July 1, 2011

There’s been rumors floating around that tonight is the last night of the Mars Bar. I was there last week and was assured this wasn’t the truth, but just to be safe, I think that’s going to be tonight’s destination. To be honest, it’ll almost be a relief when the place is finally closed. The end is near and it’s kind of like watching a sick relative die. I’m a little tired of thinking about it and this may just be my last night in Mars Bar whether it stays open or not. Okay, I’m officially depressed now, let’s go to Mars Bar, I need a drink or twelve.

And here we are, I'm only going to take a couple pictures tonight, I've documented this place well and will share some of the photos at the bottom of this post. Tonight I just want to enjoy the Mars Bar one last night and have some drinks. So there's just going to be two more new photos here.

So make it one more for my baby...

And one more for the road.

Mars Bar Memories

Goodbye Mars Bar, thanks for the laughs and for all the nice people I've met in there. To Mars Bar and to all those who lost some brain cells inside the place. I salute you and I will miss you. Cheers, beers and love.

Further reading: EV Grieve, The Gog Log, 365 Bars, Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York and Slum Goddess .

You also might like: Pizza Jesus, Cheeseburger Jesus and Jesus Beer.

Four Drinks You Should Never Order At Mars Bar (Or Any Bar For That Matter)
Fancy Nancy
Rainbow Brite Blowing Sunshine Up Your Butt
Wild Squirrel Sex
Daddy’s Milk

Well, that's how it goes,
And Joe, I know you're getting anxious to close,
So thanks for the cheer,
I hope you didn't mind,
My bending your ear,
So make it one for my baby,
And one more for the road.

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Bonus Photo

Here's Danny, who I met last night and agreed to take my photo in the bathroom at Mars Bar. Most bars would frown on you for taking a picture with your pants down while seated on their toilet in front of all the patrons, but at Mars Bar no one even batted an eye as we did this. Only at Mars Bar...only in New York...only for now. Here comes the condominium and the wrecking ball. Look out, here comes tomorrow.

June 29, 2011

Alright, last Tuesday I went out in search of a swizzle stick and for Uncle Waltie, a commenter here and at various other blogs and the man behind the curtain of the International Bar Blog. Sadly, he wasn’t there. I’ve dropped some subtle as a mallot hints on this blog all through the week, that I'd be coming back this Tuesday so let’s if we can find the elusive Uncle Waltie tonight. And besides, this is just too good of an excuse to go to the International Bar two weeks in a row, I didn’t have that luxury last year!

Okay, we'll be taking the F train to the East Village tonight, so it's down we go into the bowels of the Manhattan subway system.

Shit, a train just pulled out of the stop, looks like we'll be waiting awhile. Oh well.

Here comes a train...

But it's the M train...are you seeing this Gene? Where were you when we needed you! (You had to be there folks!)

And after a half an hour, the F train arrives. I think the F stands for Fucking Finally it's here.

And through the magic of the internet, here we are on 1st Avenue. Just a few blocks to go and we're at the International Bar.

Hello.

And here we are at the International Bar. I love the gold leaf logo in the window here.

If you were with us last week, you'll remember Jason on the right who's here with his friend Damian. In addition to working at the International Bar, Jason is a guitarist and a member of CABB. Check them out here: CABB on facebook.

Hooray, here's the lovely and friendly Molly behind the bar...but where's Uncle Waltie?

Well he's right here! Uncle Waltie and I with Sip Ahoy sign balloons. (Please note that "Sip Ahoy" is a patented Uncle Waltie catchphrase, use only with permission!)

Molly joins in on the Sip Ahoy action!

And here's Michael, who I met at P.J. Clarke's last year on the bar crawl! It is indeed a small world, but as Stephen Wright once said, I'd hate to have to paint it.

Sebastian has some great Uncle Waltie stories, but you have to come to the International Bar to here them, I'll never tell!

John made his own sign declaring himself, "Out Of Order." I can identify with that. Shortly after this picture John burst into a one man show of the Mulberry Monologues. It was entertaining and frightening all at the same time. Well worth the price of admission!

Here's the pretty Fatou posing with the Sip Ahoy sign at the bar.

And here's Lydia, looking lovely while waiting for a drink. Sip Ahoy!

And a final shot of the lovely Lydia, the elusive Uncle Waltie and half of Gumby.

Sip Ahoy and see you all tomorrow after dark.

International Bar
120 1/2 First Avenue (Near 7th St.)
212-777-1643

Further reading: Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York, EV Grieve, Shecky’s and Time Out New York.

You also might like: Neon, Freon and Leon.

