Wednesday, December 15th, 2010—Bar 339

Day 339—Monday, December 14th, 2010
Café Loup/Mars Bar (Originally headed for Spain Restaurant)
Today was one of those magical days. A last minute day off from work. Working full time and doing this bar crawl has left very little in the way of personal time and last night I asked my manager if I could have the night off so I could clear up all this shit and seeing that he’s the very best manager in the entire universe, he agreed. Well, somewhat, I’m kind of on-call in case some big rush job comes in. But usually they’d know about something like that before five o’clock and now it’s closing in on six o’clock. So if they call after six, they’re kind of fucked. Because that’s when I’m opening up my first beer. One of the many things I did today was take a box of coins to the bank and cash them in. It’s the change I’ve collected during this whole bar crawl. I love cashing in change because it’s like getting free money, at least to me. I thought maybe there was a little over a hundred bucks there, but guess what, it was over three hundred bucks! It’s like winning a mini-Lotto. So with this new-found wealth, I thought I’d treat myself to a dinner and I’ve decided to have dinner at the bar at a Spanish restaurant in my neighborhood called, Spain. I’d tell you more, but it just turned six o’clock. Time for a couple cold appetizers before we go. Cheers.

Okay, I've been going to this place since I moved into the neighborhood over 10 years ago. It's not like I'm in here every week, but I go at least a dozen times a year, so I thought it would be a classic night on the bar crawl in here. I usually come here with friends and we get a table, I've never sat at the bar, so I was looking forward to it. Well, I went in sat at the bar and ordered a Sangria. The bartender was an old bald guy and I had seen him in here before. When he brought my drink I gave him a 365 card and told him about the bar crawl and asked if I could take a picture. He didn't hesitate a second before he scowled and started yelling at me that I couldn't bring my advertising in there. I told him I wasn't selling advertising and that I just wanted to write nice things about the place and he told me to leave. I saw a waiter walk by that has waited on me many times and asked why the bartender was being so rude to me and I told him I've been coming here for years. The waiter scowled at me and said, "I've never seen your face before." And he's waited on me many times and I've always gotten good service in there and tipped well. The whole thing kind of flipped me out and I left. I was in a really fucking bad mood, and now I had to find another place to do the bar crawl. And now I'm really not in the mood at all to do this.

It's freezing out, so luckily this place is right next door. Let's check it out.

The hostess was nice and said there was plenty of room at the bar, but it was hard to get back in the bar-crawling mood after being so rudely treated at Spain.

Here's the bar. To tell you the truth, I kind of just feel like going home.

Dien the bartender was a nice guy and served up a bottle of Duvel beer.

Cheers. Okay, I'm still obsessing over those fuckers at Spain. It's one thing if I'm a stranger and a bar nicely tells me that they don't want me taking pictures and doing the 365 thing, it's happened before, but I've been in there a ton of times and they throw me out on my ear after yelling and scowling at me? Fuck, I'm really not in the mood for this now. Oh, the agony of defeat.

I was going to talk to this guy, but he's busy with his Kindle. Fuck it, nothing's working out tonight and my confidence is kind of shaken.

Not even an obligatory bar room mirror shot can perk me up. I feel like I'm letting you down. It's not the Cafe Loup's fault either, I blame those rude people at Spain. What to do when things are going sideways and nothing is fun on the old bar crawl?

Hop in a cab that's bound for...

Mars Bar! This should salvage the night! You can't have a bad time here.

Aaahh, my mood is elevated just walking into here. Everybody always asks me what my favorite bar is and I truthfully answer I don't have one, because I've been to so many great ones. But I always tell them my favorite night was Easter Sunday at the Mars Bar.

One of the cool things about Mars Bar is they champion artists and there's always original art on the walls, along with endless graffiti.

Hooray, my name's still on the cash register! Okay, I'm back in the bar-crawling mood, thanks to Mars Bar!

There's more original art up near the front window.

A view of the bar from where I've settled in.

Just like on Easter, the bartender didn't want her photo taken, but she remembered me and was very friendly and happily took my picture. This is my message to the developers that are going to tear the Mars Bar down.

Erin and Eric who were seated next to me joined in on the flip fest. Fuck you condo people!

I wasn't the only one taking photos of this iconic place.

Here's Jay, Bob and Cindy joining in on telling the building developers to go fuck themselves.

Even Santa loves the Mars Bar.

There's no place like the Mars Bar.

And one last fuck you to everybody who wants to rip this place off the block.

