105th St. btw Broadway and Amsterdam Ave.
Nothing like its namesake in Los Angeles, this is a quiet bar that comes across as an old school pub mixed with the feeling of a great bar someone built in their basement…feels like there should be carpeting in here. So the bar space is small but there’s plenty of room behind the wall separating the place. TV’s for sports watching, a quiet crowd that doesn’t get too big. Average beers at average prices, taste fine, food’s good.
Broadway btw 104th and 105th St.
I’ll start with the positives; big space, TV’s scattered around. The downsides; you get some weirdos sitting in here, and since there aren’t that many people in here, you notice them more. Older crowd from the neighborhood…really not much us to say so I’ll end it with average beers on tap, average prices, taste alright.
Amsterdam Ave. btw 106th and 107th St.
In an effort to keep updating the Upper West Side and by updating I mean make noisy/more lively), we have another sports bar that is usually crowded and is not that big of a space. If you don’t get seats, you’re cramped up front near the bar, and there’s always a crowd shuffling by. All that being said, it’s a good sports bar, lots of TV’s, and the food is pretty good. Wait staff is great, and hot, and the beers are average prices for average beers, taste fine.
Columbus Ave. btw 105th and 106th St.
I guess it was a matter of time before a Hipster bar came this far uptown. It’s a dark yet huge space, small bar in the back, a couple of tables in the other corners, and a pool table right in the middle. Crowd is college kids mixed with Hipsters, remains a small crowd for most of the evening. Above average taps at average to above average prices, taste fine.
Broadway and 108th St.
Back in my college days, this place was called Cannon’s. Though the name has changed, the place is still the exact same. Columbia crowd that rolls in on the dot around 10PM on a Friday night, and I couldn’t have gotten out of there fast enough. However, prior to that fateful hour, the place is kind of like a big empty room with seats lining the walls. Plenty of TV’s, staff is friendly, average beers at average prices, taste fine.
Broadway btw 101st and 102nd St.
I like it. A simple, well-lit dive that doesn’t have a lot of room, but you never feel crowded. Full of seats, TV’s spread around, and you are going to get an older local crowd that are all pretty friendly. Your normal pints, average prices, good happy hour, taste fine.
Trinity St. btw Morris and Exchange St.
Probably the most crowded in the chain, this location serves the young business kids in the area, as well as a few wondering people in construction. Big space with not aor of room to move, needs a good airing out, but service is pretty quick and handles the youth well. Average pints at average prices, taste fine.
Bayard St. btw Baxter and Mulberry St.
Okay, it’s a dive. But if I could try and describe it a little better, it’s like a bar in another country where all the ex-Pats hang out, that happens to look like someone’s basement…talk about a description! If you strike up the nerve to walk past the exterior, it’s low lighting, plenty of room, and a friendly bartender. Also a big screen toward the back for karaoke. The crowd is older, from locals to guys who probably came here in the 50’s and never moved on. There are no taps, all bottles, on the high end of average prices (oddly enough) and they taste fine.
Warren St. btw Broadway and Church St.
It’s a…bar? I mean, the bar is the focal point, no one was eating here…yeah, a bar…I guess, and by no means a club. Maybe the switch happens after 8 PM?. The exterior of the bar is the flashiest part, small space inside, not really crowded, and mostly an older crowd with a few young B&T’s who accidentally stumble in but feel guilty about doing an immediate turnaround. Good happy hour, no taps, bottles taste fine.
Copper Barrel (Murray St. btw Broadway and Church St.)
Is it a bar? Is it a bodega? Is it something resembling the eating area in a pizzeria!?! Who cares, it’s quiet and a nice place to hang out. The staff is nice, willing to put any game on that you want to watch. It’s a quiet business crowd mixed with a smattering of other workers in the area. Good happy hour specials, average prices at other times, they serve average pints that taste average.
Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. btw 133rd and 134th St.
Really cool bar with an excellent live music space. Lots of room around the bar area, not as much by the stage, and quite possibly the best chicken wings I’ve ever had. Service is good and there’s a great mix of people. Your average beers on tap, average prices, taste fine.
51st St. btw 2nd and 3rd Ave.
