Day 314—Friday, November 19th, 2010
Blarney Rock Pub
Once again, I don’t want to blog about my work, because I don’t want to get dooced, but I will tell you this, sometimes work sucks. This was one of those nights. Not that there was a lot of work to do or that it was hard work, just a big tub of frustrating bullshit smeared all over bright blue moldy bread and now it’s a little after three in the fucking morning and I have to go out and do the bar crawl. A lot of nights this is fun, some nights it’s not. This is one of those nights where it’s not. Luckily, I’ve kept the Blarney Rock Pub in my back pocket for a night just like this when I kind of want to go and just fucking get it over with. It’s only three blocks from where I work (it’s right next door to last Friday’s bar, Hickey’s when the BBC were in town), so let’s go and put on the happy bar crawler face. Sometimes you have to be an actor for this shit. This is one of those nights.
Goddamn, the streets are deserted out here, a fear has just swept over me that maybe the Blarney Pub will be closed and I won't find another bar. I know I've said I'd start all over again if I missed a night, but I just made a mental note to go into hiding if the Blarney is closed.
But thank god it's open. Let's start the crawl, it's late...well, really it's early, in the morning that is.
And there's plenty of places to sit. Most normal people are home by now, it's nice to be among the non-normals.
As I approach the bar the bartender and this fellow are in deep discussion. Let's go and say hi and more importantly, order a beer.
And the introductions are made. This is Conor, the friendly bartender who happily serves up a beer.
And the fellow he was chatting with is Mark. Both Conor and Mark are from Ireland and they are both gentlemen, scholars and nice guys to share a beer or three with.
Three sips into my beer and Conor buys Mark and I a shot of whiskey, I like this place!
A picture of the bar from my point of view.
Tim was the other hospitable bartender on duty and he flashes the 365 card.
Sports pennants hang over the bar.
Here's Brianna and Tom who's in town from, Annapolis, Maryland. This is their first time at the Blarney Rock Pub and they found it because they're staying across the street. I recommended Hickey's to them as well.
Tim chats with some of the remaining people at the bar.
A shot from the far end of the bar.
When you gotta go, you gotta go. Be back in a minute.
Hey, where's everyone going? The night has just begun!
Empties are stacked on the bar...
The stools are all empty except for mine...
And chairs are stacked on tables. Okay, I can take a hint...goodnight, everybody!
Review
There’s a bunch of Blarney Rock/Stones bars dotting the streets of Manhattan, so how do you tell them apart? Simple, you don’t. Just go in, get a beer, if you watch sports look up at one of the TV’s, if you don’t, get another beer. There’s plenty available. There's a nice bar area in here with tables off to the side and a dining room in the back.
In addition to a full bar with a good selection of draft and bottled beers, The Blarney Rock Pub has food to offer and there’s all your usual pub food suspects availabe such as: Chicken Fingers, Buffalo Wings, Mozzarella Sticks and Onion Rings. There’s a good selection of sandwiches and three types of burgers with the Irish Burger which is topped with Irish bacon, cheddar cheese, mushroom and onions being the most tempting. Some of the house specialites include: Irish Sausage, Beans and Chips; Beer, Battered Fish & Chips; Hot Open Reuben and a Philly Cheese Steak.
As is the case with several of the Blarney bars, this one is close to Madison Square Garden, so if threre’s a concert or a game, it’s a great location to stop in for a pre-game/show drink. If you’re a local, this is the time to avoid this place like the plague.
Blarney Rock Pub
137 W. 33rd St. (Near Seventh Ave.)
212-947-0825
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Bonus Video: The Joans with “Joan Crawford Goes To Hell.”
Aaron Smith is a sometime commentator here at 365 bars and he’s also appeared several times in person on the crawl. He’s also the drummer with the fabulous band, The Joans. And they have a new video out for their song “Joan Crawford Goes To Hell.” It’s hilarious and here it is. Enjoy!
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Bonus Photos From Tim Clack When He Was In New York City
Clacky took lots of photos when he visited here last week. Here’s a few for today and there’ll be few more tomorrow. Take it away, Clacky!
The awesome Manhattan Skyline south bound.
The Empire state building...Been there. Done that.
Terry (of the legendary BBC) ordered the Chicago Dog at the Jack Russell. Good from far, but far from good.
A Giants fan who was kind enough to pose with this strange beer drinking contraption. It says trouble to me.
Marty and Shannon with Karen and John from Grade "A" Fancy. Howdy guys!