The BAR EXAM.

Greetings MUGers and others!  Do what you will, but can you pass...

The Bar Exam?

 

1.   What Spring Street watering hole is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of Mickey, a former patron?

2.   Which historic Union Square neighborhood bar has been featured in THE DEVIL’S OWN and BULLETS OVER BROADWAY?

3.   What midtown institution, dating from the 1930’s, welcomes drinkers with a large waving porcine mascot?

4.   Where did Thomas Edison stay, and become a regular, while designing a power station in lower Manhattan? 

5.   True or False:  The last of the original early 20th century outdoor beer gardens in New York City is located on the Lower East Side.

6.   Which venerable Manhattan bar is known for not admitting women until 1970, and not giving them their own restroom until 1986?

7.   What the heck is a “shebeen”, and what well known Third Ave. pub incorporates the word into its name?

8.   Where did the real Popeye Doyle, of THE FRENCH CONNECTION fame, often stop for a drink while near the Brooklyn Bridge?

9.   What mostly affectionate nickname did Toots Shor give to patrons at his now gone but world renowned bar on 51st St. ?

10.  Where in today’s financial district did General George Washington bid farewell to his officers at the conclusion of the Revolutionary War?

Answers:

1.   The Ear Inn

2.   Old Town Bar & Restaurant

3.   Rudy’s Bar & Grill

4.   The Paris

5.   FALSE. The Beer Garden at Bohemia Hall is in Astoria, Queens.

6.   McSorley’s Old Ale House

7.   “Shebeen” is an illicit pub or bar as in: Molly’s Pub & Restaurant, Shebeen.

8.   The Bridge Café 

9.   Crumbums

10.        Fraunces Tavern

Thanks for stopping by!  Cheers!

The Makings of a Home Happy Hour.

Well, I’m straying a bit from my usual blog subjects, but I thought this one was worth it. We focus on places to enjoy a unique and memorable Happy Hour. Well, there’s nothing that says that place can’t be your own home and I’ve found a place to help you do just that. In Long Island City, nearly in Astoria, in the Costco buildings on Vernon Blvd. is KHH Liquors. KHH is not affiliated with Costco, but obviously has some sort of working relationship with them as they have stores near Costco in CO, CT, and another on the way in MA. Simply put: KHH has some of the best prices on wine and liquor (they don’t sell beer at the NY store) I’ve come across. Atmosphere is not the name of the game here. KHH is literally a warehouse with palettes of merchandise, and that’s what allows them to keep their prices low. I find them most useful for everyday wines and spirits, but they do carry some high end products, as well. Bear in mind that items and prices change frequently, but here are some representative selections from my most recent visit:

Penfold’s Rawson’s Retreat

Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon

Alamos Malbec St. Francis Chardonnay

All of these are fantastic wines to share with a party or at your home happy hour and all is under $10 at KHH. Well under, which is a great deal. Moving up the ladder a bit we have:

Frog’s Leap 2004 Zin

Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages ‘02

And a number of other high end wines for well below expected prices. Their liquor selection is equally varied. Well worth the trip! Watch for upcoming Hip Pocket Video on our very own home Happy Hour!

McReilly’s Update:

I continue to visit McReilly’s and am now recognized by the bartenders. Soon, I may be able to consider myself a regular. This latest visit, I wandered in during a Yankees/Mets game. The place was raucous with friendly but pointed bar banter being tossed the length of the bar. I sat smack in the middle and watched the same two fellows that had a baseball debate go to town again. Great fun. The bartender even checked in with me to jokingly make sure I hadn’t come in for a quiet meal. I hadn’t. I got exactly what I came in for: a third place in full swing!

Video #1: The Pilot Episode: McSorley's Old Ale House!

We had a ridiculously fun time shooting our pilot episode of HAPPY HOUR at McSorley's Old Ale House. The granddaddy of bars here in NYC, McSorley's and its staff didn't disappoint. So much interesting material had to be left on the editing floor. Well, not literally because it doesn't work that way anymore, but you get the idea.

Many, many interesting things are on the walls and around the bar. Look for the handcuffs on the foot rail of the bar- Harry Houdini escaped from them one night on a dare from the owner. Ask about the original wanted poster for Abe Lincoln's assassin or the dusty wishbones hanging from a candelabra over the bar. There's a story behind everything. Pepe, the daytime bartender seen in our pilot, knows about it all and is willing to tell you. He's also full of stories about the many celebrities who've come through McSorley's doors. Jimmy had a great time interviewing him. Maybe some outtakes will appear at some point...who knows.

The beer choices are pretty straight forward as you see in the pilot. There is a surprisingly good, though basic, menu. We all especially liked the cheese plate that came with a sleeve of saltines. The thing that made it was the mug of homemade; blow your socks off mustard. Good stuff that immediately led to more beer. Hmmm. Maybe they've figured something out there...

There are a lot of other Happy Hour destinations in the same neighborhood, so I'm sure we'll be visiting that neck of the NYC woods again. I'm equally sure we'll stop in to chat with Pepe and get two and two...

We're always on the lookout for new spots, so write to us with your favorite weird, historic, funny, unique watering hole!