Oh midtown, you have given me a reason to believe again…well, this slice of midtown. A nice bar, good food, lots of space, and while they have your specialty Belgian beers, it’s not too expensive (average $6-$8). A much more subdued crowd than its neighbors, and it still has your business kids but a mix of young and old business. As said, above average pints at above average prices, all taste good, very nice (and attractive) bar staff.
2nd Ave. btw 91st and 92nd St.
Yep, behind this never ending construction is a newer bar to the neighborhood, and a good one at that. Big bar that can get a little tight in the middle, good sports bar, and the crowd is a good mix of people while keeping the shenanigans to a low. Average beers, average prices, taste fine.
53rd St. btw 2nd and 3rd Ave.
Used to be Black Finn, and I’m sure it will be something else soon enough. A tavern it is not, just more of the usual for this area, meaning business kids, B&T’s, meat heads, your usual sloppy drunks. Layout is a long bar that is always crowded, plenty of TV’s, average prices for average beers that taste alright.
Upstairs at the Kimberley (50th btw 3rd and Lexington Ave.)
This just smacks of a place that likes to pump itself up into something more than a rooftop greenhouse. With the exception of summer nights, the roof is enclosed in foggy glass, though that’s really the only bad thing I have to say about it. No wait, the lobby is ridiculous. Anywho, above average beer selection with slightly above average prices, can be a little hard to grab a table on some nights, service is good, clientele is any business kid/B&T that works within a ten block radius.
8th St. btw MacDougal St. and 5th Ave.
Definitely more of a lounge then a bar, reasons being its mostly tables, the booths have plush seating, and they have zero idea what sports to have on the TV. Who wants to watch non-championship college baseball at 7 PM when there’s other good stuff on? Anywho, bottled beers, on the above average side of prices, taste fine, good amount of space but nowhere to stand.
Sullivan St. btw Prince and Spring St.
Tiny bar/lounge tucked away in the quite of SoHo. A few seats at the bar, some seating/couches in the back, maybe fits about 30-40 people tops. If you’re here right after work, the crowd is light, but after dinner time, this place is always packed. On a side note, I have no issue with mood-lighting, but the whole red light décor that makes me feel like a pretzel doesn’t do it for me. No taps, bottles taste alright, average prices.
1st Ave. and 48th St.
Noticed the sign for this place as I walked by the Trump building. Small, bar/lounge that caters to the residents and workers at the UN. Small space with a column going right through the seating area, the bar is dressed up in a fancy manner, my work jeans drew a few curious looks. No taps, bottles are average prices, taste fine, mostly a cocktail menu.
48th St. btw 9th and 10th Ave.
One of the smaller sports bars in Hell’s Kitchen, but by no means the least popular. Dartboards and TV’s everywhere, young crowd, decent amount of room to move around, and I use the term “around” literally as there is an island in the middle of the bar…for some reason. Friendly staff, regular pints, taste average, average prices.
Houston St. btw Ludlow and Essex St.
Live music venue on the Lower East Side. Half of the space (walled off from the stage area) is a bar, tight quarters but thankfully it’s a long bar. The area in back is just a box and a stage, no frills, but not that there should be. Service is good, beers are average prices, taste alright.
9th Ave. btw 45th and 46th St.
Compared to the other bars, or really any other establishment on 9th, this would be the “dive” of the lot. An old school bar with a good amount of space, good music, and, wait for it, it’s a gay bar. I admit, I was fooled and thought it was just another hole in the wall. And while it is, it’s an all-male bar, hags in tow, and a decent place to grab a drink..actually, I really liked this place. Everyone was in a good mood, and very friendly to anyone who wandered in. Friendly bartenders, average prices for average tasting beers.
57th St. btw 11th and 12th Ave.
This place used to be J Macs, but I guess they took the taps when they moved out. Very small bar, a dive with some paint and flat screens (thereby losing the dive title) that is all alone out in this section of Manhattan. Crowd is made up of locals, the businesses surrounding, and a couple of regulars. You can maybe fit 30 people in here, and the pool table takes up most of the standing room. Everything was in bottles, tasted alright, average prices.
Allen St. and Rivington St.
Ha, it’s called Marshall Stack and there are mini-Marshall Stacks behind the bar…cough. Anywho, this place is always packed, and there is a decent amount of room even when all of the seats are spoken for, as they usually are. Crowd is hipsters/yuppies/any breeding of the two just mentioned All specialty taps at specialty tap prices ($6-$8 for the most part), they taste average, lots of bottled brews and wines, nice staff, very attentive. So back to the first sentence, why is this place called Marshall Stack, there’s no live music…guess that’s really my only quas-issue/curiosity about the place.
