Pub Crawl of New York's coolest bars
Thursday was pub crawl night. Kelley Loftus and David Miller, two transplanted Houstonians and museum professionals (they work at the Whitney Museum), agreed to enlighten us about cool New York pubs.
Kathy Biehl, John and I met them at the Frying Pan on 26th and the Hudson. This open air, on a pier bar not only offers a variety of beers and alcoholic beverages, but ping-pong and foosball opportunities as well. The old barge docked next to the pier hosts live music. BTW, the French Fries are delicious. The gentle rocking of the barge meets the beer consumption to produce an interesting Zanadu feeling.
Then, it was off to the Ear Bar at Spring and Greenwich Ave. Originally, this old pharmacy was located at the edge of the Hudson, but landfill over the years has made it landlocked. During the 60's the building fell into disrepair. Fortunately, a group of Columbia University students discovered the bar and adopted it, restoring it to its present level of just enough old combined with just enough new to make it fun. If you look at the neon Ear sign above the door, you can just see the outline of the B, that stopped reflecting the edges of the B long ago. Thus the way the bar got its name.
The crowd is mostly young professionals meeting for an after work adult beverage, but Harley owners and a more mature crowd also mingle around the benches surrounding the old tree in front of the establishment. The burgers are the best with at least an inch thick patty and roasted potatoes to compliment your beverage.
Just so you know that this crawl was not totally hedonistic, David and Kelley worked! They did two video interviews about NYC museums and pubs. Check these out on You Tube or soon to be posted to this website. Many thanks to both for their great addition to our quest to find the coolest places in New York City.
Cheers!
