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.

Located at 215 West 40^th 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.

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.

Located at 320 West 37^th 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.

Located at 508 9^th Avenue, Scallywag’s picks up where Albert Hall Tavern left off (though this address has turned over numerous times in recent years – before Albert Hall was 508 Sports Lounge, preceded by The Door).  Eighteen tap beers and numerous flatscreen TVs for sports viewing.  Beyond the front bar area is a small dining area up a few steps in the back.  Unfortunately, the Guinness here is not nearly as good as the Guinness at Dolan’s across the street and up a block.

Located at 533 9^th Avenue, Dolan’s is a small Irish Pub located in the shadow of the Port Authority building (just about directly across the street from the NYC classic dive, Holland Bar).  Dolan’s features only one tap serving beer and that beer is?  Guinness.  We can’t remember the last Irish pub we visited that had exactly one tap.  Anyway, the Guinness pour is fantastic, probably one of the better pours in all of Manhattan.  The food menu features a mix of bar food and Irish classics (or, at least, Irish classics that you find in the U.S.).  If there were a Ninth Avenue Irish NYC pub crawl, this would be a great addition.

Located at 206 West 41^st street, Bar Catalonia takes over in the spot formerly known as Bar 41.  Much more laid back than its predecessor, Bar Catalonia is the hostel bar for the Equity Point Hostel, just as Bar 41 was the hotel bar for Hotel 41.  Long, somewhat narrow space with a small bar, much of the place is taken up by low lying seating and cartoon and caricature art along the wall opposite the bar.  There are eight tap beers and a limited hard liquor and wine selection.  We had a happy hour Bronx Brewery Pale Ale for just $5.  Very good happy hour price for this part of town.  Overall, it’s worth a visit if you’re in the nabe.

Basically a redux of Bill’s Gay Nineties, which in early 2012.  Bill’s Food & Drink, located at 57 East 54th Street in Midtown Manhattan, picks up where its predecessor left off.  We were not regulars at the original Bill’s, but not much looks different. Honestly, if we had not known that the original had closed in early 2012 and walked in today, we would not have known there was a discontinuity in service and change in ownership.  The only thing that changed in appearance is the name (and that only slightly).  After speaking with the bartender, we learned that the food menu became more upscale.  Still, a good spot for lunch or an afterwork drink.

Located at 153 Essex Street, Two Bit’s Retro Arcade brings Barcade-like fun to Manhattan.  Unfortunately, Two Bit’s falls a bit short of Barcade bliss.  Two Bit’s space is long and somewhat narrow.  Arcade games line both sides of the space until the back half of the room, where the bar is on the right and a few tables at the rear.  Nearly a dozen tap beers, as well as some wines and sake.  Bar snacks also available.  Two Bit’s gets crowded fairly quickly, so, if you want the run of the place, it’s probably a good idea to visit during the afternoon or early evening.

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.