Saturday, Sept. 18th, 2010—Bar 251
Day 251—Friday, September 17th, 2010
Sir Harry's@The Waldorf Astoria
Okay, it’s Friday and we all know what that means, time for your weekly glass of whine. It’s been a long week with one bad night but a decent bounce-back, if I do say so myself, which I just did. Anyway, I’m fucking beat and the last thing I feel like doing is going to some packed bar and dealing with people who have been boozing it up since happy hour. Then I came across a place I had bookmarked for such an evening: Sir Harry’s Bar in the Waldorf Astoria. This is a true old-school bar and hotel and I bet it’s not packed on a Friday night, especially since it’s the start of Yom Kippur. But, there’s only one way to find out, and that’s to go check it out.
The green stairs lead up to...
The shiny marble foyer.
Sparkly!
There's a display with photos from days gone by in the Waldorf. Here's Lena Horne's album from a live performance at the hotel in its glory days.
And here's a shot of Tony Bennett, Diahann Carroll and Tom Jones at a show in the '60's.
But my mission isn't going to 365 lobbies, so it's off to Sir Harry's we go. Looks nice and relaxed in here, perfect!
And the entire staff was very friendly and supportive of my 365 bar crawl. Here they assembled for a group photo. From left: Thomas, Julio C., Constantina and Pedro.
Julio served me up a Budweiser and the night is off and running. Cheers!
The legendary bar in all its glory. This place was a favorite watering hole of Frank Sinatra. Latest star sighting's in here include Johnny Depp (who left a 100 dollar tip) and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
Peanuts!
There's comfortable chairs and couches up front to lounge in and enjoy a drink.
Tables and chairs line the wall opposite the bar.
It's a real, classic, old-time New York vibe in here.
Meanwhile, back at the bar, Thomas chats with customers.
And at the other end, Julio mixes up a drink for a thirsty patron.
Here's a nook at the end of the bar.
I've lived in New York City for over 17 years now and have seen some scary sights, but nothing more frightening than this: The bill at Sir Harry's! Aaaaaahhhhh! Goodnight, everybody!
Review
Sir Harry’s in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel is a throwback to old-schooled moneyed New York. The bar is long and dark wood and plush chairs and couches are to the side and in the back for lounging. The bartenders and staff are friendly to locals and are happy to help out tourists with any questions regarding New York or demonstrating the making of the perfect martini, the bar’s signature drink.
There’s a full bar here, but be prepared to pay for the luxurious atmosphere, the cheapest drink is a bottle of Budweiser for nine dollars. But on the bright side, there’s an unending supply of free peanuts on the bar. Don’t be afraid to ask for seconds.
Sir Harry's@The Waldorf Astoria
301 Park Ave. (@49th St.)
212-872-4890
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Bonus Photos
Okay, as most of us know by now, Jason is in France visiting Zioum Zioum the Chainsaw and longing to have sex with Elvis Presley’s corpse. Zioum Zioum sent me some photos and some captions and here they are! (This is part one, part deux will be tomorrow. Appréciez !)
We were walking on Paris streets then we got a big thought for you, Marty! TO OSTRICH ASS!!!
It was Jason's birthday on 26th of August. I told Jason I would offer his gift in Paris and that he needs to bring stylish clothes and shoes. Here in that photo he really don't know were the fuck I'm going to take him and he looks stressed out!!! HAHAHA!
Dress up like rich people in the richest Paris neighborhood, near the Eiffel Tower and the Champs Elysée, the reality is that we have only few bucks in the pocket!! I think that's funny!!!! ok let's go "there" !!!!
And here we are!! To the Crazy Horse!!! And a bottle of Champagne is waiting us. Funny to be in that kind of joint! Rich motherfuckers all aroiund us! Haha!
We could not take any picture but thanks to Youtube, there's some video!! Here is the show we saw, named "Desir" (For you Professor Dungpie, you were asking for a titty bar and melons, here it is!!)
Stay tuned for part II, tomorrow. Will Jason finally have his fling with dead Elvis? Tune in and find out! TO OSTRICH ASS!
And now, for Al: Neil Young and Crazy Horse!
6 References
Reader Comments (21)
TO : 251
Thanlks So Much Marty , You are The Best In My Eye's !!!!
@JHwang: Thank you and Zioum Zioum for the photos! Glad you're having such a good time!
Great post,,,,Nice couple Jason and Zioum Zioum,,,the bar is great,,,,high class,,,how about the bull and bear in the same hotel? another dark great bar with dark woods,,,,,hell, you could bar hop right inside to different bars without ever leaving
@Al: I didn't know the Bull and the Bear were in the Waldorf. I'll stop by there soon!
how bout a little Neil Young with that Crazy Horse?
