MurphGuide 2008 Summer Cruise (August 21, 2008)
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.
Kunjip for Kimchi (August 07, 2008)
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.
Beer Pressure at Desmond's (August 07, 2008)
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.
Josie's Restaurant East (August 06, 2008)
Quaint, veggie friendly, organic goodness for lunch. There are things on the menu most men never consider. Like mesclun greens and orzo (wtf).
Teneleven to Lit (July 26, 2008)
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.
Red, White, Blue and Green (July 4, 2008)
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.
Mehanata Bulgarian Bar
(June 28, 2008)
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.
Where's Johnny? (June 25, 2008)
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.
Absinthe Minded (June 23, 2008)
Welcoming the Green Fairy back to America. For the first time since 1912, authentic French absinthe is once again available in the US.
St. Andrew's (June 03, 2008)
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.
Margarita Murphy's (May 22, 2008)
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.
Grand Sichuan to the Rescue (May 9, 2008)
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.
Inc. Lounge (May 6, 2008)
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.
Guantanamera (April 22, 2008)
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.
People Lounge (April 19, 2008)
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.
Village Yokocho (April 15, 2008)
Kimchee, saki and many, many mysterious dishes. We managed to fit about fifteen people at a table built for ten and ordered by pointing to the tapas menu and saying,"Bring all of this."
A Sunday Night in Queens (April 6, 2008)
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.
PS 450
(March 17, 2008)
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.
Coffee Shop Bar
(March 12, 2008)
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.
Anti-Valentine Celebration (February 14, 2008)
Because love stinks, but watching folks fall off a mechanical bull doesn't.
Whiskey to the Rescue (February 9, 2008)
Escaping the dress code and cramped quarters of an earlier party
My, My ... My Moon (January 26, 2008)
A night of celebrations (and tricky barstools) in Brooklyn
Art Show at Niagara (January 24, 2008)
Paintings, photos and a giant vagina ... oh my
Bar Nine (January 23 , 2008)
It was like walking into a relaxing spa ... at first
Late Night Burger Heaven (December 18, 2007)
Finding myself in a beef and grease induced pleasure coma
Wee Burgers and Good Cheer (December 18, 2007)
Holiday drinks at Lincoln Park Grill
An Old Standby (December 17, 2007)
When pressed to find a place, I can always count on House of Brews.
'Twas a Grand Night, Until ... (December 1, 2007)
Flashing lights, pulsing music and a wretched trip home
Kabuki Killers @ Arlene's Grocery (December 1, 2007)
"We set up fast and our songs are short"
Pussycat Lounge (November 20, 2007)
Avoid the strip tease and go for the thrift store lounge
The Ginger Man (November 19, 2007)
Yards of beer and bacon on hot dogs
The Canadian Invasion (November 15, 2007)
Barely recovered from my Russian encounter I end up out again...
The Russians are Coming! (November 14, 2007)
Well, they came already ... OK actually we went to them...
Music Underground at Lit Lounge (November 3, 2007)
Bands, art and even waitress service ... but at the bar?
Drinking for Charity at Still (October 25, 2007)
I'm always willing to help children, especially if there's a party involved
Made in the Shade (October 24, 2007)
A night of crepes, wine and bourbon at Shade
Off The Wagon, On The Sauce (October 18, 2007)
Because 28 Days of clean living deserves a celebration
Out On A Limb (October 13, 2007)
Imagine me ... dancing at Branch, NYC...
Happy Hour at Croxley Ales (eventually) (October 4, 2007)
What happens when the guy not drinking picks the bar?
Drinks at The Volstead (September 28, 2007)
Picture Al Capone with a nice Cantaloupe Daiquiri...
Standing Room Only (September 15, 2007)
Stand performs two packed nights at Joe's Pub
Against the Grain (August 29, 2007)
Serving craft beer in a charming, intimate setting...
edibleRed Off the Record (August 28, 2007)
With a title like that, you’d think this was going to be a tell-all expose...
Stuntditch Live at Arlene's Grocery (August 26, 2007)
Regional Mexican / Punk / Dub ... no not really ...
Cleveland Rocks Brooklyn (August 25, 2007)
Rock N Roll, BBQ and all for a great cause in Red Hook...
The Annual MurphGuide Cruise (August 23, 2007)
Food, fun, booze and a few forgotten names on the waters of the Hudson...
Bring On the Swanky Glaze (August 5, 2007)
Desperation for food and cold drinks can lead to places like this
Good Music, Warm Beer (August 5, 2007)
It was one hot night at The Baggot Inn
Down Under the Brooklyn Bridge (July 28, 2007)
An intimate wedding at Five Front, Brooklyn
Charity In-Focus Photo Exhibition (July 20, 2007)
An awards ceremony and party celebrating a wonderful charity event
Skate at Your Own Risk (July 14, 2007)
Discovering the phenomenon of Gotham Girls Roller Derby
The Monkeys Made Her Do It (July 5, 2007)
The third installment of One Night Only at Luna Lounge...
