Bar of the Week Bars of the Week 2001 Bars of the Week 2000

1999 (click on a bar...)

by Stefanie Arck

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Red Rock West Saloon
457 W.17th St. (10th Ave.)
(212) 366-5359
by Stefanie Arck
With "some of the best free entertainment in the city", the Red Rock is one of the most fun and entertaining bars in NYC, if you like this type of place. Once a true biker bar, the Red Rock still has since been written up in mags like Time Out New York (voted the loudest bar), and has begun to attract suits after work on Thursdays and B&T on the weekends. It’s divey, but you have no need to get dressed in anything beside Levi’s and old boots when heading west.
Drinks are cheap with $3 bottles and drink specials every night of the week. And you’re served by the sassiest girls who earn the admiration or love of all the patrons for dancing on the bar without falling over, most of the time.
But its the shows they put on to classics like "Pour Some Sugar" or "Me and Julio" and the rustic decor that keep me and many others coming back week after week after week after week.

Click here for a tribute to Red Rock West
by Kevin Fitzpatrick

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Thirteen
35 E.13th St. (between Broadway & University Pl.)
(212) 979-6677
by Stefanie Arck
If you can get in to Thirteen after or during (if you’re a woman) a closed party, you’ll enjoy it no matter what type of venue you generally frequent. This mini-lounge/club has a great atmosphere from the interesting, trippy patterns they project onto the wall to the punk rock, Spencer’s wig lamps on the bar. There’s a bar, sofas, and a dance floor as well as a rooftop deck pen in good weather.
It’s moderately priced with $4 mixed drinks, and sometimes there’s a $5 cover charge to pay the weekend DJ’s. The crowd varies dependent on whether NYU is in session or if there’s a closed party, but the patrons are always young 20’s, and dancing after a few drinks.
The music’s good, and if you don’t go too late you can avoid a crowd and a cover. If you’re in a large group of men, it’s tough to get in, so skip 13 if you don’t have any girls with you.

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Black Star Bar
92 Second Ave. (between 5th & 6th St.)
(212) 254-4747
by Stefanie Arck
Formerly "Liquidity", this East Village bar caters to everyone: Black Star has a secluded lounge, a decent sized bar room and pool table in the back. The variety accounts for the mixed mid-20’s clientele – hip hop folks come for the Sat. night Chaise lounge program, some are locals, and it also attracts a large crowd from Brooklyn. Often the lounge is rented out for private parties, but at 11 it’s come one come all.

Most come for a mellow hassle-free night hanging out throwing back inexpensive drinks ($3.50 pints) and meeting up with friends. It’s a great pool scene if you’re there early, as the room is large with seating around the table and fun artwork to gaze at, but expect to wait awhile to get on the table once your quarters are down.

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Sweet Melissa's
by Stefanie Arck
1629 2nd Avenue (between 84th and 85th St.)
(212) 585-2768

Like every other bar in the Upper East side, this bar is packed with drunken city workers and plays Irish favorites like "The Unicorn" on St. Patrick's day. What sets it apart the rest of the year is everything which makes the typical Upper East side bar a typical Upper East Side bar.
This bar has a huge amount of space adjacent to the bar where you can sit on bar stools at small tables, and in the back there's a pool table with a lot of quarters on it. Sitting at the bar, you can frequently find a slew of regulars after work as well as a crowd that graduated after 1998. And unlike many neighborhood favorites, this is not necessarily a place to pick up despite the amount of alcohol that the customers consume and the great music spun by the DJ in the back.

The prices are moderate - $4 pints of Bass and mixed drinks, but if there's a guest bartender, happy hour specials go as low as $2 domestic pints. It's not terribly loud, so it's a good place to go after work with a crowd, and late night for a quick drink(s) before heading home.

Check it out this Friday when myself and Marc Ferrucci will be serving up $2 pints of Bud and Bud Light and shots of Sex on the Beach as your guest bartenders from 7-10.

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Flight 1668
by Stefanie Arck
1668 Third Ave. (between 93rd & 94th St.)
(212) 426-1416

I'd like to move this column into summer by spotlighting lesser known outdoor bars. If you're like me, you may be sick of the mob scenes you encounter when going to the park bars (Luna and Bryant), or the Rios of the world.
Please note: the type and amount of outdoor space available varies by bar, but are good for an afternoon drinking excursion, or, if you're out of work early and want to relax. So, read on...The first bar I'll highlight is Flight 1668 on the Upper East Side.

Similar to it's downtown cousin, Flight 151 (8th ave between 17th and 18th), Flight 1668 has theme nights: Margarita Madness, Flip Night, Let's Make A Deal Night and Trivia night. They also have great bar food like amazing burgers, delish steak fries and fab chicken fingers. What differentiates it from 151, though, is the outdoor deck it has in the front, the pool room in the back, and the overall feel that this a bar with food rather than a restaurant with a bar.

Happy hour is from 5-7 every day with $1.75 drafts and well drinks, and each theme night begins at 7 offering you the chance to continue drinking cheap, and even free (if you're lucky).

The bartenders say it's less crowded than 151, but it is a genuine oasis for those Upper Eastsiders hiding from the pick up scene of the neighborhood. While it's pretty far uptown, it's definitely worth the trip as the jukebox kicks ass with a huge selection of rock, top 40 and oldies and the $6.95 all you can eat brunch on the weekends gives you a reason to check out this theme-y bar.

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Looking Glass
by Stefanie Arck
108 3rd Ave. (between 13th & 14th St.)
(212) 777-3363

Continuing the month of lesser known outdoor bars, this week I want to mention a small NYU hangout, The Looking Glass. This small, low ceiling bar located right near NYU is packed on weekends with college kids drinking cheap beer and dancing to the excellent tunes provided by the DJ's. When walking down into Looking Glass, it looks like a typical frat bar. However, behind the front bar room, there's a small lounge area in the back, and an even smaller outdoor garden open during the summer.
There's a pretty good beer selection, and you can get a draft for $3. Because it's an all college crowd, it's better to go there in the summer when it's a bit less packed, and you have a chance at getting a seat out back. Happy hour lasts until 8 and they offer $2 pints and $3 well drinks for your imbibing pleasure.

