Saturday, November 6th, 2010—Bar 300
Day 300—Friday, November 5th, 2010
McCoys
Tonight’s a special night, it’s the 300th bar I’ve been to in a row. I thought about what kind of bar to go to and as usual kind of waited till the last minute to pick one. I decided on a bar called McCoy's in Hell’s Kitchen. This whole thing is about bars and McCoy’s appears to be just that: A bar. Nothing too special, kind of dark and a nice place to have a beer or four. Plus it’s a pick from 365 commentator Al Rizo and those always seem to be great places. Al is the co-pilot here and he sure can sniff out a great bar. Let’s go see what he sniffed out at McCoy's.
It's Friday night and there wasn't a chance of getting a taxi, so I sucked it up and walked the 21 blocks to McCoys. I passed this deli along the way and it's my kind of place. They have a lotto beer here. (Rimshot.) Plus an ATM shot for Joey D!
Here we are at McCoys bar in the heart of Hell's Kitchen.
The sign outside announcing their happy hour and other specials inside.
There's a trifecta of shamrocks outside on the wall and what I assume is a barrel of fun. Let's go inside.
It's packed inside and really loud. I found one seat at the end of the bar. It's nice and dark in here, another great pick from Al!
Shane was the only bartender on duty and even though he was busier than fuck, he agreed to pose for a photo. You can see the, "let's get this shit over with" look on his face.
Here's my view from my seat at the bar. It was so crowded and noisy I decided to skip the meet and greet photos and just take some shots at the bar and relax somewhat. It's been 300 bars and I feel I can take a little break from socializing for one night.
It's a great bar, but they could ditch these big screen TV's in my opinion.
Wow, people keep streaming in, it's really crowded in here. Oh well, it is Friday night after all.
Vintage black and white photos line the wooden wall opposite the bar.
A shot of the bar with lots of empties on top of it.
Sports pennants and knick-knacks hang over the top of the bar.
A photo of two midget baseball players hang on the wall. I like that.
The backroom has booths and tables and it's packed back here too.
The jukebox is legendary here and has such varied artists as: The Pogues, The Clash, Ian Dury and the Blockheads, Warren Zevon and The Kinks among others.
A shot from the other end of the crowded bar.
Back at the bar, I had several beers and thought about all the different nights out I've had on this bar crawl. Tonight I just met Shane, but most nights I meet at least four people and talk to them. Take the average of four (most nights it's more) and that's over 1200 people I've met on this journey so far. Crazy.
300 bars down! Thanks so much for everyone who comes here and checks this out. It really does mean a lot to me. And I truly appreciate all you people that leave a comment, it's added a nice social community touch to the site. Cheers to all of you and goodnight everybody! 65 more to go!
Review
McCoy’s has been on the block in Hell’s Kitchen since the 1800’s and is one of the oldest bars in New York City. The front room is narrow with a long wooden bar taking up most of the space. There’s a window side booth up front and more booths and tables in the back. The jukebox is also in the back room and has one of the most eclectic selections in town. And you can even suggest they add a song to the jukebox here.
There’s a large selection of bottled and draft beers including: Guinness, Brooklyn Lager, Yuengling and their very own McCoy's Irish Ale. Happy hour runs from 4pm till 7pm with four buck beer and shots and various daily specials. The pub grub here includes such offerings as a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich, burgers, wings and popcorn shrimp. And the kitchen is open till 4am for all you midnight tokers.
McCoys
http://www.mccoysnyc.com/
768 Ninth Ave. (Near 51st St.)
212-957-8055
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Bonus Photos From Tim Clack In New York City!
365 commentator Tim Clack and his girlfriend/almost wife Shannon are in town and here’s a few of the photos he’s taken during their vacation here along with his captions. Thanks for sending these along Clacky and it’s been fun hanging out with the two of you.
Some bright lights at Times Square.
Robert Cray band at BB King's nightclub.
Physical Graffiti on St Marks Place.
Some big arse buildings!
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Once again, Thanks to my co-pilot Al Rizo for a great suggestion! Al artwork by our own in-house artist, "Boris."
23 Comments
Reader Comments (23)
Alright!!! to 300!! and this is the first time that I'm the first to comment. Packed like sardines in there last night by the looks....I tend to get a bit claustrophobic when it's too packed but if I'm seated close to the door than I'm all good. To cheeseburgers!