Four International Men
Austin Powers
International Man of Leather
Linley Edwards
Uncle Waltie

I've been a long lost soul,
For a long, long time.

ARCHIVES

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Bonus Link Sent In From Tim “Clacky” Clack!

Aaaaahhh! (Wait until about 2:02 into the video.)

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Bonus Sip Ahoy Word Balloons from Jaws!

Jaws made these custom-made word balloons for my next meeting with Uncle Waltie! Thanks Jaws and Sip Ahoy!

June 27, 2011

(Above photo by Goggla.)

Today is Sunday and a special day. The day can be summed up in four words: Chillmaster Dance Party Two! (If you missed the first one, check it out: Chillmaster Dance Party One.)

We're all going to meet at the Mars Bar as we did last time. I wonder if we'll be able to meet here for the third one? Sadly, that's doubtful, but time will tell. There's the owner Hank seated out front as usual, I've got a present for him...

It's a poster of the collage I did for the art show at Mars Bar the other week.

And here we are inside Mars. Where is everybody?

There's Lindsay and Shawn, right behind me.

And pretty soon the whole group is assembled. From left, Shawn, Yours Fooly, Lindsay, Ray, Goggla and Eric. Time to head to the Chillmaster's and get this party going!

And here we are at the famous Chillmaster window...but wait a second, that's not the Chillmaster...

It's Chillmaster's son, Chillmaster, Jr. He explained that Chillmaster had to run out for a minute, but we were welcome to go in and wait till he got back. So that's exactly what we did.

An empty Chillmaster chair. Now that's one sad sight!

A couple late additions to the party were Bob...

And Eden A.K.A. Slum Goddess who's taking a picture of Bob. Eden sings and plays in Eden & John's East River String Band. Check them out here and buy a CD or two.

And here he is, the Chillmaster himself! The Hennessy is poured...(Above photo by Goggla.)

And the chilling begins.

I brought the Chillmaster a baby Jesus candle, he lights it up...

And into the window it goes.

Part of the fun of hanging out at the Chillmaster's is watching the world go by his window.

People look in...

And they almost always smile!

Another late addition is Kate, who's chilling with the Chillmaster.

Even Gumby is chilling the fuck out.

This is a Chillmaster DANCE party, so the Chillmaster points the remote control...

And sweet soul music is blaring out of the massive Chillmaster sound system. Everybody dance now!

Here's Lily, the Chillmaster's pretty neighbor, she immediately got into the groove.

Lily, Lindsay and Goggla chill out on the couch.

Night's fallen and the party is winding down.

This man gives his regards to the Chillmaster from out in the street.

Empty bottles and glasses are the sign of the end of another successful Chillmaster Dance Party. See you tomorrow after dark.

When you enter the Chillmaster Lair all cares and worries are checked at the door as you enter a world of soul music blasted at deafening levels while watching the world parade by outside on the sidewalk throught the Chillmaster window. It’s a glorious time where inhibitions are dropped and life becomes one big why the fuck not?

Thanks to the Chillmaster for throwing another great Dance party and for all the fellow Chillers for showing up.

And thanks to EV Grieve for a wonderful blog and the post that started this whole thing!

Further reading: EV Grieve, The Gog Log, One More Folded Sunset, Neither More Nor Less and Single Linds Reflex.

You might also like: Ice Cubes, Iced Coffee and Ice T.

Four Other Chill Things
Alaska
Meat Lockers
Chili con carne
Chile

I’m a soul man!

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Bonus Photos from Shawn!

Shawn sent in three excellent shots he took yesterday and here they are. Thanks, Shawn!

June 26, 2011

Live from New York, it’s Cheeseburger Saturday Night! Starring Whitmans and special guest stars, two thirds of the BBC, Gene and Smoopy! And featuring the ready for prime beef player, Marty Wombacher. Ladies and gentlemen please welcome Whitman’s, Gene and Smoopy!

Okay, off to meet Gene and Smoopy at Whitmans, the home of my favorite New York City cheeseburger. It's closing in on 9PM and it's still light out, one of the few things I hate about summer. It's too bright!

I'm running a little late so I flagged a cab to get there quicker.

Okay, it's just around the corner from here.

Told you so, here it is!

And look who's outside, the cute and lovely Claire who you should remember from last time I was here.

And through the magic of the internet, here she is behind the counter.

And she happily serves up an ice-cold Genesee, time to find Gene and Smoopy.

And here they are at a table up front, Gene and Smoopy, two thirds of the BBC! I'm starting to wonder whatever happened to the third BBC member, Terry. Terry if you're out there and still alive, let us know! Some of us are worried about you!

