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