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FOT Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: Tim G on September 04, 2007, 07:31:48 PM

Title: New York bars?
Post by: Tim G on September 04, 2007, 07:31:48 PM
Hi there,

Any recommendations for bars in
Manhattan?  A friend and I will be
visting from Vancouver in late October.

Any tips on casual bars, perhaps with
some live music...nothing too expensive.
Something unpretentious.

Thanks all,

Tim G


Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: John Junk on September 05, 2007, 01:32:43 AM

Any tips on casual bars, perhaps with
some live music...nothing too expensive.
Something unpretentious.


Sounds like you want it all, buddy.  Not in my New York City.  Drop one of those criteria and you may have yourself some suggestions.
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: bruce on September 05, 2007, 07:50:30 AM
yeah nothing like paying 6 bucks for a Budweiser
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: Richard_From_CHI on September 05, 2007, 10:31:09 AM
I thought NYC was expensive until I went to London, try paying $20 for a budweiser.
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: Laurie on September 05, 2007, 10:37:24 AM
I misread this as "New York bras." I was going to recommend an awesome lady underthings store near Zabar's that does bra fittings. They have a little old lady who does it!
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: christine on September 05, 2007, 11:09:31 AM
Not sure if these fit your criteria, per se, but here are some bars I like:

(1) HiFi (http://browniesnyc.com).  Resonably priced, has a great happy hour and is generally not too crowded on weeknights which is awesome if you want to play pool.  There is at least one very cute bartender, oh, and also the greatest jukebox known to man (http://browniesnyc.com/pages/eldj.html).

(2) 2A. Corner of 2nd Street and Avenue A.  Also reasonably priced & with a good happy hour (with bonus free popcorn!), and fairly laid back until 10 or 11, at which point you can count on it getting kind of insane. 

(3) The Magician on Rivington & Essex.  Totally laid back and unpretentious, generally lacking in white belts and footless tights.  Can't remember what the prices were like.

(4) The Crocodile on East 14th.  Um, they have free pizza and a photo booth.  I'm not sure what else you need.

(5) Ace Bar on E. 5th.  Okay, this bar is kind of horrible and loud, but they totally have skeeball.  Pick your battles, that's what I say.
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: Tim G on September 05, 2007, 11:16:04 AM
Thanks, Christine.

Those sound perfect.

Appreciate your time in answering.

Tim
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: KickTheBobo on September 05, 2007, 02:22:20 PM
not that anything in NYC will ever come close to the glorious Bosman's Sidebar (RIP), I would recommend:

In Brooklyn:

the new Luna Lounge - live music
Daddy's - back porch
Barcade - video games
Poorhouse - kinda small, but melikes
Trash Bar - requisite tattoo sleeves, karaoke

in NYC

Down the Hatch - mellow, west village
Mars Bar - punx and ne'er do wells
Lakeside Lounge - East Village
Rudy's - Hell's Kitchen (don't know if it's still around)
Mona's - East Village (see above)

I've never been, but I've always wanted to grab a drink at The Algonquin Hotel. Sounds kinda nice.


Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: John Junk on September 05, 2007, 02:42:38 PM
I vote Lakeside Lounge and Welcome to the Johnson's is a good hipster joint.

As for Williamsburg/Greenpoint/Brooklyn, I used to go to the Turkey's Nest all the time after playing kickball in McCarren Park, or when I wanted to take a break from welding my tall bike together.  The turkey's nest is the definition of "casual".  There's pool there and a juke box and at least circa 2004 it was a glorious dump with 3 dollar 32 ounce beers in styrofoam cups and a deer-shooting game (although I liked it better when they had  a video bowling game).
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: sonyasonya on September 05, 2007, 05:31:31 PM

Any tips on casual bars, perhaps with
some live music...nothing too expensive.
Something unpretentious.


Hey, you got any bars to suggest in Vancouver that fit those criteria? 'cause I sure as heck don't know of any...

