Thursday, February 4th, 2010—Bar 25

Day 25—Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Art Bar

Tonight while Googling around for a bar, a nightly ritual for me, I found what looks to be a pretty cool place. It’s called Art Bar and it’s gotten some good reviews online. Basically there’s a bar in the front and a lounge in the back with a fireplace and they hang art done by local New York artists. On their website they claim to be a neighborhood institution, and everyone is telling me I should be institutionlized for taking on this one man year-long bar crawl, so we should be a perfect fit.

Okay, grab a paint box, cut off an ear and let’s Van Gogh! (Sorry about that, I just couldn’t help myself.)

Here we are, the Art Bar. Fuck, I forgot my beret!

There's a daily happy hour with 2 for 1 drinks here.

It's a nice, cozy intimate setting inside.

Larger parties can drink at the banquettes that line the walls of the bar.

The friendly and lovely Angela was the bartender of the evening and she mixed me up a butterscotch martini. Angela is a photographer and you should check out her website. Check out the portraits section to see a brunette Lady Gaga and other fixtures on the New York scene. Here's the link: Angela Wieland Photography.

Usually I stick to beer, but I'm glad I tried this. It was delicious! Nice martini mixing, Angela!

Some of the drinks to be had at the Art Bar. They have a large cocktail menu and a wide selection of bottled beers and wines. So come here thirsty!

Seated next to me was Taras who was enjoying the evening.

In the banquette behind me were, (from left) Chip, Cubby, Regina and Kirk.

FIRE!

Here's Samantha and Will. Hey, save that public display of affection for the back room!

Boddington's is one of the import beers to be had here, so I had one.

Angela in action.

Here's the back room/lounge area of the bar. It doesn't get much more comfortable than this.

Local art lines the brick walls of the bohemian, velvet draped back louge.

Seated in front of the fireplace, enjoying cocktails and the ambiance are Amanda and Jessy J.

And then, out of the blue, the oblgatory bathroom shot. Goodnight Everybody!

Review

Okay, this is a perfect first date bar. You can loosen up in the front bar and then head back to the lounge area and really loosen up in the comfy couches and fireplace and bohemian atmosphere.

The front bar of the Art Bar is a cozy bar scene with after work regulars and groups enjoying the banquette seating booths that line the bar. It’s a nice kitschy bar that merges into lounge/art gallery as you move to the back room and discover the second half of Art Bar. It’s a charming, velvet draped room lined with comfortable couches and tables designed for floor room seating that features local art on the wall and a romantic fireplace. It’s a unique room and perfect for drinks, conversation and a spot that encourages public displays of affection.

Happy Hour is daily from 4pm to 7pm—buy one, get one free on all draft beer, well drinks, and house wine’s and the kitchen is open till 2am weeknights and 3am on Friday and Saturday’s. You can nosh on standard pub grub like chicken wings, burgers and chili dogs or enjoy more amped up fare like Vegetarian Thai Spring Rolls or Fish & Chips.

Stop by the Art Bar and have a drink, enjoy the friendly crowd and bartender and let your inner Robert Hughes loose.

Art Bar
52 Eighth Ave. (Between Horatio & Jane)
212-727-0244