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August 21, 2008
MurphGuide 2008 Summer Cruise
It's that time of year again… Rocking to and fro, around New York Harbor with friends. It's something I look forward to every summer.
By Stephen Bailey

August 07, 2008
Kunjip for Kimchi
Noise, spice, beer and a mysterious stain on my shirt. When smatterings of food plans were being made, I had almost decided to go home. Glad I didn't.
By Stephen Bailey

August 07, 2008
Beer Pressure at Desmond's
What happened when I ignored my impulse to say no. I just wanted to go home, write a little and sleep a lot. But that's not how it would be.
By Stephen Bailey

August 6, 2008
Josie's Restaurant East
Quaint, veggie friendly, organic goodness for lunch. There are things on the menu most men never consider. Like mesclun greens and orzo (wtf).
By Stephen Bailey

July 26, 2008
Teneleven to Lit
A cool chill party on Avenue C and then dancing. Teneleven is a relaxed, hip little spot with funky drinks and good music. Lit is a hot, underground grind.
By Stephen Bailey

July 4, 2008
Red, White, Blue and Green
Celebrating America with fireworks and absinthe. I was invited to be the absinthe server at a party by the lovely Jennifer and Amanda of The Lost Girls.
By Stephen Bailey

June 28, 2008
Mehanata Bulgarian Bar
Loud music, laser gnats, beer and a stripper poll. This night turned out to be a crazier time than expected. Ears deafened and head spinning.
By Stephen Bailey

June 25, 2008
Where's Johnny?
The night I didn't meet Johnny Depp at a fancy party. On the roof of the Night Hotel in NYC. Waiting, looking. Will he show? Is that…? No. How about…? No.
By Stephen Bailey

June 23, 2008
Absinthe Minded
Welcoming the Green Fairy back to America. For the first time since 1912, authentic French absinthe is once again available in the US.
By Stephen Bailey

June 03, 2008
St. Andrew's
Pining over the scotch that never was. Authentic Scottish pub (and Times Square haven) complete with vintage photos, Golf paraphernalia, flags and a cute staff in tartan plaid.
By Stephen Bailey

May 22, 2008
Margarita Murphy's
Sometimes it only takes a few extra steps to save a night. It's like someone dropped a neighborhood Irish pub into the bright sun of a desert pueblo. Hospitality and Guinness served under chili pepper lights.
By Stephen Bailey

May 9, 2008
Grand Sichuan to the Rescue
How my lunch was saved by half a duck, green tea and rice. Steering clear of the typically spicy fare, I went with the duck smoked in black tea leaves, deep-fried and chopped into bite-sized pieces, bones and all.
By Stephen Bailey

May 6, 2008
Inc. Lounge
For this reincarnation, success is in the details. Located on the second floor by way of a glass elevator in the Time Hotel, I thought the Inc. Lounge was simply a rebirth of the former Time Lounge.
By Stephen Bailey

April 22, 2008
Guantanamera
Traditional Cuban food, mojitos, live music and hand rolled cigars. Part two of the birthday celebrations for my friend Jen that began on Saturday night. My friend Holly and I kept referring to it as Guantanamo.
By Stephen Bailey

April 19, 2008
People Lounge
Loud music, weak drinks & puking frat boys put a damper on things. I was here for my friend's pre-birthday celebration. It's a shame when such a potentially warm, cozy place like this can turn me off so quickly.
By Stephen Bailey

April 15, 2008
Village Yokocho
Kimchee, saki and many, many mysterious dishes. We fit about fifteen people at a table built for ten and ordered by pointing to the tapas menu and saying,"Bring all of this."
By Stephen Bailey

April 6, 2008
A Sunday Night in Queens
Beer, games, sushi, saki, go go dancers and red wine. It was an unexpected full night that started out as a simple birthday celebration and ended with me stumbling home at 4:30 AM..
By Stephen Bailey

March 17, 2008
PS 450
Avoiding the usual trappings of St. Patrick's Day. The rule of thumb for me is to avoid bars with Irish names on St. Patrick's Day. The reasons are fairly obvious. Tons of amateurs, cover charges, etc.
By Stephen Bailey

March 12, 2008
Coffee Shop Bar
Models, drinks, seasoned fries and a movie. Since everyone already knows how good it is, this is not a review of the movie Juno. Instead it's more about my dinner before hand.
By Stephen Bailey

February 14, 2008
Anti-Valentine Celebration
Because love stinks, but watching folks fall off a mechanical bull doesn't.
By Stephen Bailey

February 9, 2008
Whiskey to the Rescue
Escaping the dress code and cramped quarters of an earlier party
By Stephen Bailey

January 26, 2008
My, My ... My Moon
A night of celebrations (and tricky barstools) in Brooklyn
By Stephen Bailey

