Wednesday, Sept. 22nd, 2010—Bar 255

Day 255—Tuesday, September 21st, 2010
Iggy's Keltic Lounge
Alright, the PayPal donation bell has rung once again and I want to give thanks to Michael McDermott, Sr. who sent in a generous donation of 25 dollars and told me to buy some Alka Seltzer with it. Michael is the father of Mike “Pig Pen” McDermott who I met while visiting the Bohemian Beer Garden in Queens on stop number 232. He’s also the author of a great book that I purchased and suggest you do too. The title is: “Finders Keepers” and you can buy the book right here: “Finders Keepers” at Amazon. Thanks for the donation, Michael!

Okay, tonight is another suggestion from Miami commentator Al Rizo. Al’s made many suggestions and they’ve all been winners. Today he found a bar on the Lower East Side I’ve never heard of called, Iggy’s Keltic Lounge. From the reviews I’ve read it sounds like it’s one part Irish bar, one part punk rock and one part dive bar. Sounds like Al picked another winner, let’s go find out.

This looks like the place, let's check it out.

Here's some of the specials of the night, posted outside.

Nice and dark inside, looks like Al has come through once again!

And bartender Pirate Mike serves up an ice-cold can of Pabst. Arrrgghh! Mike is also an actor and you can check out his resume here: Michael Whitney.

Here's a full shot of the bar.

The beer prices are posted on this board overlooking the bar.

These fellows are perched up at the top of the bar. And note: Tin ceiling!

Let's go check out who these two women are at the end of the bar.

It's the lovely Athena and Jenna who were chilling out and enjoying a drink or two at the end of the bar.

Nicky and Chris were sitting at the front of the bar and liked the 365 bar crawl idea. Cheers, guys!

There's a nice selection on the jukebox including: The Pogues, The Misfits, Joy Division and Chuck Berry.

There's a pirate lounge in the back.

It's a cozy, candle-lit, brick-walled back room.

This guy makes sure the beer is pouring constantly.

I've got a feeling this is Pirate Mike's favorite painting in the bar.

A shot from the end of the candle-lit bar.

Some of the lit-up bottles behind the bar.

Josh, Kristina and Leslie were seated next to me at the bar and posed for the 365 camera. It turns out that Josh and I have a common friend in New York artist, Ryan McGinness.

At the end of the night, Pirate Mike bought me a shot. Cheers and arrrrghh!

And so it's time to head out the door onto Ludlow Street.

Goodnight, everybody!

Review
Iggy’s Keltic Lounge is only about one third an Irish bar. It’s also about one third punk rock bar and one third dive bar. Throw in a skeleton or two for a bit of a pirate feel and you’ve got Iggy’s. Okay, you had to be there, sometimes words fail me. But trust me, Iggy’s is a nice, dark bar with a relaxing and comfortable vibe with friendly bartenders and patrons alike. The horseshoe bar is located in the center with booths off to the front and side and a pirate's lounge in the back with candle-lit tables and brick walls.

They have a full bar with a good selection of bottled beer including: Red Stripe, Magners, Chimay, Duvel and Corona. Happy hour runs daily from 1pm to 9pm with three dollar drafts, two buck cans of Pabsts and four dollar well drinks.

According to the internet rumors, the weekend crowd gets a bit of a frat-hall feel, so I suggest you stop by on a Tuesday night, when Pirate Mike is behind the wheel.

Iggy's Keltic Lounge
132 Ludlow St. (Near Rivington St.)
212-529-2731

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Bonus Photos

Last Saturday I mentioned the debut of a new online magazine called Grade “A” Fancy. Well they threw a party last night at the Rum House which I visited months ago and is going to be closing soon. I was invited, but sadly I had to work and by the time I was going to be done, I was told the party was going to be over. But just around the same time I got the invitation, I got an email from Lex, who just has discovered the 365 bar crawl and was coming to New York last night to visit with her in-laws. She sent me an email asking if she could join me on the bar crawl and we discovered our schedules wouldn’t allow it, but she did agree to be my stand-in for the Grade “A” Fancy party and take pictures. And so, here they are! Thanks for being my stand in Lex and maybe next time you’re in town we can meet in person. In the mean time, take it away, Lex!

I'm starting at the end of the evening, because this is my favorite picture from the night. Suzanne is a jewelery designer friend of Karen's and Jon. Karen and Jon are the creators of Grade "A" Fancy. After lamenting the demise of places like the Rum House in Times Square, we found this great backdrop for a photo op.

Here’s Gaylord and Nancy at the Rum House.

Suzanne and Karen.

This building has a mention in Grade "A" Fancy - only fitting to get a shot!

Andy gave me a handful of restaurant business cards to me, suggesting places to take my in-laws while we're in the city.

This is Patty the bartender serving a Manhattan to Janie.

