Warren 77

When you think of sports bars you usually imagine cheap beer and heavy male dominated clientele. You rarely think of a sports bar owned by a dude that actually plays professional sports. Welcome to Warren 77 owned by probably the most hated man in the NHL Sean Avery.

Not just any sports bar with loud sound systems and flat draft beer, this Tribeca establishment takes cool to a new level. They decor is vintage (but classic) action shots from American sports history. Pull up to the reverse "L" shaped bar and check out their menu. I recommend the mussels and friends, which you can kind of see being made through this tiny window that just exposes the the chef's head making it look like he is trapped behind a wall with only a stove. Once you see it, you will understand exactly what I mean.
What really makes Avery's bar cool, other than the decor, furniture, food.....is the sit down 2 player Pacman machine. I have been dying to have one of these in my home for the last 14 years. It is the single greatest video game machine out there including a screen that flips when it is your friends turn as well as a built in cup holder for your beer. These things cost at a minimum $2,000 so I don't see one making it's way to my apartment anytime soon. The sit down Pacman has several other games but we know the little yellow dude is the only one that matters.

Make Warren 77 your next stop when you are trying to find a cool place to watch a game.

Warren 77

77 Warren St

New York, NY 10007
(212) 227-8994
http://www.warren77nyc.com/

dell'anima

Located in the heart of the West Village, this establishment is located just off Eighth Avenue and a stone's throw (assuming you didn't play soccer growing up) from Corner's Bistro which we all know as the most famous burger joint in the Big Apple. Be sure to have a reservation because even though dell'anima is relatively new, it has quickly become a hot spot and it's limited seating space makes walk-in dining essentially impossible. Partially owned by a former professional athlete & Ivy League grad (sup Joey B) the clientele is usually quite chic.

My recommendation is to get there about 10 minutes before your meal so you can have a drink at the bar which will be to your right as you enter. Also, as mentioned with the limited seating your reservation is almost never right on time so plan on a few glasses of wine while you wait. This is a great date spot although I don't recommend it as a first date spot because the menu is relatively complex and personally I think a place this nice for a first date is relatively cliche. Regardless of your purpose for dining the food is still delicious. If available, I like the bar to the back left where you can sit facing the 5 ft x 5ft kitchen and watch all the meals be prepared. I enjoyed the delicious Skirt Steak braised endive marmalata, salsa verde, orange, mint.

Good wine, better food, best ambiance makes for a delightful night out. It was my birthday on my most recent trip so that doesn't hurt the good time either.

dell'anima
38 8th Avenue
New York, NY 10014-1803
(212) 366-6633
http://www.dellanima.com/

Ace Bar

Skee ball is probably the best arcade game out there. Throw that in the mix with a dive bar that serves dirt cheap PBR and I'm good to go. Ace Bar has more than just skee ball to attract dumb guys like my friends and me. They have pool tables and a trio of Buckhunter machines.

Some of the so called "dive bars" in NYC are contrived and try too hard to be a dive. Ultimately resulting in an attitude that contradicts the entire premise of a dive bar. This East Village hang out stays true to it's roots with cheap specials and acting host to a skee ball league. My first venture at Ace Bar was a Sunday in the Spring and we left a perfectly sunny day to enter this very dark establishment only to return to pitch dark about 5 hours later.

I had heard plenty of this place but had to try it out myself and was pleasantly surprised. Go find Ace Bar for yourself and enjoy your PBR with a side of skee ball. Don't forget to check out the lunch box collection either.

Ace Bar
531 E 5th St
New York, NY 10009
(212) 979-8476
http://www.acebar.com/

Hill Country Barbecue Market

A famous man (really not famous) once said, "If I had three hands I'd kill myself." This man was referring to his passion for eating when a large delicious meal was siting in front of him. I love this man and owe him a lot so I wanted to start off mentioning DJU. He would love Hill Country in the Flatiron section of the city. See exhibit A to the right.

