Friday, May 21st, 2010—Bar 131

Day 131—Thursday, May 20th, 2010
Mug Lounge (Originally headed for Drop Off Service)
The PayPal button has once again rang and it’s the first time a bartender has rang it. I’m sure you all remember Kelly the pretty and friendly bartender from last night’s rooftop crawl at 230 Fifth, if not, here’s her picture to refresh your memory and pleasure your eyeballs:
Kelly sent in a generous donation of ten dollars! Thanks so much Kelly, I really appreciate it and thanks for the hospitality and great service last night. And for posting not once, but twice for photos on the bar crawl!

Okay, speaking of past bar crawls, I met a couple last Friday when I crawled into Ilili, Katy and Brian. They’re both web designers and Katy told me she was working with her dad on a website for him. I told her to send me the link so I could post it and she did. Check it out, it’s called “Gorge With George” and it’s a cool site all about food. Here’s the link: Gorge with George. Hey George, if you get a show on the Food Network, can I be a guest? I make a mean ice cube!

Okay, on to the crawl. I found a cool little spot on Avenue A called, Drop Off Service. It used to be a laundromat and now it’s a bar. I kind of wish they wouldn’t have totally transformed it, I’m wearing yesterday’s socks and could kill two birds with one stone, but you can’t have it all. And so, with dirty socks and a dirtier mind, I crawl onwards and upwards!

Okay, here we are at Drop Off Service, wow, it looks crowded in here.

Holy shitballs, it's packed in here and really, really noisy. I'm half deaf, so I think I better find some other place. I'll come back here on a slower night, it does look like a nice bar, just too crowded tonight for me.

This place is just around the corner and doesn't look quite so packed.

I've missed Happy Hour, but they have Red Stripe beer here, so let's check it out.

It looks nice in here, plus there's a disco ball and a seat in the middle of the bar. This is the spot for tonight!

And Yvette, the super-cute and friendly bartender serves me up a Red Stripe. It's Yvette's last night here and there's a going away party happening here tonight.

And tonight is my Baltimore Bar-Crawling buddy Gene Rubbico's birthday. Happy birthday, Gene! Rumor has it that he and Smoopy drank 50,781 drinks in a celebratory evening.

The bar houses a big selection of booze.

Handel was seated next to me enjoying a fresh glass of Stella.

Here's a couple chilling out on the couches opposite of the bar, let's go meet them.

Meet Niqi and Div. Niqi's friend's with the owner of the place, Mike and said she'd tell him about this review.

Vinny takes over bartending duties as Yvette retires and joins her going away party.

I just noticed there's a doorway that leads to another room in this place, let's check it out.

It's a lounge area and the vibe is totally different in here.

Lots of couches, cushions and art on the walls make for a laid back atmosphere in here.

This pretty trio were relaxing and enjoying drinks in the lounge. From left: Alena, Melissa and Teresa.
There's a DJ booth in the corner, but where's the DJ?

There he is, behind the sparkly curtain.

It's international DJ, DJ Ouaga. Check out his MySpace page here: DJ Ouaga.

Lounges are cool, but I'm more of a bar guy, so it's back to the bar area for me.

And here's Yvette, off duty and doing a shot on the other side of the bar. Cheers to you, Yvette!

Kyle was enjoying the party and wished me luck with the 365 crawl.

Bartender Vinny hard at work behind the bar.

Here's Jenny and Shawna enjoying drinks and Yvette's going away party.

Just as I was leaving, Tom was coming in. Hello and goodbye, Tom.

And one last parting shot of Yvette with her friend Cecilia. Happy trails, Yvette and goodnight everybody!

Review
Mug Lounge is a bar that has a bit of a split personality. When you walk in, you’ll find a bit of a funky type dive bar with a couch and tables opposite the brick-walled bar and a little make-out nook to the side. A disco ball hangs from the ceiling and the bartenders are friendly and the cliental are mainly locals from the neighborhood who welcome the odd first timer like myself. To the left of the bar itself is a doorway that leads to a different type of atmosphere. Once you cross the line you’re in a lounge area where a DJ spins hip hop beats and there’s comfortable couches and cushiony chairs to lay back and chill out. Local artwork and photography stills line the walls.

They offer up a decent selection of bottled beers and a healthy wine list. Some of the specialty cocktails available at the bar include: Orange Crush, which is Svedka Clementine, Cranberry Juice and Red Bull, Ruby Red Canary, a concoction made of Absolut Ruby Red Vodka, DeKuyper Triple Sec and Pineapple Juice and a Black Manhattan which is Jim Beam Black and Sweet Vermouth garnished with a cherry. The Mug Lounge offers nightly drink specials which you can check out on their website.