Great pictures of a crowded Friday night. I know for the 300th bar this place was great. I really liked the narrow room. Notice most bars that are narrow on this crawl have been great? Like Holland, Blarney Cove, International, Desmonds, etc. Thats because I think the old bars were just that, a room with a bar on one side and a few tables on the other, simple, and to the point,(Drinking) no gimmicks needed . I agree that those big TV's are a bit of overkill but It can be overlooked. Also Ive learned here that the word "Irish" is used a lot in naming a bar. Lots of irish wannabe's out there. . This place looks really genuine and not a facsimilie of an Irish bar,,,, congrats to Captain Marty on 300.
Just your basic bar, sir or ma'am as Joe Friday might have said, and appropriate for the milestone 300Th bar stop. The Clackster has some real talent as a photographer...nice shots!
@Tim Clack: To cheeseburgers and to your photos, thanks for passing them by!
@Al: Thanks for another great suggestion, O-Co-Pilot of mine!
I understand that the tvs are a popular thing, but not sure about them showing golf and tennis. Come on guys. Obviously a place people like to go though.
Happy 300th! And the best part of this site is the social community. Its been a lot of fun being able to tag along on your adventures.
@kari: Thanks! It's been great having you along and commentating!
Congratulations on 300! It's all downhill from here...
Anybody know what the earlier name(s) of McCoys is/were? I'm sure I've been in here under a different name (name of bar, that is, my name has always been the same. ).
So many places in NYC now have different names than in my hey day (70's/80's) but are still active and going strong. Good to see. I think I was in the Coal Yard too, but also under a different name.
@Ken K. Thanks for the good wishes and for following the 365 blog! I don't know the former name of McCoys, but I'm pretty sure The Coal Yard was Lillie Coogan's.
Glad you took a little rest on the 300th bar. You've still got 65 to go, pace yourself! Nice shots and I loved the midget baseball players! Sounds like a great jukebox too. Nice suggestion, Al!
I've been here .... a good place to grab a cold Pabst can ... and watch a game :) ... they really should put more tv's in though :(
FINALLY, you reached the numbered bar that matches my IQ! To 300!
Congrats on #300! McCoys looks like a great place. Don't forget to check out Iron Horse at 32 Cliff st right off Fulton st. Hot barmaids, swing on the ceiling, fire breathing, hula hoops, dancing poles on each side of the bar. Most of the staff is from the former Red Rock West saloon. Food is also served.
I've been to the Iron Horse ... it smelled like puke - and I had to wait forever to get an overpriced crummy drink - and the people were totally nauseating there. This location used to be Amarok Bar & Grill -- too bad they went away and this clusterf*ck took it's place :(
TO : 300
Shit I got to go to work this morning .
My brain feels like it slipped out my ear & crawled back in , when I was a sleep .
Physical Graffiti on St Marks Place , shit I never took that pic , but past it many times in my Life .
Did you get a cheese burger , oh shit , not the right day , never mind .
Made a FUIJIFILM Instax Mini Instant Pinhole Camera , using a LC - A + FULIFILM Back .
Happy 300!
McCoys huh?
"Hang on Marty, Marty hang on!
(only 65 more to go Daddio)
Then it's the book deal and screenplay.
Wow, 300, it was about this time last year we were bullshitting and you were "thinking" about doing this as the "Marty Wombacher Show" was the sounding board for ideas.
Amazing journey this has been and it's taken on it's own life and created it's own subculture of fans, followers and friends.
I'm proud of you my "Brother".
@"Boris:" Thanks, brother! You've been a big part of this and a major help from creating the top banner art to maintaining the 365 Store and on and on. Thanks for all of your help here and back at the Marty Wombacher Show. 65 to go!
Congrads on 300 Marty, when me and my friends go out in the city we always use your reviews to find new places. Know you work around midtown, we went to 2 bars called Katwalk and Butterfields this weekend, both total wanna-be business casual yuppie crowds. I think it would be a blast for you to walk in to one of those places trying to do the 365 thing to see the reactions.
@NYTeacher: I've been to both of those places already! They were nice to me at Katwalk (it was a weeknight, so probably an entire different crowd) but Butterfields completely sucked. You need to check out the Mars Bar, the International and the Coal Yard, just three of my favorites so far.
Excellent choice to celebrate the 300th bar. To 300th! Go ahead Marty.
@Luc Ramone: Thank you sir! Good to hear from you!
Saw the Coalyard post, place looks awesome, gonna give that and the Mars Bar a shot this weekend. Keep up the great work!
@NYTeacher: If you get a chance, send in a photo or two of your travels and I'll post them as bonus photos. Only if you want to though, no pressure!
What a wonderful choice for bar 300!! Loved it!
"that's over 1200 people I've met on this journey so far. Crazy." Wow totally amazing, I am very impressed.
I see they have The Pogues on the jukebox as all fine Irish bars should.