Tavern
Back across the street from Molly's was the Bull's Head Tavern and it had finally opened up.
Another fairly large place with a couple of pool tables and a dartboard. They had some interesting, somewhat religious, paintings on the wall and 3 televisons that I saw and a bowling and a golf machine.
I would have stayed longer but interviews for staff were being conducted and the person that was conducting the interviews had, for me at least, a very unpleasant voice. Something off-putting about conducting interviews within earshot of the customers, both for the customer and, I would think, for the person being interviewed. The bartender, however, was a very pleasant person.
I had a draft Boddington's Pub Ale.
47) Plug Uglies
Down the block a bit, and I was getting lazy and let the bartender write the entire review:
"Plug Uglies, hot bartenders, titillating personalities, shuffleboard, pool table, free spankings. Ask for Elizibeth, she is so charming you will stay all day."
Well, that about sums it up except that I couldn't stay all day, places to go.
I had a Dewars and soda.
48) Mumbles
There are a few of these around town and this is another one. Most notable thing about this place is that it used to be the Old Forge back in the day when I used to hang out in the neighborhood and have a drink or two. Very nice bartender though who, when he heard about my quest, bought me a free one.
The quote from the bartender was "Mumbles - where the elite meet to drink! From young to old, laid-back to bold - the spirits are always first class."
Two Dewars and sodas.
49) Shades of Green
This place is on 15th and, as long as I was heading back this way to the subway, I had to stop in. For some reason it wasn't open when I walked down the stret earlier. It is your typical Irish pub and, by this time, I wasn't really able to notice anything that would differentiate it from any other Irish bar I have been in. Might have something to do with the number of drinks I had in me. It is a friendly local bar.
I had a Guiness.
50) 119 Bar
Another bar on 15th that you could almost miss if you didn't know it was there. Kind of looks like a basement rec-room, if your basement had a pool table and a bar in it. Kind of dingy, but hey, it was open this time around. I believe this used to be a Polish-American club of some type and, if I am not mistaken, it still operates upstairs.
I had a Dewars and soda.
51) Belmont Lounge
Just down the block on 15th, a bit of a dark place that wasn't quite open yet so I just downed a quick one and left. I used to go to this place once in awhile long ago and it was a dark place then, but it did have a little open area in the back that was nice when the weather was warm. They also had a pool table back there, but I didn't actually look this time around.
I had a Dewars and soda.
I was just going to go to six bars today but because so many memories came bubbling to the fore I just decided to go with the flow and almost doubled that. I am glad that I did, but I do not expect there will be many days like this.
Well this makes 51 bars down and 949 to go. I feel like I have passed a milestone of sorts and am begining to think that I am making real progress. I cannot afford to let down, however, so I will be back in the neighborhood again tomorrow.
Sunday, January 09, 2005
A Sunny Sunday
Today it was sunny. A welcome change from yesterday's rain. Still cold but not that bad and I didn't go very far. I took my wife to brunch and we stopped at one other bar for a grand total of two today. But that is what I had planned upon.
39) Jolie
This is a very nice French restaurant, but not overly fancy. It is on Atlantic Avenue, not far from where I live. Before brunch I had a glass of Montes Cabernet Sauvignon at the bar so I would not compromise upon my drink at a bar philosophy. The bartender was very pleasant and lived in the neighborhood. She seemed interested in my journey so I passed along this blog address.
I had an oxtail terraine appetizer and steak tartare for brunch. My wife had a lamb shank. All the food was excellent and we have most of the lamb shank in the refrigerator so I can have it for lunch tomorrow.
40) Downtown Atlantic
Just a couple of blocks away on Atlantic, towards Hank's Saloon, is this nice bar and restaurant. I sat at the bar and had a Maker's Mark Manhattan and my wife had a cup of tea and a slice of their chocolate-marble cheese-cake. Various critics claim this cheese cake is even better than Junior's, a Brooklyn institution. I can't say for certain, I would need a side by side comparison to be sure. But damn, I will have to say this was one good piece of cheese cake.
The Manhattan was pleasant and the atmosphere was as well, but I don't think I would make this a regular haunt as far as a bar to drink at goes.
Well, I did my nut for the day and have now hit 40 bars. A nice round number leaving me with a mere 960 to go. I think I will just veg out on the sofa and watch the Vikings/Packers game this afternoon. Being from Minneapolis, Minnesota I will naturally root for the Vikings, even though I think Randy Moss is one of the biggest buffoons in the game, his talent not-withstanding. But, he is oh-so-cute with those big diamond earrings. Maybe Randy hasn't figured out that there is no "I" in team, but he has sure figured out that if you drop a couple of letters and rearrange what is left you can get a "me" out of it.
39) Jolie
This is a very nice French restaurant, but not overly fancy. It is on Atlantic Avenue, not far from where I live. Before brunch I had a glass of Montes Cabernet Sauvignon at the bar so I would not compromise upon my drink at a bar philosophy. The bartender was very pleasant and lived in the neighborhood. She seemed interested in my journey so I passed along this blog address.
I had an oxtail terraine appetizer and steak tartare for brunch. My wife had a lamb shank. All the food was excellent and we have most of the lamb shank in the refrigerator so I can have it for lunch tomorrow.
40) Downtown Atlantic
Just a couple of blocks away on Atlantic, towards Hank's Saloon, is this nice bar and restaurant. I sat at the bar and had a Maker's Mark Manhattan and my wife had a cup of tea and a slice of their chocolate-marble cheese-cake. Various critics claim this cheese cake is even better than Junior's, a Brooklyn institution. I can't say for certain, I would need a side by side comparison to be sure. But damn, I will have to say this was one good piece of cheese cake.