January 24, 2008
Art Show at Niagara
Paintings, photos and a giant vagina ... oh my
By Stephen Bailey

January 23, 2008
Bar Nine
It was like walking into a relaxing spa ... at first
By Stephen Bailey

December 18, 2007
Late Night Burger Heaven
Finding myself in a beef and grease induced pleasure coma
By Stephen Bailey

Wee Burgers and Good Cheer
Holiday drinks at Lincoln Park Grill
By Stephen Bailey

December 17, 2007
An Old Standby
When pressed to find a place, I can always count on House of Brews.
By Stephen Bailey

December 1, 2007
'Twas a Grand Night, Until ...
Flashing lights, pulsing music and a wretched trip home
By Stephen Bailey

Kabuki Killers @ Arlene's Grocery
"We set up fast and our songs are short"
By Stephen Bailey

November 20, 2007
Pussycat Lounge
Avoid the strip tease and go for the thrift store lounge
By Stephen Bailey

November 19, 2007
The Ginger Man
Yards of beer and bacon on hot dogs
By Stephen Bailey

November 15, 2007
The Canadian Invasion
Barely recovered from my Russian encounter I end up out again...
By Stephen Bailey

November 14, 2007
The Russians are Coming!
Well, they came already ... OK actually we went to them...
By Stephen Bailey

November 3, 2007
Music Underground at Lit Lounge
Bands, art and even waitress service ... but at the bar?
By Stephen Bailey

October 25, 2007
Drinking for Charity at Still
I'm always willing to help children, especially if there's a party involved
By Stephen Bailey

October 24, 2007
Made in the Shade
A night of crepes, wine and bourbon at Shade
By Stephen Bailey

October 18, 2007
Off The Wagon, On The Sauce
Because 28 Days of clean living deserves a celebration...
By Stephen Bailey

October 13, 2007
Out On A Limb
Imagine me ... dancing at Branch, NYC...
By Stephen Bailey

October 4, 2007
Happy Hour at Croxley Ales (eventually)
What happens when the guy not drinking picks the bar?
By Stephen Bailey

September 28, 2007
Drinks at The Volstead
Picture Al Capone with a nice Cantaloupe Daiquiri...
By Stephen Bailey

September 15, 2007
Standing Room Only
Stand performs two packed nights at Joe's Pub
By Stephen Bailey

August 29, 2007
Against the Grain
Serving craft beer in a charming, intimate setting...
By Stephen Bailey

August 28, 2007
edibleRed Off the Record
With a title like that, you’d think this was going to be a tell-all expose...
By Stephen Bailey

August 26, 2007
Stuntditch Live at Arlene's Grocery
Regional Mexican / Punk / Dub ... no not really ...
By Stephen Bailey

August 25, 2007
Cleveland Rocks Brooklyn
Rock N Roll, BBQ and all for a great cause in Red Hook...
By Stephen Bailey

August 23, 2007
The Annual MurphGuide Cruise
Food, fun, booze and a few forgotten names on the waters of the Hudson...
By Stephen Bailey

August 5, 2007
Bring On the Swanky Glaze
Desperation for food and cold drinks can lead to places like this
By Stephen Bailey

Good Music, Warm Beer
It was one hot night at The Baggot Inn
By Stephen Bailey

July 28, 2007
Down Under the Brooklyn Bridge
An intimate wedding at Five Front, Brooklyn
By Stephen Bailey

July 20, 2007
Charity In-Focus Photo Exhibition
An awards ceremony and party celebrating a wonderful charity event
By Stephen Bailey

July 14, 2007
Skate at Your Own Risk
Discovering the phenomenon of Gotham Girls Roller Derby
By Stephen Bailey

July 5, 2007
The Monkeys Made Her Do It
The third installment of One Night Only at Luna Lounge...
By Stephen Bailey

July 3, 2007
The West Gets Wilder
Grand Opening of Whistlin' Dixie's Texas Tavern
by Sean Murphy (with photos by "The Pub Crawler")

June 28, 2007
Long and Strong
Closing time at Third & Long?  Nope, a reprieve!
By Jackie Beach

June 27, 2007
Amy Regan at The Bitter End
I finally get to see a favorite of mine with a backing band...
By Stephen Bailey

June 27, 2007
Music Dish 10th Anniversary Party
A colorful, music-filled celebration at Gonzalez y Gonzalez...
By Stephen Bailey

June 25, 2007
Dining in First Class
Bruno Jamais Restaurant...
By Jackie Beach

June 13, 2007
Do Your Little Turn on the Katwalk
Sex and the City Night at Katwalk...
By Jackie Beach

June 9, 2007
Escape to Sing Sing
Some late-night, drunken karaoke fun...
By Stephen Bailey