Tuesday, August 24th, 2010—Bar 226
Day 226—Monday, August 23rd, 2010
Gonzalez Y Gonzalez (Originally headed for Pravda)
Another night, another bar. I had a good time at the Russian Vodka Room the other week and in a comment to that post, the mysterious Nick Beal suggested I try Pravda, a Russian bar in the East Village. I had a lot of beer over the weekend so a switch to vodka sounds good. Okay, Nick Beal, this one’s for you and “Boris,” which leads to Natashia which leads to everybody else reading this. Da!
Here we are at the Pravda entrance.
There's a long flight of stairs to climb down. Once in the bar I was hit with the sad news that I had to contact the General Manager to see if I could take pictures in there. They were more than nice about the whole thing, but now I had to improvise. I think we all know what comes next.
A lonely walk in search of another bar.
Here's an open-air restaurant, but the bar is packed. Hey people, it's Monday night and we're in the middle of a fucking recession here, I'm the only one who's supposed to be out tonight. Sheesh!
As I approach Broadway I remember this Mexican place we used to go to when I worked next door to it. It's only minutes away. Time to trade vodka for tequila.
Here's the building where I used to work. Hi Joe!
And here's the Mexican place. Above the neon is a giant sombrero which you can't see, because sometimes my photos suck. The name of the joint is Gonzalez Y Gonzalez.
They claim this is the longest bar in New York City and I believe them.
There's tables and a candle lit dining room opposite the bar. But of course I'm headed for the bar.
And Benny the bartender mixes me up an expertly crafted, spicy Michelada.
And speaking of Michelada's, today is 365 commentator Tiki Bar Susie's birthday. She's out of town and not on a computer, so she won't see this for a day or two, but happy birthday, Tiki Bar Susie! This Michelada's for you!
Here's a shot of the south of the border bar.
That's one big sombrero on the wall.
Midway into my drink, Benny brings some chips and salsa. I like it here!
Is that a lovely sight or what? ¡Aclamaciones!
Here's a no-flash shot of the other end of the bar. Hmmm...and what is that on the bar?
The brightly lit columns give it a festive feeling in here.
Some of the happy hour specials.
A shot of the well-stocked bar.
Mexican artwork and photos adorn the walls.
I had a couple more Negra Modela's and Benny bought me a shot of tequila and I was ready to hit the road.
As I walked up Broadway I heard an unmistakeable voice. I stopped and watched the couple walk away and then doubled back and walked in their direction. I stopped and let them pass me by and then asked, "Is that you Cousin Brucie?" He turned towards me and sure enough it was the legendary New York DJ himself. This is the guy who introduced the Beatles at their legendary Shea Stadium show. His wife was kind enough to take this photo. Check out Cousin Brucie on Sirius radio here: Cousin Brucie on Sirius. Hey, Cousin Brucie, you need to check out another cool DJ, my friend Gidget on Woody Radio. Check out her and the station here: Woody Radio. Goodnight everybody!
Review
Gonzalez Y Gonzalez has been on the block since 1989 and boasts that they have New York City’s longest bar. I don’t know if that’s true, but it’s the longest bar I’ve seen in this entire bar crawl. It turns and stretches for a good city block and opposite it are tables and a dining room in a low-lit atmosphere. The bartenders and staff are friendly and the cliental is a mix of tourists and locals from the neighborhood.
There’s a full bar with a good selection of tequilas and margaritas and I can tell you first hand that they make a great Michelada. Thursdays through Saturdays the back room with a stage opens up and there’s live salsa music available with no cover charge at the door. The last Wednesday of every month is comedy night featuring a monthly showcase of NYC comedians. There’s a daily happy hour featuring five dollar margaritas and three buck draft beers.
There’s a large menu of Mexican food to be had here with a nice selection of Tortas, Quesadillas, Fajitas and Tacos. Some of the entrees include: Chimichangas with chicken and cheese, Carne Ranchera which is a grilled steak with an ancho-chile sauce, Pollo Frito which is a breaded chicken cutlet served with black beans and Mexican rice and the Chile Relleno, a poblano chile stuffed with three cheeses and ground beef; topped with a fresh tomato salsa.
Thursday and Saturday nights they offer free Salsa dance lessons. Areeba!
Gonzalez Y Gonzalez
625 Broadway (Between Bleecker & Houston)
212.473.8787
Happy Birthday Tiki Bar Susie (Thanks to raginrr for reminding me to put this here!)
5 References
Reader Comments (34)
@Tim Clack: Not my birthday, but looking forward to seeing what you sent! Thanks in advance! Really looking forward to your visit and you and your wife joining the crawl! And no, I don't know the H.R. Giger bar, if you get a chance send the link.
yeah...another great post after "originally headed for"....@ tiki bar susie...happy anniversary of your birthday...like all of remember it so well...may you have many more...and all be in health and happiness..i.f i was a betting man and could find any takers i'd say the next anniversary will be jhwang...@365...missed another chance to put up that beatles' tune about "birthdays"...KOC
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@rafinrr: Shit, I'll do it tonight after the crawl. YouTube is blocked here at work. Thanks for the reminder!
I would have been too scared to try and walk down the steps to the Pravda entrance! Glad you went elsewhere! Happy birthday tiki bar susie! And I cat even imagine a bar THAT long!
“I’m having Mexican food tonight.”
Those stairs russian stairs scared me. I LOVE this place. Bring on the Mexican! Nice looking/friendly bartender, chips and salsa, yeah I would be there awhile.
Happy Birthday Tiki Bar Susie!
Hi gidget :)
@raginrr: Good call. My money is on Jhwang's birthday next...judging by his user name today "jhwang on the edge of 49"
@Jhwang: Could you let us know if we're on the right track?
I am greatly disappointed that Pravda denied entrance to you. They are ALL in the gulag, comrade Marty.
@Nick Beal: Hey it happens, where to next, comrade?
Happy bday Susie! And Marty I think you've had a first here on the old crawl. If I'm not mistaken that was a copper bar top, I don't remember seeing on of those yet!
Hey I'm back now!!
Thank you so very much for the birthday wishes Marty and all of you wonderful people here. I truly appreciate it!!
I wish that I could have joined you for a Micheleda or three and those chips look great!. Did you know that there is a Gonzalez Y Gonzalez in Vegas at the New York New York hotel? I ate there once and it was quite good.
That is one long bar, I love it!!
Thank you again everyone and great place to let us virtually tag along with you.
@Tiki Bar Susie: You're so welcome! And the bartender told me there was one in Las Vegas and it's owned by the same owner.