The Manhattan was pleasant and the atmosphere was as well, but I don't think I would make this a regular haunt as far as a bar to drink at goes.
Well, I did my nut for the day and have now hit 40 bars. A nice round number leaving me with a mere 960 to go. I think I will just veg out on the sofa and watch the Vikings/Packers game this afternoon. Being from Minneapolis, Minnesota I will naturally root for the Vikings, even though I think Randy Moss is one of the biggest buffoons in the game, his talent not-withstanding. But, he is oh-so-cute with those big diamond earrings. Maybe Randy hasn't figured out that there is no "I" in team, but he has sure figured out that if you drop a couple of letters and rearrange what is left you can get a "me" out of it.
Saturday, January 08, 2005
A Cold And Rainy Day
A truly miserable day early on. Cold and rainy. I didn't like the looks of it at all because I had planned to wander a bit further afield than I had wandered before. But, being a trooper, I carried on. In fact, I got of to a fairly early start heading to the one bar I was sure would be open before noon.
32) Hank's Saloon
On the corner of Atlantic Avenue and 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn. Not too far from the Long Island Railroad terminal and major subway hub. This is in the vicinity where the proposed new home of the New Jersey Nets will be if everything goes to plan. I would suspect this would substantially increase the business at Hank's (named after Hank Williams) Saloon.
Hank's Saloon is a bit of a gritty place, a borderline dive bar. It has a very eclectic clientele, especially at night, and sometimes has live music. There was just me, the bartender, and one other person when I popped in. I started my day with a backberry brandy and 7-up.
33) Peperoncino
On the corner of St. Marks and 5th Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn. This place was a bit of a hike and I was cold and somewhat wet by the time I got there so I was greatful that it was warm and had a pizza oven going.
A nice bar and dining area and very friendly staff. Looks like it would be a nice place to go for dinner. I was the only customer so they had nobody else to talk to. I had a nice Chianti (no fava beans) and they put out a little plate of cookies for me to nibble on.
34) Beso
Just up the street and jam packed with people having brunch. An extremely noisy place but the food looked and smelled delicious. It had a bar but I was the only one having just a drink. Everyone else was eating. I felt a bit decadent, but hey, I am.
I had a Dewars and soda and headed back out into the cold.
35) 200 Fifth Restaurant and Bar
A very large sports bar at, where else, 200 5th Avenue . The bar is quite big and has two sides to it so it looks like it could comfortably seat 50 or more. On one side of the bar are seven televisions, six of them tuned to college basketball and soccer on the other. There is a pool table in the back.
They have at least three dozen beers on draft and I had a Speckled Hen.
36) Mezcal's
Not the same one I visited the other day but part of the same group. They have four locations and this one is at 396 5th Avenue. Even though this is a mini-chain, it does have an authentic Mexican bar aura about it. Just one other person in the place eating so I bellied up to the bar and had a margarita, straight up with salt. They make them with real lime juice instead of the syrupy stuff that most places use because they are too lazy to actually squeeze the limes. It was an excellent margarita.
37) Nana Reastaurant and Bar
This place, at 155 5th Avenue, was closed when I was toddling up 5th Avenue but open as I started to head back home so I stopped in. A good decision. A long narrow bar that opens up into a fairly large restaurant in the back. They had a pool with large goldfish downstairs by the bathrooms, and I thought that was a nice touch.
This place is a Japanese restaurant and, given the cold rain outside, the bar had a very Bladerunner feel to it.
I had a hot saki, and it really hit the spot.
38) O'Connor's Bar
This place was on the way back home at 39 5th Avenue and is another real classic. I don't know how long it has been around, but it looks like forever. A kind of a dank, cluttered look with a somewhat sad-looking moosehead over the bar.
I was the only one in here other than the bartender and it was my last stop so I had a couple of Rolling Rocks as we chatted about how the Jets had no chance to win against San Diego. Just goes to show you how much we knew.
Well this was an excellent day although I was so cold and wet when I got home, and a bit tipsy as well, that I jumped right into bed for a bit of a nap. Who could blame me, except for my long-suffering wife. I plan on making it up to her tomorrow by taking her out to brunch (and hopefully hitting two bars as well)
Only 962 bars left to go as I slowly (well, not that slowly, actually) crawl my way towards my goal.
32) Hank's Saloon
On the corner of Atlantic Avenue and 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn. Not too far from the Long Island Railroad terminal and major subway hub. This is in the vicinity where the proposed new home of the New Jersey Nets will be if everything goes to plan. I would suspect this would substantially increase the business at Hank's (named after Hank Williams) Saloon.
Hank's Saloon is a bit of a gritty place, a borderline dive bar. It has a very eclectic clientele, especially at night, and sometimes has live music. There was just me, the bartender, and one other person when I popped in. I started my day with a backberry brandy and 7-up.
33) Peperoncino
On the corner of St. Marks and 5th Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn. This place was a bit of a hike and I was cold and somewhat wet by the time I got there so I was greatful that it was warm and had a pizza oven going.
A nice bar and dining area and very friendly staff. Looks like it would be a nice place to go for dinner. I was the only customer so they had nobody else to talk to. I had a nice Chianti (no fava beans) and they put out a little plate of cookies for me to nibble on.
34) Beso
Just up the street and jam packed with people having brunch. An extremely noisy place but the food looked and smelled delicious. It had a bar but I was the only one having just a drink. Everyone else was eating. I felt a bit decadent, but hey, I am.
I had a Dewars and soda and headed back out into the cold.
35) 200 Fifth Restaurant and Bar
A very large sports bar at, where else, 200 5th Avenue . The bar is quite big and has two sides to it so it looks like it could comfortably seat 50 or more. On one side of the bar are seven televisions, six of them tuned to college basketball and soccer on the other. There is a pool table in the back.