And of course the obligatory bathroom mirror shot!

Thanks, Lex, you did a great job of standing in for me at the party and being our 365 corrsepondent! I hope next time you’re in town we can meet for a drink in person. Thanks to Karen and Jon, the creators of Grade “A” Fancy for throwing a wonderful party!

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And now a request from Tim Clack: "Friggion' in the Riggin'" by the Sex Pistols (With Ronnie Biggs on lead vocals. I think.)

And Jaws suggest this one, enjoy mateys...arrrghhh!

And cheers and R.I.P. to Malcolm Douglas.

Tuesday, Sept. 21st, 2010—Bar 254

Day 254—Monday, September 20th, 2010
Café Andalucia
I want to thank Frank Carmichael for interviewing me yesterday on his Happenings Q and A radio show on WLIP radio. Frank’s a great interviewer and this is the fourth time I’ve been on his show. Check it out Monday through Friday from 1pm to 3pm CST, you can listen live on the WLIP Homepage.

If you recall last Saturday...you’re doing better than me. I can’t remember last night! (Rimshot.) Thanks folks, I’ll be here all week. But seriously, if you remember last Saturday’s visit to Sardi's you’ll recall me meeting writer Carliss Pond,  the author of Taste of Broadway. Well she’s also penned a book called, Sizzle in Hell’s Kitchen which is a collection of recipes, photos and quotes from restaurants and bars all in the Hell’s Kitchen area of New York. She suggested I check out, Café Andalucia, which is located right across the street from the Holland Bar. So that’s tonight’s destination, when the author of Sizzle in Hell’s Kitchen recommends a Hell’s Kitchen bar, you go. That’s just the rules!

And here we are at Café Andalucia.

Live jazz on Thursday's and Sunday's there's flamenco music. But this is Monday, so none of this matters.

And you can tell it's Monday in here, as I have the entire bar to myself.

But friendly and lovely bartender Melba makes me feel at home and mixes me up a mini pitcher of homemade Sangria.

Here she is in action mixing up the fruity drink.

A few finishing touches and...

Instant Sangria!

It's delicious! Wonderful job, Melba!

There's a large selection of booze here at the bar, as you can see.

Original artwork hangs all over the bar, here's some on the wall facing the bar.

And a good chunk of the artwork is created by the owner and chef, Guillermo Vidal.

Here's Guillermo with his favorite painting at the bar.

In addition to Guillermo's paintings, there's other artist's featured and all the artwork is for sale.

Since it was a slow night, Guillermo hung out with me and we had a great conversation ranging from art to music to politics to movies. He's a great host who makes you feel like you've been a regular at the bar for eternity.

El Diablo!

David is in town from Spain and was enjoying dinner and wine in the front window area.

A long shot of the bar.

The selection of bottled beer available and assorted knick-knacks above the bar.

Melba came to the other side of the bar to pose for a photo with owner, Guillermo.

Tables line the wall opposite the bar for dining and drinking.

The colorful back wall at Café Andalucia.

There's live music several nights a week here, as this Roland amp on the table confirms.

 Guillermo said he wasn't planning on drinking this evening, but decided to have a beer in spite of that. I'm a bad influence! Cheers and goodnight, everybody!

Review
Café Andalucia has a bit of an identity crisis, but in this case, that’s a good thing. It’s one part bar, one part restaurant, one part art gallery and one part neighborhood social club. It’s a small, intimate space with a long narrow bar and candle-lit tables opposite for seating. The atmosphere is friendly and if you’re lucky enough to be able to score some time with the host, owner and chef, Guillermo Vidal, you’ll have a colorful conversation and a whopping good time. There’s live music here, on Thursday’s they feature live jazz and on Sunday’s it’s flamenco night starting at 8pm.

Café Andalucia has a full bar and while you’d expect wine to be the featured player at a small tapas bar, the bar and it’s patrons tend to lean more to the liquor bottles than the vino. The sangria is homemade and the mojitos is a favorite at the bar. There’s also bottled beer including: Estrella, Corona, Beck’s and Amstel Light. The bar features a whopping 36 tapas plates to choose from including: Prosciutto Fresh Mozzarella W/ Tomatoes, Olives, Sopresatta for two; Manchego Cheese with Apples; Spanish Style Beef Patties and Spanish Sausage sautéed in onions, peppers and a wine sauce. if you’re a little hungier there’s a Skirt Steak cooked Argentine Style available, a Spanish Sausage sandwich and a Cubano sandwich to choose from. Some of the main entrees include: The House Combo-Skirt Steak and Loin Of Pork; Jumbo Shrimps W/ Scallops; Paella Valenciana which is a mixture of chicken sausage, clams and mussels and Almejas Verde which is clams with green sauce and a side of rice.

