Monthly Archives: June 2016

A review of 310 Bowery Bar in Manhattan's NoHo

As its name implies, this bar is located at 310 Bowery on the East Village / Noho border.  This space was formerly known as the bar Crime Scene several years ago.  310 Bowery Bar is has gotten some on-line attention recently with the addition of Luzzo’s pizza being offered in the front of the space.  We also enjoyed the two-for-one happy hour special during our recent visit.  310 Bowery Bar is a must-visit on your next NYC pub crawl through the neighborhood.

310 Bowery Bar

The turnover of bars at 497 Third Avenue in Manhattan's Murray Hill

For the third consecutive year, we’ve visited a ‘new’ bar to inhabit 497 Third Avenue in Murray Hill, Manhattan. The current occupant, The Flying Cock, is somewhat similar to the previous occupant, Bar Rua, except for the private space in the back is no longer walled off.  But what is it about this address and the high turnover?  We totally understand that this is Manhattan and things can turnover quite frequently. For years, this spot was Patrick Kavanaugh’s, then Pig n whistle, then Bar Rua and now Flying Cock. We’ve found all if these iterations to be decent spots.  We just find it strange with the turnover.  Is it the same owner frequently reinventing the space?  What are your thoughts on this? Please leave a comment below!

The back bar at The Flying Cock.
The back bar at The Flying Cock.

A review of Rock & Reilly in Manhattan's Midtown South

Located at 218 West 35th Street on the fifth floor of the Renaissance hotel, Rock & Reilly is a spacious indoor/outdoor bar. The outdoor potion fronts 34th street, so patrons can watch the rush-hour crowd head to Penn Station or, looking east, get a glimpse of the ‘thin’ view of the Empire State Building.  Overall, Rock & Reilly is a great spot for outdoor drinking in the summer of 2016 and beyond.

Rock and Reilly

Happy Flag Day 2016!

Here are a few spots to hit for a Flag Day NYC bar crawl:

Fraunces Tavern, 54 Pearl Street in Manhattan’s Financial District. George Washington hung out here.

Loopy Doopy, rooftop bar atop Conrad Hotel in Battery Park City.  Great view of Statue of Liberty and the relatively late sunset.

Pete’s Tavern, 18th Street & Irving Place in Manhattan’s Gramercy section.  Among the oldest bars in Manhattan.

A review of Sean's Bar and Kitchen in Midtown Manhattan

Located at 42 West 48th Street in Midtown Manhattan, Sean’s Bar and Kitchen is a great new genuine craft-beer bar / Irish pub for tourist central.  Across the street from Rock Center, Sean’s is a spectacularly different take on the dime-a-dozen midtown Irish pub. The fifty beer taps must be the most by far in the immediate area.  Some standards beers are offered, but most of the beer is a mix of local and other regional craft beers.  Food menu has a wide variety of offerings from standard bar fare to Irish pub entrees.  Sean’s is the early leading candidate for our Best New Manhattan Bar opening of 2016 and we can’t wait to return here.

Sean Bar and Kitchen

A review of Golden Years in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Located at 221 N. 4th in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Golden Years is a reincarnation of bars that have lived at this address previously (Old Rooster Bar and Kristophe), though a remarkably different vibe from the previous occupants. It seems to be primarily a cocktail spot that serves 12 craft beers.  Golden Years is a fairly spacious spot with a sizeable bar area.  Food menu includes several small plates that lean toward seafood (oysters, mussels and shrimp).  There’s also brunch on weekends.  Golden Years is a good spot and we wonder how the spot got its name, being in the hipster capitol of the U.S., if not the world.

Golden Years

A review of Belle Shoals in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Located at 10 Hope Street in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg, Belle Shoals is a solid whiskey / amber-colored liquid bar. The layout is very similar to the two previous occupants, Good Company and Hope Lounge.  Along with a vintage juke box, the spot is supposed to bring the soul of the South to Williamsburg.  The limited food menu can be best described as Southern-style comfort food.  Like the previous spot, there’s a large outdoor area by the side door.  Overall, we found Bell Shoals to be another great spot for Williamsburg bar hopping.

Belle Shoals