They have at least three dozen beers on draft and I had a Speckled Hen.
36) Mezcal's
Not the same one I visited the other day but part of the same group. They have four locations and this one is at 396 5th Avenue. Even though this is a mini-chain, it does have an authentic Mexican bar aura about it. Just one other person in the place eating so I bellied up to the bar and had a margarita, straight up with salt. They make them with real lime juice instead of the syrupy stuff that most places use because they are too lazy to actually squeeze the limes. It was an excellent margarita.
37) Nana Reastaurant and Bar
This place, at 155 5th Avenue, was closed when I was toddling up 5th Avenue but open as I started to head back home so I stopped in. A good decision. A long narrow bar that opens up into a fairly large restaurant in the back. They had a pool with large goldfish downstairs by the bathrooms, and I thought that was a nice touch.
This place is a Japanese restaurant and, given the cold rain outside, the bar had a very Bladerunner feel to it.
I had a hot saki, and it really hit the spot.
38) O'Connor's Bar
This place was on the way back home at 39 5th Avenue and is another real classic. I don't know how long it has been around, but it looks like forever. A kind of a dank, cluttered look with a somewhat sad-looking moosehead over the bar.
I was the only one in here other than the bartender and it was my last stop so I had a couple of Rolling Rocks as we chatted about how the Jets had no chance to win against San Diego. Just goes to show you how much we knew.
Well this was an excellent day although I was so cold and wet when I got home, and a bit tipsy as well, that I jumped right into bed for a bit of a nap. Who could blame me, except for my long-suffering wife. I plan on making it up to her tomorrow by taking her out to brunch (and hopefully hitting two bars as well)
Only 962 bars left to go as I slowly (well, not that slowly, actually) crawl my way towards my goal.
Friday, January 07, 2005
Stroll up Smith
Today I decided to take it a bit easy and stroll up a street not far from me. The street has a history, just recently becoming one of the newer gentrified areas that are springing up all over. I still have plenty more bars to hit on this little stretch, but here are the ones I hit today.
28) Smithwick's
Well, it is on Smith Street, but they also serve Smithwick's Imported Irish Ale, which is what I had. This is a nice comfortable Irish bar with the requisite red-headed, female type, bartender. A couple of tables in a glassed in entryway with a Christmas tree still up looked like a nice place to have a bite to eat.
This place had a long bar with a few high tables behind the bar stools for sitting and having a bite to eat, and a bigger eating area in the back.
Three TVs behind the bar with sports on all of them. I am becoming addicted to women's pool
29) Sherwood's
This place has to be seen to be believed. The location used to be a furniture store or something so you can still sit in one of the show windows and have a drink or two and be part of the fixtures. I had an old Bally Playboy pinball machine in perfect working order and so much interesting stuff decorating the place they could charge admission. This place is a real hang-out for French expatriates (the neighborhood boasts a French population of 75,000).
Bartender and I chatted for a good half hour about then neighborhood, other French bars (that I will get to later in my journey) and life in general. If you are ever in the neighborhood you really should stop by.
I had a Dewars and soda. I was going to have a brandy and 7up but the bartender couldn't find any cheap brandy.
30) Panino'teco 275
This is a very nice, small, restaurant and bar. The bartender was very friendly and after talking to him a bit about the neighborhood he recommended a book, "Motherless Brooklyn" by Jonathon Lethem that I should read.
The bar was covered with very nicely done decoupages of what looked to be 1930s to 1940s European erotic postcards. Worth going into just to look at the bar. It turns out the guy who did the original work dropped in to the place not too long ago and they are trying to get him to do an expansion of the bar. Artwork on the wall way by one of the owner's mothers. Also very interesting.
Only problem with this trek is that you end up in places that you would like to spend more time in, or go back, to but can't. At least for a year, or a thousand bars, whichever comes first.
31) Brazen Head
This place is relatively new and I used to be able to see it from my apartment window. They have since built a Brooklyn Law School Dormitory between us. I live in a neighborhood of explosive growth.
Best thing about this place is that they usually have a couple of cask conditioned ales available. I had the Victory Hopdevil and it was very good indeed. The bartender (female) acted as though she really didn't want to be there and spent the majority of her time talking loudly to a friend of her's at the bar about stuff I really wasn't interested in. I think I just came here on a bad day because usually the staff is quite friendly and they generally have a few good cask conditioned ales as well a good selection of draft beers. In fact once a year they have a week-end devoted to cask conditioned ales and you can drink your fill. The manager, Lou, also puts on a dynamite Stew with Lou night where you get free stew made by Lou.
28) Smithwick's
Well, it is on Smith Street, but they also serve Smithwick's Imported Irish Ale, which is what I had. This is a nice comfortable Irish bar with the requisite red-headed, female type, bartender. A couple of tables in a glassed in entryway with a Christmas tree still up looked like a nice place to have a bite to eat.
This place had a long bar with a few high tables behind the bar stools for sitting and having a bite to eat, and a bigger eating area in the back.
Three TVs behind the bar with sports on all of them. I am becoming addicted to women's pool
29) Sherwood's
This place has to be seen to be believed. The location used to be a furniture store or something so you can still sit in one of the show windows and have a drink or two and be part of the fixtures. I had an old Bally Playboy pinball machine in perfect working order and so much interesting stuff decorating the place they could charge admission. This place is a real hang-out for French expatriates (the neighborhood boasts a French population of 75,000).
Bartender and I chatted for a good half hour about then neighborhood, other French bars (that I will get to later in my journey) and life in general. If you are ever in the neighborhood you really should stop by.
I had a Dewars and soda. I was going to have a brandy and 7up but the bartender couldn't find any cheap brandy.