This eatery is ideal for gluttonous groups of men with big appetites. Before you get by the lady with the rope (once you go you'll know what I mean, right Gresh?), you have to decide whether the entire group is going to order from the menu or go with the All You Can Eat menu. What kind of sick challenge of manhood is this for six 28 year old former college athlete meat heads? Obvi AYCE was our decision. Upstairs seems like the place to be at first glance but the basement is where it's at. Long wooden tables make for the family style eating environment. At the end of the long room is a small stage where they have live music which I'm told brings some pretty good honky tonk acts. We saw no live music as it was a Fall Monday evening so football was on the big screen.

You MUST order the green bean casserole, the baked beans and the mac 'n' cheese. The corn bread is delicious too. Now, for the main platter it has chicken, huge ribs & my favorite, the brisket. Buckets of PBR went well with the meal as well. I walked out of there a good 10 pounds heavier. You really couldn't drink that much beer if you were planning on going to business on the food.

I had never heard of Hill Country, but I highly recommend you find this place for yourself and treat yourself to a night of guilty pleasures.

Hill Country Barbecue Market
30 West 26th Street
New York, NY 10010-2062
(212) 255-4544
http://www.hillcountryny.com/

Cellar Bar

I love Bryant Park, everything about it. It's one of those places in the city that when you go, you find yourself saying, "why don't we come here more often". Only steps away from the plush green lawn of the park is the beautiful Bryant Park Hotel and only a few more steps under the hotel is the must go to Cellar Bar. So, get your stylish gear on and head to the cruxes of the Bryant Park hotel for this luxury lounge.

Make sure you are prepared to spend some dough for the drinks & atmosphere, but for this place I believe it's well worth it. Cellar Bar is a great happy hour spot usually filled with attractive women and suits trying to court them. The decor is simple and the 1924 architecture really steals the show. The hotel was built as the American Radiator Building which was a Gothic Art Deco. Darkness and the beats of a the DJ set the mood and make it surprisingly cozy. Try to get a table/bench area because otherwise there isn't much room to sit and get comfortable. Once you establish some real estate let the waitresses take care of you and sit back to enjoy the scene.



Make your way through Cellar Bar either after work one night or as a starting place for the night. If you live in NYC, you have to make it a point to stop by this basement Bryant Park spot.

Cellar Bar
40 W 40th St
New York, NY 10018
(212) 869-0100
http://www.bryantparkhotel.com/

Balthazar Restaurant

Grab your skinny jeans (Cheech) and your ridiculous Ray Bans (that we all know look stupid) and head on down to Balthazar for Sunday brunch. This place has a very fashion forward crowd with quite a European feel. Despite the very trendy scene, the Spring Street eatery was still a fun place to dine.

The atmosphere is just cool with the old school tile floors and massive mirrors lining the walls. While waiting for a table, make your way to the bar on your right and start the mouth watering if you take one look at the raw bar in the back. My only gripe is when a place is "proud of their beer" as my Pops would say. All I mean by this is there is no reason why any bar/restaurant should charge $10 for a draft Stella when everyone knows the max should be $6. They must make be pouring it from the platinum kegs as oppose to the traditional aluminum ones.

The food was still really good despite my negatively. I had Bar Steak with Pomme Frites and my lovely date had the Salad Nicoise with seared tuna. My steak was cook perfectly however could have been seasoned better. The fries were all that. Everyone I noticed had fries at their table and I know why. I enjoyed my overall experience at Balthazar although it was slightly over priced for the final product. Definitely worth hitting up once because at the end of the day it is a very cool scene, especially on Sunday afternoon.

Balthazar Restaurant

80 Spring Street

New York, NY 10012

(212) 965-1414

http://www.balthazarny.com/

Comix

If I went to comedy clubs as many times as I say, "we should go to a comedy club tonight" then I would actually have a shot of picking something up and being remotely funny. Instead, I continue to put it off and usually only venture to a show once a year on a drunken New Years Day w/ my buddy John John.

I recently had another "we should go" moment and finally followed through with it and headed to Comix on West 14th. Right in the nexus of NYC nightlife where the Meat Packing meets West Village meets Chelsea, this place is awesome for more than just it's comedy. Perfect for an early show then a stroll down to Gansevoort for a different kind of entertainment. Comix has a very cool main bar/lounge area which makes you forget you are even in a comedy club. There is also a smaller basement lounge with much less seating and a small stage where it appears as if they have open mic.

