Thursday, June 24th, 2010—Bar 165

Day 165—Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
La Linea (Originally headed for Simone Martini Bar)
Bar 165 tonight on the crawl! Only 200 more to go, woo and hoo! One thing that’s been great about doing this is it’s brought me out of my comfort zone about going out and about in New York City. When I moved here 17 years ago I was running around like Eliot Spitzer in a whorehouse with a fistull of cash. I spent the whole year going to places and everything was new to me. Then as the years drifted by I stopped exploring and I realized that last year, outside of meeting friends or going to work, I barely left a five block radius around my apartment. Same bar, same diner, same deli, same bookstore and on and on. And I live in a city where there’s a bazillion choices and things to do! Anyway, when I started this I realized to keep it interesting I was going to have to go to all different kinds of bars to have different experiences, meet different kinds of people and have a variety of photos. Tonight’s choice is a good example. Last night I went to Subway Inn, which is the kind of bar I would frequent before I started this bar crawl. But if I went to dive bars every night it would get old, so I have to mix it up. Which leads us to tonight’s choice, Simone Martini Bar.

Up until this bar crawl, I think I had been in maybe one martini bar. I’m usually a beer drinker and I just never went. Since last night was a dive bar, I decided tonight to try a martini bar. I Googled around and found Simone’s Martini Bar, which got a good review in New York magazine and_cafe/ and it looks like an interesting bar, so let’s go find out. (And I’ll watch out for the Oompa-Loompa’s, Jaws!)

Okay, so I get to Simone's and after waiting about five minutes for the bartender to approach me, he tells me I can take a photo of him, but no photos of the bar. I decide to bolt and find another joint. He told me nicely, but the sound system was blaring, Copacabana by Barry Manilow and the red color scheme in there was burning my retina's. Time to move on. Goodbye Simone's, we hardly knew ye...and I'm fine with that.

And so, once again, I begin a lonely walk in search of a watering hole.

I read in EV Grieve that Cheap Shots had re-opened under a new name, but we were just in a dive bar last night, so I'll come back here another time.

I stopped here, gave the bartender my card and told her what I was doing. She looked frightened, went to the other end of the bar for five minutes and then came back and told me I couldn't take pictures in there. Fuck, this night is turning into a nightmare. At this point I just want it to end.

And so it's on we go.

Hey, a familiar face! It's Chris from Bar Veloce last week! And he's talking to Pamela, it's a small world after all!

Shit, d.b.a. is packed, no seats at the bar.

I saw this sign and thought about going in and then remembered I did it already! My mind is turning into mush!

This looks like a nice little oasis.

Half priced booze? Hello destination!

Lots of seats at the bar, aaah, I've finally found a place!

And super-cute bartender Robin serves up an ice-cold Corona. I always say a bartender can make or break a place and Robin's a great bartender. Friendly and anxous to chat. She's also an actress and a singer.

Cheers!

There's a nice area up front to sit and watch people on the street from inside the bar.

There's a full bar and frozen drinks are available at La Linea.

Some of the beer and wine available at the bar.

Robin at the bar.

I couldn't get anyone to pose for a photo, so for here on in, it's just Robin and me. Here's Robin with beer number two.

Peace and here's to beer number two!

And Robin serves up beer number three in a festive manner.

Thanks for the great hospitality, Robin! Beer number three and I'm over and out! Goodnight, everybody!

Review
La Linea bar is a nice little hideaway bar in the East Village. It’s got a cozy, woodsy, laid back feel and some of the friendliest bartenders in the city. There’s a nice seating area up front to gaze out at the street and people passing by and it’s a relaxed atmosphere inside.

There’s a full bar and they have an unbelievable happy hour, actually two happy hours. The first happens every day from 3pm to 9pm with half price specials on all alcoholic beverages.  And Sunday through Thursday there’s the same deal with a late night happy hour that runs from 11pm to closing. Late shifters take note! Friday’s and Saturday’s DJ’s spin R&B, hip hop and reggae tunes.

Stop by and get happy houred at La Linea!

La Linea
15 First Ave., (Near 1st St.)
212-777-1571

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010—Bar 164

Day 164—Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
Subway Inn
Ding, ding, ding, the wonderful PayPal donation bell is ringing again! Katy Borden sent in a generous donation of 25 dollars with the stated purpose on the PayPal receipt saying, “ In support of “A Guy Walks Into 365 Bars.” She also left the following message: “Please buy James Mollo a drink when he gets back to NYC and tell him California misses him.” James is my friend who moved to California and is moving back to New York shortly. He’ll be bar-hopping with me on the bar crawl when he gets back and his first beer will be on you Katy! Thanks so much!

Tonight’s bar is a place I’ve been meaning to go to for awhile. 365 Bars reader and commentator Al Rizo recently suggested it in an email, so tonight we go to the Subway Inn. Al lives in Miami, but he’s a seasoned NYC bar crawler and this is a good recommendation as I haven’t been to a decent dive bar in a little bit. The Subway Inn is a legendary watering hole and I thank Al for suggesting it. Let’s dive in to the Subway Inn, the water’s fine and 100 proof!

