Day 290—Tuesday, October 26th, 2010
169 Bar
Okay, while Googling around, I think I found a real hidden gem that I’m amazed escaped 365 Bar co-pilot, Al. It’s called 169 Bar and is located in Chinatown. From what I’ve read it’s kind of a combination dive bar and somewhat tiki bar and it’s been on the block for decades. Sounds like a winner, let’s go see.
Here it is, the 169 Bar, looks promising, let's check it out.
I love it already and plenty of seats at the bar.
And super-cute Kaley serves up a beer. Kaley just moved here in June from Miami. Miami? Hey, Al, do you know her?
Cheers!
The bar in all its cyan and magenta lit-up glory. A beautiful sight!
There's lots of knick-knacks and trinkets hanging behind the bar.
And here's a few of them, Chinese currency hangs above a skull and next to a bar sign.
They have a nice canned beer selection. Colt 45? Where's Billy Dee Williams when you need him?
Oh, he's right here! It works every time...whatever the fuck that means!
The TV's show vintage movies, here's one with Dino from the '60's.
Steve was the other bartender on duty, here he's posing behind the bar with Kaley.
Some of the draft beers available at the bar.
Festive lights hang from the ceiling and masks hang over some of the foliage in the area opposite the bar.
There's booths in the side room for comfortable seating.
Which is exactly what these three were doing. From left: Mike, Brian and Fiona.
There's a pool table in the back room.
And not just any pool table, a leopard-skin pool table. Too fucking cool!
Here's Crystal and Tiffany who were chilling out in the back room. They work as waitresses nearby at Noah's Ark, stop by and tip them heavily if you can. And now a word to their boss, Ziv. Hey Ziv, give these two women a raise for the love of sweet corn! They couldn't pay their bill and quite frankly it was a little embarrassing watching them wash dishes behind the bar to pay for their drinks. Come on, step up to the plate, Ziv!
Meanwhile, back at the bar...
Steve is pouring shots for the bar.
Cheers from me and the bar!
And history is made as we get the first quadruple flip-off from Kaley and Steve! Goodnight, everybody!
Review
The 169 Bar has been a fixture on this Chinatown block for over 80 years and was formerly nicknamed, “The Bloody Bucket.” Inside the bar is lit up with festive low-lit lights and the space combines the best aspects of a tiki bar meets a dark, dive bar. The bartenders are friendly and the crowd is mainly regulars from the neighborhood and beyond. There’s lots of kitsch and kaboodle on the walls and behind the bar with disco balls hanging over vintage posters of Billy Dee Williams hawking Colt 45. The back room houses a leopard skin pool table with Godzilla art on the walls and a fish tank with a lone fish swimming in it. The music is ‘60’s soul, jazz, pop and Harlem swing. Go-go girls dance in the bar on weekends and DJ’s and live music happen regularly.
169 Bar has a large selection of canned beer including: Pablst, Schlitz, Genesee Cream and Colt 45. Some of the specialty cocktails include: A Hellboy Margarita, Pickle Martini, Frozen Pina Colada and Bourbon Mint Lemonade. Happy hour runs from opeing till 7:30pm with three buck cans of beer and a shot, two buck bottles of Bud and Jameson and Jack shots going for four dollars. Sunday’s they offer three dollar shots and 12 ounce canned beers all night.
They also offer a limited food menu including: Vegetable or pork dumplings, salted shell peanuts and popcorn. The bar is owned by former New Orleans and New York City musician Charles Hanson and it’s apparent that he’s taken a nice slice of New Orleans atmosphere and transplanted it to Chinatown in New York City.
169 Bar
169 E. Broadway (Near Rutgers St.)
646-833-7199
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Bonus Photo: Brooksy Relaxing Down Under With Another Item From The 365 Store!
Aussie follower and commentator David Brooks, a.k.a. Brooksy has sent in another photo of him with another item purchased from the 365 Bar Store, which is maintained by in house artist, “Boris.” Here’s the photo and the caption he sent in. Cheers to you Brooksy!
Got another photo from a party at my place on the weekend, as you can see, all the important elements are featured: Me, 365 Bar Crawl Beer Cozy, Coopers Pale Ale and a beer gut!