30) Panino'teco 275
This is a very nice, small, restaurant and bar. The bartender was very friendly and after talking to him a bit about the neighborhood he recommended a book, "Motherless Brooklyn" by Jonathon Lethem that I should read.
The bar was covered with very nicely done decoupages of what looked to be 1930s to 1940s European erotic postcards. Worth going into just to look at the bar. It turns out the guy who did the original work dropped in to the place not too long ago and they are trying to get him to do an expansion of the bar. Artwork on the wall way by one of the owner's mothers. Also very interesting.
Only problem with this trek is that you end up in places that you would like to spend more time in, or go back, to but can't. At least for a year, or a thousand bars, whichever comes first.
31) Brazen Head
This place is relatively new and I used to be able to see it from my apartment window. They have since built a Brooklyn Law School Dormitory between us. I live in a neighborhood of explosive growth.
Best thing about this place is that they usually have a couple of cask conditioned ales available. I had the Victory Hopdevil and it was very good indeed. The bartender (female) acted as though she really didn't want to be there and spent the majority of her time talking loudly to a friend of her's at the bar about stuff I really wasn't interested in. I think I just came here on a bad day because usually the staff is quite friendly and they generally have a few good cask conditioned ales as well a good selection of draft beers. In fact once a year they have a week-end devoted to cask conditioned ales and you can drink your fill. The manager, Lou, also puts on a dynamite Stew with Lou night where you get free stew made by Lou.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Atlantic Avenue
It was another not too nice day in New York, but kind of like a Spring day in Minnesota. Anyway, I decided to take a bit of a stroll along Atlantic Avenue. It runs a long way but I strolled from Court Street down towards the water. You still can get a sniff of the salt because if you look down the avenue you do see the harbor. New York, at least in parts of Brooklyn, is still a bit of a waterfront town.
23) Peter's Waterfront Bar and Grill
This is a wonderful bar that not only has a great ambience, but good food as well. For the last several years I have, when I have been able, joined their Brooklyn Bridge Run. A relatively short, and very non-competitive jaunt across the Brooklyn Bridge. Afterwards they have beer and sandwiches, you get a tee-shirt, what more could you ask for. And the food is great, as you will see a bit later on.
24) Long Island Restaurant and Bar
This place has to be seen to be believed. It looks like what it might look like if your grandparents opened up a bar in their living-room. I have never eaten here but would love to try their meat-loaf.
I had a Dewars and soda and, for the second time, had someone ask me if I wanted the Dewars and soda mixed or the soda on the side. I am learning so much.
25) Montero's Bar
I am not sure what you can say about this bar. It is the closest to the waterfront of any bar on Atlantic Avenue. When I first started going there they had a parrot. Somehow he got grandfathered in on some clause bucause you weren't supposed to have parrots in bars. Anyway, he did eventually die and has never been replaced.
And yes, Pillar (85 year old owner of the place) was sitting at her usual place at the bar.
I could start to tell stories about this bar, chest-pounding-bare-chested-Indian, strongest women or most effeminate man (how would I know) but I digress.
I had a Dewars and soda.
26) Floyd's
Now before I went to Floyd's I went home, thinking I would just call it a 3 bar night. But then I kind of wanted to go out again so I told my wife that Peter's (first stop) had barbecue duck on the menu. We ended up going there for dinner, she had the duck and I had a wild game meatloaf (wild game consisted of buffalo, ostrich, and wild boar). It was good but, as I had to point out, ostrich does not seem to me to be wild game. Anyway, I had a Trail Ale but am not counting this because it is a repeat. I may note repeats but I will not count them.
Anyway, noteable thing about Floyd's is that they have an indoor bocci ball court. And I have the scoop on why you don't see too many of them. To make the court authentic you are supposed to use a special red clay, which they had shipped in. Sadly to say, however, it is a very powdery clay and gets all over everything. Not too good for a bar and restaurant. Then, because it is so powdery and gets all over everything, the amount of the clay on the court gets to be unacceptably scanty. They do have bocci ball league made up of good players who now are complaining about the poor surface conditions. The owners are now talking to a company that makes a bocci ball court clay using graphite that will work indoors and provide a highly acceptable surface without getting all over everything. Good lord, the niche markets that exist out there.
Anyway, I had an excellent Maker's Mark Manhattan.
27) Last Exit
Last stop, Last Exit. This place, interestingly enough, was the former home of Peter's Waterfront Bar. I spent a few interesting nights there when it was Peter's. One night, I remember, had something to do with free Jaegermeisters or something. Ooh, head still throbs thinking about it.
Anyway, it is now a very nice bar with a kind of a New Orleans ambience to it. Neat artwork on the walls (the artist currently on display is a tattoo artist by profession). Very friendly bartender. Comfy sofas and chairs in the back. All and all a very nice place to spend some time in.
Well, here we go, six days into it and I am ahead of schedule. I know pacing is the key, but anytime you get a chance to get a couple of more places in, go for it, I say.
Let's see now, 1000 bars total, 27 done, hey - only 973 left to go.
23) Peter's Waterfront Bar and Grill
This is a wonderful bar that not only has a great ambience, but good food as well. For the last several years I have, when I have been able, joined their Brooklyn Bridge Run. A relatively short, and very non-competitive jaunt across the Brooklyn Bridge. Afterwards they have beer and sandwiches, you get a tee-shirt, what more could you ask for. And the food is great, as you will see a bit later on.
24) Long Island Restaurant and Bar
This place has to be seen to be believed. It looks like what it might look like if your grandparents opened up a bar in their living-room. I have never eaten here but would love to try their meat-loaf.
I had a Dewars and soda and, for the second time, had someone ask me if I wanted the Dewars and soda mixed or the soda on the side. I am learning so much.
