Day 102—Wednesday, April 21st
The Blind Pig (Originally Scheduled For The Crocodile Lounge)
First off let me thank my co-worker and manager Decker for donating another 10 bucks to the bar crawl funds in good sweet cash as pictured below.
Decker joins Tiki Bar Susie in the elite few who have donated twice to the bar crawl. I appreciate the donations as I’m traveling around now and expenses are picking up. Thanks Decker!
In my travels a lot of people suggest bars to me and I’ve got a long list of bars stockpiled in my notes. However the other night a woman was telling me about a bar and then uttered two magical words: Free Pizza! That’s right there’s a bar on 14th and 1st called the Crocodile Lounge that gives away free pizza when you order a drink. I don’t actually know how this whole thing works, but I’m going to find out!
Here's the Crocodile Lounge. The economy must still be in the shitter because this place is beyond packed with people eating the free pizza. it's too crowded and noisy for me to do the bar crawl thing tonight. Plus there's a guy with electric eyeballs in here. i'll come back on a Monday in the next week or two and see if things are slower then. Now time to improvise.
I passed a bar that looked good on the way here, so let's double back up on 14th Street and check that place out.
The Blind Pig. I like the name!
Okay, this is more like it, there's people in here, but it's not packed or crazy loud and there's a seat at the bar. Let the crawl begin!
And bartender MJ serves up the first beer of the evening. MJ is a 23 year long veteran New York bartender who's a great guy to drink and chat with.
Cheers!
This bar rules!
Part of the Blind Pig team: waitress Shannon, manager Richie and waitress Erin. Fun and friendly folks.
There's a huge beer selection available as well as an extensive wine list.
Here's Thorsten and Elkie who are stranded here from Hamburg, Germany due to the Vocano madness. They were taking refuge in the Blind Pig. Cheers to both of you and have a safe trip back!
Vintage prohibition photos adorn one wall in this modern day speakeasy.
Large wooden booths line the walls for group seating.
Josh shows off the Blind Pig menu.
Cain was enjoying a pint at the end of the bar, his brother Abel was unavailable for comment. I think he was passed out in the bathroom.
MJ saw me looking at the Blind Pig accessories available...
And comped me a free hat! Thanks MJ! Great hanging out with you and everyone, a great night out on the crawl! Goodnight everybody!
Review
Blind Pig was a name used to refer to a Speakeasy in the Prohibition era. New York’s Blind Pig is a drink-easy saloon with a long, spacious wooden bar and wooden booths with a festive atmosphere. Rock and roll music is the background noise and the place is loaded with HD TV’s if you want to check out who’s winning the latest games. The bartenders and waitresses are friendly and fun and the clientele is a mix of NYU students and neighborhood regulars. Don’t worry about being a newbie here though, strangers are welcomed and a good time is had by all.
There’s a generous Happy Hour here from 11:00 am till 8 pm every day of the week. In addition to the full bar and nightly drink specials, The Blind Pig has a menu that includes the Blind Pig Burger which is served on a toasted English muffin, plus there’s also wings, dumplings, fish and chips, mac and cheese and meatloaf. DJ’s spin tunes Thursday, Friday and Saturday for your dancing pleasure.
Check out this modern day speakeasy where you don’t need to know a secret knock on the door to get in.
Blind Pig
233 E. 14th St. (Near Second Ave.)
212-209-1573