Day 187—Thursday, July 15th, 2010
Fitzgerald’s Pub
First off, The Chief, a guy who runs a Peoria bar website wants to know why Terry of the BBC is a Cubs fan. So Terry, if you’re reading this, please chime in and let the Chief in on your secret. And check out the Chief’s website, it’s a nice look at bars in Peoria, I’m sure I’ll have a drink or three with this guy when I go back to Peoria at Christmas time, in the meantime, check out the Peoria Bar Review.
Well, it’s that time of the week where it starts getting dicey about which bar to pick. Thursday’s and Friday’s can be tough because bars get so packed on these nights. I don’t want to go to boring bars, but I need to find a place that’s not so jam-packed with people boozed out of their skulls. I think I found the perfect place tonight. It’s a bar called Bar 29 (yeah, yeah, yeah, I know I should’ve gone there on the 29th night) and it’s on the corner of 2th and Third. This area is notorious for bars where people go to get shitfaced drunk, but I read that this place stands out because it’s a more relaxed vibe. Which sounds perfect for tonight and it’s close enough to walk to, so we’ll take in some NYC sights along the way.
Okay, 29th and 6th, just a few blocks over and we're there.
And here we are, Bar 29, let's check it out.
Motherfucker, it 's packed and appears to be filled with a doofus type of crowd. I think it's time for...
Another lonely walk in search of another unplanned bar.
Yeah, I'm sick of this fucking video too, but what are you going to do?
Been there, done that.
Okay, I realize that I've been to one Irish bar this week, but it's getting late and this place looks good, so let's go.
The Talking Heads are playing and it's not too crowded, this is the spot for the night.
And I'm served up an ice cold beer right off the bat. Like an idiot I forgot to write the bartender's name down, so if you're reading this bartender man, please let us know. He was a nice guy and an excellent barkeep by the by. **Update: His name is Owen, thanks to Amanda for reminding me!
Paul and Patrick were enjoying pints at the bar and were very enthusiastic about the 365 Bar Crawl idea and blog. Cheers, guys.
The big windows up front create a nice cool breeze in the bar and make for good atmosphere.
Okay, here's a first on the bar crawl: a roving bachelor party. These people had been to eight other bars and were the last four standing out of 12. From left: Rich, A.J. (the guy getting married), Sharmila and Mike.
Just like Jeffery Dahmer, John Wayne is "The Quiet Man."
Glasses!
Justin and Raphael were enjoying a game of darts in the back of the bar.
Raphael laughs as Justin calls him an asshole for getting a good score.
A long shot of the bar.
There's tables off to the side to lounge around in.
Which is exactly what this group was doing. From left: Madeline, Anna, Eric and Michelle.
Moments later, Esty (far right) showed up, so I took another photo to include her. It's four fabulous babes and Eric, I gotta ask this guy to accompany me on this bar crawl and find out his secret.
Conor, on the right was the other bartender on duty. Thanks for a great night guys!
Goodnight everybody!
Review
Fitzgerald’s Pub is a nice respite from the gaggle of zoo bars in this section of Murray Hill taverns. The bartenders are friendly, Irish and talkative and the patrons are mainly neighborhood locals that are welcoming to newbies at the bar. The internet jukebox is well-stocked with classic rock and roll tunes and there’s a dart board that draws many dart=throwing enthusiasts to the saloon. There’s images of John Wayne’s “The Quiet Man” etched in glass behind the bar and a framed poster of the film hangs in the bar. I have no idea why, but I like the fact that they’re there.
There’s a full bar here with a decent selection of bottled and draft beers. There’s nightly drink specials and happy hour runs from noon to 7pm every day. Fitzgerald’s is known as a dart bar and has a state of the art dart board and hosts leagues on Monday and Tuesday nights. The kitchen is open till 9pm and offers up three styles of Fitzburgers, pasta, beef stew, bangers and mash and chicken pot pie.
Fitzgerald’s is a nice neighborhood joint with locals and bartenders that are friendly to first-timers, so feel free to pop in and enjoy a pint or three.
Fitzgerald’s Pub
336 Third Ave. (@ 25th St. )
212-679-6931