Friday, September 10th, 2010—Bar 243

Day 243—Thursday, September 9th, 2010
Affair on Eighth (Originally headed for 8th Street Winecellar)
Okay, I’m starting early tonight because I have to work early tomorrow, which sucks because I hate the morning. Morning’s are just too fucking bright. And everyone’s hustling and bustling about. Fuck. Anyway, I found a place not far from where I live, because I have to go and get this thing done because I have to get to work in the morning tomorrow and I hate morning’s...oh, we’ve been over that already. Okay, so let’s just head over to the 8th Street Winecellar  and get this thing over with already. Morning will be here before you know it. And I hate morning.

Here we are at the 8th Street Winecellar. A true underground bar.

Wow, it's packed in here. Not a single seat at the bar, time to improvise.

And start a lonely walk in search of another bar.

I didn't have to walk long. Almost directly across the street is this place. Affair on Eighth. Let's check it out.

Plenty of seats at the bar and it's nice and dark in here. I think this is the spot for the night!

I've made the right choice. Bartender Ciara is friendly, cute and pours a mean Hefewizen beer.

Nothing better than a giant beer to make you forget about working in the morning! Cheers.

A tub of iced beer behind the bar.

Alexa was seated next to me. She's a DJ who emcees Karaoke every Thursday night at the bar from 10pm to 2am. It's a favorite night at the bar and you'll see some of the singers soon.

Bare bulbs hang over the bar and illuminate it.

There's a decent selection of bottled beers, as you can see.

Shaun was at the end of the bar trying to figure out who his internet provider was (it's a long story folks.) He just moved here six weeks ago and it turns out he's from Illinois just like me. Welcome to New York Shaun!

A shot from the other end of the bar.

Here's Ciara working on the sign for outside.

Here's Jonathan Kravetz who's a writer and has a play going on at Manhattan Theatre Source at 177 MacDougal St ("Better Lucky Than Smart"). He's also the editor of Ducts Webzine.

Okay, the karaoke list is out.

Alexa started the night out and she has a great singing voice.

Next up was Joe, who did a great job singing "Iris" by The Goo Goo Dolls.

Jay nailed "Thunder Road," by Bruce Springsteen.

Oh shit, I'm not going to feel to good in the morning if I'm boozed up enough to be doing this. Goodnight, everybody!

Review
(Morning has broken, all over my head. I’m running late for work, so here’s the review of Affair on Eighth from Shecky’s Nightlife website, I don’t have time to write one and I hate morning. Fuck.)

“A good ol' Irish pub” is the best way to describe Affair on Eighth, a pub whose Gaelic past is fresher than a peeled potato. Co-owned by Ireland transplants George Garrity and Brenda Brennnacht, Affair on Eighth is tenderly named for its desire to add a musical haven to add to the village’s heritage. Boasting a great beer selection (they have Guinness on draft!) served by Irish bartenders, Affair on Eighth creates an overwhelming experience that shines brighter than a leprechaun's pot of gold. Stay for supper and dine on the bar's rich table tops, enjoying traditional Irish fare like Shepherd's Pie or beer battered Fish and Chips. There is nothing corned beef about the place; Affair on Eighth is a lovely pub that will soon become a local favorite.

Affair on Eighth
35 West Eighth Street (Near Sixth Ave.)
212.253.2999

Sunday, February 11th, 2010—Bar 91

Day 91—Saturday, April 10th
Greenwich Treehouse (Originally scheduled for Minetta Tavern)
Okay, it’s Saturday Night Cheeseburger time! As I explained last Saturday, in order to avoid the Saturday night crowds and mania, I’m going to be going out early to a bar and get a few beers and a cheeseburger and have a relaxing night on the bar crawl. I heard that the Minetta Tavern has really good cheeseburgers, so that's tonights destination. I just ran into my neighbor Dan, who may join us later and he said it may be crowded because Minetta Tavern has a Michelin Star. I didn’t say anything to Dan, but the fact that they sell tires isn’t going to make this joint crowded at 6:00 pm on a Saturday night. I mean, I don't even know anyone who has a car in the city. So anyway, I hope you’re hungry because it’s time to start, Saturday Night Cheeseburger!

Okay, here we are at the Minetta Tavern. I just peeked inside and Dan is right, the joint is beyond crowded and there's no seats at the bar. I gotta remember if I ever open up a bar or restaurant to sell Michelin tires there, I guess it's a big draw. Who knew?

And so I search for a quiet Saturday Night Cheeseburger bar.

Here's a place on Bleecker that looks good.

Shit, this place is packed too. I wonder if they sell tires?

A double ATM sign for Joey D!

The Greenwich Treehouse, "A bar above it all." I like that, let's check it out!

They just opened a little bit ago, so there's plenty of room at the bar. Woo hoo!

Jeanette serves up an ice-cold can of Pabst Blue Ribbon. There's no kitchen, but Jeanette told me I could order a takeout cheeseburger. That's an offer I couldn't refuse, plus when the bartender's this cute, I'm not going anywhere else!

Here's the friendly owner of the bar, Stian Nilsen.

Some of the draft beers available at the Treehouse.

There's a spectacular view of Greenwich Avenue up front, from this second story bar. Plus if you have a laptop you can surf the internet here.

Some of the many Happy Hour and nightly drink specials.