@Al: Neil is up!
Thanks Marty,,,,,the videos here have been great, throughout the crawl,,,but Neil is the man.
@Jason & Zioum Zioum; there are a lot of American couples that can only dream of having their pictures taken with the Eiffel Tower illuminating the background...what a handsome pair you are!
@ 365; the perfect martini huh? Did the little pink oompa loompas pony up and help you out with the bill? They can be such ungrateful little fuckers!
@365: Interesting choice of bar. I wouldn't expect the Waldorf to be interested in the the crawl but the staff seem very friendly. Food Trivia....this place is the birthplace of the Waldorf salad w/ apples, walnuts and mayo...very classic...$9 for a King Bud...I'll stick to Tortilla Flats and the Mars Bar...
I love Neil Young and Crazy horse but this song reminds me of my LEAST favourite Aussie band...Powderfinger.....If only Mr Young had a song called Midnight Oil.
I went to an Oktoberfest themed party last night. There was a ute filled with beer. Very impressive but no photos sorry. Unfortunately I was designated driver. Shannon is well hungover.
@Zioum Zioum and Jason: Looking good guys!! C'mon Jason! Relax man! When in France do what the French do...put some butter on it....(I don't really know what that means).
@Jaws: No help from the Oompa Loomapas! Ungrateful fuckers!
@Tim Clack: I didn't know that about the Waldorf salad, thanks for the trivia update! I've never heard of Powderfinger and I guess I'm lucky for that!
naa, no-way, sorry marty, you'll find me & clacky at Mars Bar or The Australain...we'll be there arguing, sorry "discussing" the more popular beer beverage & will be listening (i'll be singing just for the record) to "My Happiness" by Powderfinger...great GREAT band clacky!!!!
& Johnny Depp, good bloke....he was down here a few years ago having lunch at a posh restaurant in sydney.....he shouted his mates & left a $3000 tip.....he must of had your "Reef & Beef" clacky! ;-)
Very beautiful place! I would be afraid I would break something in there. Or spill. And I bet that's not a good sign when a bar bill comes in the little bill holders. Never had that. But the staff looked friendly. And nice to see ZioumZioum and Jason are having a good time :)
@Fitzy: Sorry mate, can't stand Powderfinger I'll be singing 'my unhappiness'. Dullest band ever(next to Alex Lloyd, Shihad, Magic Dirt and Jebadiah....)
I'm a bit of a fan of the Deppster....but never cooked for him. I've cooked for John Farnham, Alan Border and....wait for it....Steady Eddie. Now thats a story for another occasion.
Don't think I'll go to the Australian however, Fitzy. I'm going to NY to get the fuck away from it for a few weeks ha ha ha. As for the Melbourne cup....It'll be running at around 4am? Fuck that ;)
I haven't had a beer in 110 days ! ... Hell ! ... I'd pay $99 for a bottle of Budweiser right now :)
@GENE: Your day is coming soon, and I'll buy the first beer!
Good choice, despite the price. There aren't that many good old school hotel bars left in town. Sir Harry's is definitely one of them.
Stylish this bar! I like the decor, trés chic!! ;)
@Jaws: the same way that there are a lot of French couples that can only dream of having their pictures taken with Time Square or Las Vegas illuminating the background ;) But I personally dream of my picture taken with the monument valley at the background... maybe someday!!!
@Marty: How much a budweiser cost at Sir Harry's??
Jason is in the plane right now, back to NYC... sniff sniff :'( and I was trying to fix something to my wall earlier and I crushed my finger with the fucking hammer... sob! I'm damned and that fucking hurts!! I think I deserve A BEER !!!!!!!!!
Never heard about Powderfinger, gonna find out on youtube ;)
Beautiful Bar Marty! I love places where you can imagine years of clientele...9 dollars for a Bud, yee-ouch!
@Zioum Zioum: A bottle of Budweiser is nine bucks. As Ash said: "Yee-ouch!"
I tried to go to this bar in 2004, but it was packed to the gills. I guess our "economic downturn" has opened up some seats! Sir Harry's looks like a great place and the Staff seem really friendly and approachable. Next time I'm in town, maybe I'll swing by for a beer and some tips on what to do in Midtown. And, by the way, that hotel is really, really gorgeous. If I come into some Brad & Angelina-type dough, I'm gonna stay there for a night or two.
Great choice the Waldorf! Amazing....historic and beautiful.