The Guys stop by this classic West Hollywood Chinese-themed spot that has long been known as "where the stars dine"; just across the street from The Lot studios (the old Warner's studio) and in a building that housed, at one time, the production offices for United Artists (that's right, Mary Pickford, Doug Fairbanks, and Charlie Chaplin!) and an old railcar for the rail line that ran down Santa Monica Boulevard, the Formosa Cafe is an intersection of Old and New Hollywood to the n'th degree.
In 1880, James Deans Oyster House became The White Horse Tavern and its been serving New Yorkers ever since. For decades, the White Horse was a simple working man's bar. In the 1950s, the White Horse was discovered by a group of artists, writers, liberals and journalists and became a hub of progressive thinking. The Village Voice was conceived there. The Clancy Brothers played here in their early days. Of course, it took Dylan Thomas (see video) to launch them into barroom lore. In fact, Robert Zimmerman was so influenced by Thomas that he was the inspiration for his name change: Bob Dylan. Today one of New York's last remaining wood frame buildings, The White Horse takes as much care of their everyday patrons as they do of their frequent celebrity guests. Thats probably one of the reason they're still thriving, and you can still get one of the city's best (and most reasonable) burgers.
The Guys make their way to SOHO, the iconic NYC neighborhood full of great stories, stellar shops, and fantastic bars. We came downtown in search of the best happy hour ever, and Lure Fish Bar has, no joke, perhaps the finest 5-7PM weekday slot we have ever experienced. And that's really saying something, because... well, we're The Happy Hour Guys! Seriously - if you're within 500 Nautical miles of SOHO, head to the poop deck and turn your ship in Lure's direction. Say hello to Josh, Mim, Kelly and the whole crew, and if you have half as much fun as we had, you'll be in safe harbor indeed. The oysters are fresh, the drinks are amazing, and the prices, well... they lie many fathoms deep. Anchors Aweigh!
An empty stretch of Astoria, New York takes on a new life with the addition of Club 21, a new bar in an old building. What do a top-secret Czech liquor, a formerly illegal substance of French origin, a top-notch menu combining Old World fare with New World favorites, a beer garden, late night dancing, and some of the best Czech and German beers have in common? Well, watch and find out! Cheers!
What do polar bears and Ruby's Bar have in common? Join The happy Hour Guys to find out! Tradition and old New York are on offer as we welcome the New Year. Jimmy volunteered to take part next year. (Jimmy's note: WTF??????) Now that's good TV! Cheers! And Happy New Year!
The A&B, at 28 Witherspoon Street in Princeton, New Jersey has seen its share of interesting events since it first was built in the 19th century. It's been a barn, a courthouse, a poolroom and for the last 50 plus years it's been a restaurant and pub, 35 of them as today's Alchemist and Barrister. When the smart folk from the nearby university wander over to bend an elbow next to the rest of us, we're sharing a drink amongst yesterday's stables and quite possibly the holding area for the former courthouse. Rumor has it that not all of the past visitors have taken their leave, either, if the ghost stories are to be believed. For a quaint journey back to a simpler time, the A&B can't be beat. their website says it well:
"The Pub is a classic throwback to the days when congregating in the local pub meant socializing, meeting people and conversing in a pleasant and friendly manner." Cheers!
The Guys make their way (thanks to the McCarter Theatre and A Christmas Carol) to Princeton, NJ, and engage in Cratchit's Crawl, a visit to two of the most remarkable bars in downtown Princeton. Triumph has only been in existence since 1994, but they are making some fantastic beers and the space and the staff are first rate. Special thanks to Tom Stevenson, Christine Mitchell, Nikki Walker, Annie O'Sullivan and Brittany Beatty for their help in creating a great evening and a memorable episode. Happy Holidays, Happy Hour Guys-ers! Cheers!
