Tuesday, December 14th, 2010—Bar 338
Day 338—Monday, December 13th, 2010
P.J. Carney's
I’ve been meaning to go to P.J. Carney’s for some time now. It’s a bar that’s been around since 1927 and it’s within spitting distance of Carnegie Hall. So how do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice? No silly rabbit, subway, subway, subway!
The first snow here in New York. Fuck.
And here at the subway stop my luck continues to run afoul. It's empty which means I just missed a train. Double fuck.
And five minutes later it's starting to fill up, but still no train.
Finally!
And through the magic of the internet you're spared a ride that included a seven minute wait in Times Square while sitting next to a 309 pound man that smelled like curry that had gone bad last century.
Nice and dark in here and a decent crowd for a Monday night. Time to find a seat at the bar.
And no sooner do I settle in than the friendly and beautiful bartender, Susie serves up an ice-cold beer.
Festive holiday lights hang from the wooden walls.
A shot of the circular bar from where I was seated.
Glasses and lights hang overhead the bar.
Some of the drafts available at the bar.
Tables and chairs line the walls opposite the bar.
A Christmas wreath hangs in the window.
All the artwork in P.J. Carney's is by local artist, Robert Cenedella. If you're a longtime reader of this blog, you'll remember we ran into Robert's art at the Nancy Whiskey Pub. Things really move in a circular motion on this bar crawl.
John was seated next to me at the bar. He's in town on business from San Antonio, Texas.
Meghan was the other pretty bartender on duty and she was nice enough to buy me a shot. And John was nice enough to take the shot of the shots. And speaking of things moving in a circular motion on the old bar crawl, I met Meghan's boyfriend, Rufus, the other week at The Watering Hole.
These people have gone for a "puff." Is there some wacky tobacky action going on here? I'll never tell.
These two just walked in, let's go say hi.
It's Jennifer and Anna. Does it get any cuter than this? No, and that's my cue to leave on a high note.
And how do you get home from Carnegie Hall and/or P.J. Carney's? Taxi, taxi, taxi. Goodnight, everybody!
Review
P.J. Carney’s has been an institution on this block since 1927. Inside the dark bar is a circular dark wooden bar in the center with tables and chairs on the perimeter. The cliental is a mix of locals and tourists who have just caught a show at the nearby Carnegie Hall and sometimes the entertainers from the show stop by as well. The bar has a nice and lively atmosphere and the bartenders are quick with a drink and friendly to all.
The bar itself is circular and cozy and plentiful with drinks. There’s eight bottled beers to be had and an impressive amount of twenty drafts including: Boddington’s, Blue Moon Belgian Ale, Brooklyn Lager and in a tip of the hat to my hometown of Peoria, Illinois and Frank Booth, Pabst Blue Ribbon. There’s also a decent wine and whiskey list and five varieties of cocktails. The kitchen is open till two in the morning and in addition to such standards as burgers, wings and sandwiches, they also offer these specialities: Shepherd’s Pie; Beer Battered Fish and Chips; Irish Chicken Curry over rice and Beef Chili in a tortilla bowl with cheddar cheese, onions and sour cream.
P.J. Carney's
906 Seventh Ave. (Near 57th St.)
212-664-0056
1 Reference
Reader Comments (21)
Love that glasses photo! And this is a great bar and more connections from the past, very cool!
Love that shot of the wooden curve of the bar. Right now you are on a huge roll as far as finding great bars,,, I think the last 8 bars, since Ace,,,have all been top ten caliber bars. This place has everything I like,,,,dark,,,lots of wood,,,,old,,,pretty ladies. This proves that after almost 340 bars NYC has gems out there and I am amazed that you are finding them.
As for Jennifer and Anna...double your pleasure, double your fun...and as for that evil, heinous car coating white shit, do a you tube search on the collapse of the Minneapolis Metro Dome. We're still digging out from under two feet of the shit. Christ.
You should have walked the 23 blocks to PJ's ... it was snowing ... what a festive time to travel the streets of the Big Apple !!!
more wonderful window shots and christmas decorations! yay!
@Jaws: You're right, I shouldn't complain (but it never stops me!) Good luck shoveling out!
@GENE: Too windy and cold to walk, plus I was beat from work. Although you're right, the streets are festive this time of year. I'm not that much of a Christmas guy and even I get into it.
Ya Marty what Jaws said.. I am sooo sick of being stuck inside... ughhhh
i'd love to go to a bar with a cute circus name and get all warmed up and drunk about now!
and hey Jaws keep your storm to yourself next time!
we in indiana do NOT want it hahaha
@Gidget and Jaws: I almost feel guilty now. The key word there is "almost." Ha ha ha! I'll try and find a place with a fireplace to warm you up tonight.
@365, Jaws & Gidget: All I can say is where I am it's about to hit a nice 26c. Not a cloud in the sky and just a slight breeze coming off the ocean. Too bad I've got to go to work.
@365: Ah, the joys of public transport. You're always bound to get stuck near either a crack head that argues with himself or a curry smelling fat guy. As for PJ carney's...I couldn't think of a more warm, cozy place to sit it and get all boozed up in on a night like that.
I'm going to see GWAR on saturday!!!!
@Clacky: Do what I did and take the day off! P.J. Carney's was the perfect bar for last night. TO P.J. CARNEY'S!
@365: I just had 2 days off and now I'm bored.
I mad Miheladas yesterday! awesome! My friends didn't really like them though. I thought I nailed it on the first attempt.
@Clacky: "I mad Miheladas yesterday!" Something is lost in translation here, what does that mean?
boy with all those @'s i'm fuckin' buried...so if you can't finger out who any of my asshole sick off topic and possibly from space my comments are directed c'est la vie motherfucker...GWAR they are still alive?...metro dome Jennifer and Anna same post you might be hung...23 f'ing blocks a little more than walkin' 'round baltimore...damn nice stop...glad you got it on the crawl...next time remember..."Fast goes fast
Slow goes slow
Alright now, do the Low Yo Yo Yo Yo"....KOC
rr
@raginrr: I'm heading out right now to do the Low Yo Yo Yo Yo...yo!
oh fuck...forgot to say P. J. Carney's is the first place on the crawl to be reviewed by "— American Way, American Airlines
in-flight magazine...KOC
rr
I agree with Al, amazed after how many bars you have been too, that you keep finding such nice places. Love the paneled walls in the shot of the tables and chairs.
Susie ? Susie Creamcheese ? Whats got into You ?
Help I'm A Rock .
@JHwang: Let's make the water turn black.
P.J. Carney's looks great. I love the lighting (looks warm in there) and that curvy bar's cool too. Can't go wrong with PBR on tap (is it just me, or does that domestic draft pack more of a punch than others?) and the excellent glasses over the bar action. Everyone, from the 'tenders to the patrons, seems super friendly and happy. Plus, the food sounds good. Uh, except for that chicken curry over rice. Nothing against the bar, but after your description of your subway seatmate, I don't think I'll be eating curry for a while.
P.J. Carney’s seemed very fun and friendly. Nice!
Boo snow!!!
Yay P.J. Carney's!!!