25) Montero's Bar
I am not sure what you can say about this bar. It is the closest to the waterfront of any bar on Atlantic Avenue. When I first started going there they had a parrot. Somehow he got grandfathered in on some clause bucause you weren't supposed to have parrots in bars. Anyway, he did eventually die and has never been replaced.
And yes, Pillar (85 year old owner of the place) was sitting at her usual place at the bar.
I could start to tell stories about this bar, chest-pounding-bare-chested-Indian, strongest women or most effeminate man (how would I know) but I digress.
I had a Dewars and soda.
26) Floyd's
Now before I went to Floyd's I went home, thinking I would just call it a 3 bar night. But then I kind of wanted to go out again so I told my wife that Peter's (first stop) had barbecue duck on the menu. We ended up going there for dinner, she had the duck and I had a wild game meatloaf (wild game consisted of buffalo, ostrich, and wild boar). It was good but, as I had to point out, ostrich does not seem to me to be wild game. Anyway, I had a Trail Ale but am not counting this because it is a repeat. I may note repeats but I will not count them.
Anyway, noteable thing about Floyd's is that they have an indoor bocci ball court. And I have the scoop on why you don't see too many of them. To make the court authentic you are supposed to use a special red clay, which they had shipped in. Sadly to say, however, it is a very powdery clay and gets all over everything. Not too good for a bar and restaurant. Then, because it is so powdery and gets all over everything, the amount of the clay on the court gets to be unacceptably scanty. They do have bocci ball league made up of good players who now are complaining about the poor surface conditions. The owners are now talking to a company that makes a bocci ball court clay using graphite that will work indoors and provide a highly acceptable surface without getting all over everything. Good lord, the niche markets that exist out there.
Anyway, I had an excellent Maker's Mark Manhattan.
27) Last Exit
Last stop, Last Exit. This place, interestingly enough, was the former home of Peter's Waterfront Bar. I spent a few interesting nights there when it was Peter's. One night, I remember, had something to do with free Jaegermeisters or something. Ooh, head still throbs thinking about it.
Anyway, it is now a very nice bar with a kind of a New Orleans ambience to it. Neat artwork on the walls (the artist currently on display is a tattoo artist by profession). Very friendly bartender. Comfy sofas and chairs in the back. All and all a very nice place to spend some time in.
Well, here we go, six days into it and I am ahead of schedule. I know pacing is the key, but anytime you get a chance to get a couple of more places in, go for it, I say.
Let's see now, 1000 bars total, 27 done, hey - only 973 left to go.
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Another Trip Close to Home
The day started out poorly, weather-wise at least. Damp and chilly. Typical New York winter's day. As a result I decided to hit another bunch of bars close to home. By the time I actually left on my rounds the weather had taken a turn for the better but I still didn't wander far.
18) Annie's Blue Moon Cafe
A nice little bar on Montegue Street, where all of today's bars are located. Very cheery, with all of the Christmas lights still up. I have gone here for brunch a few times and it is very pleasant.
I had a Newcastle Brown Ale
19) Centro
A new place, a bit cold in its decor. Blond wood curvey bar, blue lights, very light inside. A very sparse crowd for a large place.
Very meticulous bartender. I ordered a Dewars and soda and he showed me a glass and asked if it was okay. I said fine. Then he wanted to know if I wanted the soda on the side. I said no, together. He then asked me how much soda so I said a fair amount. Then he asked if I wanted ice, so I said yes, one cube. He said he likes to make sure the customer gets just what they want when they order a drink from him.
Bartender was quite friendly and I chatted with him about various drinks for awhile before I wandered off to my next stop.
20) Heights Cafe
A nice dark corner bar. Had big windows so maybe on a sunny day the place wouldn't be quite so dark. There is a decent restaurant in the room behind the bar.
A most obnoxious guy on a cellphone next to me made this a somewhat unenjoyable experience.
I had a Maker's Mark Manhattan and it was made well so that helped.
21) Armando's Restaurant and Bar
This is my favorite Italian restaurant in my neighborhood but they have a decent little bar in the front. I was going to save this but it was a dreary day and a glass of Chianti seemed appropriate.
Rumor has it that Marilyn Monroe and Joe Dimagio frequented this place. It is certainly old enough and there is a nice picture of Marilyn hanging on the wall.
22) Buon Gusto
Another fairly modern looking place. Even though it is next to Armando's I have never been in here before. Or maybe that is the reason why. It had aluminum looking bar chairs that gave the place a bit of a cold feeling. When I arrived the staff was bickering about how to hook up a beer keg. Three people were involved.
Kind of an eclectic staff. One bartender was from Kosovo and another was from Hong Kong. The entire staff seemed to be either Chinese or Russian. Kind of contentious staff although they were polite to their customers.
I had a Maker's Mark Manhattan, very well made, and toddled off home.
A mere 978 bars to go.
18) Annie's Blue Moon Cafe
A nice little bar on Montegue Street, where all of today's bars are located. Very cheery, with all of the Christmas lights still up. I have gone here for brunch a few times and it is very pleasant.
I had a Newcastle Brown Ale
19) Centro
A new place, a bit cold in its decor. Blond wood curvey bar, blue lights, very light inside. A very sparse crowd for a large place.
Very meticulous bartender. I ordered a Dewars and soda and he showed me a glass and asked if it was okay. I said fine. Then he wanted to know if I wanted the soda on the side. I said no, together. He then asked me how much soda so I said a fair amount. Then he asked if I wanted ice, so I said yes, one cube. He said he likes to make sure the customer gets just what they want when they order a drink from him.
Bartender was quite friendly and I chatted with him about various drinks for awhile before I wandered off to my next stop.