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The Back Porch
by Stefanie Arck
488 Third Ave. (33rd St.)
(212) 685-3828

Just down the street from El Rio Grande here lies a more mellow, less-crowded outdoor alternative. While there's not too much space, the Back Porch has about 25 outdoor tables with large umbrellas, and is divided from the sidewalk with palm trees and tiki torches at night for a tropical ambiance. While its a popular destination because of the menu which spans from bar food like potato skins to entrees like pasta and pizza and desserts like brownie sundaes, the frothy drinks are the main draw.
The Back Porch prides itself on frozen concoctions; they offer a variety of colada drinks from the popular pina to strawberry and more exotic mango. You can also get frozen margaritas and daquiris. These all cost about $6 and have a decent amount of alcohol, but if you get a headache from these sweet, icy drinks, they generally have a happy hour special like $2 bottles of Miller.
The crowd is a heterogeneous and heterosexual one with locals coming to eat and young 20-somethings migrating from mid-town looking for a new outdoor spot. There is generally a wait for outside, so come early (before 6) or eat inside and leave your name on the outside waiting list.

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O'Flaherty's Ale House
by Stefanie Arck
334 W. 46th (between 8th & 9th Ave.)
(212) 581-9366

For my last review of lesser known outdoor spots, this week, I want to feature O'Flaherty's Ale House.
Although it's in Hell's Kitchen in the touristy "restaurant row" area, few non-New Yorkers venture into this popular after work spot. Step down into this bar and you'll see a large square room with a bar in the middle, and homey surroundings. There are a few wooden tables and chairs towards the front and back of the room and lots of books and old time pictures and ads on the walls.
But once you get past the crowds of casually dressed people, there's a pool room which is for rent for private parties, and one of NY's most beautiful beer gardens. This garden has about 6 picnic tables that seat 6, but beware as they're not level, and glasses are likely to slip on the cutesy plastic table cloths. There are trees and Christmas lights year round decorating the space and making it more festive. Beer and alcohol run about $5, but the happy hour special at the bar is $3 pints of Bud which will help ease the pain if you can't get an outdoor seat. They have good bar food and a friendly crowed, so stop by on a sunny day and drink up.

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Naked Lunch
by Stefanie Arck
17 Thompson St. (between Grand & Canal St.)
(212) 343-0828

Summer weekends aside, there is ALWAYS a line to get into the Naked Lunch so try to "get there before 11 or after 2". However, most people will stand outside and wait because it is such a fun place to go. There's a $5 cover Friday and Saturday, and crappy bottled beer will run you $5, but despite what you end up spending on a night out here, it is worth the expense.
Unlike most SoHo bars, there is a very diverse crowd, consisting of young to mid-20-somethings of all races, and there is great, old skool music played by the weekend DJs. Despite the large amount of space - theres a separate bar room, lounge area and back bar - it is hot and packed with people eager to dance.
There's something for everyone here: If you like to dance, you can dance in the front bar room. If you prefer lounges, theres a dark, pillowed space towards the back. And if hanging out at the bar shooting the shit with the bartender is your scene, the back bar has a great bartender and room to lean.
I recommend going during the summer on a Wednesday to take advantage of the bbq and drink specials or the rest of the year on a Thursday when there's fewer BT in the City, no line and more room to breathe. You can also avoid the $5 cover, and long lines to the two toilets.

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Mo's Caribbean
by Stefanie Arck
1454 Second Ave ( 76th St.)
(212) 250-0561

For the feeling of summer all year long, come to Mo's. Festively decorated, this theme bar attracts a crowd that can appreciate it. Young, loud and dying to get drunk, Mo's serves Caribbean food as well as great food and drink specials during the week. Mondays have a $7 lobster tail special, Thursdays offer $2 Bud Light bottles all night, and women can enjoy free Margaritas on Tuesdays. Friday offers $3 Rum Runners and Hurricanes. If you like trivia, palm trees, and top 40 music, stop in to Mo's while carousing on the Upper East Side for a kitchy time.

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No Idea
By Stefanie Arck
30 E. 20th St. (Between Broadway and Park Ave.)
(212) 777-0100

This week's bar of the week is a Flatiron after work favorite because of the no-hassle, no-attitude atmosphere and clientele.

Many overworked, alcohol seeking mid-20 somethings come here after work to play pool and listen to some fabulous tunes like Saturday Morning Cartoon theme songs sung by 90's alternative bands and compilations like Pure Funk and Billboard years in review.

Sunday afternoon is also a busy time at No Idea when people come to hang out in the large back room that has lots of tables, a lot of space and one large screen and 2 small tv's. What's missing is that they don't serve food, but they do let you bring it in.

The prices are phenomenal with well drinks costing $4 a pint and top shelf for $5/$6 per pint (based on the liquor). They also have a large selection of beer on tap and do sell pitchers - something many bars don't offer anymore.

They have "name night", here which is a theme night which occurs every night that the bar is open. There is a schedule of names posted in the window (and on the internet at CitySearch) and if it's your name, you get to drink for free until 11 out of a glow in the dark cup which says "IYQ". If your a regular, or very persuasive, you can ask the owner to put your name on the schedule for the next month. However, if it's more common, you'll have to work it a bit harder as many of the names are rather obscure (except July which has many common names.
See: http://newyork.citysearch.com/E/V/NYCNY/0001/26/99/4.html )

Tuesday happens to be Stefanie night, so look for the green flag with the question mark outfront, and stop by for a pint.

