Friday, March 19th, 2010—bar 68

Day 68—Thursday, March 18th
Nelson Blue

First off, thanks to 365 commentator Zioum Zioum the Chainsaw who wrote an article for the French new service, Le Post. It got published today and here’s the link: Le Post. Thanks for the article Zioum Zioum! I’ll buy you a beer when you land back in the states in May!

I also got a nice write up on a Spanish blog from a writer named Bec. We did an email interview and it’s located here: El Blog Becaario. Thanks Bec, great job!

And in other international news, more donations from the land Down Under! Remember one of my new mates from Australia, David Brooks? Well his friend and co-worker, Delwyn Cox sent this generous donation in:
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Total amount: $10.00 USD
Purpose: $10 for a Kiwi beer from Delwyn Cox
Contributor: Delwyn Cox
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Delwyn lives in Australia now, but was born and bred in Temuka, New Zealand and he took the time to find New York’s only New Zealand bar for us. Good on ya, mate!

The bar is called Nelson Blue and Delwyn suggested I try a delicious Speights or Steinlager. Delwyn, in your honor I’ll have them both and then a Cooper’s Green for David Brooks! Delwyn also pointed out that they have a wine called, Cat's Pee on a Gooseberry Bush, so I think I’ll sample that as well.

The only stipulation Delwyn put on this deal was that I support the mighty New Zealand All Blacks Rugby Team. They’ve got my full support, Delwyn! Now let’s get going and sample some Kiwi beer at Nelson Blue!

Here we are at Nelson Blue near the South Street Seaport.

it looks like a lively and friendly joint.

Bartender and owner Pauli serves me up an ice cold Speights. Pauli is from New Zealand and told me he came to New York to visit for four days twenty years ago and he's been here ever since. Glad to have you here Pauli!

Cheers!

There's outside tables here and it's starting to get warm enough you can use them.

There's a great view of the Brooklyn Bridge from here.

Bartender Jamie is the other lovely bartender on duty.

There's a long communal table to sit at, drink, eat and soak up some of the New Zealand vibes in here.

Okay, time to relax and get a seat at the bar.

Pascal was seated next to me. He's a regular here who lives close by.

There's a large booth in the middle of the bar for comfortable seating.

Cliff was also at the bar. Looks like it's time for a refill Cliff!

There's candle-lit tables at the back of this spacious bar.

Here's Trey and Maggie and a guest appearance by their friend Ryan who snuck in the photo.

There's a couple of big screen TVs to watch the New Zealand All Blacks Rugby Team.

Here's Dale in action draining a Guinness. Go Dale!

Waitress Emily poses with Jamie. A cute couple of gals!

Owner Pauli uncorks a bottle of Cat's Pee on a Gooseberry Bush that Delwyn clued me in about.

And it turns out to be my first glass of wine on the 365 Bar Crawl and it's delicious!

And for a nightcap Pauli laid out shots for me and my new friends at the bar.

Thanks Pauli! Cheers and goodnight everybody!

Review

If you think Kiwi is only a fruit and/or a shoe polish, you need to head to New York’s only New Zealand themed bar and grill, Nelson Blue and brush up on your New Zealandness. The bar is spacious with a huge wooden nautical bar, a long communal table, a large booth and tables in the back. It’s a friendly crew here on both sides of the bar. Bartender and owner Pauli knows everyone on a first name basis and welcomes newcomers like myself like a long-lost friend.

There’s over half a dozen beer on tap including: Steinlager, Speights, Blue Moon and Radeburger. Some of the bottled beers available are: Coopers Pale Ale, Tooheys New Draught Beer, Chimay Ale and Stella Artois Lager. There’s also original cocktails with name’s such as Kiwi Panty Remover and Canadian Beaver. They also have an extensive wine list featuring New Zealand brands. They love lamb in New Zealand so it’s featured prominently on the menu featuring Grilled Lamb Burger, Nelson Blue Curried Lamb, New Zeal and Lamb Skewers. Other entrees include: Hot Brown, Grilled Skirt Steak and Cockee's Tucker which is a sampling of stilton cheese, dry sausage, romaine, pickles, Branston pickle chutney, apples and a baguette.

There’s also large screen TV’s, perfect for watching the mighty New Zealand All Blacks Rugby Team kick ass! Thanks again for the beer Delwyn and say hi to our mate Brooksy as well! G’day. (And thanks to Couch for the copy catch!)

Nelson Blue
233-235 Front Street (@Peck Slip)
212-346-9090

Thursday, March 18th, 2010—Bar 67

Day 67—Wednesday, March 17th—St. Patrick’s Day
Blarney Stone

Okay, it’s here, St. Patrick’s Day. The wearin’ of the green and the drinkin’ of the Guinness and/or anything with alcohol in it. To be honest, I kind of thought about going to a bar where there wouldn’t be any celebration to avoid the madness. But then I decided to fly right into the fucking eye of the booze-soaked hurricane and go to an old-school Irish bar. I walked to work around noon and people were already getting shit-faced. You can imagine what it’ll  be like at an old time Irish bar in New York City tonight. Actually, you don’t have to imagine anything at all, because here we go! Too-rah-loo-rah-loo-rah!

The streets are kind of empty, I hope I didn't miss the St. Paddy's day fun. Oh, oh, coppers to the left, hide your beer everybody!