20) Heights Cafe
A nice dark corner bar. Had big windows so maybe on a sunny day the place wouldn't be quite so dark. There is a decent restaurant in the room behind the bar.
A most obnoxious guy on a cellphone next to me made this a somewhat unenjoyable experience.
I had a Maker's Mark Manhattan and it was made well so that helped.
21) Armando's Restaurant and Bar
This is my favorite Italian restaurant in my neighborhood but they have a decent little bar in the front. I was going to save this but it was a dreary day and a glass of Chianti seemed appropriate.
Rumor has it that Marilyn Monroe and Joe Dimagio frequented this place. It is certainly old enough and there is a nice picture of Marilyn hanging on the wall.
22) Buon Gusto
Another fairly modern looking place. Even though it is next to Armando's I have never been in here before. Or maybe that is the reason why. It had aluminum looking bar chairs that gave the place a bit of a cold feeling. When I arrived the staff was bickering about how to hook up a beer keg. Three people were involved.
Kind of an eclectic staff. One bartender was from Kosovo and another was from Hong Kong. The entire staff seemed to be either Chinese or Russian. Kind of contentious staff although they were polite to their customers.
I had a Maker's Mark Manhattan, very well made, and toddled off home.
A mere 978 bars to go.
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
A Visit To The Dentist
I had a dental appointment today so I ended up in midtown Manhattan. I took the subway to 42nd street and then went to my dentist who has his office on 40th street. Had a checkup and a cleaning and one small cavity filled. Kind of neat, he injected it with a plolymer from a tube and then cured it with some kind of a light thingy.
Anyway, as long as I was in that neighbor hood I decided to take advantage of it with a few stops at some of the local watering holes.
12) Domenico's Italian
This was on 120 E 40th St., and looked to be a very nice Italian restaurant. Mostly suit and tie guys when I was there, about 2:30 P.M. in the afternoon. Food looked and smelled great. Nice bar in the front where you could order food if you were so inclined.
I had a Dewars and soda.
13) Peter Dillon's Pub
This place is on 40th Street between Lexington and Third Avenue.
Two regulars and the bartender at the bar and one guy sitting by himself at a table. Bartender was friendly though and we discussed the Jets chances in the playoffs. I think we agreed they were zero to get beyond Saturday's game.
Good plasma TVs over the bar, ESPN on one and horse racing on the other.
Good tunes though, classic rock, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Alice Cooper.
I had a Boddington's Ale
14) Margarita Murphys
3rd Avenue between 38th and 39th
Lot's of plasma TVs but sadly they were only showing CNN and CNBC. Should have been down on Wall Street. Apparently they are a big sports bar at night.
I had an order of vegetable spring rolls, very good with an excellent hot sauce, and a V.O. and water.
15) The Black Sheep
Just up the block from Magarita Murphys.
A real Irish bar. Irish bartender, Irish customers, the whole thing. A friendly place. Very Christmasy decorations. The bar was covered in pennies with plexiglass on top.
I had a rum and coke.
16) Docks
A French Seafood type of place on 3rd Avenue between 40th and 41st. The place looked like it could be really nice but it was totally dead. The owner, or manager, was interviewing people and that is something I don't like to listen to while having a drink.
I had a glass of Pino Grigio
17) Eamonn's
After a subway ride from Grand Central I made it back to my neighborhood in Downtown, Brooklyn and decided to have one last one at, drum role please, another Irish bar on Montague Street. Kind of a late afternoon crowd which basically means people like me with nothing else to do but drink. It usually fills up with an after-work crowd but I beat them to the punch.
I had a Guinness.
Making progress, only 983 left to go.
Anyway, as long as I was in that neighbor hood I decided to take advantage of it with a few stops at some of the local watering holes.
12) Domenico's Italian
This was on 120 E 40th St., and looked to be a very nice Italian restaurant. Mostly suit and tie guys when I was there, about 2:30 P.M. in the afternoon. Food looked and smelled great. Nice bar in the front where you could order food if you were so inclined.
I had a Dewars and soda.
13) Peter Dillon's Pub
This place is on 40th Street between Lexington and Third Avenue.
Two regulars and the bartender at the bar and one guy sitting by himself at a table. Bartender was friendly though and we discussed the Jets chances in the playoffs. I think we agreed they were zero to get beyond Saturday's game.
Good plasma TVs over the bar, ESPN on one and horse racing on the other.
Good tunes though, classic rock, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Alice Cooper.
I had a Boddington's Ale
14) Margarita Murphys
3rd Avenue between 38th and 39th
Lot's of plasma TVs but sadly they were only showing CNN and CNBC. Should have been down on Wall Street. Apparently they are a big sports bar at night.
I had an order of vegetable spring rolls, very good with an excellent hot sauce, and a V.O. and water.
15) The Black Sheep
Just up the block from Magarita Murphys.
A real Irish bar. Irish bartender, Irish customers, the whole thing. A friendly place. Very Christmasy decorations. The bar was covered in pennies with plexiglass on top.
I had a rum and coke.
16) Docks
A French Seafood type of place on 3rd Avenue between 40th and 41st. The place looked like it could be really nice but it was totally dead. The owner, or manager, was interviewing people and that is something I don't like to listen to while having a drink.
I had a glass of Pino Grigio
17) Eamonn's
After a subway ride from Grand Central I made it back to my neighborhood in Downtown, Brooklyn and decided to have one last one at, drum role please, another Irish bar on Montague Street. Kind of a late afternoon crowd which basically means people like me with nothing else to do but drink. It usually fills up with an after-work crowd but I beat them to the punch.
I had a Guinness.
Making progress, only 983 left to go.