Houston St. and Suffolk St.
It looks like a bar, smells like a bar…If this place didn’t have a stage (even though its small), I would say that the 5 bar stools would be filled with people and that would be it as far as occupancy goes. It has plenty of room to stand around, but that’s about it, nothing else really to it, you’re really just here to chat with the bartender or see live music. Good for seeing your friend’s band, nice bartender, average prices for average beers.
Lexington Ave. and 37th St.
This place is never not crowded. To the point that it’s almost spilling into the hotel next door. Crammed full of business kids, you make your way through the scent of cheese and try to get a beer. It’s all bottles (no taps) and then you either hold fast where you’re standing or attempt to grab a table. During the nicer season, there is a roof, if a rooftop with young, drunk business kids is your cup of tea. There’s not much to it really, average size space, bottled beers are hard to mess up and taste average, average prices.
Greenwich St. btw Franklin and Harrison St.
Used to be Pig & Whistle, and definitely has more of an open-space feeling. Your crowd of B&T’s and business kids is the norm here, with your smattering of older locals. Lots of room, sparsely crowded, plenty of TV’s to watch a game. Though I did notice that though they have many taps, they’re 80% your average taps (Bud Light, etc.). Taste fine, average prices.
33rd St. btw Madison and 5th Ave.
The bars that try to capture the crowds that commute to Penn Station are slowly fanning out, and this would probably be the furthest, almost the same distance between Penn And Grand Central. As to the bar itself, lots of space, older crowd, lots of TV’s, and what seems to be the Pandora version of CBS-FM playing over the speakers. Beers are the higher end of average (~$6) and taste alright.
4th St. btw 6th Ave. and MacDougal St.
Could be the smallest “gastropub” (I hate that name) in the city, but far from the worst. So you will most certainly walk right by the entrance on 4th, but when you find it, walk through an…atrium?…plaza?…open space (yes, that works) and come into a small bar that holds a good amount of people. There are some tables in the back, tons of bartenders, and the crowd ranges from hipsters to yuppies to small groups who try to make the most of their little area within the bar. Beers are your above average beers (Delirium Tremens, etc.) and cost a little above average, all taste good.
9th Ave. btw 13th and 14th St.
Your typical Meatpacking District bar, though much smaller. Crammed in between another bar and a restaurant, this place is quiet, and a decent place to go to escape the big crowds that you’ll get basically anywhere else in this area. Really not much to it, but average beers at average prices.
Ludlow St. btw Broome and Delancey St.
Big space, a few separate rooms, each having its own purpose: bar, performance space, emptiness. I used the middle for late night dancing. The bar is kind of quiet, with a decent amount of space. Clientele is hipsters, Goth kids one night of the week (you still exist?), and people who wandered south of Delancey and don’t want a club or a posh hole in the wall bar…just a place for a quiet drink really. Average prices for average tasting drinks.
8th St. btw MacDougal St. and 6th Ave.
Good looking bar, pretentious patrons. I get it, that in this area you may want something different than frat, gay or wine bars, and something new had to come along, but I would like this place if it wasn’t for the clientele. There’s a decent amount of space, though not around the bar as it can be a tight squeeze. And the back room is always filled with some sort of party. The bartenders were alright, the beer tasted alright, above average prices for above average beers.
Ludlow St. btw Stanton and Rivington St.
It’s almost set up as a Broadway Theatre, meaning there’s a gathering place in the front with a decent amount of room (though it can definitely get crowded), but then you get ushered into the concert space once the shows begin. I would say don’t forget your one drink minimum, but they happily remind you so you couldn’t possible forget. It’s a mixed crowd of hipsters, mid-twenties and band supporters, mostly hipsters. More than one bar on the premise (though the front bar gives you the quickest service), average drinks at average prices, and cash only.
8th Ave. btw 18th and 19th St.
This place was not too bad. Sure I wouldn’t meet anyone that I could date in here, but it was a lot of fun to hang out. There’s a lot of space upstairs, but this floor gets crowded, so thankfully there is more space downstairs at the quieter bar. And it’s one of two places with sports on TV in the neighborhood. Good music, average drinks at average prices.