Happy hour  runs seven days a week here (Monday through Friday, noon to 6pm, Sunday, 2:30pm to 6pm) with four dollar well drinks, 4 buck Jagermeisters and six dollar mojitos.

Café Andalucia
533 Ninth Ave. (Near 40th St.)
212-736-9411

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Bonus Illustration

Jaws just sent in this illustration in regards to what I drank last night. Nice work, Jaws!

Monday, Sept. 20th, 2010—Bar 253

Day 253—Sunday, September 19th, 2010
Ruby’s Coney Island Bar
I’ve been meaning to travel out to Coney Island all summer. Now that summer’s over, I better get out there before it closes. And speaking of closing, the last couple years I keep hearing rumors the legendary Coney Island dive bar, Ruby’s  is going to be closing. So let’s get out there before it does!

Through the magic of the internet, you're spared an hour-long ride out here on the subway with long stops and announcements no one can understand. Anyway, without any further bitching, here we are!

And the first stop is Ruby's Bar and Grill.

These guys are playing the blues out front on the boardwalk.

Here's the bar, let's grab a seat.

Mike the bartender flashes the 365 card...

And seves me up an ice-cold bottle of Budweiser.

Vintage photos of Coney Island line the wall behind the bar. They should make a history book out of these.

A long shot of the bar, featuring a beer and a shot.

Harpo, peanuts and Cracker Jacks, behind the bar. Perfect.

The jukebox features such Coney Island favorites as Dean Martin, Louis Prima, Sam Cooke and The Duprees.

Here's the backroom where the beer inventory is housed.

Photos of the Mermaid Parade are plastered on the walls.

If chairs could have sex, it might look something like this.

A classic shot of Marilyn Monroe on the wall at Ruby's.

There's a food station at the front of the bar.

And here's some of the food on display.

Here's a collage of more Mermaid Parade photos.

A shot from the back end of the bar.

Looks like the booze inventory is dwindling. Oh well, it is the end of the season.

There's a lounge area opposite the bar complete with a mini motorcycle on a table.

Ruby's neon sign inside at the front of the bar.

Okay, I've had my three beers here, time to check out some more of Coney Island.

Whirley Pops!

Clams, cold beer and soft ice cream, a winning combination.

And check it out, corn dogs! Time to start eating.

And this gentleman happily served one up.

It was delicious!

Funnel cakes, Italian Ices, Slushies and soft ice cream...

Right over here. Step right up!

The merry-go-round in the amusement park.

And there's beer in the amusement park! And it's a great bargain, a bottle of Heinekin is just three bucks!

And it's served up by Steve and Stacy who own the amusement park and are nice people.

After the beer, it's time for a little more food. I think I'll sample something here.

I got the chicken wings and fries.

Paul Michael was seated at the table with me and was enjoying the end of the season at Coney Island.

The sun sets on the boardwalk.

Cha Cha's is another legendary bar on the boardwalk.

Shoot the freak!

You're never far from food or drink at Coney Island.

Steve and Stacy told me this was the last night for the Wonder Wheel till next season.

And here it is, taking one of the last spins of the year.

This guy made me think of John Belushi.

And here's the legendary Cyclone ride.

You have to ride this thing at least once when you come out here. I have ridden it once and never will again, it scared the shit out of me!

The amusement park is closing up for the evening, one last shot through the chain link fence.

As I call it a night I take a stroll down the boardwalk...

And take a final shot of Ruby's bar.

On my way back to the subway station I happen along the original Nathan's hot dog stand. I think I have room for one more treat.

It's kind of hectic in here, but I finally made my way to the front and placed my order.

I got a cheese dog with mustard and a bottle of Corona for the road.

One last shot of Nathan's and it's off to the subway. My Coney Island day is done.

And an obligatory subway window shot of the train pulling into Manhattan closes the evening. Goodnight, everybody!

Review
Ruby’s Coney Island Bar is the oldest bar on the Coney Island Boardwalk. They opened in 1934 and they are open from April till October. The bar is long, wooden and tables and booths are located opposite in the cavernous, somewhat roughshod space. Vintage photos of Coney Island and the Mermaid Parade line the walls and grizzled regulars drink their drinks from plastic cups at the 45-foot-long bar.

It’s a full bar, but I wouldn’t suggest ordering a Cosmopolitan here. It’s strictly a beer and shot joint with the odd Rum and Coke thrown in for good measure. Some of the bottled beers available include: Sam Adams, Brooklyn Lager, Becks and Coney Island Lager. There’s also a large food menu including such offerings as: Clams on the half shell, jumbo fried shrimp, fried chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers and of course, funnel cakes.

There’s always a rumor that Ruby’s will be shut down, let’s hope that rumor never comes true. This joint is a real slice of Coney Island history.

Ruby’s Coney Island Bar
1213 Riegelmann Boardwalk (Near 12th St.)
718-372-9079