Monday, January 03, 2005
Court Street Crawl
Decided to take a walk up Court Street, one block over from where I live, and stop at the bars along the way until I hit five. Ended up hitting a couple more because I stopped at two on the way back. A bit of a longer walk than I had anticipated because, for some reason, a lot of places didn't open until 4:00 P.M. and I started my journey at 2:00 P.M.
5) Cody's Ale House Grill
What a surprise, another typical Irish Bar in Brooklyn on Court Street. It has been here forever though so it is authentic. Soccer on half the TVs and ESPN on the other half. Country Western music in the background. What more could you want.
I had a Stella Artois
6) Cousins
Got there about 2:30 P.M. but the place doesn't open until 4:00 P.M. on Mondays. They owner recognized me and let me in for a drink though. Nice place on the corner of Court Street and Amity Street. Big windows all the way around. Nice place for a drink, good place for a brunch.
I had a Dewars and Soda.
7) Lobo Tex-Mex Tequila Bar
Also on Court Street, as all the bars today will be.
A small four table restaurant with a decent sized bar and a nice selection of Tequilas, at least 35 different ones that I saw. I probably should have had one but I didn't. The food looked and smelled good so it is a place that I may very well return to one day. Good vintage rock and roll on the sound system. Martha and the Vandellas, Hoo Boy.
I had a Dewars and Soda
8) Frankie's 457
This was a bit of a hike but well worth it. I had eaten here before and the food was very good. A real neighborhood place, Italian. Small, cozy, friendly bartendress.
I had a Dewars and Soda
9) Mexcal's
A nice small Mexican bar/restaurant with a lot of tequilas. Television was tuned to a Mexican station so it seemed authentic.
I had a Margaritta on the rocks with salt.
10) Marco Polo Restuarant
Actually a very nice Italian restaurant but has a nice small bar tucked just inside the doorway.
I had a Maker's Mark Manhattan, Perfect, Straight-up.
11) Casa Rosa
Another nice little Italian restaurant with a very nice little bar. My last stop before I toddled on home.
I had a Dewars and Soda
Only 989 left to go.
5) Cody's Ale House Grill
What a surprise, another typical Irish Bar in Brooklyn on Court Street. It has been here forever though so it is authentic. Soccer on half the TVs and ESPN on the other half. Country Western music in the background. What more could you want.
I had a Stella Artois
6) Cousins
Got there about 2:30 P.M. but the place doesn't open until 4:00 P.M. on Mondays. They owner recognized me and let me in for a drink though. Nice place on the corner of Court Street and Amity Street. Big windows all the way around. Nice place for a drink, good place for a brunch.
I had a Dewars and Soda.
7) Lobo Tex-Mex Tequila Bar
Also on Court Street, as all the bars today will be.
A small four table restaurant with a decent sized bar and a nice selection of Tequilas, at least 35 different ones that I saw. I probably should have had one but I didn't. The food looked and smelled good so it is a place that I may very well return to one day. Good vintage rock and roll on the sound system. Martha and the Vandellas, Hoo Boy.
I had a Dewars and Soda
8) Frankie's 457
This was a bit of a hike but well worth it. I had eaten here before and the food was very good. A real neighborhood place, Italian. Small, cozy, friendly bartendress.
I had a Dewars and Soda
9) Mexcal's
A nice small Mexican bar/restaurant with a lot of tequilas. Television was tuned to a Mexican station so it seemed authentic.
I had a Margaritta on the rocks with salt.
10) Marco Polo Restuarant
Actually a very nice Italian restaurant but has a nice small bar tucked just inside the doorway.
I had a Maker's Mark Manhattan, Perfect, Straight-up.
11) Casa Rosa
Another nice little Italian restaurant with a very nice little bar. My last stop before I toddled on home.
I had a Dewars and Soda
Only 989 left to go.
Sunday, January 02, 2005
Day Two
I only managed one bar today, but that, again, was better than I expected. Got picked up by a friend at about 11:30 A.M. to drive to a party that a friend of ours was having. Most of us are Jets fans so we watched the Jets lose in overtime due, primarily, to stupidity. If they hadn't have gone for 2 points (which they missed) but simply kicked a point after they probably would have won the game without having to go into overtime. Oh well, they still made the play-offs. The Vikings, another team that I am a fan of, also did themselves proud by getting into the play-offs by losing their game, or at least in spite of it.
But I digress. My bar of the day, after getting home from the party, was:
4) O'Keefe's
An Irish bar in downtown Brooklyn, on Court Street, that has, over the years, gone a bit upscale. Not very busy tonight but I did run into someone I knew so my one drink turned into two. I had two pints of Guiness.
996 bars on the wall.
But I digress. My bar of the day, after getting home from the party, was:
4) O'Keefe's
An Irish bar in downtown Brooklyn, on Court Street, that has, over the years, gone a bit upscale. Not very busy tonight but I did run into someone I knew so my one drink turned into two. I had two pints of Guiness.
996 bars on the wall.
Saturday, January 01, 2005
The First Small Steps
Well today was the start of my 1,000 bar epic. It was a bit touch and go as to whether or not I would get off to any kind of a start today. Last night my wife and I went over to my mother-in-law's house for New Years Eve and spent the night. A sister-in-law and my brother-in-law were also there. Today two more sister-in-laws showed up along with another brother-in-law and three young neices. Prospects were bleak until late in the afternoon when we decided to make coffee to go with desert and realized we were out of milk. My brother-in-law, aware of my quest, suggested that we go out to buy some. On our trip we managed to stop at three bars in New Rochelle, New York.
1) Big Mike's Pelham Grill
A nice Irish type of bar with Honeymooner reruns on the tube. I had a Dewars and Soda.
2) B&B's Fifth Ave. Pub
Another Irish bar with college football on the tube. Texas and Michigan if I am not mistaken. I had a Newcastle Brown Ale.
