Friday, July 30th, 2010—Bar 201
Day 201—Thursday, July 29th, 2010
Kennedy's Restaurant
The decision for tonight’s destination and donation bell have both struck at the same time. Just as i was trying to figure out a place to go to I checked my email and baboom, there was a generous donation of ten dollars from Jürgen Nennstiel who lives in Dortmund, Germany. The stated purpose on the PayPal receipt said: “Visit Kennedys Pub 327 W 57th St. and greet Conner from Germany :-)” Thank you so much for not only donating Jürgen, but for choosing the bar! Es ist zu Kennedys uns ausgeht!
I'm stuck behind some dreaded slow walkers on the street. I hate it when people fan out across the sidewalk and then move like fucking snails.
Okay, after a long walk up 8th Avenue I see something in the distance.
It's Kennedy's, time to stop in, get a pint of Guinness and find Conner.
Plenty of seats at the bar and it's a festive looking place.
Business may be a bit slow tonight, but bartender Hugh is quick on the draw with a Guinness. And if you're a regular reader of this blog, you know that can only lead to...
The traditional wearin' of the Guinness. Too rah loo rah loo!
There's a nice table upfront with a good view of 57th street. I wonder where Conner is?
The Kennedy coat of arms hangs proudly behind the bar.
Red banquettes and tables line the wall opposite the bar.
There's another full bar in the back dining area.
And Maurice is the man in charge of the back bar. He's New York's number one bartender. Just ask him and he'll tell you.
Here's some of the drafts available at the bar.
And as I gaze at the bar specials, I'm wondering, "Where the hell is this Conner guy?"
Here's a photo montage of some famous people who stop by Kennedy's when they're in town: 1. Rod the Mod Stewart; 2. Ian McLagan is a regular, here's a shot of him with his wife Kim; 3. Julian Lennon; 4. Julian Lennon and that guy from MTV's Real World. I don't remember the season, but he was the token English guy; 5. Ian McLagan, again; 6. Ian McLagan and Julian Lennon; 7. Ian McLagan, some guy with a huge moustache and Rod The Mod Stewart; 8. Actor Gene Hackman; 9. Another shot of Ian McLagan, this guy loves it in here! He even wrote about it in his book, "All The Rage." It's a great rock 'n' roll memoir about his days with the Small Faces, the Faces, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt and more. Ian's played with everyone in the rock 'n' roll world. You should check his book out.
Vintage photos line an entire wall of Kennedy's. I'm still looking for Conner!
And here he is, the elusive Conner! Conner says to stop back again soon, Jürgen, the Jägermeister sales have dropped sharply since you've gone back to Germany.
A parting shot of the three bartenders from Kennedy's. From left: Hugh, the elusive Conner and Maurice. Cheers guys and goodnight everybody!
Review
Kennedy’s is a warm and inviting midtown Irish pub and restaurant. The bartenders are some of the friendliest in town and treat you like a longtime regular from your first stop in. The front bar has Christmas lights, the Kennedy coat of arms and vintage pictures covering the walls. Tables and red leather banquettes line the wall opposite the bar and the patrons are a mix of tourists, business people enjoying a pint of Guinness and people enjoying a drink or three after an event at nearby Lincoln Center or Carnegie Hall.
The bar has everything you would expect a genuine midtown Irish bar to have, lots of wood (hello, Kari!), Guinness on tap and friendly Irish barkeeps. The back dining room features another bar along with a nice dining area. Some of the entrees include: Old Fashioned Shepherds Pie, Dublin Style Fish & Chips, Kennedy's Black Angus Sirloin Steak and a Home Style Chicken Pot Pie.
Kennedy’s is open 365 days of the year and they’re open till 4am, so stop by anytime to let your inner leprechaun loose.
Kennedy's Restaurant
327 W 57th St. (Between Eighth and Ninth Avenues)
212-759-4242
23 Comments
Reader Comments (23)
Another near perfect bar here. I like the way Maurice dresses up,,, real sharp and old school. It makes me happy to see red leather banquette booths in a bar. Very popular back in the 1940's and 50's,,,,you walk into a bar, the long bar on one side and red banquette booths on the other, very minimal but that style is still my favorite,,,oh and no TV if possible. (A TV can ruin the lighting in a bar, I like to see those red noses glow in the dark)
Nice bar and how cool that Ian McLagan stops by here, he wrote some great tunes with the Faces. Cindy Incidentally is one of my favorites!
Beautiful bar! I agree with @Al, love the combo of the nice wood bar and the red banquettes. This place looks very polished in the way that you can tell they take pride in their place. And love Maurice and his plaid vest. Always did love the Irish! They know how to appreciate wood.
ahhhhhh KENNEDY'S sounds like a great place to me! if you can prove your last name is kennedy will they take your picture and post it somewhere in the bar???
one of my biggest thrills was flying from Kennedy to Shannon and Shannon to Kennedy - I expected a free drink at the very least but no one on the flight was the least bit entertained.
if I'm not mistaken there was a great place just down the street called "Le Bar Bat" curious if its still there. it was in an old church, so the acoustics were great.