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Martell's Tiki Bar
308-310 Boardwalk, Point Pleasant, New Jersey
(732) 892-0131

Because so much emphasis is placed on the Hamptons, I'd like to focus on the bars of the Jersey Shore for a couple weeks. It's just as important to know where to go out there as it is here for those of us who shlep on the New Jersey Coast line each weekend, and much harder to find the info.

This week's bar is: Martell's Tiki Bar. The Tiki Bar has everything a shore-goer would want in a bar: Beer specials, outdoor space, indoor space, entertainment and a friendly clientele.
What separates The Tiki Bar from other shore haunts is that it is a bit less of a pick-up scene and that the crowd is slightly older as almost all of the patrons have been out of school for more than 2 years, most are in their late 20's/early 30's.
On a nice night, you can hang out on the uncovered deck around the enormous bar with about 8 bartenders serving your alcoholic needs, or sit and a table near the stage and relax. Or you can get rowdy and dance to one of three bands that plays each weekend night. While it's a huge space both inside and out, it's ALWAYS packed, so come early (9:30) or you might not get in at all.
While there is a cover which varies depending on the band ($5 - $7), drink prices are really reasonable - about $4.50 for top shelf and $3.50 bottles plus they generally have a great beer special like $2 bud cans all night.
The entertainment I have seen is top-notch with my favorite - Pete Moss and the Fertilizer's - a Hunter mountain favorite. They're playing again on July 30th and sure to play excellent covers of Prince's Let's Go Crazy, and Pass the Dutchie.
And when you get kicked out (sometimes as early as 1) you can go walk around the boardwalk to play skeeball or enjoy a drunken virtual reality skiing experience.
If you don't get in for some reason, Jenkinson's is a short stroll down the boardwalk and a good alternative also with a band and similar feel.

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Tropical Pub
13th Ave. between Ocean & B St., Belmar, New Jersey
By Stefanie Arck

Yes, it's a dive, but a fun dive. You won't see any halter top and high heel clad 21 year olds, no techno music, and no guidos. Walking to D'Jais for happy hour, you might not even notice this small hole-in-the-wall, but it's definitely worth your while to stop in for a drink on the way home. There are two serving bars inside - one main and one smaller: the service is much better at the smaller and less crowded of the two.
Both bars serve moderately priced drinks ($4 margaritas), and great frozen ones as well. They have a lot of types of alcohol like Butterscotch Schnapps which not everyone carries (note: please have a buttery nipple here if you like them as they are served in large shot glasses and delicious).
They have good bands at night which play the typical top 40 and it's interspersed with a dj playing old faves like Sweet Caroline and the Pina Colada Song. Also, there are video games, a basketball shooting game and an amazingly entrancing moving Coors light picture on the wall.
It's generally pretty crowded with casually dressed drunkards in their upper 20's having a blast. I recommend dropping by when 3 Pieces or Big Orange Cone is playing; they've both got lots of energy and get the crowd riled up until last call.

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Mercury Bar & Grill
659 Ninth Ave. (between 45th & 46th St.)
(212) 262-7755
By Stefanie Arck

Another new bar has popped up in mid-town west trying to appeal to those after-work drink seekers who don't want to trek to the east 50s, and its succeeding. This one is the Mercury bar and grill, a straight-forward bar with no happy hour deals, no gimmicks, just booze and food in a non-lounge environment.
As such, it has it's advantages and disadvantages: No happy hour means $5 pints and $6 drinks all the time. However, this also means an older, more mellow crowd who doesn't mind paying full price. (Older, meaning late 20's and early 30's, not the right-out-of-college scene). Not a lounge means a jukebox rather then bar-controlled music, but its still a comfortable place to chill out: there are a couple high tables in the front window, a couple big booths in the front part of the bar, and a slew of tables in the back away from the bar crowd.
The food smelled great - I had fajita steam wafting towards me almost the whole night - but the prices are a bit steep for a bar with $7 chicken finger appetizer and entrees around $10.
It feels a little bit like Murray Hill in Mid-Town west, so take that as what you will, and if you're nearby, stop by to catch the game on one of five TVs and to relax with the other suits after a long day.

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Bull's Head Tavern
295 3rd Ave (between 22nd and 23rd St.)
(212) 685-2589
By Stefanie Arck

This Grammercy Park gem looks like most of the other local spots, but inside you'll see it's much different. You'll see a young, professional, local crowd looking for love, and a cool, dark ambiance. It's very dungeon-like with a small amount of natural light from the two small windows in the front, and the other light (which is not much to speak of) comes from large, imposing, but cool dangling candelabras resembling bar lamps.

As such, this is not the place to go after work on a nice day, but the place to go after the place you go after work so you don't notice miss out on the few nice, and not overly hot days of summer. But, in the winter, for happy hour people flock here, so expect it to be crowded.

Last one here's a rotten egg...
Before 7, you can have $3 frozen margaritas and table space. After that, you'll still enjoy $5 frozen marg's and well drinks, $3.50 bottles and $4.50 pints. And as far as seating, later on you can maybe get a bench next to the 2 pool tables or dart board in the back, but the long, front bar will be all occupied. Also, after 9, there's a small cover for the bands, and not much room since the band occupies the middle of the bar.

Sadly, the kitchen is temporarily closed as they re-do it, but the bar food was and will be good, greasy bar food like potato skins and wings, and will be a welcome addition to this great watering hole.

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Rivertown Lounge
187 Orchard Street (between Houston and Stanton)
(212) 388-1288
By Stefanie Arck

While for most, the mention of going down to "Ludlow" is like saying, let's go to an NYU frat party, there are a few hidden oases down there that defy the reputation of the overly young, crowded hook up bars. The bars I speak of are not on the same block as Luna Lounge, Ludlow Bar and Max Fish, but in the near vicinity, and definitely worth making the trip down there for.
The first of the series of Ludlow havens is the Rivertown Lounge, on neighboring Orchard Street.