Here's a message I wrote back in April and it's still on the walls. "365 Bars love the Mars Bar!"

Goodnight, everybody.

Review of Café Loup

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I don’t feel qualified to review this place because I was in such a shitty frame of mind after being mind-fucked over at Spain. They were very hospitable and it wasn’t their fault I couldn’t get in a better state of mind. Here’s a review from New York magazine and I highly recommend it. In fact it’s my new go-to spot on the block. See ya Spain, wouldn’t want to be ya!

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Profile
Chef/owner Lloyd Feit gives West Villagers exactly what they want: A menu that ranges from casual (a superb burger and fries) to cassoulet, an effortlessly suave and spacious dining room, and an always-reliable kitchen. Mr. Feit buys organic as much as possible, and long before the bistro/brasserie craze brought us self-conscious places like Balthazar and Pastis, Café Loup was doing its thing without fanfare or pretense. A no-brainer for lunch or dinner if you're in the neighborhood. — Steven A. Shaw

Live Jazz
Sun., noon–3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.

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Café Loup
105 W. 13th St. (Near Sixth Ave.)
212-255-4746

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Review of Mars Bar

It’s sad to think the Mars Bar is closing. They claim it’ll be re-opened in two to three years, but even if it is, it’ll never be the same. The good news is the bartender told me that it may be open till summer, if so, I’m going back and buying pizza for everyone on Easter Sunday again. Here’s my review from back then, I still stand by it.

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As the Bed Bath And Beyonds and Barnes and Noble “superstores” continue to ruin New York City, thank God for institutions like the Mars Bar. This concrete rectangle of graffiti and art-filled madness is a testament to old school New York artists, free thinking folks and people looking to drink and have a good time. The only Blackberry you’ll find in here is brandy and the only thing close to an iPad is an artist pad that’s passed around the bar where the locals add their original sketches.

You’ll find no TV’s at Mars Bar, but the jukebox is probably the best in the city if not the country. It’s packed with everything from mariachi to cha-cha to Chuck Berry to the Cramps to the Beach Boys and everything in between. And everyone takes turns putting on tunes at Mars Bar, so the music is always flowing along with the endless liquor. The selection isn’t huge here, so have a Budweiser and one of their massive whiskey shots and shut up and enjoy the eccentric and non-judgmental crowd.

There’s no food or kitchen here, but they have a huge pile of menus from neighborhood take-out joints. I suggest you order a pie from Two Boots for the crowd. I did and a good time was had by all! God bless the Mars Bar!

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Mars Bar
25 E. 1st St. (@Second Ave.)
212-473-9842

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010—Bar 338

Day 338—Monday, December 13th, 2010
P.J. Carney's
I’ve been meaning to go to P.J. Carney’s for some time now. It’s a bar that’s been around since 1927 and it’s within spitting distance of Carnegie Hall. So how do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice? No silly rabbit, subway, subway, subway!

The first snow here in New York. Fuck.

And here at the subway stop my luck continues to run afoul. It's empty which means I just missed a train. Double fuck.

And five minutes later it's starting to fill up, but still no train.

Finally!

And through the magic of the internet you're spared a ride that included a seven minute wait in Times Square while sitting next to a 309 pound man that smelled like curry that had gone bad last century.

Nice and dark in here and a decent crowd for a Monday night. Time to find a seat at the bar.

And no sooner do I settle in than the friendly and beautiful bartender, Susie serves up an ice-cold beer.

Festive holiday lights hang from the wooden walls.

A shot of the circular bar from where I was seated.

Glasses and lights hang overhead the bar.

Some of the drafts available at the bar.

Tables and chairs line the walls opposite the bar.

A Christmas wreath hangs in the window.

All the artwork in P.J. Carney's is by local artist, Robert Cenedella. If you're a longtime reader of this blog, you'll remember we ran into Robert's art at the Nancy Whiskey Pub. Things really move in a circular motion on this bar crawl.

John was seated next to me at the bar. He's in town on business from San Antonio, Texas.

Meghan was the other pretty bartender on duty and she was nice enough to buy me a shot. And John was nice enough to take the shot of the shots. And speaking of things moving in a circular motion on the old bar crawl, I met Meghan's boyfriend, Rufus, the other week at The Watering Hole.

These people have gone for a "puff." Is there some wacky tobacky action going on here? I'll never tell.

These two just walked in, let's go say hi.

It's Jennifer and Anna. Does it get any cuter than this? No, and that's my cue to leave on a high note.

