Max Fish is dead, long live Max Fish. Or something like that. The rampant rumors that the longtime pinball, pool, and pick-up joint, (favorite of local skaters, alcoholics, part-time rock stars, and us normal people) is closing remain that – just rumors…for now. So check out the Fish in all it’s wacky-art-galley-cum-dive-bar-with-gross-bathroom glory while you can.
(image via Grub Street)
178 Ludlow St., NY (Lower East Side)
212-529-3959
Ever find yourself craving a delicious, juicy, grilled organic (chicken, beef or veggie) hot dog topped with, say, kimchi or Asian sesame slaw? Or Japanese curry with kimchi apples? Or spicy ketchup, jalapeño mustard, and crushed salt and pepper potato chips? (Can you tell we’re hungry?) Asiadog’s got you covered. Started in the back yard of a friend’s bar, Asiadog has expanded to locations that include the Brooklyn Flea, Central Park’s Summerstage, Terminal 5, and pretty much any in-the-know event. They even opened their own shop on the border of Chinatown, and it’s the perfect place to grab a bite whilst kicking around Nolita or Soho.
(image via mesohungry)
66 Kenmare, between Mott and Elizabeth (Little Italy/Chinatown border)
212-226-8861
No sign, no name (although according to NY mag it’s been dubbed “Woodpussy” by some locals thanks to the wood decor and tons of attractive ladies), and no attitude. Go for the outdoor backyard, good old-fashioneds, aforementioned girls, bartenders with gold teeth and old-school rock and metal tunes.
The Bar Without a Name/No Name Bar
597 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn (Greenpoint)
New Nolita spot Mother’s Ruin makes you feel comfortable the second you get there: no attitude, no door policy, no door-that’s-impossible-to-find, and a crowd of friendly, good-looking neighborhood locals. Owner TJ is usually behind the bar, mixing up tasty cocktails (tip: tell him your poison and let him decide how you’ll drink it), and there’s a great people-watching table positioned right at the large windows that open up onto Spring Street.
Mother’s Ruin
18 Spring St., NY (Nolita)
NYCer’s love their happy hours – wait, have we mentioned that? Pretty much every bar has a happy hour, and we would be here all day long if we listed every single one. Here are some old-school, old NY favorites:
Corner Bistro: $2 mugs of McSorley’s and one of the best burgers in town.
331 W. 4th St. at Jane St. (West Village)
212.242.9502
Gowanus Yacht Club: $2 PBRs and hot dogs, all on an outdoor patio.
323 Smith St., Brooklyn (Carroll Gardens)
718.249.1321
Motor City Bar: 2-for-1 drinks, 4pm – 7pm.
127 Ludlow St. (Lower East Side)
212.358.1595
Niagra: $3 beer and well, 4pm – 8pm
112 Avenue A (East Village)
St. Jerome’s: $2 Buds and Bud Light, 6pm – 12am
155 Rivington St. (Lower East Side)
212.533.1810
Welcome to the Johnson’s: 4:30pm-9pm; $2 PBR, $3 Budweiser and Bud Light, $4 well and beer, $5 call liquor…and a pool table.
123 Rivington St. (East Village)
212.420.9911
So they told you “old New York” was dead, right? As dead as you’d have been 25 years ago if you went past Avenue A? Oh, hell no. Just stop by Handsome Dick Manitoba’s (yes, THE Handsome Dick of Dictators fame) bar in the East Village and drown yourself in cheap beer ($2 bottles during happy hour), smelly bathrooms, and a jukebox full of Ramones, Dead Boys, Dictators, and other punk legends. Here, “old New York” never died.
Manitoba’s
99 Avenue B, NY (East Village)
Dude, having some trouble with your bike (that’d be motorcycle, not fixed-gear)? Take it down to The Shop and while you’re there, have a $6 special: a Bud and plate of barbeque from the shop’s smoker. And yes, this is actually a working garage that just got their beer and wine license and is now a bar, too, sometimes with bands. You gotta wonder if they’re pulling one over on us, but who cares when it’s this fun?
290 Metropolitan Avenue (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
As the name implies, Saint Vitus is a straight-up metal bar with live bands, Kill ‘Em All metal karaoke, and a weekly hardcore night. $3 buns (cheese steak, sausage, bbq tofu and more) sop up booze specials like the Pope: a Coors Banquet tall boy and shot of Tullamore Dew with a Brooklyn Brine pickleback. If we could live here, we would. All hail Saint Vitus.
1120 Manhattan Avenue (Greenpoint, Brooklyn)
We can’t believe we’re quoting It’s A Wonderful Life, but there’s one part in the film where Nick the bartender is all, “Hey look, mister – we serve hard drinks in here for men [ed. note: and women] who want to get drunk fast.” That’s Whiskey Ward and their astonishing selction of whisky. Plus, they have a pool table for all you sharks. Anyone up for a game?
121 Essex Street (Lower East Side)
212-477-2998
BBQ-lovers, you are in luck with Swingbellys. Not only is their food delicious, but they have the following specials that you need to pay close attention to:
Mondays – all-you-can-eat Monster wings for $9.99, and $10 pitchers
Tuesday – Fried chicken night, with 5 pieces, a side, and cornbread for $12.95
Thursdays – $1 rib night. Yes, you heard us – each rib is only ONE DOLLAR. Seriously?
Plus, they have a live surf cam.
(images courtesy Thomas Brookins)
909 West Beech Street, Long Beach
516-431-3464
Quiksilver Pro NY Guide 