You have to know what you're looking for to find the Rivertown Lounge as it has only a small copper plaque on the large, maroon door, but it's worth the effort. Papa Smurf, the Don King-esque bouncer, greets you with a smile as you walk in to the large, dark, high-ceiling bar. He'll try to shoo you in as the bar is about 8 feet away from the front door, but the room is long - about 30 feet - so towards the back you may have better luck finding space.

The bar is the expanse of the room and is well stocked with lots of liquor served up by two or three bartenders who are generally overwhelmed by crowds, so the service isn't quick. This is the only bar in the front room, which also has sofa-ed spots adjacent to the bar in the front and back and tables along the wall.

However, the next room, a bit more loungy, has a darker ambiance, fewer people and another bar which, because it's not mobbed, serves drinks up quickly. For a swanky lounge, the prices are really reasonable - $6 top shelf, $5 well, $4.50 bottles, and the crowd is a pretty mellow one with lots of foreigners, and most patrons are funky, lower east side dwellers in their mid to upper twenties.

If you like pool, there are a few pool tables located downstairs and in the very back of the front bar room, and if you like art, they always have interesting pieces on the walls, changing monthly.
The weekend DJ's kick ass playing old R&B favorites like Diana Ross' "I Want Muscle" and the original that became a remake by Lauryn Hill -"Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You".

Take advantage of the 2 for 1 happy hour during the week from 4 to 8 on well drinks and beer, or stop by on a summer weekend (early) so you can get sofa space and lounge.

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Motor City Bar
127 Ludlow St. (between Rivington & Delancy St.)
(212) 358-1595
By Stefanie Arck

If you dare to wander further down Ludlow all the way past Rivington, and almost to Delancy, you've got enough guts to try out this Detroit themed local bar. Motor City is appropriately decorated with old gas station signs, car hood ornaments and even leather car seats, but it's not necessarily the decor that draws a crowd. And what a crowd - mostly hip lower eastsiders and adventurous Brooklynites in their upper 20's who don't mind loud metal or crowds. They come to hear the dj who spins a lot of old punk (Sex Pistols anyone?) and some metal REALLY, REALLY loudly, especially for such a medium-sized space. They also flock for the cozy lounge space completed with fake fireplace and table top Centipede.

The hottie bartenders are great at what they do - mostly popping off a bottle cap with an opener attached to the ceiling with a bungee cord and mixing "Fender Benders" the bar's signature drink. I live for this cocktail as it's a fruit topped tropical rum concoction which you can get in 3 strengths depending on how fast you want to go: 30 mph, 40 mph, or 50mph.

The drinks are cheap - about $3.50 a bottle and $4.50 top shelf, so it's inexpensive, and you can spend a whole night there without depleting you wallet (if you can stand he music, that is). Unlike most of it's neighbors, it's somewhere you don't have to get all dressed up to go to, and can get a bar stool, assuming you're there early, like, 10.

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Karma
228 W. 4th Street (between 7th Ave. South & W. 10th St.)
(212) 414-4345
By Stefanie Arck

Formerly "Jack the Ripper Pub", Karma occupies the same, small, dark space, but is now a lounge as opposed to a themey restaurant. While Jack the Ripper Pub was hard to find tucked away into the basement of a village brownstone, Karma added a large maroon awning for easy access.

Brought to you by the same people who brought you Bahi in Gramercy, this laid back hangout is less red velvet rope and attitude and more come one, come all.

With a recently opened kitchen and two-for-one drinks until 8 every night, it's a welcome change from the typical touristy West Village jazz bar. Otherwise, drinks are moderately priced with $6 call drinks and $4 drafts served right to your sofa or antique armchair if you wish.

Great after work bar and good place to hide from the crowds, so if you've never been, stop by Thursday when I'll be guest bartending from 7-10 and I'll serve you up a strong whatever you're drinking.

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El Rey Del Sol
232 W. 14th St. (between 7th and 8th Ave.)
(212) 229-0733
By Stefanie Arck

If you're skipping the beach this weekend, and are interested in margaritas and Mexican food, I highly recommend El Rey Sol.

Keep the actual address in hand as you're likely to walk right by it since its entrance is hidden in the basement of an apartment building. It's easy to spot if you know what you're looking for, though, as it's brightly painted facade is yellow with red and black designs.

Once you step down into this tiny restaurant, keep walking past the ten or so tables through to the great secluded garden which has more seating than inside. Part of the space is covered by a tent with cute, kitchy decorations, and strewn with chili pepper lights. It can be a very romantic place as by night, the garden is lit with candles, and there are a few tables which are semi-private.

They have an interesting selection of margaritas, mango and watermelon are their best-sellers, they said, and considering the amount of alcohol in them, for $6, they're completely worth it. They also have beer wine and liquor, but if you're here, have the house specialty frozen or on the rocks.

The food is typical fare with enchiladas and fajitas, although beware the chicken if you don't like dark meat. An entree runs about $11, but you may want to stick to the appetizers which include a nacho platter where each individual nacho is piled with it's own garnish of beans, guacamole, cheese, sour cream and a jalapeno.

The garden gets pretty crowded after work, so you might want to stop by around 8 or so and bask in the ambiance of this unlikely neighborhood favorite.

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Gaslight
400 W. 14th Street. (Ninth Ave.)
(212) 807-8444
By Stefanie Arck

Among the pseudo clubs and gay bars of the meatpacking district, you can also find the Gaslight. It has no sign, but sits right on the SW corner of 14th and 9th and is a vastly different scene than its neighbors.

A great after work bar, Gaslight has eclectic furniture including antique looking sofas, wrought-iron tables, and also boasts high ceilings and a fireplace. It is ideal to bring a large group here as the long bar spans almost the length of the space, and it can hold at least 80 people, comfortably.