And how do you get home from Carnegie Hall and/or P.J. Carney's? Taxi, taxi, taxi. Goodnight, everybody!

Review
P.J. Carney’s has been an institution on this block since 1927. Inside the dark bar is a circular dark wooden bar in the center with tables and chairs on the perimeter. The cliental is a mix of locals and tourists who have just caught a show at the nearby Carnegie Hall and sometimes the entertainers from the show stop by as well. The bar has a nice and lively atmosphere and the bartenders are quick with a drink and friendly to all.

The bar itself is circular and cozy and plentiful with drinks. There’s eight bottled beers to be had and an impressive amount of twenty drafts including: Boddington’s, Blue Moon Belgian Ale, Brooklyn Lager and in a tip of the hat to my hometown of Peoria, Illinois and Frank Booth, Pabst Blue Ribbon. There’s also a decent wine and whiskey list and five varieties of cocktails. The kitchen is open till two in the morning and in addition to such standards as burgers, wings and sandwiches, they also offer these specialities: Shepherd’s Pie; Beer Battered Fish and Chips; Irish Chicken Curry over rice and Beef Chili in a tortilla bowl with cheddar cheese, onions and sour cream.

P.J. Carney's
906 Seventh Ave. (Near 57th St.)
212-664-0056

Monday, December 13th, 2010—Bar 337

Day 337—Sunday, December 12th, 2010
Gene's Restaurant
The donation bell has rung and it couldn’t come at a better time, seeing that I’m in the home stretch. Kari Von Wagner who’s a daily commentator here and has her own blog called, Leaf Girl sent in a more than generous donation of thirty dollars! The stated purpose on the PayPal receipt was, “To help get through those last 30!” Thank you so much for the donation, Kari and for all of your nice comments, it’s nice to have you as part of the 365 group!

It’s rainy and kind of rotten outside and I was trying to think of a place that’s not too far from where I live to go out for my Sunday dinner. Then I remembered that at last night’s dinner, Karen told me about the bar at Gene’s Restaurant, which is a place I’ve passed many times, but I’ve never stopped in. She said that the bar there is very old school and very nice. Her and Jon picked last night’s bar and that was a winner, so let’s go check out the bar at Gene’s restaurant.

Wow, what a rainy and rotten night it is out here.

Luckily, Gene's is only five blocks away.

See, we're here already, let's go inside and get out of the rain.

And look at that, a seat at the bar, front and center.

And friendly bartender Frank pours the first beer of the evening. Frank's a veteran at Gene's, he's worked here for over 12 years.

A full shot of the dark, wooden bar.

Here's a view from the other end of the bar.

And seated at the bar is the owner, Danny. He was very supportive of the 365 idea and told me to feel free to take as many pictures as I liked.

Liv is a regular at the bar and restaurant and told me she's been coming here for years.

An original painting of the bar and restaurant done by artist, Armondo Dellasanta hangs on the wall up front.

As does an article in the NY Times about the restaurant.

The dining room is located at the back, but I'm walking into bars, not dining rooms, so let's go back there.

Aaah, I feel more at home here.

A shot of Frank in action behind the bar.

Another great old cash register.

It's Sunday night, time to order dinner.

The stage is set for the dinner.

I got the prime rib, which is the special on Sunday night.

Frank snapped a shot of me digging in. It comes with a side order of spaghetti and the whole meal was delicious.

Burp.

After dinner I had another beer and had a nice conversation with Tom at the bar about New York and the whole bar crawl journey.

Glancing out the window I see it's stopped raining, a Christmas miracle!

And it's out the door to walk off dinner and head home. Goodnight, everybody!

Review
Gene’s restaurant has been on the block in Greenwich Village for over 90 years. The bar is located in the front and it’s wooden, small and cozy. The patrons are almost all neighborhood regulars, but they welcome strangers with open arms. The dining room is in the back, complete with white table cloths and old school Italian food and atmosphere.

There’s a full bar available with a decent selection of bottled beers and cocktails. Espresso and cappuccino are available as well. The dinner menu is Italian featuring such dishes as: Linguine In White Clam Sauce; Clams In Green Sauce; Rigatoni Matriciana and Veal Cutlet Parmigiana. Sunday’s they have a prime rib special, which I can personally recommend. And if you still have room after your meal, there’s Italian cheesecake for desert.

Gene's Restaurant
73 W 11th St. (Between 5th and 6th Ave.)
212-242-9185