3) Copper Still
No surprise here, another Irish type of bar with only one patron other than myself and my brother-in-law. Texas and Michigan still on the tube. I had another Dewars and Soda.
My brother-in-law took pictures of me in front of each of the bars but hasn't sent them to me yet. When he does I will try to insert them in this posting.
Tomorrow I may not hit any bars because I am going to a party but I will certainly be back at it on Monday. Only 997 more to go.
1) Big Mike's Pelham Grill
A nice Irish type of bar with Honeymooner reruns on the tube. I had a Dewars and Soda.
2) B&B's Fifth Ave. Pub
Another Irish bar with college football on the tube. Texas and Michigan if I am not mistaken. I had a Newcastle Brown Ale.
3) Copper Still
No surprise here, another Irish type of bar with only one patron other than myself and my brother-in-law. Texas and Michigan still on the tube. I had another Dewars and Soda.
My brother-in-law took pictures of me in front of each of the bars but hasn't sent them to me yet. When he does I will try to insert them in this posting.
Tomorrow I may not hit any bars because I am going to a party but I will certainly be back at it on Monday. Only 997 more to go.
Friday, December 10, 2004
Preparations Continue
Although there is still plenty of time before my endeavor actually starts, it is never too soon to begin preparing. My brother-in-law bought me a fine bottle of single malt Scotch for my birthday, The Balvenie Doublewood, matured in two woods and aged 12 years. One of the finest I have ever tasted. Sweet with a nice finish. I am hooked. It is half gone already despite my rather feeble attempt to save it for special get-togethers. Ah well, what can one do.
He also bought me "Blackbook," a comprehensive list of restaurants, bars, clubs, and hotels in New York. This will be most useful as I am sure some of my treks will carry me far from home into unfamiliar neighborhoods. I am already looking forward to my swing through Chinatown (who doesn't love a karoke bar).
Be sure to post with any suggestions as to bars I should hit.
He also bought me "Blackbook," a comprehensive list of restaurants, bars, clubs, and hotels in New York. This will be most useful as I am sure some of my treks will carry me far from home into unfamiliar neighborhoods. I am already looking forward to my swing through Chinatown (who doesn't love a karoke bar).
Be sure to post with any suggestions as to bars I should hit.
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Doctor's Advice
Following the common sense advice of checking with a doctor before embarking on any new "exercise" program, I checked in with mine concerning my One Thousand Bar trek. After pronouncing me fit and perfectly suited for such a program, we then discussed proper nutrition and my actual "exercise" program. As might be expected, he stressed the importance of a good breakfast. He thought a three day on, one day off pace might be optimal, but we both agreed that circumstances would have a large affect on that. We then discussed the ideal mixture of drinks. Of course we both agreed that large strong drinks would not do much to further the cause, thereby rulling out two of my favorites, martinis and Manhattans. He thought the ideal might be a shot of vodka and a glass of water for a chaser, but we both realized that would make the journey even more arduous than it already is likely to be. A good second choice seemed to be either screwdrivers or greyhounds (grapefruit juice and vodka). Bloody Mary's would be okay except that most places make them way too big. Of course, while in Mexico margarittas and shots of tequila will play a big role.
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Gearing Up
Still a long way to go before I actually start my 1000 Bar Quest, but in the meantime I am studying up a bit. I found a really good website that any afficiando of the hardstuff might want to visit.
www.cocktaildb.com
If you are feeling adventurous, be sure to try the Mixilator
www.cocktaildb.com
If you are feeling adventurous, be sure to try the Mixilator
Saturday, October 16, 2004
Pea Soup
Not directly related to my 1000 bar venture, I thought I would share this with you. Tomorrow I am going to a Jets game and my buddy will pick me and my wife up at 8:00 A.M. for a 1:00 P.M. game. Tomorrow is also my 12th wedding aniversary. We will be celebrating in the parking lot at Giants Stadium in New Jersey. Good Wife.
My assigned dish is pea soup, and I am making it now to reheat for tomorrow's game. Reheated pea soup is the best.
If enough people ask I will share the recipe.
My assigned dish is pea soup, and I am making it now to reheat for tomorrow's game. Reheated pea soup is the best.
If enough people ask I will share the recipe.
The Beginning
I have, over the years, partaken and originated numerous drinking related activities. A friend of mine and I once went on a motorcycle trip and tried to drink at 100 different bars. We failed. We drank at 77. However, our rules were strict and our will was weak. We would not count as a bar anyplace we had a meal and, of course, we could not count a bar twice, even if we went back to it. Then, of course, there was the let's have another syndrome.
I also, with another friend, organized a Bar Trek in New York. This was an event where you needed to have one drink in 26 bars in one day to complete. In 5 years only 2 people actually completed this event. I was not one of them.
Now, for the last couple of years, I have had it in my head that I could have a drink in 1000 different bars within a year. I have discussed this with my wife, who thinks I am crazy, and she has agreed to support me in my endeavor.
I have also rejoined a health club and am going to prove that my tour of the bars can be completed while maintaining, and even improving, my overall physical well-being.
My journey will begin January 1st, 2005. I will keep you up-to-date on my progress on this BLOG
I also, with another friend, organized a Bar Trek in New York. This was an event where you needed to have one drink in 26 bars in one day to complete. In 5 years only 2 people actually completed this event. I was not one of them.
Now, for the last couple of years, I have had it in my head that I could have a drink in 1000 different bars within a year. I have discussed this with my wife, who thinks I am crazy, and she has agreed to support me in my endeavor.
I have also rejoined a health club and am going to prove that my tour of the bars can be completed while maintaining, and even improving, my overall physical well-being.
My journey will begin January 1st, 2005. I will keep you up-to-date on my progress on this BLOG
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