September 19, 2011

My friend Kate from One More Folded Sunset has told me about a bar in her neighborhood in Park Slope called Hank’s Saloon, which is a legendary dive bar that’s been on the block for over 100 years. We’ve talked about meeting in there and having a drink or three and today is the day we’ve chosen to do this. Goggla and Ed who you may remember from our Chillmaster outings are also coming along and so are you if you continue to follow this post. It’s right below and here we go.

I was going to meet Goggla and Ed at Coal Yard and then we were going to take the subway to Brooklyn and meet Kate at Hank's.

But Ed got stuck at work, so Goggla and I had a drink at Coal Yard and ventured off to Hank's.

And through the miracle of the internet, here we are at Hank's Saloon in Park Slope, Brooklyn. It looks like a great bar.

Great mural on the side of the bar.

"Tonight...Hank's." I couldn't have summed it up better. It 's almost like Cliff's Notes haiku.

And here's Ed reunited with Goggla. Kate's here too, but she was camera shy so there will be no photos of her. But I thank her for suggesting this outing.

Jeannie is the lovely and friendly bartender on duty. She was part of a photo shoot earlier for a Californai biker magazine, so she was used to posing for photos and happily agreed to have this one taken. She wanted me to inform everyone that there's been rumors of Hank's closing and that they are just that, rumors. Hank's is alive and well, stop in and have a drink or three.

Here's a shot of the bar in all it's glory. It's been on the block for over 100 years and it's named for Hank Williams. The original name of the bar was Do Ray, and the subtitle was, "Where Good Friends Meet." Still true today.

Gumby's all settled in and as always has a mescaline-like smile coloring his green face.

Christmas lights hang over the bar, giving a festive feeling to the place.

The draft beers are illuminated by more Christmas lights.

There's a well-worn pool table in the back of the bar.

And there's a stage for live music in the very back, opposite the pool table.

They have a great jukebox with selections ranging from The Talking Heads to Nina Simone to Frank Sinatra and of course there's Hank Williams tunes as well.

There's a collage on the wall of photos from the bar and I know every one of these pictures tells a story.

A long shot of the classic wooden bar in Hank's.

Speaking of classic, check out this vintage Pabst sign.

Okay, night has fallen and Sabrina has taken over bartending duties from Jeannie.

But before Jeannie leaves, we're reminded from the back of her shirt that Hank's is one sweet ass bar! And it truly is!

And one last look out the window and it's back on the subway to Manhattan. Thanks to Goggla and Ed for hanging out and to Kate for suggesting this fine bar and for meeting us there, a great time was had by all! Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.

Hank’s Saloon
46 3rd Ave (@Atlantic Ave.)
Brooklyn, NY

Further reading: Park Slope Patch, tumblr and Black Book.

You Might Also Like: John, Cougar and Melon Camp.

When I pass by, all the people say,
“Just another guy on the lost highway.”

(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you!)

July 10, 2011

Okay, I realize the posts haven’t been so substantial lately, but it’s been rough trying to do this and having family in town. Yesterday was my niece Casie’s wedding to Anthony. I just wanted to hang out with my family yesterday and enjoy the day, so there’s just two photos. Everyone’s coming back to New York tonight, so this blog will start getting back to normal soon.

Here's my mom and dad with the bride and groom, Casie and Anthony Candarini.

After the wedding and reception I had a final beer in my parents hotel room. Upon leaving I saw this. Aaaahhhh!

Further reading: Wedding Channel, Smoking Hot Waitress.

You might also like: Sgt. Bilko, Cap’n Crunch and Corporal Punishment.

Four Wedding Movies
The Wedding Singer
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Father of the Bride
Bridesmaids

 

When the world seems to shine like you've had too much wine,
That's amore.

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July 8, 2011

As I wrote yesterday, my family’s in town for my niece Casie’s wedding in Brooklyn this Saturday. I have a long weekend off from work and here’s a few snapshots of my travelings to Brooklyn.

And we're off, we're taking the R train to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

Looks like it rained today. I missed it, that's what happens when you sleep until three in the afternoon. But to my credit, I was up drinking beer and watching movies until six in the morning after my horrible night of work.

Bongo drums in Union Square Park.

Oh my god, check it out...

Someone actually reading a book and not texting or yammering away on a cell phone. Amazing!

And it's down into the bowels of the subway we go. It'll be nice to get out of this brightness.

Geez, look at the crowd. This is why I hate traveling around in "normal people hours."

At least there's not a long wait, here's the train. All aboard!

The car is crowded, but I managed to snag a seat.

Check out the Justin Bieber look-a-like. Do you know I've never heard a Justin Bieber song? And I may just keep it that way.

This guy's hypnotized by his cell phone.

So's this guy. Zombie meet Zombie. Ugh.

And through the magic of the internet you're spared a 47 minute ride to Bay Ridge watching people stare at cell phones and other texting devices.

And here's my mom and dad and my brother Tom, who's the father of the bride. Later we met my sister Terry, my brother-in-law Phil and Greg and Mary Beth, my nephew and niece. But I didn't bring my camera, so you'll have to take my word for it. You'll be seeing pictures of them in the next few days.

I took a car service back to Manhattan.

A shot of the Manhattan skyline as I head homeward bound. Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.

New York Memories
I mentioned in yesterday’s post that today was my 18th anniversary of moving to New York and for the next couple of days while documenting my nieces upcoming wedding in Brooklyn, I thought I’d write some New York memories of when I first moved out here.

At the time I decided to move to New York, it was kind of a crazy thing to do. I found out I could cash in my pension plan from my job I had worked in Peoria, Illinois for 13 years and get over twenty thousand bucks which would help me get to New York City and live on freelance writing fees until I found a full time writing gig or a night time job. So I decided to say, “Fuck it,” and I cashed out my retirement fund and moved out here. The first persons I told of this madcap plan were my parents.

I was afraid they would think I was nuts and wanted to break the news to them first. I remember having dinner with them on a Wednesday evening, don’t ask me why I remember that it was a Wednesday, I just do, I’m weird that way. After dinner I told them I had cashed in my pension plan and was going to move to New York City and try to find a place for myself as a writer. After a brief pause my mom said, “Well if you don’t do it now, you may regret it years later.” My dad chimed in with, “And if things don’t work out, you can always move back here and start all over.” I have the coolest parents in the world and I always wonder why an asshole like me got lucky enough to have them. Thanks, Mom and Dad. You’re the best parents ever. It was nice to hang out with them in Brooklyn. More pictures tomorrow.

Further reading: Wikipedia, About.com, and Family In New York.

You might also like: Charlie Brown, Murphy Brown and The Half Empty Glass.

Four Online Articles About Brooklyn Decker
IMDb
Heavy
Huffington Post
Business Insider

As I stood by my window,
And looked out on those,
Brooklyn roads.

ARCHIVES

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