Each night, there is free live music, and Thursday there is also a free buffet of veggies and dips. While otherwise there is no food, Dizzy Izzy's bagels is just next door and perfect for a quick bite. The crowd is a young, mellow and local and generally includes at least a few friends of whichever band is headlining.

Drinks are moderately priced at $5 for call, $4 bottles, but beware: there is only 1 bartender right after work, so stock up.

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Musical Box
219 Ave. B (between 13th & 14th St.)
(212) 254-1731
by Stefanie Arck

Over the next couple weeks, I will dispel the myth that Alphabet City is not a safe or fun place to go. The hot new bars and lounges which recently opened above the park (Tompkins Square, that is) help show that the area is up and coming and people are coming from all over, too.

As expected from the name, the focus here is on music. However, it's not a Bleecker Street free live music venue, rather it's a shrine to music greats in audio and via black and white pictures all over the walls. Despite the name and above description, it's not overtly themed, and you might not even notice if you happened to stumble in by chance. The name is not outside - you can find it if you remember it's the only bar on the east side of the street.

Once inside, you'll notice some plush chairs opposite the long, impeccably kept bar, and if you keep walking, you'll find a spacious lounge/pool room with one table, lots of sofas and a high ceiling. Keep walking and there's a small outdoor space not really a porch or a deck, but area overlooking a parking lot. The staff is cool, even friendly and the waitress service is a bit slow as it gets crowded on weekends, but drinks are moderate - $4.50 cider pints - and if you can't snag a seat, hang out by the bar and relax.

There's no jukebox so they ensure only good stuff comes on, so expect a Beatles medley (not the re-mix, thanks), perhaps some Bob Dylan and obscure, but still great hits by Styx, and other almost forgotten 70's and 80's bands.

If you get sick of the Alphabet City theme bar scene, and want to venture down, it's worth the trip.

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Niagra
112 Avenue A (at 7th Street)
(212) 420-9517
by Stefanie Arck

To continue the focus on Alphabet City, I wanted to review a swanky lounge on Ave A. Yes, there is a very popular, swanky place on Avenue A, and that place is this week's bar of the week - Niagara.

While this place has become a haven for hipsters seeking a retro 50's scene, Niagara has a little something for everybody: a basic bar when you walk in, a loungy back room, and a downstairs tiki bar.
Formerly Wally's, a neighborhood bar, Niagara has done a great job upstairs sporting a minimalist decor. There are no sofas here - what you'll find is a long, narrow bar, vinyl bar stools and plain walls.
On a given night, you may be hanging out with some locals who live down here, but quite a few uptowners come down to "slum" and enjoy averge priced drinks ($4.50 cider pints), UPSTAIRS. Please note that this paragraph only applies to upstairs as the 2 floors are vastly different.
The back room of the upstairs has a few tables, chairs and lots of space, as they have gotten rid of the pool table to make room for the hordes of people who want to spend an evening here.
Downstairs is like a 40's Club Med with a straw bar overhang, calypso type music and pictures of Marilyn Monroe shaped women wearing what was once considered "risqué" swimsuits - although the picture near the bathroom has a woman clothed, and then naked once you catch it from another angle. It is vastly smaller than upstairs with one red, vinyl booth that spans the length of the room (about 15 feet) and a couple of tables with chairs. The bathrooms are also down here, so traffic flows in and out.
Perhaps to pay for and maintain the tiki lounge decor, drinks are much more expensive - about $7 for a margarita, so buy upstairs and venture down for a bit to take in the scene.
The clientele is young and hip and the bouncers are not easily impressed, so don't wear jeans or sneakers here on a weekend night. If you do, you won't get in, but you could always try the country turned biker bar, Doc Holiday's, up the street.

Last in my series on Alphabet City, I wanted to give a quick overview of a few more places there so if you visit any of the previous ones I've mentioned, and they get too crowded (most are pretty small), you have another destination in mind. This week's Bar(s) of the Week are: BoxCar Lounge, The Raven Cafe and Liquids.
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Boxcar Lounge
168 Ave B (between 10th and 11th St.)
(212) 473-2830
They're not kidding when they call it a boxcar, as this place is reminiscent of NJ Transit, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in style, innovation and a beautiful backyard patio.
Because they do not carry liquor, you can get cheap beer ($3.50 Corona), wine and anything you've ever wanted in the saki variety. As a hard liquor consumer, I thought I'd venture to try the sake screwdriver which was refreshing, tasty and $4.00. They also have sake martinis and other mixed drink concoctions.
You can spend the evening at the 8-person bar, in the 10-person lounge, or on the much larger patio out back. It is surrounded by a fence, offers a view of the sky and even has a few Polynesian styled, beach type umbrellas.
Go early for an outside seat (10:15) and then move along as the saki drinks aren't strong, and if you want to do some heavy drinking, the Raven is just down the street.

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The Raven Cafe
194 Avenue A (corner of 12th St.)
(212) 529-4712
The Raven Cafe is a misleading name as it is actually a bar/lounge which recently opened on 12th and A. The crowd is local, mellow and coupled as well.
They boast and deliver a fabulous jukebox which has a great variety of less popular classic Rock (the Who's Tommy) to punk (SexPistols Forget the Bullocks), non glam rock metal and classics like the Beatles and Paul
Simon.
There are lots of beers on tap (cider costs about $4) and bottled as well and they do have a liquor license, so drink up.
Aside from bar space, they have a few wooden tables with chairs, and a handful of "antique" sofas - meaning they don't match and are old, but they do have a pinball machine and windows that open completely out to the street, so it's a homey place with an eclectic feel.
If you're looking for something swanky, though, drink the cheap beers and head over to Liquids for a night cap.

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Liquids
266 E. 10th (between 1st Ave. and Avenue A)
(212) 677-1717
Liquids is the darkest bar I've ever been to in terms of lack of light as well as furniture. It is always packed with hip 20 somethings sipping at expensive martinis ($8) served by the model-type staff, and filled with loud music spun by a DJ in the back.