Hudson St. btw Perry and 11th St.
There’s really not much to this place looks wise, but it’s actually a pretty decent spot for a drink. I mean, it’s sort of a blank room with a bar, very unpretentious, but there’s a decent amount of space, draws a good crowd that’s young and old, and the bartenders were very nice to talk to. It’s more of your neighborhood bar than a destination. Above average pints that taste good, average prices.
Hudson St. and Charles St.
Something was amiss with this place. It has a very odd set up, making the place feel divided with the people up front sitting down and the people sitting at the bar. It was sparsely populated on a Friday, but the bartender was upbeat. Average tasting beers at average prices.
11th Ave. and 46th St.
Old school pub in a quickly developing neighborhood. This is also evident by the people in here, old crowd from days gone by mixed with the new annoying crowd/hipsters that work in the area/are slowly moving into the area. Once the latter group left, it was a really nice, quiet place, good tasting pints, average prices (though please having the price include change or I’m going to start giving change tips!), nice place to watch a game, friendly staff. If it wasn’t such a schlep I would come more often.
Bleeker St. and Jones St.
Williamsburg-esque bar in the West Village, meaning it has all your specialty brews without the inundation of Hipsters…well, a slight inundation. If you can actually get one of the few tables, or a nook to stand in, it’s actually cozy in here. Otherwise you’re just getting brushed by the entire time. As for the beers, they taste pretty darn good and they cost you’re above average prices ($6.50 being the cheapest, unless my sight is going).
30th btw Madison and Park Ave.
This is pretty barren area in regards to the bar scene, but this is a decent addition. Smells like BBQ, lots of space, TV’s, mixed crowd of business people and the rest is a mish mash. A couple of good happy hour specials, good amount of average taps and above average taps, they taste fine, average prices.
10th St. and Waverly Pl.
If you’re not older than 45, or a gay male, or the token old lady near the front (think John Waters or Mr. Blackwell), this place is not very welcoming. I went in with a friend, and it has all the makings of a nice neighborhood bar, with some TV, places to sit, big bar, and a really friendly bartender. But if you’re not one of the previously mentioned crowds, you’re stared at until you quietly leave. Beers taste average, above average pints at average prices.
Christopher St. btw 7th Ave. and Bleeker St.
I feel like this place would belong more down Route 109 in backwoods Pennsylvania. This place is small, some dancing entertainment (I finally get the term banana hammock), the crowd is old and young men, and the place could use an airing out. Beers were cheap and tasted average, good music.
Christopher St. btw 7th Ave and Waverly Pl.
Stonewall Inn, where it all began…oh if they could see it now. It’s mostly a tourist destination, filled with the LGBT community, college students, and the aforementioned tourists who just want to see a slice of history. The bartender was probably around back in the 70’s, and he moves as is in his 70’s. There’s a decent amount of space, two floors, good two for one special for happy hours, drinks taste average (all bottles) and are average prices at normal times.
Ludlow St. btw Stanton and Rivington St.
While this is a perfect example of a new bar trying to get a yuppie crowd down to the Lower East Side, I didn’t mind it. People say I’m nuts for thinking that, but maybe I caught it on an off night. There wasn’t really a crowd, they had every game on one of their many TV’s, and most people kept to themselves. I can tell by the fancy décor/tables/velvet rope that it could attract D-bags, but I need to see it to believe it. Average prices for average tasting beers.
49th btw Broadway and 8th Ave.
It’s almost the exact same layout as its predecessor near Union Square, except more space. Interesting crowd of tourists, theater goers, and business kids. Service was okay at getting your drinks, kind of want to see them in action with a packed house. Not much mingling going on, average tasting taps at the high point of average prices ($6.50 for a Bud Light!).
19th btw 7th and 8th Ave.
I don’t award for style points, and though I won’t start here, I guess it’s trying something? Perhaps bar of the future? European? I liked this small bar, tucked off of 8th Avenue and wedged in between some restaurants. Decent amount of space, tables in the back, and a good happy hour. Never a large crowd, but there’s always someone else in here, average prices for your average taps, taste fine.
13th St. btw University Pl. and 5th Ave.
