Day 263—Wednesday, September 29th, 2010
Rare Bar & Grill (In the Fashion 26 Hotel)
Okay, summer’s over so I thought I’d go to one last rooftop bar while the weather is still permitting. There’s a bar that’s only four blocks away called Rare Bar and Grill that I walk by all the time and its got a rooftop bar. I’ve been saving it for a night when I’m feeling a little beat and to quote Neil Young, “Tonght’s the Night.” (And there’s a video at the end of this for our own Al Rizo, a big Neil Young fan.) So let’s go check it out, we’ll be there before you know it.
Told ya so, told ya so, here we are. And the roof top bar is open, but first let's have a drink at the ground floor bar.
It's nice, dark and cozy in here, let's belly up to the bar.
And friendly barkeep Rangu has a nice bottle of beer ready to serve up.
And it's a Newcastle Brown Ale, a lovely find.
Here's the bar in all its lit-up glory.
But the main attraction here is the rooftop bar and Rasheed, who works security is on hand to steer me towards it.
Naima pushes the buttons that leads up to the bar...
And here I am with the manager of the place, the lovely Michelle. Nice view!
Here's the wooden bar and two busy fellows behind it.
The bartender is Aaron Schwartz who is also an actor. He played Dave Karp in the Disney film The Mighty Ducks, was a recurring character in The Adventures of Pete and Pete and is currently the doorman Vanya on the popular series, Gossip Girl. Aaron's got an important audition today which I won't jinx, but he said he'll keep in touch and let us know if he got it. Keep your fingers and eyes crossed and you may be seeing Aaron on the big screen soon.
The view up here is stunning, as you can see.
There's wooden tables opposite the bar.
And there's a lounge area in the back. Let's see who these people are.
It's Wenda, Andres and Juan, enjoying the rooftop atmosphere.
DJ Sensation Sounds was spinning tunes.
Another great view of the Manhattan skyline.
Here's a shot of the wooden bar.
There's another lounge area at the other end of the bar, lit up with candles and moonlight.
A parting shot of The Empire State Building through the latticework. Goodnight, everybody!
Review
At Rare Bar & Grill there’s a fine bar on the ground floor that’s dark and cozy. There’s even tables and little nooks in the walls with chairs to sit at. But if I were you I’d hightail it up to the rooftop bar that’s open 365 days of the year. That’s right, a rooftop bar open in every season of the sun. Someone cue up Terry Jacks. And the rooftop bar is one of the best in town. It’s all wooden with comfy lounge spots and has some of the best views of the Manhattan skyline you’re going to find.
The bar at the hotel is a full bar with a good seleciton of draft and bottled beers indluding: Blue Moon, Sam Adams, Duvel and New Castle Brown Ale. There’s also a decent wine list and specialty cocktails available.
There’s 10 varieties of hamburgers that you can order from the bar including: The Mexican which is topped with spiced black brean spread, guacamole and chipotle puree; The M&M Burger that’s flambeed in whiskey and topped with carmelized shallots, cheddar cheese and apple smoked bacon and The Original “Louis Lunch” Burger which is topped off with grilled onion and a schmear of cheddar cheese and served on white toast. Dinner entrees include a Cowboy Ribeye Steak, a Mexican Skirt Steak and a Grilled Tuna Steak.
My only question is this: If the owners somehow become psychic, will this place be renamed The Medium Rare Bar & Grill? (rimshot) Thanks, everybody, I’ll be here all week.
Rare Bar & Grill (In the Fashion 26 Hotel)
152 W 26th St (Near 7th Avenue )
212-807-7273
And now, as promised, here’s for Al and all of you, “Tonight’s the Night,” by Neil Young. Cheers!