Okay, here we are at the Blarney Stone, this is more like it!

A great neon sign. The two unlit letters are pefect.

Holy shitballs, it's packed in here!

It's a sea of green and everybody's drinking heavily.

Wow, thee deep at the bar.

Here's a view from the end of the bar. St. Patrick's day madness in New York City!

Cheers!

It's too crowded and noisy to ask anyone to pose for a picture tonight.

In fact I think I'll close up shop a little early tonight. Why?

Because it's St. Patrick's day and I gotta catch up to everyone! Cheers and Happy St. Paddy's Day to you all!

Review

I think there’s about a half dozen bars named Blarney Stone in Manhattan and they are all virtually clones of each other. No frills, no thrills, no daffodils. One bar and assorted tables and chairs strewn about. You come here to drink and you don’t fuck around. I’m pretty sure that if you ordered a fruity drink like “Sex on the Beach” in one of these joints the bartender would throw you right through the window and not miss an Irish beat as he’s pouring a beer and a shot for the regular who’s been sitting on the same bar stool for 47 years.

They also lay out a spread of food starting at lunchtime consisting of Brisket of Beef, Corn Beef, Pastrami, Ham, Turkey and Roast Chicken. You can get an overstuffed sandwich or a hot plate and the serving’s are as big as a leprechaun with a thryoid condition. Nobody was eating in here tonight though. Happy St. Patricks day, everybody!

The Blarney Stone
412 8th Ave. and various other locations around midtown. Throw a rock and you’ll probably hit one.

And in closing here's the Pogues with Kirsty MacColl with "Fairytale of New York."

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010—Bar 66

Day 66—Tuesday, March 16th
Lillie’s

I got an email from Rob (last name udisclosed) last week suggesting I check out Lillie’s bar on 17th St. which is perfect for tonight because it's close to where i live and I have to get up at the ungodly hour of seven in the morning to do an interview on The Daily Buzz. I appreciate the coverage from The Daily Buzz...but seven in the morning? I haven’t been up at seven in the morning since...uh...since...well, I can remember going to bed at seven in the morning, but I can’t remember the last time I got up that early. So Lillie’s sounds like a convenient and handy watering-hole to go to. And who knows, maybe Rob will be there! Okay, it’s time for...Pictures of Lillie’s!

Here we are at Lillie's. I assumed an Irish bar would be dead the day before St. Patrick's Day.

Well I was wrong. This place packs them in seven days a week.

Here's the other end of the bar and it's packed. Looks like this guy has a Kleenex problem.

An Irish flag flies proudly over the bar.

A view from the end of the massive bar at Lillie's.

Here's Miya, Niclole, Tyler and Brandon who were enjoying drinks and appetizers at the bar.

The first Guiness is served. Thank you sir and cheers!

Josh, Izzy and Jack were whooping it up at the front of the bar.

Some of the Victorian portraits and pre-St. Paddy's day decorations on the wall at Lillie's.

Here's Sarah, Jenn and Natalie posing in front of a picture of Lillie over the fireplace in the back of the bar.

Damian and Paul were among the happy group of partiers at the bar.

Kate and Marley were enjoying appetizers and drinks at the massive bar.

And I stumbled upon a marriage group at the bar. From left, Jenny, Niki, Abel and Nickie. Niki and Abel had just gotten married! Congratulations and cheers to a long and happy married life to Niki and Abel.

Vintage photos and art line the walls at Lillie's.

And who do I meet but Rob (on the right) who clued me onto this place. He's pictured with a bartender whom I forgot to write the name down. Hopefully Rob can correct this in the comments section. Rob is a former professional baseball player who works in finance. He lives above the bar and is a regular in this festive joint.

Here's bartender Jay. It's a friendly place here with bartenders that make you feel like a regular your first time in.

Rob took this photo of myself with Emma and Nerissa.

It's been a while since I've done the obligatory bathroom mirror shot, so here we go. Goodnight everybody!

Review

Named after actress/socialite Lillie Langtry, this is a Victorian styled pub/restaurant that can truly lay claim to being old school Victorian. The antique carved wooden and marble bar and some of the other furnishings were acquired from a genuine Victorian masion in Belfast, Ireland. They even serve wine from the Langtry Estate in California where the lovely Lillie lived from 1888 to 1906.

They have a huge selection of beers from around the world. Some of the bottled beers include: Magners, Red Stripe, Duvel and Tusker Lager. There’s 18 draft beers availible including: Guinness, Leffe Blonde, Smithwicks and Carlsberg. Lillie’s also has an extensive whiskey and wine list. If you can’t find something to drink here, you’re not very thirsty! The bar itself is impressive and seems to go on for an Irish mile with it’s impressive marble top and hand carved antique bottom.

Lillie’s has a full menu to sop up some of the suds in your stomach. They have sanwiches, burgers, seafood and pasta. And of course they have a full selection of Irish staples such as: Irish Stew, Bangers and Mash, Shepherds Pie and Fish Stew. And food is available till the wee small hours of the morning for those of you looking to cap off your night with a nice bit of Irish food to absorb your next day’s hangover.

And if the booze and food haven’t swollen your stomach too much, they have five dessert offerings including: Flourless Dark Chocolate Truffle Cake. Lillie would approve, I’m sure!

Lillie’s
13 E. 17th St (near Fifth Ave.)
212-337-1970