There’s internet access in the bar and they have international movie nights on the flat screen TV’s. Stop by and mug it up at the Mug Lounge in the East Village of New York City.

Mug Lounge
448 E. 13th St. (Near Ave. A)
646-746-1357

Thursday, May 20th, 2010—Bar 130

Day 130—Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
230 Fifth
Ding, ding, ding, by now we all know what that sound means, good sweet bar-crawling cash via the old PayPal button! My friend, Aaron Smith generously donated 30 dollars to the 365 Bar Crawl fundage. Aaron drums in the super cool band, The Joans. Check out their video to their signature song which he wrote, “Mad At The Dirt.”



Check out the Joans  here at their website: The Joans. Thanks again, Aaron and it was great hanging out with you both nights on the Chicago Bar Crawl. For those of you who missed the Chi-Town two day crawl, check it out here: Simon’s and Club Foot.

Secondly, check out the cool top spinner my friend and designer Joe Freedman made and sent to me. It’s a cool spinning top, it creates a relaxing, hypnotic vibe while watching it twirl and here’s a video of it in action  (the video doesn’t do it justice, you need to watch it in real time):



Check out the rest of Joe’s cool toys, pop-up cards, miniatures and gifts here: Leaf Display. Thanks, Joe!

Okay, on with the crawl! Sadly, my Baltimore Bar-Crawling buddies, Gene, Debbie and Terry have gone back to Baltimore, so it’s back to solo bar-crawling for me. Now that it’s close to summer, the rooftop bars are starting to open up, so I thought I’d start checking them out. The last one I went to was in the winter time, so I wisely have waited for the weather to be a little more inviting. More than one people have recommended a rooftop bar and lounge called 230 Fifth and it’s within walking distance of where I work, so it’s time to crawl!

230 Fifth Avenue, this is the place.

Okay, onwards and upwards to the 20th Floor.

Stay right? Is this place sponsored by Fox News?

Alright, here's the elevator to take us up. All aboard!

And we're greeted in the lounge area by the lovely Hostess Joanna and her friendly neighborhood tiger.

Wow, the bar is packed, let's chek out the other side.

Holy shitballs, it's going to be rough to get a beer in here!

But I manage to wiggle in and not only get a beer, but a shot of the pretty bartender Kelly who's graciously serving it up.

Bright lights, big rooftop and beer. Cheers!

The view from one section of 230 Fifth.

As you can see, 230 Fifth is one of the few bars left in New York you can smoke in. From left, Ian and Ian. I think I've been on this bar crawl too long, now I'm not only seeing double, I'm hearing double!

Another choice view from this huge rooftop bar.

My beer and the Manhattan skyline, who could ask for anything more?

Here's Nate, Adam, Lauren and Duford. Lauren's not really a midget, she's just kneeling for the camera.

A shot of the Empire State Building from the roof.

Val, Una and Stephanie were enjoying drinks and the view from the bar.

The whole place is like one giant outdoor porch.

The bar has emptied out somewhat, time for another drink and...

...a photo of both of the bartenders on duty. Alex and Kelly, two friendly and attractive bartenders.

Lissa, Jimmy and Melissa were enjoying themselves at a table with drinks and cigars.

Lissa's dad, Haj taught her how to smoke cigars and she said this photo would make his day. This shot's for you, Haj, you've got a cool daughter!

Okay, on the way out and the obligatory elevator mirror shot. Goodnight, everybody!

Review
NBC’s website voted 230 Fifth the number one rooftop bar in New York City and Japan’s fashion magazine, Spur, ranked 230 Fifth as the number one “thing to do” in New York for good reason, it’s a great rooftop bar. The area in the bar is huge with lots of wooden chairs and tables available for lounging in and taking in the breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline. There’s palm trees, views of the Empire State Building and the Met Life Building in addition to the rest of the sparkling Manhattan nighttime backdrop and if it’s chilly, there’s heated lamps and they offer robes to wear to keep warm in the off season. The rooftop bar is the only skyline bar in New York open for 365 days a year.

There’s a full bar, but be forewarned, it’s not cheap. But consider the steep prices a bit of a cover charge for the expansive view of the New York skyline to enjoy at 230 Fifth. In addition to the full bar, they offer a bar menu which serves from 4pm to 4am. Some of the items on the menu include: Crispy Shrimp, Veal and Pork Meatballs, Short Rib Beef Rendang and Sea Bass.

The rooftop bar also offers a Saturday and Sunday brunch from 11:00am to  5:00pm. Stop by and check out this bar in the sky.