My most recent trip was a great experience with very inexpensive drinks for the Happy Hour special and great food as we were watching the opening acts. The best part was obviously the main act which was Craig Robinson, better known as Darrell from The Office. Needless to say, he was hilarious. I highly recommend youtubing some of his stand up. Ultimately, Comix gets good headliners and combine that with it's cool pregame scene makes it an over all great place to seek out.


Comix Comedy Club

353 West 14th Street

New York, NY 10014

(212) 524-2500

http://www.comixny.com/

il Vagabondo

Nothing says Italian culture better than bocce with friends prior to a meal. il Vagabondo is an Upper East Side land mark that has been around since the Sixties. Equipped with a full boche court in it's original dining room, this place has more character than plenty. Oh, and before I forget...the food is totally legit as well.

You could easily walk right by on your way down to 1st Avenue as you are basically just north of the Queensboro Bridge. Once you enter there is a small cozy bar on your right where you can grab a fine Italian beer if your table is not ready. Let it be known that there are two dining rooms; you have the nice one on the right and you have the bad ass one with the bocce court on the left. Obviously I always opt for the left with the red & white checkered table clothes. If you have aspirations of playing bocce you will need patience as it can sometimes be a wait. Put your name in on the board and sit down for drinks and appetizers. I recommend the Baked Stuff Mushrooms and the Antipasto.

Main courses are tough to go wrong with such classic Italian preparation. Whatever you choose, YOU MUST order a side dish of meatballs. Hopefully during this time, you were able to finagle a game of bocce in with some friends. Overall, search and find il Vagabondo and strap yourself in for a classic dining experience with a unique twist of bocce.

il Vagabondo
351 East 62nd Street

New York, NY 10021
(212) 832-9221

http://www.ilvagabondo.com/

nublu LLC

You like hidden places? If you want to take your friends to an underground place none of them have ever heard of, the East Village's nublu is the place for you. With nothing but a nondescript blue neon light to distinguish this establishment, you can walk by this live music hub very easily. When you walk in, you literally feel like you just went through a secret passage into a room that no one on the outside knows exists.

Be warned, this place is dark and you won't find any Lacoste shirts in this crowd. What you will find is a surprisingly spacious music venue that presents an eclectic array of music genres and bands. Hit up the bar on the left and order 2 drinks per person so you can get yourself situated and enjoy the music.

If the music is too loud or you just need a break from the scene, head straight to the back where the nublu Garden is located. This is a great place to chill, smoke or whatever you might want to do in the outdoor area.

Maybe I'm just a geek, but I love places that are off the beaten path and not a total cliche. If you feel the same, this is your next live music destination.

nublu LLC
62 Avenue C
New York, NY 10009-6916
(212) 375-1500
http://www.nublu.net/

Ed's Lobster Bar

Size & high prices don't always guarantee a good restaurant. It is always such a pleasure when you find a place that is small, quaint and moderately priced. Ed's Lobster Bar gave me just that pleasure I was looking for. After reading about it on Urban Daddy, I sought out this SoHo seafood paradise. Located just south of Spring Street near La Esquina, this establishment is very contrary in price, seating & attitude.

I ventured to Ed's on a Summer Thursday and was delighted with the service as well as the food. Famous for their Lobster Roll, I decided to go a different route and go with a special that night which included lobster & vegetables over linguini in a fra diablo sauce; it was unbelievable. They had a great selection of seasonal beers which was music to my ears, I went with the Lobster Ale. One thing that I was disappointed in was that Ed's Lobster Bar serves it's city renowned Lobster Bisque chilled in the Summer. I had to settle for the Baked Clams Oreganato and New England clam chowder which were both official.