Great old-school neon signage!

Aaaahh, it feels like home in here!

Cesar's a veteran bartender here, he's been serving up suds here for over seven years.

Here's Jose and a fellow who chose to go the name of, "Anonymous."

Anon is a fellow photographer who wanted to donate to the 365 Bar Crawl by buying shots. Cesar mixes up two shots of liquid cocaine, which is one part Bailey's Irish Cream, one part Jagermeister and one part Bacardi's 151 Rum. Yikes!

Cheers...

And bomb's away! It was surprisngly smooth. Thanks Anon!

Cesar and some of the regulars at the end of the bar.

Pay telephones! An image which harkens back to pre-cellular phone days.

The draft beer available at Subway Inn.

Here's the two prettiest women in the bar: Stephanie and Aramis.

Aramis has a blog which she said she hasn't updated for awhile. I told her I'd put up a link and she said that there would be a new post today. The pressure is on Aramis! Here's the link to see if she made her deadline: Miss Lovely.

It's mainly beer and shots at this joint.

See what I mean?

Love the retro TV in the Subway Inn!

Christian was the other bartender on duty.

If only this bar could talk! Scuffs and scratches from years of boozing and bruising.

There's lots of shots of Marilyn Monroe in here.

Here's an Andy Warholish one.

I love this one with the green light on the red walls. Okay the beers and liquid cocaine are kicking in, so it's time to say, "Goodnight everybody!"

Review
I found this reader review over at New York Magazine’s website archives and I can’t top it. The reviewer’s posted name is: loveofcarnage and here’s his review of Subway Inn:

“Me and my girlfriend walked through the doors and wished we'd bought those night-vision specs at the army surplus! WHAT A BAR! it was like being in a David Lynch film! i wanted Frank Booth to come over, rip my face off and piss into my occular cavities! i really miss it! i will return (without girlfriend) in 2006 - get ready Frank!”

That says it all! The only thing I can add is: “Suave! Goddamn you're one suave fucker!” The Subway Inn is one of the last slices of old-school Noo Yawk. Throw down a beer and shot before it becomes a T.G.I.F.

Subway Inn
143 E. 60th St. (Near Lexington Ave.)
212-223-8929

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010—Bar 163

Day 163—Monday, June 22nd, 2010
Press Lounge (Rooftop bar at Ink 48 Hotel)
I felt somewhat defeated by last Friday’s crawl and thought I’d try the rooftop bar, Press Lounge on a Monday. Monday’s are usually pretty dead everywhere, so we’ll see if there’s no line tonight. And besides, I’ve got the backup bar, Lansdowne Road on 44th and 10th, that a reader commented about. The Lansdowne is also approved by barcrawler extroadinaire (along with Smoopy and Terry) Gene, so if I don’t use it as a backup, I will stop by there soon. Okay, let’s retrace our steps from last Friday.

Another night, another cab. Deja view, it feels like Friday all over again.

No traffic jams tonight, but it is red out here!

And here we are at the Ink 48 Hotel.

No lines tonight, I'm the only one at the elevator.

Going up.

And here we are, the 16th floor.

The inside bar is nice.

And friendly bartenders. Michah uncorks a beer for me.

Cheers!

Cocktail waitress Michah gets a lovely leg up on the competition! Is everyone here named Michah?

I'm willing to bet this is the only bar in Manhattan with two Michah's working in it.

There's comfortable couches opposite the bar to relax and enjoy your drink at.

Kimberly is another friendly and pretty cocktail waitress on duty.

And here's the outside lounge.

There's lounge chairs to relax in.

And the view is spectacular.

However people out there were a little camera shy, so I brought my act back to the inside bar. Here's Mike the bartender posing with the 365 Bar card.

Dan was in town from L.A. on business and had a seven o'clock meeting in the morning. Ouch!

Sungkyung and Carla were seated next to me and they live in the neighborhood.

We rode the elevator down together after last call.

It's been a while since I had a taxi cab movie. So here you go, goodnight everybody!

Review
The inside bar is a comfortable lounge with a modern art deco lounge feel. The bartenders and attractive cocktail waitresses are friendly and the crowd is a mix of hotel tourists and locals looking for a room with a view. And the view here is fantastic. As you step out into the rooftop lounge adjascent to the bar you can see the Manhattan skyline in all its sparkly glory. There’s comfortable lounge chairs and couches out on the rooftop lounge and a long wading pool for those that want to soak their feet and enjoy a drink after a long day.

There’s a nice wine list available and bottled beers include: Brooklyn Lager, Chimay Trappist, Ommegang Witte and Samuel Smith Organci Lager. Signature cocktails are: Jummai Sky which is Tanqeray 10, St. Germain and Tozai Junmai Sake; The Nectar is Moect and Chandon Nectoar Imperial Champagne and Lime and White Sangria.

Your cares really do drift away up on the roof, especially after four or five beers. Cheers!

Press Lounge (Rooftop bar at Ink 48 Hotel)
653 Eleventh Ave (@48th St)
212-757-2224