Monday, April 5th, 2010—Bar 85

Day 85—Easter Sunday, April 4th
Mars Bar

Okay if remember from last Saturday I had planned on meeting John Strausbaugh at New York’s legendary dive bar, Mars Bar. Well, I met him there, but the bartender nicely told me I had to get permission to do photos, so we went here and had some drinks and did the interview. Well this week I got permission to shoot photos inside and what better place to spend Easter Sunday than the Mars Bar in the East Village? I’m going to see if I can order some takeout there and have my Easter dinner at Mars Bar.

Easter Sunday at the Mars Bar, what could be better?

Hammlet took this photo of me getting into the swing of things at Mars Bar.

Fausto was working on a piece in the sketch pad that was being passed around the bar.

Some of the booze selections at Mars Bar.

Terry displays an Easter piece of art he drew for the day.

One of Terry's pieces of art on the wall at Mars Bar.

One of the colorfull walls at Mars Bar.

Images by Niko. Check out his website here: Niko Says.

One of the bars regulars, Raymond, enjoying a glass of wine. Cheers!

Peanuts!

Easter Sunday at Mars Bar.

I loved the fact that my name is on the cash register! I swear I didn't put that there either.

Hammlet and Terry. After this photo Hammlet asked me to draw something in the bar and wanted to take photos of me drawing. So here goes!

I decided to do a self-portrait on a mannequin's knee cap.

Hammlet documents the artist at work.

And the finished product. I'm an official Mars Bar artist, huzzah! Thanks for the photos, Hammlet!

And here's a piece of art that Hammlet has on display at the bar.

Easter dinner at Mars Bar! I ordered two pizzas from Two Boots pizza and they were delicious!

Here's Denise and Rafael enjoying slices.

Steve and Leela arrived to late for pizza, but were having a good time in spite of the fact.

Here's me with Steve and my notepad conveniently tucked under my chin.

And my final bit of graffiti on the wall before leaving. Goodnight everybody!

Review

As the Bed Bath And Beyonds and Barnes and Noble “superstores” continue to ruin New York City, thank God for institutions like the Mars Bar. This concrete rectangle of graffiti and art-filled madness is a testament to old school New York artists, free thinking folks and people looking to drink and have a good time. The only Blackberry you’ll find in here is brandy and the only thing close to and iPad is an artist pad that’s passed around the bar where the locals add their original sketches.

You’ll find no TV’s at Mars Bar, but the jukebox is probably the best in the city if not the country. It’s packed with everything from mariachi to cha-cha to Chuck Berry to the Cramps to the Beach Boys and everything in between. And everyone takes turns putting on tunes at Mars Bar, so the music is always flowing along with the endless liquor. The selection isn’t huge here, so have a Budweiser and one of their massive whiskey shots and shut up and enjoy the eccentric and non-judgmental crowd.

There’s no food or kitchen here, but they have a huge pile of menus from neighborhood take-out joints. I suggest you order a pie from Two Boots for the crowd. I did and a good time was had by all! God bless the Mars Bar!

The Mars Bar
25 E 1st St (@ Second Ave)
212-473-9842

March 29th, 2010—Bar 78

Day 78—Sunday, March 28th
Johnny’s Bar

First off, I have to say Happy Birthday to 365’s resident artist, “Boris!” “Boris” is double nickels today, that’s right, he’s the age Sammy Hagar can’t drive, 55! "Boris" not only created the banner here at the 365 site, he also did artwork at my old website, The Marty Wombacher Show, which is on hiatus now. Check out the artwork here: TMWS Home Page Art. “Boris" did the majority of the artwork there (I did the shitty stuff!) and did a great job. Thanks for all your great work, Daddio! And don’t forget, “Boris” has designed this new logo for t-shirts that will be available soon:

Alright, “Boris” Happy Birthday to you! And if you have a website that you need artwork for, “Boris” is your go-to guy. He also designs logos, CD covers, book covers and anything you can think of when it comes to art. Just send me an email and I will pass it on to “Boris.”

Okay, on to tonight’s bar. Last Monday I went to Bunga's Den and met bartender Mark, who graciously invited me to stop by Johnny’s Bar tonight as he bartends there every Sunday from 9pm to 4am. If you read that post, he’s the only one who knows the secret of the name, Bunga’s Den. I wonder if there’s a secret behind the name of Johnny’s Bar. Well, let’s go hoist a few and find out!

This sign says it all!

There's a familiar face behind the bar.

It's bartender Mark, serving up the first of many beers on this Sunday evening.

It's a Mod Squad of walls in here. One stucco...

One brick...

And the wooden wall completes this trifecta of wall designs.

Willow and Nick were seated in front at the window seats. They were visiting New York and Nick is the Executive Chef at Lucky's Lounge in Boston. He told me I would have a free meal if I ever visited there and I may take him up on that! Look out Nick, I'll bring a large appetite!

Books line the top of the wall opposite the bar. I wonder what titles are available?

Well, now, there's some interesting choices!

Ian multi-tasks by drinking his beer and flashing the 365 card all at once.

The bar at Johnny's. You gotta love it!

The Bronx Prep Crew were having fun in the back of the bar.

Some of the specials at Johnny's Bar. It's better than sex! Someone alert Tiger Woods.