If you can score a bar seat, it's a good place to bring a date, but avoid the back lounge area as it gets crowded and conversation might be difficult. My advice: go before 10:30 or after 2 for a drink, and then move along to the next bar of choice...

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Brother Jimmy's
East Side: 1461 1st Ave. (corner of 76th St.); (212) 288-0999
West Side: 428 Amsterdam Ave. (between 80th & 81st St.); (212) 501-7515
Bait Shack: 1644 Third Ave. (92nd Street); (212) 426-2020

Yes, its a frat bar, but its also one of the best daytime drinking venues with the best drinking/eating deals as well, and its fun, once in awhile.
The decor is like many bars of the same ilk: Bear Bar, Duke's, etc. with lots of kitchy crap on the walls including neon signs and pig paraphernalia and strings of lights hanging from the ceiling. They also have a slew of ties cut from the necks of happy hour attendees by the bartenders who, on occasion, get up on the bar and funnel beer down a grateful man's throat.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are ladies night with free draft beer and (fab) margaritas at the bar. Saturday they have a $1 drafts, $5 pitchers and quarter wings, and Sunday, is $16 all the ribs and beer you can manage without throwing up. And, of course, unlimited college and professional sports on 5 TVs.

The wings are okay, the crowd is a testosterone fueled bunch literally in college T's and baseball hats, but that's the best type of crowd to share an event like this with.
When the deal is over at the BBQ locale on 76th (on Saturdays) head over to Mo's Caribbean for half priced drinks until 7 and continue the binge.

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Down the Hatch
179 W. 4th Street (between 6th Ave. & 7th Ave. South)
(212) 627-9747

What is it: a touristy West 4th street in the basement, you'll find a cheap, divey bar brought to you by our friends at the Gin Mill, Mo's Caribbean and Jake's Dilemma. They also have one of the best specials offered in all of Manhattan: On Saturdays for college sports and Sunday for professional events, they offer a $16 all you can drink domestic draft and all you can eat wings special from 1-6. And these are no ordinary wings - they are Atomic Wings. Whatever that means, they are great and worth the $16 even if you're not really up for drinking by the early afternoon.
What you can expect: some NYU students, some firemen, lots of testosterone and a few women getting hit on by pretty much everyone they walk by. Some are sitting at the wooden tables, some are at the long bar, some are hanging out in the game room playing fooseball or video golf, and all are pretty trashed.
What to wear: whatever
What you'll hear: the music is kind of random (spun by a DJ who is generally drinking at the bar as well),
What's unusual: A not so sturdy porch swing in front of the DJ booth which makes for a nice coat room since they are devoid of one.
Other specials worth noting:
- Monday to Friday happy hour 4:30 to 8:00, 1/2 price bar
- Wednesday is double happy hour night from 4:30 to 8:00 and again from 10-12
- Sunday night all pints are $2 8:00 to closing
What else: if you get there and it's too crowded, as it often is, head around the corner to the Barrow Street Ale House and enjoy $3 pints mostly anytime.

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3rd and Long
523 3rd Avenue (at 35th St.)
(212) 447-5711

This small, always crowded sports-watching venue has great specials all week, the best of which is a $7 all you can drink draft deal from 7-10. The crowd is an upper 20's, casually dressed crowd who doesn't mind being packed into this nondescript bar. The domestic draft beer tastes like watered down, college keg beer, but you can get a lot of it, and cider counts as draft beer as well.
Otherwise, Monday is $1 off all pints 4-8, Tuesday night they feature a $1 mug special, Thursday brings $2 domestic drafts, $3 premium drafts from 4-7, Friday you can get $2 domestic drafts and Sat is another all you can drink - $10 from 8 to 12. On Thursday and Friday there is a DJ, but who cares - you're going to get drunk, not dance. And if you're a woman, beware, it gets pretty scary as the night drags on.
My advice: drink what you can as long as you can, then move on to the Joshua Tree (513 Third Ave., between 34th & 35th St.) for a less rowdy, and more relaxed evening.

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Chumley's
86 Bedford Street (at Barrow St.)
(212) 675-4449

There are a lot of places that have cropped up the past year that don't put up a sign so that only those that are "in the know" can find it. Chumley's, having only the number 86 on the door, has no sign for a reason. Back in the prohibition era, it was a speakeasy, so a sign would have alerted the police to the activities taking place there.
However, cops found it anyway and when they came for a raid, the proprietor would yell "number 86" - their code for raid - and the patrons would run out the back door, through a quaint courtyard to Barrow street.
The bigger part of the history of the bar is that when it first opened, Mr. Chumley owned and operated it as a homey place in a residential townhouse with a fireplace, cozy booths, and he did not welcome technology here. Once jukeboxes and pinball became popular and the staff suggested he purchase one, he flatly refused and kept the bar as is.
When he died, Mrs. Chumley, took over. The same questions came up about jukeboxes and pinball machines, and she refused, saying that the bar was to stay as Mr. Chumley ran it.
However, when she died, those elements were added to the bar, and strangely, neither ever functioned properly. The staff did note that it felt as though Mrs. Chumley was still with them, and this has been supported by significant evidence: a jukebox installed at Chumley's didn't work, even after it had been serviced, and once moved to another bar, worked fine. The same was said to have been true of video games and pinball machines. They felt that Mrs. Chumley was keeping the place as it always was, even though she was gone.
The most notable instance of technology being interfered with was one Halloween when a local news show wanted to broadcast from Chumley's, and once inside, they could not get the equipment to work. Assuming it was human error, they got new equipment, but that wouldn't work either. Given the roadblocks they had run into, they cancelled the show. Both sets of cameras and equipment worked fine when later used.
To this day, there are no video games or pinball machines, although there is a mounted CD jukebox on the wall which seems to work fine. Walking down into the bar, you'll note the timelessness of place which is exactly how the Chumleys would have wanted it.
They have a great beer selection with over 20 beers on tap, including seasonal beers like Sam Adams Pumpkin Ale, and a pint is about $4. There's a huge room up from with wooden tables, and a smaller, claustrophobic room in the back, either of which will allow you to hang out with the 2 dogs that wander about.
The crowd is very mixed as it is a tourist attraction as well as a neighborhood favorite. There's no need to get dressed up as most people are in jeans and no one is looking to pick up, so it is a great after work hang out or afternoon drinking destination.
If it's overly crowded, which it tends to be on weekend night, you might try heading west on Barrow to Hudson where, within a few block, you can find the Blind Tiger Ale House with a similar crowd, phenomenal alcohol selection, but not as much history, ambiance and no ghost.