And here we are, together again performing the time-honored tradition of the wearin' of the Genesee while Smoopy tells us to quit acting like idiots.

Okay time to order. Gene and I got the infamous Juicy Lucy burger and Smoopy got a swiss cheeseburger. I took shots of them, but they didn't turn out so use your imagination.

But here's a shot of my Juicy Lucy burger! I swear this is the best cheeseburger in New York City! Delicious!

For the sides we got the homemade potato chips and sweet potato fries.

Burp.

Okay, out the door for a nightcap.

We decided to continue the Lucy theme and have a drink at Lucy's. One of the best bars in the East Village.

Inside I see a familiar face.

Lucy! She remembered me from when I was in here for the 365 bar crawl and posed for this photo with me. One of the sweetest ladies ever!

Smoopy and Gene's tongues are wagging.

And after a couple drinks it's time to call it a night. Thanks to Gene and Smoopy for stopping by and we'll see you all tomorrow after dark.

My Meal
I had the same meal I had when I came here the first time, The Juicy Lucy and the homemade potato chips. It was just as good as that one and you can read about here: Original review of Whitmans.

Cheeseburger Rating:
4 Wimpys, the best there is!

Whitmans
406 E. 9th St. (Near 1st Ave.)
212-228-8011

Further reading: Always Hungry, DMANBURGER, facecrack and Twitter.

You also might like: Paper Towels, Paper Roses and Paper Lion.

Four Other Whitmans
Slim Whitman
Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman High School (Room 222)
Whitman’s Chocolates

My girl had told us that she was,
A niece of Walt Whitman.

ARCHIVES

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June 22, 2011

Okay if it’s Tuesday, this must be Belgium swizzle stick night. The night where I go out in search of the ever elusive swizzle stick from a bar. Well, tonight I’m searching for more than a swizzle stick, I’m searching for Uncle Waltie. Uncle Waltie comments here and at two of my favorite blogs, Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York and EV Grieve. I think I met Uncle Waltie last year on my bar crawl. It was at the International Bar in the East Village and a fellow who’s picture I took said he was known as “Unkle Waltie.” And told me to spell the “Uncle” with a “K.” After that I started noticing comments from an Uncle Waltie at EV Grieve and Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York. And lately Uncle Waltie has been leaving comments here. Could this be the same Uncle Waltie I met almost a year ago? The only way to find out is to go the International bar and find out!

It's a nice night out and I've got the night off from work, so we'll walk there.

It's not really that different, it's just backwards, like so much stuff lately.

Records behind bars!

I've always wondered if EV Cheese is any relation to EV Grieve? Maybe Uncle Waltie knows.

And here we are (and yeah, I know this is the same photo from 365 bars, like an idiot I forgot to take a photo of the front of the bar, oh well, it still looks the same anyway.)

It's nice and dark in here, just the way I remember it from last year.

I take a seat in the back of the bar, so far no signs of Uncle Waltie.

But Molly's here and while they don't have swizzle sticks here, she dressed my drink up really nice!

See?

And she even topped it off with this knife. She wisely removed it as I started drinking.

Deja view, here's Elaina and Roger who I met here last year.

Jason was behind the bar in a classic Coke t-shirt.

Molly poses with a friend at the bar.

Nadir and Fozzie at the bar, they both work at Hi-Fi, which I keep meaning to stop at, maybe I'll go there next week.

Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk!

Joseph and Kate were seated next to me and we swapped tales about living in New York City.

I love the vintage cash register in here.

Even the beers are dressed up in here tonight, I think I started a trend.

Here's Liz posing with Molly.

And here's Molly with Sonia, this is the friendliest place in town!

You gotta love a jukebox that has vintage Rolling Stones next to Tom T. Hall.

Tyler has no idea where Uncle Waltie is. Oh well, maybe next time.

Before I leave I pose for a shot with Molly.

Empty drinks and umbrellas means it's time to head home.

Aaaaahhhh!

International Bar

The International Bar is a dark and friendly New York bar with inexpensive drinks and a great jukebox. It’s the type of place that you can walk into alone and immediately feel like a regular in here, even if it’s your first time at the bar. There’s a lot of shitty things happening in the East Village and in New York City, happily, this is not one of those things. The International Bar is open early and stays open late, so stop by and have a drink and say hi. You’ll be happy if you do.

International Bar
120 1/2 First Avenue (Near 7th St.)
212-777-1643

Further reading: Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York, EV Grieve, NY Magazine and Grub Street.

You also might like: Sticky Rice, Sticky Wickets and Sticky Fingers.