Some of the draft beer selections.

Peanuts!

The mysterious woman known only as "Bar Lady" starts a card game.

I finish off the night with a Red Stripe and I'm ready to hit the road. Goodnight everybody!

Review

They say good things come in small packages and Johnny’s Bar proves this point. Johnny’s is one of New York’s quintessential dive bars and a neighborhood favorite in Greenwich Village. The red, neon outside sign says it all: BAR. What you see is what you get. The walls are faux brick, stucco and wood and the interior design is retro-modern throw it on the wall and see if it sticks. Old license plates intermingle with bumper stickers, vintage beer signs, stickers and a guitar hangs on one of the walls. Books line the top of the wall opposite the bar and an internet jukebox awaits you at the back of the 55 person capacity bar which is mainly filled with locals from the neighborhood.

Johnny’s has a marathon happy hour that runs from noon to seven in the evening with various specials happening in these seven hours. There’s a large selection of draft and bottled beers to be had and there’s a long list of specialty shots for $3.50 with inviting and exotic names such as: Shit on the Grass, Citron my Face, Dirty Girl Scout Cookie and Witch's Clit.

Johnny’s is open 365 days a week, from noon to four in the morning, so there’s no excuse not to work it into your schedule. You’ll be glad you did.

Johnny's Bar
90 Greenwich Ave. (near 12th St.)
212-741-5279

March 27th, 2010—Bar 76

Day 76—Friday, March 26th
Whiskey River
First off, thanks to my friend and co-worker Joey D. for generously donating ten dollars in good sweet cash to the 365 bar fund! Here's a picture I'm calling "Father and Son Reunion," because it's Joey with the ten bucks and a picture of his dad, Joe D. over his shoulder. Cool shades on Joey's dad!

Thanks for the dough, Joey, it's greatly appreciated, my friend!

Last Tuesday I had a great time at Common Ground and Vinny the bartender provided great service and was a great guy to chat with while downing some beers and shots. He told me he also tends bar at a place not too far from where I work called Whiskey River and he graciously invited me to stop by, so tonight that’s where we’re going. First, a video to get us in the right frame of mind.

Whiskey River take my mind!

Friday night and the joint is jumping!

Behave yourselves, because here's Julio the bouncer at the door!

A crowd of guys are gathered at the bar watching the game on one of the many big screen TV's.

There's a familiar face, Vinny the bartender and drummer. He's standing with Ned, who's been the manager of Whiskey River for the last couple years. Ned's a friendly and hospitable host and check out Vinny's bands here: Sam Hill and Bulletproof Lincolns.

Now we're talking! Check out the evening's beautiful and fun bartenders, Amelia and Mariya. Two of the best looking bartenders in the city and more fun than a barrelful of whiskey! And Mariya was voted hottest female bartender of 2009 by Shecky's. Check it out here: Hottest female bartender of 2009.

I told you these two were fun. I just got seated and shots are already being poured!

The shots are poured...

And the shots are drank. Cheers!

Mr. Bones attracts racks. Hmm...I gotta hang out with this guy!

Jacklyn and Emilee were enjoying the Friday night fun in Whiskey River.

This party in the front room were camped out on the large black leather banquette.

Mike, Lorna and Sarah were hanging out at a side table and cheered me on in my 365 bar crawl efforts.

Winter's officially over, but they're always ready for a blizzard at Whiskey River.

Amelia's on the outside of the bar and on the loose! Woo hoo!

A crowd is gathered around a lively beer pong game.

And in the back room, Brian, London and John were competing in a fun game of darts.

The pussy says it's time to say, "Goodnight everybody!"

Review

Christmas lights intersect with dear antlers, snow shoes and vintage beer signs giving Whiskey River an Animal House meets hunting lodge feel. The bar is actually three rooms with the action happening in the large middle room where people are happiily beer ponging, swigging shots, playing Buck Hunter, Golden Tee and Megatouch and watching sports on the big screen TV’s. The front room has a spacious leather banquette and table and chairs to relax and enjoy the 2nd Avenue view in a somewhat quieter atmosphere. The back room has a rec-room feel complete with a big screen TV, faux fireplace, darts and Nintendo Wii on a big screen. The bartenders are attractive, attitude-free and keep the fun rolling at the bar and will do the occasional shot with the happy patrons guzzling away in the wooden-walled, cabin/dive bar atmosphere.

There’s nightly drink specials at Whiskey River and happy hour happens every day from 3pm to 8pm. Drafts can be had for three to four bucks, mixed drinks are available for four dollars, and buckets of Natty and PBR can be had for 10 bucks a bucket. There’s a decent selection of draft and bottled beers including: Brooklyn Lager, Yeungling, Sierra Nevada and Hoegaarden on tap. Budweiser, Coney Island Lager, Blue Moon and Corona are just a few of the bottled beers available. And of course the place is called Whiskey River, so there’s a nice list of whiskies to be had including: Basil Hayden’s, Jameson Gold Reserve, Maker’s Mark and Woodford Reserve.

And if Willie decides to drop by and sing the bar’s signature tune, he’s in luck. You can smoke on the patio in the back!

Whiskey River
575 2nd Ave. (Between 31st & 32nd Sts.)
212-679-6799