Why is an NYC bar and pub crawl site marking this occasion? Well, regular readers of this space know that not only do we enjoy pub crawling, but also enjoy delicious American craft beer. One can argue that the craftbeer revolution we’ve been witnessing around the U.S. for the last three decades began with Samuel Adams Boston Lager, which got its start in Massachusetts. So, if you have a chance today, raise a glass of Sam and toast to Massachusetts and the craft beer revolution.
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A brief review of The Cricketer's Arms in Manhattan's Tribeca
The Cricketer’s Arms, located at 57 Murray Street, is gastro pub in the southern reaches Tribeca in the old Uncle Mike’s space (and A&M Roadhouse, for those who remember that spot). A nice addition to the Murray Street NYC pub crawl, this spot offers some authentic English pub fare (Ploughman’s salad, anyone?). Beer selection numbers around a dozen on tap, with a focus on English beers. A few interesting bottled craftbeers available. Overall, good spot. Definitely something different for Tribeca.
Are new spots opening in Manhattan at a quicker rate than normal?
Maybe it’s just us, but we feel as though since 2013 began, more new spots have been opening than usual. Perhaps it’s just a seasonal thing, or a glut of liquor licenses at the New York State Liquor Authority only recently got approved. Whatever the case, through our usual sources, we are learning of three new bars per week in Manhattan versus the usual rate of one to two. Some new spots we’d like to pub crawl to include The Headless Horseman (near Union Square), Pennsylvania 6 (near Penn Station) and the new location of Milk & Honey (near Madison Square Park). We’ll keep you informed of our progress!
Pubcrawlbrooklyn visits Midtown Manhattan's The Hudson Bond
Located at 215 West 40th Street, The Hudson Bond sort of feels like numerous other Midtown after-work joints. It’s not an Irish pub, so it’s not in the dime-a-dozen category in this part of Midtown, but we didn’t get any super special take-away from it. Large and spacious, Hudson Bond is part restaurant/part bar. Large bar area in the middle, with some seating in the rear and high top tables in the bar area. Friendly, helpful staff and some decent food sets it apart from some other spots in the immediate area, but probably not a place worth going out of your way for. Photos to follow in a future post.
Bars donating all profits to charity
We came across a recent article in the New York Times (full article available here: http://dld.bz/caF3R). This article discusses how a few bars opening across the United States (and beyond) plan to donate all profits to charity permanently. The article did not mention any bars in the five boroughs, though we hope this idea gains momentum and that such bars are able to keep their word. As the NY times articles mentions, it’s hard enough running a profitable business in the food/beverage industry, it’s probably even harder when profits cannot be reinvested back into the business. Here’s hoping that they succeed and that the model is copied numerous times over in the five boroughs. We can imagine a day when we do a NYC bar crawl where we hit many such pubs!
NYC bars we hope to visit this weekend
We’ve heard good things about West Soho’s Houston Hall (222 W. Houston Street). This location neighbors The Brooklyneer, which is our favorite spot in that immediate area (of course, there’s not much else right around there besides ridiculous nightclubs). In addition to Houston Hall, the Upper East Side’s The District has piqued our interest. It sounds as though it’s a gastropub/beer bar type place. The District could be a nice addition to the UES NYC beer bar crawl. We’d also like to check out Dead Rabbit in Manhattan’s Financial District. However, we understand that it’s not yet open for business. Any day now is the word. If you have any suggestions on bars to hit this weekend, please leave a comment!
Pubcrawlbrooklyn's review of Fig 19 on Manhattan's Lower East Side
Located at 131 Chrystie Street, Fig 19 is a sort-of Speakeasy spot with a fairly difficult door. We unlikely would have gained access had we not been there for a birthday party. Located on the floor above the bar Home Sweet Home, Fig 19 offers cocktails in a somewhat relaxed setting (aside from the doorman and the ‘Photographs Prohibited’ sign on the entrance). The space is mostly taken up by a bar just past the entrance with seating opposite the bar and just beyond the bar. If you like these type of places, then it’s worth a visit, otherwise, there are plenty just like it around Manhattan and Brooklyn, without the doorman.
The weekend in NYC bar hopping
We had a chance to visit some new spots and some old spots this weekend. Of the new spots, we enjoyed Vanguard Wine Bar in Manhattan’s Kips Bay neighborhood the most. Solid wine selection and a heckuva cheddar cheese dip. One or two more spots like that and Murray Hill/Kips Bay will have a serious wine bar crawl on its hands. We’ll have more details of our visit in a forthcoming post. Across the street was the reliable Paddy Reilly’s, the only all-Guiness tap bar in Manhattan. Seriously, this place has eight taps (one for each letter in the word Guinness) and each tap pours Guinness. So, we just had to stop in for a pint there. Other notable spots we visited: The Windsor, Marshall Stack and Boulton & Watt.
Manhattan Bars we visited this week
We were able to get some bar hopping done mid-week this week. Among the places we visited were Battery Park City’s Black Hound, Midtown’s (or is it Murray Hill’s) Cash Bar and Murray Bar (these two spots are upstairs/downstairs from each other — same owners). We also visited recently-opened The Royal on Fourth Avenue in the Village (it’s not often you hear Fourth Avenue in Manhattan as an address!). We will have reviews of all these places in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.
A visit to Concrete Bar in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen
Located at 320 West 37th Street, Concrete Bar is a bi-level joint at the western edge of the Garment District. Honestly, we don’t know what to make of the place. The eclectic crowd on both floors was being entertained by the bar’s regular Wednesday night live music, taking place on the upper level. This upper level was fairly small and seemed to be standing room only, aside from the musicians. The lower level, where the bar is, also offers some small lounge style seating. A limited bar food menu is also available. Concrete Bar has regular happy hour specials on both food and drink.