Though I’m going to say that this could be one of the more mis-named places I’ve been to, it’s by no means a bad place. It just feels the furthest thing from a “tavern”. I mean, when I think tavern I think booths, dimmer lights, some form of oak paneling…or am I thinking of the Mount Airy Lodge? Actually,. the upstairs is more like it, but its a little empty up here. It’s a quiet spot, feels like a diner…once again, let me say that I would go back to this place. Anywho, it’s a small bar, nice staff and a really nice bartender, mixed crowd of all ages. Average tasting taps at average prices, pretty good happy hour.
Frederick Douglas Blvd. btw 113th and 114th St.
As newer building start springing up north of 110th, the bars thankfully follow suit. This German beer establishment (not big enough to be designated a “hall” in my opinion) has a bunch of tables, serves your typical German fare with your typical beer steins/glass boots. The beer tastes good for your typical German beers, price is average for the size of the beer you’re getting, very friendly staff.
2nd Ave. btw 53rd and 54th St.
I better post this blog before it closes, seeing that every place that’s been located here has closed after maybe 3 weeks. On to the review! If you’re a bar at this intersection, you have a huge chance of falling into the meathead/B&T trap. Thankfully, they seem to do a good job of repelling. It’s most likely due to it being an actual pub atmosphere where you can hear one another, relax and watch a game, and not be inundated with a huge crowd. There’s an upstairs for more room, average prices for average tasting taps…if you guys pull it off, hope for this area may truly exist!!!
Walker St. btw Church St. and Broadway
So I don’t know what to make of this place. On an off night, this place is empty, but you still get people coming in who think it’s about to kick off into club land. On the weekends, this place gets crazy. There’s an island bar, TV’s, live music, and I have no idea why there’s booths because they’re really cramped and definitely not VIP worthy. Good amount of space, average prices for so-so tasting taps.
Baxter St. and White St.
A correction’s officer, a lawyer, and locals from Chinatown walk into a bar…I’m working on the rest. A really good tucked away bar, small but welcoming, mixed crowd (if you couldn’t get that from the opening line). It can get crowded in here, and can turn into a club on Saturday nights, but most nights its just a small group on their way home after work. Drinks taste fine, average prices, good happy hour, nice bartender.
47th St. btw Broadway and 8th Ave.
Upscale bar in Times Square, with some of the softest bar stools I’ve ever sat in…if you’re into that kind of thing…cough. Anywho, yes, upscale looking, business/tourist/Broadway crowd, decent amount of room with more room upstairs. They have sports on TV, average tasting drinks at slightly above average prices.
46th St. btw 8th and 9th Ave.
Even though it didn’t “rain glitter”, as a friend promised, the place was still packed and dancing. Don’t be fooled by the huge crowd/line outside, there’s plenty of room inside. Several floors of booze and boys, it can sometimes feel like one big apartment party. Beers are average prices, taste fine, the crowd is mostly LGBT, all crowds are welcome.
Albany St. and Washington St.
What is going on in here!?! Is it a bar with a buffet, why are there so many obstacles, exactly which door do I use to go in!?!?! So make your way in, go to the tiny bar in the corner. I you can’t squeeze in to one of the tables, you’ll be standing, but not in one group but on top of the sitters. Crowd is “passing through” never gets really crowded, quiet. Average tasting beers at average prices.
Albany St. and Washington St.
This is kind of like a “passing through” bar. You’re either going to the bar upstairs, happen to be staying in the hotel, or are visiting the Memorial/your place of work. It’s a huge bar in an alright amount of space, kind of quiet, most people keep to themselves. Average to above average prices for average tasting drinks.
Tenth Rail (10th Ave. and 33rd St.)
Was sad that I couldn’t make it in here when it was Finnerty’s, so I can’t compare. I can only imagine it was better as a dive, because I was not feeling this place. Shiny, clean, bad DJ, annoying crowd (right out of college kids). Bartenders were aloof, average prices for average tasting pints.
16th St. btw 8th and 9th Ave.
Okay, after endless twists and turns, I made it to the elevator and upstairs (bring breadcrumbs to find your way back). Big space, great view, excellent 80’s DJ. That being said, the crowd is the crowd who likes to visit the new hot spot of the day and the beers are expensive bottled beers ($10 for a Bud Light!?!). Bottle service, table service etc, if that’s your thing.
54th St. btw 6th and 7th Ave.