Jeanette orders me a bacon cheeseburger from Kool Bloo.

Stian's friend Rick stopped by for a quick pint.

Tables and games are in the back room, plus...

Fire!

The burger arrives and it's delicious! Okay, time to hit the road and walk off the beers and burger and fries...oh my!

Dan stops by right before I leave in time to flash the 365 card. Cheers to you Dan!

Wow, French Pastry...I'm too full and really shouldn't eat any more, but what the hell, I'll just take a look.

Oh my God, look at the pastry! It looks delicious!

What the hell, it's Saturday night, right? Goodnight everybody!

Review

The name treehouse conjures up thoughts of a friendly neighborhood meeting place and that’s exactly what Greenwich Treehouse is. Climb up the stairs and you’ll find a large bar, fun and friendly bartenders and maybe you’ll even meet the owner, Stian Nilsen, who’s one of the friendliest barkeeps in New York City. In addition to the ample seating at the bar, there’s tables behind, a row of stools up front which has a great view of Greenwich Avenue if you’re a people watcher and a back room with games, tables and a faux fireplace. There’s also a hidden room to do whatever you need to do in, but I’m not telling where it is. So there!

There’s events galore at the Treehouse including trivia games on Monday, free standup comedy on Tuesday, nightly drink specials and Happy Hour six days a week. There’s an impressive bottled beer and draft selection and they have Negra Modelo on tap. An 80” projection TV plays movies from “Barbarella" to “Old School” to “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” You can also arrange to have your own private screening party at the bar.

There’s no kitchen at the Greenwich Treehouse, but you can order out, I recommend the Kool Bloo bacon cheeseburger!

Greenwich Treehouse
46 Greenwich Ave. (Near Charles St.)
212-675-0395

March 23rd, 2010—Bar 72

Day 72—Monday, March 22nd
Bunga’s Den

I’m really tired tonight, but the bar crawl will continue. I had to get up early to go to my doctor’s and go over the results of my blood work that I get done every three months. The good news is that everything looked good, cholestrerol is normal and I even have lost five pounds since my last checkup. Maybe it’ll turn out I’ll write a health book at the end of this. “Better Living Through Beer.” My doctor is within walking distance and on the way I saw a bar on 14th Street that I’ve never seen before called Bunga’s Den. I figured I’d make that tonight’s destination since I’m tired and it’s only about three blocks from where I live. I’ve never met anyone named Bunga, so I’m anxious to go and visit his den. Hopefully he’s friendly. Let’s go!

Here we are, Bunga's Den. Acutally this is a little bit of a fiddle, as the English say. I stupidly forgot to take the outside shot, but found this one on the internet at: okMitchStudio. Check out their website and I won't feel as guilty for poaching it.

Okay, I finally took out my camera. It looks cozy and friendly in here, let's settle in at the bar.

Mark the bartender serves up a Guinness. Mark's also an actor and told me the story behind the Bunga's Den name. It's an interesting and fabled story, but there's a catch to it. You have to come in on Monday or Tuesday when Mark is working, because he and he alone knows the story. And after you buy a few drinks, he'll tell you, but you can't tell anyone else once you've heard the story. I now know, but I'm not telling. If you want to join this secret society, stop by when Mark is working and maybe he'll tell you. It's a hell of a story!

And of course this all leads to the wearin' of the Guinness! Woo hoo!

Jay was seated next to me at the bar enjoying one of the craft beers available on tap.

There's a free magazine rack available for your perusal.

I'll drink to that!

Garrett was seated up at the front of the bar and had some future bar suggestions for me. Thanks, Garrett!

A C.B.G.B's t-shirt, a relic from the past.

Paul and Jay were enjoying suds at the corner of the bar. Cheers, guys!

Comfortable booths line the walls in the back of the bar.

Pinball!

Greg works at the bar and if the boss is reading this, he went right back to work after I snapped this photo.

Plenty of beer to choose from here!

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

No wonder I have trouble sleeping at night!

There's plenty of seats at Bunga's Den.

All of the reviews I read online were positive, but one did say, "they should put out some bar snacks." So I brought some to fix that problem. Here Mark is dishing them out.

Snacks! Hooray!

And now...the obligatory bathroom mirror shot! Goodnight everybody!

Review

Bunga’s Den just opened in this 14th St. location about three months ago. You can’t call Bunga’s Den a dive bar just yet, you have to earn that privelege, but it look’s like Bunga’s Den is on the way there. The bartenders are friendly and it’s already becoming a neighborhood fun spot to hang, watch one of the three big screen TV’s or plug some dough in the jukebox which features eclectic music ranging from The Talking Heads to The Temptations to Elvis Presley to Johnny Winter. Vintage signs and photos cover the walls and they even have a pinball machine in the back, for those of you old enough to remember the pre-video game days.

Wednesday is trivia night and the winner gets a 35 dollar bar tab. Coors are one buck for the registered players. Two happy hours are available here one runs from 12pm to 3pm and then the other lasts from 5pm to 8pm. There’s a full bar with a big beer selection with fourteen on tap and 20 different brands of bottled beer for your choosing.

Right now there’s no food available, but they’re working on a menu and the kitchen will be open soon. Till then there’s snacks on the bar courtesy of yours truly!

Bunga’s Den
137 W. 14th St. (Between 6th and 7th Avenues)
212-242-1040