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Black & White
86 E. 10th Street (Between 3rd and 4th Ave.)
(212) 253-0246

There's no sign outside this sub-ground downtown newcomer, but the back and white awning signifies it's presence and leads you in, if you know what you're looking for. The other thing that may give you a clue is the mass of young, beautiful people outside on their cell phones.

While it's more of a restaurant than bar before 10, after that, the under 30, fabulously dressed trendsetters come pouring in to stand around the bar and enjoy the cool, dark and loungy amibiance.

The restaurant serves good, inexpensive comfort food like fried chicken, po boys and excellent mashed potatoes. An entree comes with a small salad, and will cost you about $14, and don't forget to ask for bread as it's good, and comes only upon request.

The space is small with about 6 2-seater tables up front and near the bar, and some booths and tables in the back. Once people start coming in to drink, though, it's time to finish up and get out as the bar occupies about 1/4 of the place, and the people flocking to the bar make up another 1/4.

As with a typical lounge, they make good cosmos which cost around $8, and mixed drinks are around $6. It's a great date place, so come early, and keep drinking at the table as the bar service is a bit slow. If you can't get a table, be patient, drink before hand or head over to Pop on 4th or another lounge of this caliber that has recently popped up in the neighborhood.

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Duke's
99 E. 19th St. (between Park Ave South and Irving Place)
(212) 260-2922

A Flatiron favorite for happy hour, Duke's has specials, a fun crowd and some of the best southern food north of the south. Located in a swanky area behind City Crab and across the street from Angelo & Maxie's, Duke's is a down home bar sans attitude where you can go after casual Friday without being eyed strangely by the suits. They've got lots of kitchy stuff up on the walls like signs for "hot nuts" and "bar-b-cutie" and the ceiling is covered in bottle caps.
The music varies from classic rock to Disco and plays on a loop tape, so if you're there for awhile, expect to hear Kung Fu Fighting twice or more. The crowd is typically 20's and 30's neighborhood workers looking to relax with a beer, not a drink. While they have half priced well drinks until 7, they have Pabst and Schaeffer in cans for a mere $1.50, so take advantage.
If you're hungry, treat yourself to shoe string onion rings, fab mashed potatoes or the ultimate - fried chicken. Warning: Stay away from the mac and cheese which is watery and tastes like mustard. And please ask for a basket of biscuits - it's worth the nasty look your waitress will give you.
You can hang out and eat in the front bar area where there are a few booths and a few tables, or go to the dining room in the back where you can watch sports on the large screen TV.
For great southern food, you can go to Acme B&G, but for drinks, appetizers and that white trash atmosphere you're seeking, go to Duke's.

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Dive 75
101 W. 75th St. (off of Columbus Ave.)
(212) 362-7518

The name is very misleading, as it's not a "dive bar" but a former dive shop, and a really pleasant bar.
Once you head up the stairs, you will see a large, beautiful fish tank separating two distinctly different rooms. To the left is the lounge, a small, homey looking room that belongs in an old Victorian house. Back there, you'll find a few sofas, a couple tables and bookshelves with old games like Connect Four and checkers. You can not get waitress service, and have to walk around the tank to get to the bar from that side, so be prepared to get up often if you need a drink frequently.
The other part of the bar, to the right, has a bar the length of the room, about 15 feet long with stools along the bar and facing out the window.
There are also a few tables with chairs, but if you sit there, prepare to have someone's ass in your face once it gets crowded.
They have a good beer selection with a pint costing about $4 and top shelf costing about $4.50. For $9, you can get a premium margarita that will kick your ass, mixed by one of the incredibly nice bartenders.
The crowd is in their upper 20's and very yuppie, so expect to hear your typical post-college jukebox with Dave Matthews and James Brown's greatest hits.
They have food (although I've never had it), but the menu has typical bar food, and it's probably greasy and really good when you're drunk.
It's a fun, yet mellow place - good for meeting and chatting with someone, not a pick-up spot like the others along that avenue. If it's not your kind of place walk west to Citrus B&G and join the gaggles of girls dressed in halters and shrugs, cosmos in hand, and get laughed at when you try to pick them up, or show up dressed in jeans.

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Pete's Tavern
129 E. 18th Street (at Irving Pl.)
(212) 473-7676
Pete's is everybody's favorite after work hang out which explains why there are hardly ever open stools at the bar, or standing room in the bar. The holiday season will be even more crowded than usual, but it's totally understandable why Pete's is so popular: great location, good food, mellow crowd, cheap drinks and a friendly, fun atmosphere. They also have a few TV's and every sports event imaginable on cable, so it's an afternoon sports fans destination as well.
Drinks are about $4 a pint and $4.50 for mixed drinks, and they often have drink specials like $3 frozen drinks on Tuesdays in the summer, and promotions for various liquor companies (Pete's Wicked visits often) as well, so you can sometimes score a freebie. While it's a restaurant as well as a bar, I stick to the bar food like the big, juicy burgers and potato skins. They're not expensive and really filling.
The crowd tends to be an after-work group of suits in their upper 20's/lower 30's there to drink heavily and hang out. Get there early (5:30) for a seat or table in the bar, although the booths are often reserved for regulars and you should expect to stand.
In the spring and summer, there is an abundance of outdoor seating, and for the holidays, they have lights and other festive decorations to get you in the mood of the season. Stop by on a Monday or Tuesday when it's a bit less crowded to see what all the fuss is about.