Good job boys, excellent example of what a pub should be. Inviting, chatty, sports, good beers, good food, good amount of space. And they make a pretty darn good margarita, which my songstress agrees with. Average prices for average taps, an older midtown crowd mixed with business kids (the latter being the only downside).
6th Ave. and 59th St.
I get the impression that this wants to give the feel of an “old boys club” from the outside, but when you’re right next to Central Park, it just becomes upscale tourist bar on the inside. There’s a good amount of space, decent bar area, games on TV, not as crowded on the weekends. It’s a little above average prices for your slightly above average beers (Sam Adams, etc.).
3rd Ave. btw 44th and 45th St.
Tried it out, and its best written up as a list of positives and negatives. Positives: the waitresses are pretty attractive, a decent amount of space, and the beers taste good. Negatives: up a flight of stairs, they cram you into the decent amount of space, and the beers are more expensive than other German bars. I could get three liters in Alphabet City for the price of two here. Food is decent, but they at least give you a good sized potion for the price.
Ludlow St. btw Broome and Delancey St.
Okay, so get here early to avoid waiting on line outside. Next, pick a spot and hang on to it for dear life. This place gets ridiculously crowded, but they have space on another floor for the dancer in you/if you need more space. The crowd is, well, I guess they can be summed up as “that crowd that while young, they will move on to the next big thing the second it opens”. So I’ll have to come back in a few months and see how it is. Drinks are pricey, average beers available.
Rivington St. btw Ludlow and Essex St.
Ok ok, this place makes an argument for a restaurant…but come in at happy hour and it is anything but. Ooh, and there’s a DJ, so not a place to dine, bar it is! Good happy hour specials ($5 Litchi Martini’s) and zero space. Well, if you get a table or can plant yourself at the bar, do so, because you will be squeezed into a tight area. Service handles the crowd excellently, beers are a little above average prices after happy hour, all bottles.
Rivington St. btw Essex and Norfolk St.
I can only imagine that they took an old diner and turned it into a bar. This gives the place lots of space, a decent sized bar, and lots of places to sit. Service can be slow, it’s usually crowded, I’ve never seen an actual Magician in here, and it’s chock full of hipsters. Beers are average prices, taste fine, average and above average taps.
Essex St. btw Delancey and Rivington St.
Alright, hipsters take note, this is how your bar should look, even if you and your kind frequent it. The plus side are some older locals, and that it ranges from slightly crowded to crowded, so it eventually turns into a good mix. As stated in their name, they have a lot of whiskey, as well as half off happy hours, otherwise average prices for above average pints, taste decent, though if you have Guinness, bartender (this is for you) it’s okay to take time for a decent pour.
7th St. btw 1st and 2nd Ave.
Another bar on the list of places that remind me of a neighbor’s basement, this time with wet dog smell! There’s a good amount of room here, small bar, lots of booths, and yes, hipsters. Average tasting beers at average prices.
7th St, btw 1st and 2nd Ave.
Ok, so about half of the space is tables, the rest is a bar area. Bucket specials are available in 100% of the space, and 25% is having food. That’s a lot of math, I know, but this Filipino bar has some decent deals for happy hour. It’s a young crowd, Filipino and others, average prices for average tasting beers.
1st Ave. btw 6th and 7th St.
This place used to be Lilly’s Coogans. If memory serves me, the bar was on the other side. Thankfully I write this blog so my memory doesn’t have to serve me 24/7. Good happy hours, younger crowd, and a decent amount of space. Beers taste alright, average prices.
7th St. btw 1st and 2nd Ave.
So this is what a pretzel feels like…that’s the best I can do to explain the lighting in here. Not much to talk about for the rest of the bar either beside small bar, hipsters…yep, that’s about it. Not a lot of space to stand around as the bar takes up a big portion of the space. Beers taste fine, average prices for average taps.
1st Ave. btw 7th and 8th St.
I liked it. It may be really tiny, but it was a really good place to go for a drink. As said 14 words ago, tiny, but everyone is friendly, very cozy feeling, and really good happy hour specials. Nice bartender, mix of locals and youth. Beer tastes good, average prices after happy hour.
St. Mark’s btw 1st and 2nd Ave.
Came here on a Monday night, we were the only people in here. Tried to come on a Friday night, saw the owner locking up. So, when it feels like being open, there’s a good amount of space in here, lots of room around the bar. Not really divey, but definitely older. Beer tastes ok, average prices.
