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