Day 202—Friday, July 30th, 2010
Landmark Tavern
Another day, another generous donation. This one’s an anonymous one, but you know who you are and I thank you very much for the more than generous donation of twenty dollars. Let me know when you get to Manhattan next and I’ll use part of it to buy you a beer, thanks!
And thanks to 365 commentator, Jaws for buying a shirt yesterday from the 365 Bar Store that “Boris” maintains. Jaws is going to send in a picture of himself modeling the shirt but till then he sent in this photo of the world’s largest woodpecker, behold:
Badooomp! Thanks, Jaws!
On the 200th bar post from Puffy’s, Fat Al, who’s one half of the blogging team that creates the fine and often humorous blog, The Half Empty Glass, I go to a landmark tavern coincidentally called, The Landmark Tavern. Fat Al is the one who clued me in about Fedora’s bar, so he knows his shit and I immediately put it on my list. I decided to go tonight because it’s located at the corner of 46th and 11th and is a bit off the beaten paths of all the other Hell’s Kitchen bars, so maybe it won’t be packed on a Friday night. Let’s go see.
My friend and co-worker Decker donated twenty bucks and said it was in honor of my Goodfellas night which wasn't cheap. Thanks Decker!
And now through the magic of Al Gore's internet, here we are at the Landmark Tavern.
So much for off the beaten path, it's jam-packed in here.
I manage to squeeze in at the bar and order a beer and Tom the bartender happily serves it up.
As I take my first sip I look up and see a tin ceiling, the sign of a classic bar. Fat Al did not steer us wrong tonight.
Here's a group of people, let's go bother them with the 365 camera.
They turned out to be nice people and wanted to take a photo with me. Here I am in super goofy-looking mode with Sue and Anup. Really nice people and supportive of the 365 idea.
This woman wanted in the picture as well, but ran out the door before I could get her name. Goodbye Mystery Woman!
I finally snagged a seat at the bar and here's my view from it.
It's a long bar with rows and rows of booze bottles for your drinking pleasure.
Here's Michael Younge one of the proprietors of the Landmark Tavern.
The bar is well-worn and has old-school classic New York charm.
Tom in action on a busy Friday night.
Honest Abe.
Here's Christina and Lisa who were seated next to me at the bar and had just downed a tequila shot.
There's tables opposite the bar.
Surprisingly on such a crowded night these window-side seats are empty. Hey, what's that on the tables...
Okay, a quick glance out the window and I'm on my way out the door. Goodnight, everybody!
Review
The Landmark Tavern certainly lives up to its name. It’s one of the oldest bars, not only in the Hell’s Kitchen area where it resides but in all of New York. It’s been open since 1868 and survived as a speakeasy in the prohibition years. The saloon still has its old-world charm with dark wooden walls and a long wooden bar and stools. The barkeeps are friendly and there’s a full dining area in the back.
There’s a full bar featuring a good selection of draft and bottled beers and over 16 different single malt whiskeys are available. There’s also a large wine list and specialty coffees including, Irish, French and Calypso. There’s a bar menu that features such offerings as: Irish Bangers And Mash, Popcorn Shrimp, Sirloin Steak Wrap and a Basket Of Fries with garlic mayonnaise. There’s also a full dining room in the back with entrees such as: Long Island Duck Breast, Fresh Herb Marinated Chicken Breast, Grilled Sirloin Steak and Lamb Shanks.
The bar is open early at 11:30 in the morning and doesn’t close till 3:00am the following morning, so there’s always time to fit the Landmark Tavern into your drinking schedule.
Landmark Tavern
626 Eleventh Ave. (@ 46th St.)
212-247-2562