Our table was tiny like the few others that are in the joint but the bar is where most of the action is going down. It is a long white marble top that is idea for eating. If you by chance can't get a table, have a seat at the bar and I promise you will enjoy this seafood paradise. Lastly, don't forget your complimentary Chocolobsters while you are paying the bill






Ed's Lobster Bar
222 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 343-3236
http://www.lobsterbarnyc.com/

M1-5 Lounge

Similar to many of Patrick Bateman's walking routes, this desolate Tribeca street seems quietly scary until you walk into M1-5 Lounge. Try this place on a weekend night and it certainly won't be quiet.

This place is huge with the main floor surfacing 5000 sq ft with 18 ft high ceilings. The lofty ceilings accentuate the lavish, red-drenched walls, but the jukebox, pool table and dartboard maintain M1-5's neighborhood tavern vibe. The club name refers to the bar's zoning code. In the 1960s, the city allowed artists to live in this light manufacturing district, given that they manufactured art. Fortunately for local artists, the place is mildly priced with $5 beers and mixed drinks. I was personally shocked at my final tab being much less than I expected.

The clientele at this venue is usually heavily female dominated as the DJ is usually spinning great dance music. Raised on a small elevated stage/platform, my last encounter he had the crowd rocking to Michael Jackson mashed up with some current rap hits.

M1-5 is an enjoyable stop if you're in Tribeca looking for something you know will be solid.


M1-5 Lounge
52 Walker St

New York, NY 10013

212-965-1701

http://www.m1-5.com/

The Little Owl

New York is great for a lot of things, but establishments with character are what I without a doubt love the most. The Little Owl is anything short of character.

This place is also not much of a secret as it is damn near impossible to get a reservation on within a 3 day window. Now, normally the places that are the "in" spot to go to end up sucking, being overpriced and having way too much 'tude for my liking. The Little Owl tries to defunk such a reputation with friendly service and a comfortable scene. Our reservation for 3 was for 9:45pm and the host told us our table was not ready yet so he was kind enough to recommend we head around the corner to AOC wine bar for a drink. We took heed of his advice and enjoyed ourselves.

Once you sit down, you have to get right into the baked clams. These things are big and delicious. I also saw the gravy meatball sliders which we passed on but I was pissed we did. I had the NY Strip which was cooked perfectly but was slightly more fatty than I would like. One of my 2 lovely dates had the crispy chicken with brussel sprout homefries, this dish was unbelievable. Everyone shared the fries and these are a must.

As a hefty eater, I was slightly underfed with the smaller portions but overall it was a great meal and reasonably priced including our wine selection.

One random cool thing to add to this cozy joint is the loft area immediately to your right when you walk in. It has seating for 2 people and you are perched a good 5 feet above the rest of the tables which is strange, but also kind of cool. The long and short of it is The Little Owl is rich with character and the food is enjoyable as well. Good luck with the res but once you secure one definitely make a stop when in the West Village.

The Little Owl
90 Bedford Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 741-4695
http://www.thelittleowlnyc.com/

Arthur's Tavern

A comedian I like named Mike Birbiglia said in an act, "usually jazz is cool...but sometime jazz can suck" and went on to berate Kenny G. Anyway, Arthur’s Tavern has the kind of jazz that doesn't suck. Located technically in the West Village because it is on the west side of 7th ave, this place has much more of a Christopher Street flavor than a swanky vibe. Entertaining New York City since 1937 this place claims to have the best live jazz and blues music in the Big Apple. The venue has been located is in a historic building for more than 60 years.

I went to meet my buddy who was walking around killing time and just bellied up at the bar and was shooting the sh*t with the very friendly bartender. This is the type joint where you feel obligated to drink some sort of whiskey and I somehow got roped into it. Beware, the place is tight so don't go with a big group just hoping to find a place to sit. I was the odd man out standing next to (read: behind) my buddy at the bar and let me tell you, I looked really cool.

Eventually we got a table and waitress service with some of our friends. This made the night much better and turned what was scheduled to be a drink in a jazz club to a 3am drunken debacle. We listened to the incredible voice of Alyson Williams.

Arthur's Tavern had me feeling right on time and it is definitely a place I need to hit up again. This jazz house is anything from sleepy Kenny G. It's worth the trip


Arthur’s Tavern
57 Grove Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 675-6879
http://www.arthurstavernnyc.com/

Sjourn

It's not everyday you find a spot with a seasonal menu let alone a daily changing menu. The Yorkville gem Sojourn has such a menu that blows away any tapas spot I've experienced. This wine bar has an eclectic taste that is a must enough if you are not a fan of the Upper East Side.