 Four Famous Uncles
Uncle Miltie
Uncle Ernie
Uncle Charlie
The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Do you remember, Walter, playing cricket in the thunder and the rain?
Do you remember, Walter, smoking cigarettes behind your garden gate?

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June 14, 2011

Thanks to everyone for leaving nice comments and again, I apologize for missing a day. I’ve got a few things going on in my personal life (yes, I do have one of those!) and it’s fucking around with me a little bit. It’s nothing life-changing, but I don’t want to blog about it and hopefully everything will work out. I appreciate all the nice comments yesterday, it really helped.

Today I’m going to put up the photos of going to PKNY last Sunday night. I was going to go every Sunday and drink my way through the menu, but now I think I’ll go more like once a month, otherwise it’s going to be the same post every week and I think it would get old. But I went Sunday and had a good time and below is the proof!

Due to the summertime, it's still light outside even though it's almost eight o'clock at night.

But inside PKNY it always feels like midnight. It's dark inside and no windows, a true oasis where you can relax and let your troubles float away.

And there's Val down at the end of the bar.

And here's Kigan, Val's bar back for the night. It's time to start the tiki drinks.

Val suggested a strong drink first, so I ordered up the cobra and he and Kigan went into action. Like I said last week, it's like performance art watching these two make a tiki cocktail. Sit back and enjoy the show as they go into action!

And here's the finished product! Nice work by Val and Kigan!

Fred was seated next to me at the bar, he own his own business, Quality Plus Cleaning. If you'd like to talk to him about his cleaning services his phone number is: 914-486-1056.

Areeb and Nikki were enjoying drinks on my left hand side and Val took a shot of them.

And Val serves up drink number two, the Miami Vice. Three words: Philip Michael Thomas.

A shot of Nikki enjoying one of the massive drinks in here.

These people were enjoying themselves in the back and really got into the mood by keeping their sunglasses on!

Val gave me one last drink on the house, but I forgot what to ask what it was. But it was delicious!

And one parting shot with Areeb and Nikki and it was time to call it a night. Goodnight everybody and we'll see you tomorrow after dark.

The Drink List
What I’ve had from the menu so far.
1. Bermuda Swizzle
2. Spiced Duke
3. Hemmingway
4. Papa Doble
5. 1958 Zombie
6. Cobra
7. Miami Vice
8. ????? (On the house cocktail I forgot to get the name of.)

PKNY
49 Essex St. (between Grand & Hester Sts.)
212-777-8454

Further reading: Shecky’s, Off The Broiler and Oyster Food and Culture.

You also might like: Biting Your Nails, Eating Some Snails and Living in Wales.

Five Other Tikis

Tiki Torches

Tiki Woman Lightswitch Cover

Don Tiki

Tiki Barber

Knuckles Tiki Bar

When I go swimming, I am always dressed in style,
'Cause I go swimming wearing just a great, big, smile.

ARCHIVES

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Bonus Announcement!

My friends Karen and Jon from Grade "A" Fancy are going to be part of an event tomorrow night called "Drink Think." Sadly I have to work, but if you can make it, you should check it out. Here's the details about the evening that Karen and Jon sent in.

We will be reading (yes we can!) at the next Drink.Think event on Wednesday, June 15, at Lolita Bar (corner of Broome & Allen Sts.). Come at 6:30 to drink at the bar; readings start at 7pm.  We fear it will be packed -- it was listed in Wednesday's Times and in Time Out. Here's the line-up of actual beverage & food writers they're letting us mingle with:

• Betsy Andrews, deputy editor, Saveur Magazine and author of several poetry books
• Talia Baiocchi, wine columnist, Eater.com New York
• Joshua M. Bernstein, author, Brewed Awakening
• Toby Cecchini, spirits and cocktail writer for The New York Times Magazine
• David Farley, travel writer and author, An Irreverent Curiosity
• Karen McBurnie and Jon Hammer, publishers of Grade “A” Fancy
• Karen Ulrich, wine writer
• Megan Wiig, wine ambassador and writer
• And our hostess, Kara Newman.

More info is available at www.drinkthinkreadings.com.

June 6, 2011

Last week I went to Painkiller for swizzle stick night. While they didn’t have the elusive glass swizzle stick, they did deliver the goods with this killer of a swizzler.
I also found out that they have added some drinks to the menu since the last time I was there. They now have 110 custom made drinks to choose from! As soon as I found that out, I knew what needed to be done. I had to drink the entire menu! Not all at one sitting, but I’m going every Sunday until I drink my way through the list. Why? Well, to quote a certain Lucas Jackson, it’ll be something to do.

And here we are at Painkiller. I love the fact there's not some flashy sign outside, jut the words "Tiki Bar" on the door. It kind of gives the place a clubhouse feel.

