Tuesday, June 1st, 2010—Bar 142

Day 142—Monday, May 31st, 2010
Cake Shop
Okay, my bar-crawling friends Tim and Colleen are still in town and there’s two things they definitely wanted to try when they were here in New York City: pizza and a real genuine New York deli. Well, last night we had the pizza at Lombardi’s and tonight I’m taking them to a New York deli institution, Katz’s Deli. Katz’s Deli has been a fixture on the Lower East Side since 1888 and its sandwiches and food are legendary in their size and taste. And I found a bar to go to for dessert right around the corner called Cake Shop. It’s a bar that serves pastries, sells records and has a full bar in the basement. I might just move in there!

Here we are at the legendary deli where Harry Met Sally.

Lots of movies have used Katz's Deli as a location, but the most famous is this scene from "When Harry Met Sally."

The place is always packed and today is no exception.

Ordering is a little tricky, because you have to order different items at different stations.

We finally figured it out though, and here's my hard salami sandwich with mustard on fresh rye bread.

Tim and Colleen split a reuben and we all split a huge order of cole slaw. The meal was delicious!

Here I am trying to make a dent in the gigantic sandwich.

Okay, that's all for Katz's Deli, on to the bar.

Cake Shop is right down the street on Ludlow, so we were there within minutes.

Brittany Lee was the lovely and charming bartender on duty for the evening.

Cheers!

The board in the back of the bar shows different beers, wines and teas available along with four sandwiches named after rock stars with a first name of "Mick." Sadly there's not a Mick Shrimpton, but hopefully it will be added soon.

Upon learning it was Tim and Colleen's 20th wedding anniversary, Brittany promptly poured out shots for all of us. She's a great bartender and made the night a lot of fun.

Okay, it's that time of night to leave Tim and Colleen at the bar and start my bar crawl thing.

And the first people I crawl into are Sean, Priscilla and Charles who were enjoying drinks at a table just beyond the bar.

Pamela was at the bar talking about bartending with Brittany Lee.

Cupcakes!

Cake!

The art in the bar is cool, but I have to admit that some of it scared me a little.

There's free wi-fi available in the bar.

Dani and Jules were enjoying drinks and agreed to pose for the 365 camera.

Patrick sports a cool vintage Led Zeppelin t-shirt. Check out his vintage clothing here: Chapel.

Joe raised his Rolling Rock to toast the 365 Bar Crawl. Joe works in public relations and is a great guy. We had a nice conversation and drinks with him.

There's used records for sale here, let's check some of them out.

There's a varied selection from Duran Duran to...

Neil Diamond, to...
My favorites, Silly Wizard. I think Mick Shrimpton drummed for them.

There's another full bar downstairs and band's play here seven night's a week.

Tonight the band, Moonmen On The Moon, Man are playing five sets in honor of Cake Shop's fifth anniversary this month.

The band played a great set. They reminded me of The Ramones with a bit more thrash.

And the upcoming schedule can be seen in the bathroom while doing your business. There's always more than one thing going on at this great bar! Goodnight everybody!

Review
If the Cake Shop Bar was a human, it would definitely be diagnosed with multiple personalities. The upstairs bar features not only a full bar with a wide selection of drinks and beers, but there’s pastries and delicious baked goods, coffee, sandwiches and used records for sale. It’s like everything you’d ever want in one fun location. The upstairs bar has fun artwork and knick knacks hanging on the paneled walls and the Christmas lights give it a festive atmosphere. The bartenders are friendly and fun characters and the patrons are mainly people from the neighborhood looking to satisfy their sweet tooths along with a shot or two for good measure. There’s also free wi-fi. Walk down the stairs and you’ll find a darker bar with a church pew, leather cubes to lounge on and a small bandstand where bands crank out music seven nights a week. There’s occasional spoken word performances as well as film screenings and DJ’s spinning an eclectic range of tunes.

Both bars are fully stocked and some of the bottled beers incuding: Red Stripe, Blue Moon, Amstel Light and Corona. They have a decent wine list and Craft Beers are also available. In addition to the pastries they offer four sandwiches and a large selection of hot teas and coffee. Happy Hour runs from 5pm to 8pm with two-for-one beer and wine.

If you can’t find what you want at Cake Shop, get a check-up, cause you must be dead from the neck up!

Cake Shop
152 Ludlow St. (Near Stanton St.)
212-253-0036