Day Four—Wednesday, January 13th—O’Reilly’s Pub
I went back to work tonight, so I thought I’d go to O'Reilly's for tonight's bar, a little Irish Pub nearby where I work. I’ve been in this bar many times and it’s always been packed with toursists. It must be in a guidebook or something, because while it’s a nice bar, it’s not exactly on the beaten path for tourists. I’ll ask the bartender when I get there. The first three bars were local joints and I didn’t see a tourist in any of them. So it’ll be interesting to see how out-of-towners react to yours fooly...I mean, yours truly. Okay, let me punch the clock (and let me mention how I fucking hate time clocks, they suck donkey dicks on a bed of rice as sour as Jay Leno’s cancelled puckering asshole...whatever that means...I really don’t like time clocks)...
...And we’re off!
And here we are, I've always liked their neon sign, a beacon of hope in the cold dark night.
I found the first patron outside smoking. His name is Sylvestor and he's from West Africa and happened into O'Reilly's because he's staying in the hotel down the road.
There's a lively crowd inside the bar tonight.
I decide to get into the Irish mood by ordering a pint of Guiness from bartender T.J. Higgins.
And here it is in al its glory! A drinkable work of art!
A fun group of people were partying nearby and they are (from left): Dennis, Ethan (notice the devil eyes on Ethan, they'll come back to haunt me), Jeff and Jasmine (definitely the prettiest of the group!)
Here I preform the age-old Irish tradition of the "Wearing of the Guiness on the Noggin'." Notice the devil eyes of Ethan behind me!
A list of the large beer selection that awaits you at O'Reilly's.
A lonely, lonely booth. Sob.
Here's Sabrina (no relation to the teenage witch), Julz and Taina. Sabrina's from New York, Taina's a Finnish friend of Sabrina's from Orange County, California and Julz is visiting from Australlia. When asked what Julz did for a living he told me, "I pick up women." I need to party with this guy and take notes!
Some of the nightly food specials at O'Reilly's.
Ketchup!
In honor of last night's bar, I double down on the Budweiser's. And look behind me, it's the Devil Eye's of Ethan! Aaaah!
The crowd stays lively despite the wee hours of the night.
Here's the birthday party for Matt Brucato (Matt's all the way to the right.) He turned 21 tonight! Welcome to the land of the hangover, Matt!
T.J. at work amidst the river of booze that awaits you at O'Reilly's.
It's 1:30 in the morning and love is definitely in the air at O'Reilly's! Jasmine and Hernando are quite the loving couple. Cheers to you both!
O'Reilly's regulars, Brian and Martin. Brian suggested several bars for the 365 tour, including Carlow East, where he says if he's not there by 2pm he gets a text message from the manager.
This couple claims their name's are Antoine and Cleopatra, but the way Cleopatra laughed about the whole thing makes me doubt the validity of their names. But they were a fun couple to have a drink with.
And now time for the nightly bathroom break.
Another really clean toilet, so far it's been four out of four for a clean bar toilet. Very nice!
Hey...how'd that get there? (Special thanks to Frankie Headbanger for technical assistance!)
Obligatory bathroom mirror shot.
Review
O’Reilly’s is one of many Irish pubs in Manhattan and it’s one of the finer ones. The bartenders and waiteresses are friendly and the crowd is usually lively and the Guiness flows freely here. There’s also a full menu including traditional Irish fare such as fish and chips and shepherds pie, but they also have non-Irish items including grilled filet of salmon, shrimp scampi and stuffed filet of sole. Check out the website (below) to see the entire menu.
Of course they have Guiness on tap along with a bevy of other assorted beers on tap and bottled beers and of course a full bar. O’Reilly’s has a lively after work happy hour, stop by and if T.J. is working ask for one of his legendary Lady Mojo shots. It’ll bring you the luck of the Irish! Too rah loo rah loo. (P.S. Double Down Bartender Jenna Leigh sent in a picture of one of her paintings last night, scroll down and check out the update here: Jenna Leigh painting.)
O'Reilly's Pub & Restaurant
54 West 31st Street,
212-684-4244