Here we are inside the bar...hey, that looks like a familiar fellow at the bar...

It's Shawn Chittle who accompanied me to Coney Island the other week!

And here's another familiar face, Val the bartender! This guy's a real pro and one of the best bartenders I've ever seen.

And here's the first drinks of the evening!

Cheers!

Kigan was one of the bar back's on duty this Sunday evening...

And Colin was the other bar back assisting Val in bartenderly duties.

And here's drink number two from the menu, a Spiced Duke. It was delicious. I'll list all the drinks I had this evening at the bottom of the post.

Part of the fun of hanging out at Painkiller is watching the making of a drink. It's a complex thing and kind of performance art. Here's Val and Kigan making my third drink.

And the finished product, the Papa Dobie. Great work, guys!

Here I am with Ian, one of the owners of Painkiller and a real nice guy. Ian's also one of the owners of Hundred Weight Ice.

Here's a classic New York photo of Ian's mom and some of her friends at a club in the '70's. Ian wasn't sure which one it was, but I'm betting money it was Max's Kansas City.

Val took a shot of me chatting with Dasha and Robert who were having drinks at the bar.

Here's Val making a flaming Scorpion bowl for a party in the back.

Wow, the fire is really crackling. Fire!

It's ready for delivery!

And here I am sampling it with the pretty ladies in the back booth who ordered it. Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.

The Drink List
What I had from the menu.

1. Bermuda Swizzle
2. Spiced Duke
3. Hemmingway
4. Papa Doble
5. 1958 Zombie
Next week I’ll try to make more of a dent in the menu!

Painkiller
49 Essex St. (between Grand & Hester Sts.)
212-777-8454

Further reading: NY Eater, NY Times, Grub Street and Tiki Central.

You Might Also Like: Mike and Ike.

Four Hawaiian Things
Hawaiian Punch
Hawaii Five 0
Hawaiian Luau
Hawaii Blog

Daddy Long Legs!

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June 5, 2011

Live from New York, it’s Cheeseburger Saturday Night! Starring S’MAC and featuring the ready for prime beef player, Marty Wombacher. And now, live from the East Village of New York City, please welcome, S’MAC!

I read a post over at EV Grieve about S'MAC taking over a kiosk in the East Village and I realized I hadn't been there for a while. S'MAC is a restaurant that specializes in mac and cheese and they have a cheeseburger mac and cheese. I decided that would be a fun twist on Cheeseburger Saturday Night, so it's off to S'MAC we go. But first a beer, I'm slowly restocking the fridge and it's a little better than the other night when Clacky and Uncle Waltie were disappointed in the number of beers in my fridge.

And it's off we go, wow, it's really nice outside. I love this time of year.

Lots of people in Union Square Park.

Surprise, Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradox.)

Here we are!

Let's go in, i'm starvin' like Marvin over here!

There's a line, but it's moving quickly.

And before you know it, I've placed my order with the lovely Carla who serves me up a bottle of beer. The last time I was here they didn't serve beer, but now they not only have beer, but there's wine as well!

I wanted to sit in a window seat, but they were all taken, so I chose this table.

Here's the view from my perch at the table.

In keeping with the mac and cheese theme of the place, orange is the predominant color in here. Orange chairs...

Orange lights...

And an abandoned orange drink on the counter. Orange you glad we came here? Sorry about that!

And before you know it, here's Carla with the mac and cheese!

The mac and cheese is served bubbling hot, in its own metal skillet. Nice presentation and it looks and smells great!

Very cheeseburgery and delicious!

Burp.

Obligatory bathroom mirror shot! Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.

My Meal
I had the Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese which combines seasoned ground beef with cheddar and Amercan cheeses. It was creamy, a little spicy and very delicious. Other styles of mac and cheese include: 4-Cheese, The All American, Cajun and Buffalo Chicken. You can also build your own mac and cheese with 14 kinds of cheese to choose from and you can mix in veggies, beef and poultry including: broccoli, slab bacon, hot dogs and roasted tomatoes. The mac and cheese come in four sizes depending on your appetite. They also offer side salads and cookies and brownies for dessert. And they have beer now!

S’MAC
345 East 12th Street (Between 1st and 2nd)
212-358-7912

Further reading: New York Magazine, Time Out New York, Laughting Squid and Lonely Planet.

You Might Also Like: 15, 16 and Seventeen.

Four Other Macs
Mac Davis
Ian “Mac” McLagan
Big Mac
Little Mac

Come like a lightning flash, a lightning flash,
And it's a silk sash bash, a silk sash bash,
That's the 48 Crash.

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