Amy Regan at The Bitter End (June 27, 2007)
I finally get to see a favorite of mine with a backing band...
Music Dish 10th Anniversary Party (June 27, 2007)
A colorful, music-filled celebration at Gonzalez y Gonzalez...
Escape to Sing Sing (June 9, 2007)
Some late-night, drunken karaoke fun...
The Velvet Rope-A-Dope (June 9, 2007)
How I somehow got denied entry to a place I was already in...
True Grit Troubadour (June 9, 2007)
And then I went to see David Calamoneri play at Parkside Lounge
Is That Liza Minnelli Behind You? (June 4, 2007)
An evening with One Hand Loves the Other at The Annex...
Up on the Roof (May 23, 2007)
Hearst celebrates the launching of many websites at 230 Fifth...
Finding Class Despite the In-Between (May 11, 2007)
Ava's Rooftop Lounge and the new Rm. Fifty5
It's Not
a Play and There's No Music (April 11, 2007)
Janeane Garofalo, Marc Maron & Henry Rollins at The Gramercy
Theater
A
Cajun View of NYC thru English Glassses (April 10, 2007)
And then Ben Godwin celebrated the release of
'Skin and Bone'
Bocce,
Books and Music in Park Slope (March 22, 2007)
Stand's CD Release Show at Union Hall,
Brooklyn
What Happens When an 'F' Becomes an 'A'? (February 18, 2007)
And then I missed The David Zoffer Differential CD Release Party
A Return to Harmony View (January 31, 2007)
And then I made up for lost time
So Much for That Refreshing Change (January 21, 2007)
And then R&R closed
Rock Finds a New Home in Brooklyn (January 20, 2007)
The grand opening of the new Luna Lounge
A Refreshing Change (December 29, 2006)
R&R in the Meatpacking District
Gear Bank Launch Party in Dumbo (December 9, 2006)
Gearing up to help the homeless this winter
Lilly Coogan's Open Mic One-Year Anniversary (December 7, 2006)
Music, Comedy, Booze and Cookies
'Little Building' @ Galapagos, Brooklyn (November 17, 2006)
Talk About Your Mixed Marriages...
The
Thrillist One-Year Anniversary (October
24, 2006)
Open Bar and Flying Knives...
Adira
Amram is an American Idol (October
20, 2006)
Not exactly what the title suggests, but...
Cuzme's
Silent Film @ Jimmy's (October
11, 2006)
Deep beneath East 7th Street I find Jazz, Film and Craft Beer
Enter
The Haggis @ Coda, NYC (September
14, 2006)
A stew
of rock & world music wrapped in a stomach of Celtic identity
The
Tenth Annual MurphGuide Summer Cruise (August
24, 2006)
Picture yourself on a boat on a river.
With hot pirate girls and lots of cold beer.
Carpe
Diem (July
18, 2006)
A brand-new modern and cozy Irish Pub in Hoboken
My
First Time at Fat Baby, NYC (July 2, 2006)
I really thought I had walked into the wrong place
Things to Remember : Ways to Forget (June 30, 2006)
Brand New CD release from Austria's The Base
I Wanna Be That Guy (April 29, 2006)
Drunken chic and the center of attention in Hoboken
eugene's wake? @ Maxwell's (January 21, 2006)
A night of music, frolic and change in the Hoboken music scene
New Year's Eve 2005 @ CBGB (December
31, 2005)
Stephen and friends ring in the new year at CBGB.
Save
CBGB Concert Featuring Ya-Ne-Zniyoo (August
11, 2005)
Stephen's band opens a benefit show on August 11 at CBGB.
The
Shapes at Luna Lounge (May 27,
2005)
Stephen reviews a show by local band The Shapes.
MurphGuide Irish Road Trip April 5-11, 2005 (April
5-11, 2005)
Read Stephen's travel diary of the MurphGuide Pub Tour in Ireland.
Glengarry
Bhoys at The Knitting Factory, NYC (March
3 , 2005)
Stephen
attends the CD release party for this Canadian band.
A Conversation with Luna Lounge Owner Rob Sacher (February
22, 2005)
Stephen &
Rob reflect on the ever-changing live music scene in NYC.
A Beer/Food Event at The West End, NYC (January
29, 2005)
A beer
pairing dinner at The West End, which now brews its own beer.
Closing Night at Big City Bar &
Grill, NYC (January
8, 2005)
In what turned
out not to be the closing night...
Awesome 80s
Prom at Webster Hall,
NYC (December
4, 2004)
Stephen goes
back to the 80s at "Awesome 80s Prom".
Jivin'
Jones Irish Rock Festival Hoboken (December 2, 2004)
Irish rock by Ice Wagon Flu and friends |
