Day 42—Saturday, February 20th
Manitoba’s
Usually I go to a hotel bar on Saturday nights, but since last night was a bit of a flop, I thought I’d go somewhere a little more lively. I’ve been meaning to go to Manitoba’s bar for awhile and tonight is the night.
Manitoba’s is owned by “Handsome Dick” Manitoba, who fronts the band, The Dictators. I remember reading about “Handsome Dick” and the Dictators back when I was a senior in high school in Peoria, Illinois in Punk magazine. Punk was founded by John Holmstrom, Legs McNeil and Ged Dunn. Since moving out to New York I’ve met and gotten to to know both John and Legs in my travels and have written about them both in my old magazine fishwrap. So tonight we travel to Manitoba’s and we’ll see if I get to meet “Handsome Dick” Manitoba.
Okay, so a few minutes after I wrote the introduction to this post I heard water leaking in my bathroom. I called my landlord and we got the water turned off and thought the problem was solved. About fifteen minutes later I heard a big kaboom noise and part of the ceiling had caved in. Motherfucker!
My bathroom now looks like a bomb went off in it. Okay, my bathroom's a wreck, the cats I'm catsitting are freaking out, so I know what to do...
It's time to start drinking heavily.
I'm here early enough to enjoy the Happy Hour specials.
There's a friendly vibe and a nice neighborhood charm to Manitoba's.
These two offered me a seat next to them at the bar. They are Joe and Jessica and were two fun and friendly people. Joe is a marketing guru and this is one of his many business alliances: Culture Catch. Jessica told me her boyfriend is in Africa and you can read about his travelings here: Dave Arman's Blog.
Everyone is welcome at Manitoba's.
LIz the bartender served me up a can of Pabst and the hole in my bathroom ceiling was soon forgotten. Liz is in a band called the Runaway Suns. Check them out here: The Runaway Suns.
There's great photos from the late 70s and early 80s punk rock heyday in NYC lining the walls.
Mike and Alex were enjoying the Saturday night out at Manitoba's.
A cool vintage poster of "Handsome Dick's" band the Dictators.
I wonder who these people are...I know, I'll go up and ask them.
It's Tara, Jaime and Billy. Billy flashes the 365 card. You can follow him on Twitter here: Billy.
The bathrooms at Manitoba's. Ooh la la!
Denton was seated next to me and flashed his Darth Vader Pez for the camera.
Lauren and Sarah were seated at the end of the bar.
Here's the backroom of Manitoba's.
Manitoba's has a great eclectic jukebox. After checking it out, I had a couple more cans of Pabst with Joe and Jessica and was feeling no pain. In fact, maybe some magic fairies had fixed the hole in my bathroom ceiling.
No such luck, time for more beer. Goodnight everybody!
Review
C.B.G.B.’s is gone, but the spirit remains alive in Manitoba’s bar located in Alphabet City. It’s a dark paneled, low-lit bar loaded with punk rock era pictures and memorabilia from owner “Handsome Dick” Manitoba’s glory days with his punk band the Dictators. There’s a game room in the basement but I didn’t go there because I don’t play games. Manitoba’s has one of the best jukeboxes in town with artists ranging from Wilson Pickett to NRBQ to The Monkees to The Damned. It’s a friendly neighborhood bar where everyone is welcomed and a good time is had by all.
Manitoba’s has a daily happy hour from 2pm-8pm featuring $3 well drinks, imported drafts, and wine plus $2 domestic drafts and $1 off all other drinks. There’s a half dozen beers on draft including Coney Island Lager and Killian’s Irish Red. The dozen bottled beers include Budweiser, Goose Island and Negra Modelo. And for those of you with Peoria in your bloodstream, Pabst Blue Ribbon is available in cans. There’s no food available, but you can bring in a slice from the neighborhood pizza joints and nobody’s gonna complain. Manitoba’s is open 365 days a year from 2pm to 4am.
Manitoba’s
99 Avenue B (between Sixth and Seventh)
212-982-2511