230 Fifth
230 Fifth Ave., 20th fl @23rd St.
212-725-4300

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010—Bar 129

Day 129—Tuesday, May 18th, 2010
Horseshoe Bar
Okay, first off, what’s the sound? Ding, ding, ding, the donation bell rings again! And this time it’s an international donation! Ruben Sleurink from the Netherlands sent in a generous donation of ten dollars with this stated purpose: “We love your site! And what you are doing! For you some money to buy a real Dutch Heineken;-) Regards from The Netherlands!” Thank you so much, Ruben! Ruben is part of a breakfast delivery service in the Netherlands, check it out here: Desayuno.nl.

The 365 site has also received some more publicity. Robert Mancini who writes for the website Asylum included me in an article about beer experts. I told Robert I was no beer afficionado, in fact I don’t even know how to spell afficionado, but he was kind enough to include me anyway. Check it out here: Meet the Beer Experts by Robert Mancini. (I’m the fourth one down.)

Alright, on with the crawl. And then there were five! Keith, who we met last night and is in town on business from Chicago emailed me and said he’d like to join myself and the Baltimore Bar Crawlers, Gene, Debbie and Terry. And of course I said the more the merrier and he’s going to join us as well. This is the last day and night of the Baltimore Bar Crawlers and they are going out in style. The last email I got from them they had already visited 1,783 bars today and have had roughly 58,004 drinks between the three of them. So Keith and I will have a lot of catching up to do! Once again they picked the bar and it’s the Horseshoe Bar in the East Village. Let’s go meet the crew and play catch up!

Here's the Horseshoe Bar.

Vanessa is just one of the lovely bartenders on duty tonight.

And there's some familiar faces, the Baltimore Bar Crawlers!

Together again for one last evening, the super bar crawlers! From left, Myself, Gene, Debbie a.k.a. Smoopy and Terry.

And here's the Heinekin that Ruben bought! Much thanks to him and to Tiki Bar Susie who's donation is still buying beers on this night's crawl!

Some of the specials of the night at the Horseshoe Bar.

This group was enjoying the night out at the legendary Horseshoe Bar. From left: Aaron, Cara, Dannia, Alexey and Matteo.

Be nice or leave! Artwork by Dr. Bob of New Orleans, check out his site here: Dr. Bob.

The massive collection of booze at the bar.

Here's Mike and Brittany who were enjoying drinks at the bar.

Great tunes on the jukebox ranging from Fear to the Yardbirds to Black Sabbath to the Dead Boys to Motorhead. Something for the little punk in all of us.

Here's a couple regulars at the bar, Lex and Bruce. Bruce has had over 15,007 beers for the evening and is ready for more!

There's a nice crowd in the bar for a Tuesday night.

Julie and Matt were enjoying beers at a booth and wished me luck on the bar crawl.

The massive beer list that's available at the Horseshoe Bar.

Tobias had his laptop open at the bar and guess what site he was checking out. He's a man of many links and here they are: Danger Rally, Bull Run and his personal blog, Brusegard.com.

Some key scenes from the movie "The Verdict" were shot in here and here's a picture of Paul Newman and two of his co-stars from the film.

Here's Vanessa with the other bartender of the evening, Nicole. Both were very hospitable, lovely and friendly bartenders.

And here, Terry performs the wearin' of the Bud on Debbie's head.

Photobooth!

Four shots and just like the Sopranos at the end we fade to black (What happened to Keith?). Goodnight everybody!

Review
When you enter the Horseshoe Bar you may have a sense of deja vu or perhaps deja view would be more appropriate as the bar has been used as for scenes in New York movies such as the Godfather, Part II, Serpico, The Verdict, Crocodile Dundee and Sex in the City. The reason these movies have used the bar is it has a real old school New York feel to it. The interior is dark wood with punk rock and New York style pictures and knick knacks and the bar is horseshoe shaped and big enough to house an army of beer drinkers. The tavern is also known as 7B from the address where it’s located.

The bar is stocked with a multitude of liquor and the beer selection is as vast as the horseshoe bar that it’s served upon. Happy hour runs from noon to seven pm with $3.50 drafts and one buck off well drinks. The bartenders are friendly and the crowd varies from grizzled neighborhood regulars to young partiers visiting for the first time. The jukebox has everything from Black Sabbath to Rick Springfield and there’s a photo booth in the back to record your visit to the legendary bar.

I want to thank the Baltimore Bar Crawlers for hanging out with me the last three nights. They are true bar crawlers and it makes me proud that they are fans of this site and they took the time to not only join me on this 365 bar crawl, but pick the bars as well. They made stellar choices and it was a blast to have them as guest stars. I wish Gene the best of luck in his deployment to Afghanistan for the next four months and look forward to him, Debbie (Smoopy) and Terry’s return. I had a blast bar crawling with you guys and look forward to your return visit!

Horseshoe Bar
108 Ave. B. @7th St.
212-677-6742