1st Ave. btw St. Mark’s Pl. and 9th St.
Used to be Cheap Shots, and not much has changed, though I will say it is cleaner and a tad more friendlier. Good jukebox, great happy hour deals, friendly bartender. Beers tastes fine, average prices after happy hour.
10th St. btw 1st and 2nd Ave.
Quiet bar that’s tucked away off the main avenue. Small place, seems that most of the people in here knew someone who worked here and were there for support more than actually frequenting the place. Good for a quiet drink, good for a stopover on your way out, beer tastes fine and at average prices, decent happy hour.
2nd Ave. btw 9th and 10th St.
This place used to be Telephone. They cleaned out the long tables and made this more of a pub…a pub taken over by B&T’s. Pluses: TV’s everywhere, food is decent. Minuses: stairs, meatheads and B&T’s…lots of ‘em. The beer tastes fine, average prices, it reminds me of a cleaner, more spacious Off the Wagon…oh wait, same owner…so there you go.
1st Ave. btw 1st and 2nd St.
I like this bar, very mixed crowd, not too posh, not too hipster, just a nice place to hang out. Well, hang out in the back, the bar area is a really tight space. It’s a small place, good music that gets turned “up to 11” once the occupancy gets above 20, really nice bartender. Average tasting beer, average taps, average prices.
3rd Ave. btw St. Mark’s Pl. and 9th St.
I’ve most likely walked by this bar thousands of times, and always thought it was some club and that I would hate it. This is why I do this, to dispel these notions, right everyone’s wrong thinking! Ok, the bars is average, very cheap happy hour, tons of space, nice staff. The clientele is a weird mix of college grads, people who just can’t get over college, and people who are using it as a meeting place before heading elsewhere. Beers taste fine, average beers at average prices.
1st Ave and 50th St.
The emptiest of the chain, and I was here at 7 PM on a work night, so that’s saying something. There’s a plenty of room to sit, the staff is attentive (I mean, if I’m the only one in here how could they not), and even though I wouldn’t expect sports on the TV’s at a place like this, they at least had Goldeneye on, so I was satisfied. Pricey drinks, taste fine.
Houston St. btw LaGuardia and Thompson St.
Was here around 7 on a weekday night, with NYU definitely back in session, yet I was the only one in here. I will have to revisit at some point. Revisited a month later, no one there, even during Monday Night Football!?! Maybe no one knows it’s here? Lots of space, stairs all over, good amount of TV’s, nice staff. Average tasting pints at average prices.
41st St. btw 6th Ave. and Broadway
Wait a sec, isn’t this a pizza place? Yes and no: yes because half of it is a pizza place and the other half is a bar, no because the pizza sucks. So let’s focus on the bar half. Good amount of TV’s, not a lot of sitting room at the bar, good service, and you can have garlic knots (which are pretty good) continuously delivered to you. Beers were average prices, tasted fine.
7th Ave. btw Charles and 10th St.
Not as big as its uptown namesake. It’s quieter, more subdued, and definitely not your typical West Village crowd, meaning there are B&T’s here…how did they find it!?! Most games are covered by the TV’s all over the place, good amount of seating, alright tasting beers at average prices.
8th Ave. btw 40th and 41st St.
It’s kind of the same idea as Track’s (being right in the middle of a major transportation hub), but cleaner and smaller. The smallest of the chain, you still get all of your homegrown taps and the good food. Pretty much a B&T crowd, Heartland prices ($7 or $8) for a pint, tastes fine.
Bleeker St. and LaGuardia Pl.
The new kid on the block. This place used to be Senior Swanky’s, and now it’s just swanky. I guess you would call this a gastropub, but while there are no hipsters present, pretentiousness abounds. They have your above average taps that taste fine, a little above average prices, and while this doesn’t draw your typical crowd for this area, it’s jumped completely to the other side of the spectrum.
3rd Ave. btw 28th and 29th St.
This place used to be Maker’s, and now it’s the brighter version of its former self. The crowd is very young, the music system is loud and changing halfway through songs, and the bartenders are pretty slow. I guess it changed to keep up with the new population in the neighborhood, but I think it was better the way it was. After all, it’s good to have a quiet port in a B&T storm once in a while! The beers were average prices, tasted fine.