@Shannon: Next time I'm in the neighborhood I'll see if Le Bar Bat is still there and if you qualify for a free drink at Kennedy's.
Ausgezeichnet Herr Marty...Herr Connor ist hier! Sere gut! Oh, by the way, My check got here and I celebrated by buying a 365 white/black tee with a red logo. I'll try to get my neighbor to shoot a pic of me wearing it when it gets here. Oh, by the way, check your e-mail for a picture of the world's largest woodpecker that someone sent me. I'll send it after I'm through doing this. Consider sharing it with everyone at 365! A laff riot!
i love the fact that someone in germany asks you to meet someone in an irish bar and you find him! kind of a boozed up where's waldo! LOL! this thing is international! yay!
@Jaws: Thanks for buying a shirt! Send me a photo when you have it on and I'll post your picture! I'll go check my email now.
I love the traditional wearin' of the Guinness!!
It was very cool for you to do a Germany request !!!
Le Bar Bat is closed & it was cool when it first open , but then to many assholes heard about it & I am glad it's closed !!
Where is ZioumZioum's comments ? What to busy working on your wedding dress ?
I know for a fact that she is eating coffee icecream right now ( because I calle her ) .
as for LeBar Bat - closed, assholes..... okay, then I won't feel bad about being told I wasn't allowed back.
@jjhwang...getting jitters already?...
@365...nice place kick off the last 165...
@jaws..waing on the photos...trying ton get up enough scratch for one of those myself...
off topic...."stuck behind some dreaded slow walkers on the street. I hate it when people fan out across the sidewalk and then move like fucking snails."...wanna kick 'em in the a$$ but these days never know whose packing...KOC
rr
@rr: Ha ha ha! I love it when you quote from the 99! I forgot all about that line, I'm going to have to go back and read the thing.
Kennedy's looks cool AND warm....is that an oxymoron or just plain old moronic?
I dig those crazy looking lights at the back of the bar. However after a few cold ones they could have a negative effect on my physical state and mental well being, but Very festive all the same.
I love the Small Faces. I can't believe it took me so long to discover them. Ogden's Nut Gone Flake is classic.
@ Marty...Was there a decent hangover from the 200? As I'm sure you know, beer is the best cure.
@Tim Clack: "Decent hangover" now there's an oxymoron for you! I didn't feel too bad the next day, part of it was because I was anxious to get the post up here. And I like your hangover cure! And the Small Faces rule, GREAT band!
What a great stop.
Marty, sorry it's been "phone tag" the last few nights.
I've been running like crazy.
We'll tag up and "Jaws" Thanks so much for ordering a Shirt.
We should start a 365 Fans Merch Photo section.
Our version of "Flat Stanley".
"Boris"
Interesting use of fiberoptics around that coat of arms up there. Love this bar, especially the old-school booths and older-school pay phone. Although, they say that you get more germs from a pay phone than you do from a toilet seat. So if you're ever planning on peeing on a pay phone, make sure to disinfect first! But, anyway, props to Kennedy's for being such a fine bar. I was there in 2004 and they served me a perfect Guinness or three. Or four. Or six. I don't remember the exact count...alls I know is that, afterwards, my brain felt like the print on your shirt looks. TO THE IRISH!
TO THE IRISH!
There's a phone booth on that bar too!!! very cool, I love old school bar :)
Raginrr is right! JHwang's getting jitters! LOL HAHA
Cheeese! Everybody know I was eating a icecream now!!!!! There's no more secret !!! :D
Anyone know what happen to everyone at Kennedy's when they closed a few weeks ago?!?! I love that place and was shocked to see on Yelp that they closed for good! Love Conor and Maurice, created a lot of memories there....
@Tina: I didn't know it closed! That sucks!
My husband and I were so very upset to go one night in February to find Kennedy's closed up. "Where's Maurice?" we both chimed. Maurice made Kennedy's a home away from home. He would always greet us with a twinkle in his eye, his huge, contagious smile and a promise to get us a seat at HIS bar. We loved listening to the stories he had to tell and the jokes he spun. He was never down and was always interested in how others were doing.
Maurice didn't look, think or act his age. Women of all ages were charmed by him and there was a friendliness about him that stole your heart. Where, oh, where is Maurice? We think Kennedy's was even more important to him as it was to us. He has to be somewhere. Maybe a local tv station can put a trail on Maurice so we can reunite with him. We feel like we've lost a friend. Maurice always left you wanting more...We love you, Maurice, wherever you are. We wish you well!
Fondly, Linda and Rick
@Linda: It's really sad this place closed! I hope they're all doing well, if you find out where they are, please let me know. Thanks for the comment and check out the new blog if you can!