Sonya
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: Tim G on September 05, 2007, 06:42:25 PM
Hi Sonya,

I think Vancouver's Railway Club is the kind of thing
I'm looking for.  Although the vibe seems to be
changing slightly (for the worse), it's pretty much
matched my criteria for years.

Thanks again everyone for your tips! 
 
Tim


Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: Jason on September 05, 2007, 08:35:52 PM
I thought NYC was expensive until I went to London, try paying $20 for a budweiser.

Why would you go to London and drink Budweiser?
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: Andy on September 05, 2007, 10:12:29 PM


Why would you go to London and drink Budweiser?
Why would anyone every drink anything that wasn't a budweiser?

Love it or Leave it.
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: Shaggy 2 Grote on September 05, 2007, 10:13:51 PM

Rudy's - Hell's Kitchen (don't know if it's still around)


Rudy's is still around, but it's the worst kept secret in NYC.  They even opened another one, called CIRCUS, that's a block and a half south and sort of a simulacrum of Rudy's divey-ness.
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: Ignore Function on September 05, 2007, 11:33:55 PM
I've only been to New York once, in 2005.  I remember liking
     Mars Bar  Total dump, in a good way.  On the Bowery, if I remember.
     Manitoba's  Owned by Handsome Dick of the Dictators
     K.G.B  St. Marks Place(I think)  kinda expensive

     For music I went to Knitting Factory in So-Ho and Tonic.  all of these were in Manhattan
     Locals may have their own opinions about these places.  Man, this makes me wish I was
     there now.  sometime in 2008 I will be.

Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: sonyasonya on September 06, 2007, 03:39:28 AM

I think Vancouver's Railway Club is the kind of thing
I'm looking for.  Although the vibe seems to be
changing slightly (for the worse), it's pretty much
matched my criteria for years.


You are right... I guess I am still bitter about losing the Sugar Refinery and Bosman's...

Last summer KTB took me to some rad places in NYC but you'd have to ask him where they were... the Mars Bar was one of 'em.

Ooh, you should go to Barcade in Brooklyn!!
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: Gregory on September 06, 2007, 06:29:49 PM
I went to Barcade for the first time last night...


probably won't be going back anytime soon
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: John Junk on September 06, 2007, 06:31:33 PM
I went to Barcade for the first time last night...


probably won't be going back anytime soon

Haw! Haw!
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: KickTheBobo on September 06, 2007, 07:54:13 PM
I went to Barcade for the first time last night...

probably won't be going back anytime soon

I hear ya broham, "Fun" is sooooo 2004.
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: John Junk on September 06, 2007, 08:02:42 PM
OK, Barcade is most definitely not the same I'm sure (never been...) but I went here: http://www.daveandbusters.com/ (http://www.daveandbusters.com/) for a buddy's bachelor party one night and it was the most un-fun thing ever.
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: Stan on September 06, 2007, 08:56:41 PM
OK, Barcade is most definitely not the same I'm sure (never been...) but I went here: http://www.daveandbusters.com/ (http://www.daveandbusters.com/) for a buddy's bachelor party one night and it was the most un-fun thing ever.

 Were they ok about bringing in strippers?
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: christine on September 07, 2007, 10:45:15 AM
I went to Barcade for the first time last night...


probably won't be going back anytime soon

Ohhh this makes me so, so sad.
Did you not enjoy playing Rampage and drinking obscure beers with the word "climax" in their names?
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: sonyasonya on September 07, 2007, 01:03:25 PM
You people are way too 'ironic" for me.  I can never tell who is being sincere and who is not!

All's I know is KTB and I got to put our initials on the high score board for Gauntlet, and we were mighty proud!!!
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: KickTheBobo on September 07, 2007, 01:10:45 PM
You people are way too 'ironic" for me.  I can never tell who is being sincere and who is not!

All's I know is KTB and I got to put our initials on the high score board for Gauntlet, and we were mighty proud!!!