Reservations are recommended because the wine bar atmosphere keeps people sitting at their tables for longer than a traditional restaurant. The slow turnover is well justified with quality service and excellent timing/delivery on each course you've chosen. My most recent dining experience was with a party of 8 booze bags that put down 8 bottles of wine just during dinner. Normally, this would translate to a hefty bill but even the wine at Sojourn was reasonably priced.

We consumed too many delicious plates to list them all but some of my favorites were Kobe Beef Sliders, Home Made Gnocchi & Pan Roasted Scallops. The silver medal went to the Chicken Satay with yogurt curry, spicy peanut sauce & grilled pineapple. A perfect blend of salty, spicy & sweet. The cream of the crop is without a doubt the Black Pasta house-made linguini with lobster arrabiatta. Not enough words to describe.

The owner was gracious enough to talk with us for a while and even sent over several free desserts including his claimed, "best cheesecake in New York". If he wasn't right, he was pretty damn close.

Overall, great dining experience in a cool trendy scene that you would not expect to find in this neighborhood.

Soujourn

244 East 79th Street

New York 10075

(212) 537-7745

http://www.sojournrestaurant.com/

Rare View

There is probably nothing better in New York City than a Thursday outdoor happy hour in the Summer. Most people have already checked out mentally for the weekend and the evenings are usually significantly more fun than the other 9 months of Thursdays.

Everyone knows there are plenty of places to go, but Rare View at the top of the Shelburne is right up there. This Murray Hill roof deck is much more attitude free unlike some of the other roof tops in NYC that are heavily guarded by d*bag bouncers most likely from the forgotten borough. My first venture here I was wearing shorts, a t-shirt & maybe even a Phillies hat but there was no one hassling me about my attire. Once you get off the elevator you immediately see a great nightlife scene. Lots of young professionals drinking moderately priced drinks. I stuck to beer, so I can't comment on the liquor but it was reasonable considering the ridiculous view.

Almost 360 views occupied my eyes and mind for the first 20 minutes and then I realized I was not paying attention to what was a great scene. We were with a group of about 10 standing, but there are plenty of tables for sitting, none were available for our large group. Drinks were really easy to get with lots of waitresses walking around as well as several accessible bars. If you are looking to mingle Rare View has it with lots of 20somethings looking for a good time. By buddy who I went with started talking to an incredibly gorgeous girl, but it didn't work out for him and we ended up crushing pizza together a few hours later.

This place is great for a Summer night if the weather is cooperating. They also have certain parts of the roof available for private events which is nice but also a risky scheduling endeavor considering it could rain. Nonetheless, Rare View is high up on my list and you definitely have to stop in even if it is only for a drink and a few minutes of enjoying the beautiful NYC skyline.

Rare View
303 Lexington Ave
New York, NY 10016
(212) 481-8439
http://www.rarebarandgrill.com/

Wild Edibles

If you want to get that down the shore fresh seafood market feeling while you are eating, Wild Edibles has to be on your list. This gets more press than Obama so you probably heard about it or walked by it in Grand Central. From Martha Stewart to Bobby Flay, this place certainly doesn't need a piker like me to write about it but I will voice my unheard opinion.

Let's talk apps, Calamari w/ Chipotle Aioli, steamed P.E.I. Mussels & the She Crab Soup. You really are good with just that but I kept going. I ordered Linguini alle Vongole Cockles, Manilla and Littleneck Clams in a Red Fra Diavolo sauce. It was delicious and I rarely don't finish my meal but w/ all the appetizers and the large portion entree I was down for the count.

This is not your romantic dinner spot nor is it the hip scene or the hot neighborhood but Wild Edibles is a solid Murray Hill staple that you should definitely hit up if you are seafood lover like myself. Enjoy.

Wild Edibles Seafood Market Oyster Bar & Restaurant

535 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10016

(212) 213-8552
http://www.wildedibles.com/