Wednesday, October 13th, 2010—Bar 276
Day 276—Tuesday, October 12th, 2010
Toad Hall
Okay, day two of working the day and night shift and so far (I’m jinxing the shit out of myself) it hasn’t been that bad. I found what looks to be a very promising bar for tonight. It’s a place in Soho called Toad Hall and I’ve read nothing but good reviews about it. One review even said there were Jesus action figures at the bar to play with. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Water into wine, baby! Pick up your mat and let’s go.
Here we are, Toad Hall, let's check it out.
Nice and dark inside and some seats at the bar. Perfect!
And Barry the friendly bartender is quick with an ice-cold bottle of Red Stripe. I like it in here already.
Behind the bar is a long line of bottles and mirrors.
And above the bar hangs this painting. It makes you want to add an extra "s" to masterpiece.
Ha ha ha! Here you go, Tim Clack, I found my whine bar at last!
This fellow up at the front of the bar appears to be stoned.
There's a candlelit table up front by the window.
And there's tables off to the side of the bar, where I found this group who dub themselves, "The Tuesday Night Toad Group."
There's a jukebox in the back with such varied selections as: Aretha Franklin, Ike and Tina Turner Revue, John Hiatt, Dusty Springfield and Luther Allison. And now to name drop, I knew Luther Allsion, in fact, I was his wife's next door neighbor in Peoria. I'll have to write about that sometime.
The back room houses this pool table.
Red leather banquettes and tables line the perimeter of the walls in the back room.
There's also stools at this side wall as you enter the back room.
Meanwhile, back at the bar, Barry's taking care of business.
Ainslee, Matt and Marissa were seated next to me at the end of the bar and were very supportive of the 365 bar crawl idea.
Toads and bottles of beer above the bar.
And while looking up, what do I see but the Action Jesus I had read about!
So naturally I had to have a picture with Him.
So here's to you, Action Jesus, enjoy some beer and forget all about the fact that all those people you helped nailed you to a cross and left you to die. Cheers to Action Jesus!
Number 57? This is number 276, oh well, what are you going to do? Goodnight, everybody!
Review
Okay, I overslept (this may happen quite a bit in the two weeks) and I’m running late for work, so I don’t have time to write a review for Toad Hall. I give it a thumbs up and it’s a great place and here’s New York magazine’s review of the place. It’s one of their critics picks.
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In the tradition of its fictional namesake English manor, Toad Hall manages to be capacious but cozy all at once. Exposed brick walls and dark-wood fixtures help, as do the mismatched mirrors strategically hung above eye level, which make the space seem bigger without forcing you to confront your drunken reflection at every turn. Or perhaps it's just the motto posted on the register: Be nice or leave. Patrons seem to take it to heart, and a mixture of youthful pub-crawlers and older stool-warmers can be seen enjoying themselves very nicely indeed, any night of the week. Add a well-kept pool table (every other Monday is league night), a pleasantly varied wine list and a range of good beers (at low prices for the neighborhood), and you've got a charming bar that beckons on a chilly winter evening—anytime you want to step off the Soho street and into a warm, well-lighted place. — Jessica Stockton
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Toad Hall
57 Grand St. (near West Broadway)
212-431-8145
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Bonus Photo!
David Brooks has been threatening to send in a photo wearing his “Down Under” 365 shirt that “Boris” specifically made for our Aussie mates. And he finally made good on his threat, check out Brooksy below! Thanks for buying the shirt, Brooksy! If you’d like your own official 365 shirt, beer cozy, beer mug, mouse pad, coaster and other items all designed by our in-house artist, “Boris,” feel free to stop by the 365 Store. And remember that “Boris” is available for freelance work if you need a logo, a CD or book cover designed or some special artwork for your website or blog. Just send me an email and I’ll forward it to “Boris.”
And speaking of Luther Allison, here he is. R.I.P. Luther.
2 References
Reader Comments (25)
Great stop on the Crawl Daddio!
Thanks for sportin' the "Colors" Brooksy!
@ Tim there are the regular AND inverted "Down Under" Shirts in the store.
I figured I'd give our mates a choice!
LOVE the carved wood behind the bar! Cheers to action Jesus!! And hi David, love seeing pics of everyone on here.