Should "ironic" even be in quotes? that's very "meta" of you.

and yes, getting my initials on the Gauntlet board made my year, even if it did end up costing $67.75 in quarters.
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: Sarah on September 07, 2007, 01:43:46 PM
I was thinking " 'ironic' " should mean "sincere," which made the comment very confusing.
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: sonyasonya on September 07, 2007, 01:49:17 PM
I don't even know if ironic is the correct word... or should it be sarcastic?  I didn't pay attention in the 90s.
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: Sarah on September 07, 2007, 01:53:34 PM
Sonyasonya, please ignore me.  I'm not having a good day, but that doesn't give me license to be snarky.
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: KickTheBobo on September 07, 2007, 02:07:03 PM
I don't even know if ironic is the correct word... or should it be sarcastic?  I didn't pay attention in the 90s.

that's no excuse, my dear

I suggest that you get studying (http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/i_love_the_90s/series.jhtml)

I'm going to need a 3 page analysis of Van Winkle's magnum opus Cool As Ice (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101615/) on my desk by 5pm monday.
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: sonyasonya on September 07, 2007, 02:18:18 PM
Sonyasonya, please ignore me.  I'm not having a good day, but that doesn't give me license to be snarky.

not to worry! you are sweet.
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: Sarah on September 07, 2007, 03:22:31 PM
Of course, if I were snarky on a good day, I wouldn't apologize.  Actually, I probably would.  I really should be fully Canadian, instead of thrice-removed..
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: Gregory on September 07, 2007, 04:19:26 PM
I went to Barcade for the first time last night...


probably won't be going back anytime soon

Ohhh this makes me so, so sad.
Did you not enjoy playing Rampage and drinking obscure beers with the word "climax" in their names?


Actually, I really liked the game where you were the bear and you had to get the gems. Crystal Castles.
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: John Junk on September 07, 2007, 05:56:50 PM
I just thought Gregory was being dismissive and understated.  Nothing ironic about saying you won't be going back somewhere anytime soon if you won't be going back to that place anytime soon.  Am I right?  Unless you're saying it's "ironic" to scoff at things that you're supposed to enjoy and think are fun, which is somewhat unfair because not everyone thinks the same things are fun, and "fun" is a societal construct anyway. 
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: sonyasonya on September 07, 2007, 06:43:55 PM
Oh, I was more referring to this: "I hear ya broham, "Fun" is sooooo 2004."

or this: "Ohhh this makes me so, so sad.
Did you not enjoy playing Rampage and drinking obscure beers with the word "climax" in their names?"

I still honestly can't tell if these folks liked it or hated it!! 

I am sure that Barcade is not for everyone.
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: John Junk on September 07, 2007, 07:37:19 PM
Oh, gotcha.  I don't think that was ironic.  I think that was post-ironic, where you're actually sincere, but using a kind of disbelieving and sarcastic tone anyway.  And in the questionable term "post-ironic", the prefix "post-" is not "ironic", although it may be snarky.
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: christine on September 08, 2007, 01:46:42 AM
or this: "Ohhh this makes me so, so sad.
Did you not enjoy playing Rampage and drinking obscure beers with the word "climax" in their names?"

I still honestly can't tell if these folks liked it or hated it!! 


Oh, I totally meant this!  I actually had my birthday party at Barcade this year.

I can totally understand the non-appeal of Barcade, though.  It can get overwhelmingly crowded and the patrons tend to make me feel bad about the way I'm dressed, but I really don't feel like you can argue with a room full of video games & booze, and besides all that, the ladies room contains my favorite piece of bathroom graffiti of all time.

I do think Climax is a funny name for a beer, though.
Title: Re: New York bars?
Post by: sonyasonya on September 09, 2007, 02:52:33 AM
Oh good, because I really had a lot of fun when I went there too, and I don't even like arcades!!

Ironic-ness is confusing.