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Holiday Cocktail Lounge
75 St Marks Place (between 1st & 2nd Ave.)
(212) 777-9637
The Holiday Cocktail Lounge, on the other hand, isn't really decorated for the season, but it's a good, cheap place worth mentioning since it has an apropos name. Despite the name, this is a dive bar, not a lounge, with small, top shelf drinks costing you $2.50. Yes, that's right, $2.50. So while I suspect it's not decorated for the season, you can save some dough if you drink here, and have more $ for gifts.
The bartenders are old, have worked here forever, and they're very slow. You can avoid them, for the most part, by not sitting at the large, round bar in the front of the space, and taking a seat in the back room which looks a lot like the basement in "That 70's Show".
While there's no waitress service, you can get a pitcher or a bunch of drinks, and head to the back with a large group. For a really good time, put a ten in the jukebox and enjoy a great, diverse jukebox with Sinatra, James Brown, classic metal and good (Jackson 5) easy listening.
There is no way to describe the crowd as it varies significantly by night and season. This is not as much a destination as somewhere people drift into and out of, or stop by early to get a buzz on, and then leave.
Just think: you can spend $20 and have 8 drinks. That's why it's bar of the week.

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Paddy Maguire's Ale House
237 Third Avenue (between 19th & 20th St.)
(212) 473-8407
A Gramercy neighborhood bar, Paddy's is a mellow Irish pub with darts, pool and a slew of regulars just looking to relax.
If you like beer, stop by Paddy's as they have 16 beers on tap including a bunch of unusual ones like: ShipYard, Castle Brown Ale and John Courage in addition to the typical Bud, Coors Light, and, of course, Guinness. Beers are moderately priced starting at $3.50 and up to $6. They also have a full bar with mixed drinks for about $4.50.
It's a great place to go to play pool with a random crowd of people, and they also have 3 TV's so the daytime, weekend crowd is watching whichever combination of sporting events they show.
The staff is Irish as is a lot of the music on the jukebox including U2, the Chieftains, Black 47 and they also have classic rock and a bit of soul.
The ceiling there is covered in Christmas lights to give it a festive feeling, so if you've never been, stop by during the holiday season, down a few Guinnesses, and when you're laying on the floor, check out the lights.

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The Stoned Crow
85 Washington Place (between Sixth Ave. & MacDougal St.)
(212) 677-4022

Okay, so it's not the most festively decorated bar for the season, but they do have a Charlie Brown sized Christmas tree in the back room with tinsel and ornaments. I also think it's a great place to head after the office Christmas party for many reasons:

- It's cheap; about $3.50 for a pint of one of 5 beers including cider, Guinness and New Castle.
- While the front bar room is small and narrow, the back room is large and roomy with lots of tables for larger groups of people.
- They have good bar food like chicken fingers and nachos (but stayed away from the "potato skins" which is really a baked potato served with cheese and chili).
- Both rooms (as well as the bathrooms) are decorated predominantly with old movie posters so it gives one a lot to look at.
- They have darts, video games and a pool table - TONY voted this as the best place to play pool in NYC
- The jukebox kicks ass with Sinatra, Fiona Apple, Trainspotting soundtrack, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley and lots of other classics and new favorites.
- The bartenders are nice and friendly and, Betty, who frequently sits on a bar stool next to the pool table, is a fun, eccentric lady, not to be missed
- The crowd varies by room but tends to be divided (at least for happy hour) with regulars hanging at the bar and 20-30 year old neighborhood people in the back
- Atmosphere is fun, mellow and you can go in any attire

For all those reasons, and probably more I can't remember, you should check it out this holiday season, or, if you can't make it soon, then after the new year. You've probably walked by it and missed before as the sign isn't prominently displayed and the bar is in the basement, but try not to miss it next time you're in the West Village - you'll be glad you found it.

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Luca Lounge
220 Avenue B (between 13th & 14th St.)
(212) 674-9400

I went to this bar expecting to dislike it because the last time I went was during the summer, and it was packed elbow to asshole with a bunch of assholes pushing their way to the back to try to score a garden seat. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the change the winter brought to this lounge, and want to recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing evening out.

There are 4 distinctly different areas in the Luca Lounge: the restaurant, the bar, the back lounge and the garden. The bar consists of a few sofas and plush chairs in the front and back of the room and a bar which runs about 20 feet long. It is a narrow sapce, and if you walk towards the back, you'll come to a back porch/lounge with sofas, tables and chairs and glass walls. That leads to the back garden with about 10 tables with life-sized drink umbrellas. The restaurant can be found to the right of the bar.

We went on a Saturday and the dj was spinning a great mix of old Tribe, Fat Boy Slim and Stevie Wonder. Only one bartender was working, but he poured $5 call drinks and $6 rocks drinks like Johnnie Walker.

The crowd was a good looking, well dressed upper 20's- 30's crowd, mixed with locals and those coming to Alphabet City just to browse and bar hop, the same way some people go to Ludlow Street.

The menu consists mostly of little pizzas, bruchetta and cheese platters, and they also have salads and a great wine list. Zagat rates it a 20 for food, and $24 for cost, so the wait ranges from 10 to 25 minutes, even on a weeknight. It smells great, though, due to the wood-burning oven, so even if you didn't plan to eat here, you probably will.

I suggest going later, around 12, so you can secure a seat towards the back of the bar or in the lounge, but pick up a drink at the bar on your way back as the waitress service can be painfully slow and since you're going to drink, why wait?