On this particular night, I felt quite a bit smutty after texting a fiend that we were going to "Happy Ending" and "The Box". He, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy my smuttyness ;)
Happy Ending
Chinatown
302 Broome Street (b/w Forsyth and Eldridge Streets)
New York, NY 10002
212-334-9676
www.happyendinglounge.com
And this place gets good reviews because...? There is nothing happy about Happy Ending, except for maybe some unique specialty cocktails. Personally I liked the music, but universally I know that deep cuts from ABBA are not exactly crowd pleasers. The decor is decent but the bar was deserted at midnight on a Thursday, the bathrooms were disgusting, and the few people that were there were mostly older wannabe-hip businessmen and couples canoodling on the velvet couches in the upstairs lounge. And the downstairs "sauna" area...save yourself the wobbly trip down the stairs in heels and just don't. Stinky, literally. Cute idea turning an old massage parlor into a bar and giving it a name with a double entendre, but the happiest part of this bar is ending your time here and leaving.
Rating: 1.5 stars
The Box
SoHo
189 Chrystie Street (b/w Stanton and Rivington Streets)
New York, NY 10002
212-982-9301
www.theboxnyc.com
Simply gorgeous dahlings! If you can get past the velvet ropes at The Box you're in for a treat. The old Vaudeville theatre makes for a fabulous modern bar and performance space. On this particular night the timing of my visit didn't allow me to catch one of The Box's famous shows, but I've been told they're quite the experience. Burlesque meets freak show meets other unmentionables (or so the rumor has it), but especially during showtime be prepared to throw down some serious cash. A basic mixed drink ran a steep $17, and you'll have to spend the better part of two grand for a table, but if you can afford it then don your Sunday best, grab your fur and do it! Even if you just stop by for a few drinks, the ambiance and possibility of a major celeb sighting (not to mention the feeling of success of actually getting in) will definitely make you feel A-List.
Rating: 3.5 stars
11.25.2008
11.24.2008
Blast From The Past: Tickle Me Elmo
To get you through the work week leading up to Thanksgiving and my fav holiday evs, Black Friday...
Do you remember when this guy was the hottest item ever on Black Friday and all through holiday shopping season? I wanted one soooo bad (fyi, I was like 13...don't judge), but my little cousin got one instead because her mom camped outside Toys R Us for the night and mine didn't. Biotch. But she was just a baby and had no idea how A-List Elmo really was, so I got to play with hers all during Christmas Day while she napped and made poopie diapers. Now that I'm older I realize all kinds of other things that could have been going on with Tickle Me Elmo...dirty dirty things...but it's a kids toy! C'mon people, get yo minds out of the gutter. All I know is that Tickle Me Elmo is the coolest, and he's def my bff.
Tickle Me Elmo!
Do you remember when this guy was the hottest item ever on Black Friday and all through holiday shopping season? I wanted one soooo bad (fyi, I was like 13...don't judge), but my little cousin got one instead because her mom camped outside Toys R Us for the night and mine didn't. Biotch. But she was just a baby and had no idea how A-List Elmo really was, so I got to play with hers all during Christmas Day while she napped and made poopie diapers. Now that I'm older I realize all kinds of other things that could have been going on with Tickle Me Elmo...dirty dirty things...but it's a kids toy! C'mon people, get yo minds out of the gutter. All I know is that Tickle Me Elmo is the coolest, and he's def my bff.11.21.2008
Those were the days
Since this week MTV ended their 10+ year run of TRL (that's "Total Request Live", mom), took 3 hours to play snippets of 10 videos, and will spend the next few weeks reminding us of how awesome it was, I decided to take a moment to share some of my own reflections.
I remember when TRL was on at NIGHT (not after school? gasp!). The year was 1997. Carson Daly's ego wasn't inflated to the size of Texas. Hanson was still popular. And TRL was some low budget show that MTV seemingly haphazardly threw on the air to see if it would catch on with the tween market...and did it ever.
However, even most die hards do not remember the early days of TRL when there was no studio. There was no set. There was no going to the MTV window to wave at screaming fans in Times Square. There was only Carson Daly alone in a black room announcing a countdown of videos that were actually based on your votes. In those renegade days, there was no fancy website to tally votes. I remember typing out my vote and emailing it the old fashioned way through good ole AOL. I pity the intern who had to sit there tallying those things. With the recent TRL buzz in light of the finale, I've brought up these glory days of programming in conversation with many musically in-the-know friends. No one else seems to remember Carson's black room. Maybe I'm just really die hard...or maybe I was a bad-ass 7th grader simultaneously on the honor roll AND shrooms, and Carson's black room was all in my head.
Another memory I must share is when I actually had the opportunity to be in the live studio audience at TRL (a right of passage for any good teeny-bopper). It was my freshman year of college, and for the first time in my life I was living merely a short train ride away from New York city and the place where celebs gathered, MTV studios. My friend Lauren and I skipped English class (what did I tell you, I'm bad ass) to stand in the cold in hopes of being granted admission to the TRL studios to get a glimpse of one of out favorite stars, Clay Aiken. We came, we saw, we got hugs from the Gayken (eep omg ahhhh!)...and then I grew older and wiser and realized that he was in face, "unavailable".
All of these memories do hold a dear place in my heart so thank you, MTV, for those glory days when you actually played videos and brought joy into a young Claymate's heart. I was truly there for the beginning...and being that I managed to sit through the 3 hour live finale I can now say I was there at the end.
I remember when TRL was on at NIGHT (not after school? gasp!). The year was 1997. Carson Daly's ego wasn't inflated to the size of Texas. Hanson was still popular. And TRL was some low budget show that MTV seemingly haphazardly threw on the air to see if it would catch on with the tween market...and did it ever.
However, even most die hards do not remember the early days of TRL when there was no studio. There was no set. There was no going to the MTV window to wave at screaming fans in Times Square. There was only Carson Daly alone in a black room announcing a countdown of videos that were actually based on your votes. In those renegade days, there was no fancy website to tally votes. I remember typing out my vote and emailing it the old fashioned way through good ole AOL. I pity the intern who had to sit there tallying those things. With the recent TRL buzz in light of the finale, I've brought up these glory days of programming in conversation with many musically in-the-know friends. No one else seems to remember Carson's black room. Maybe I'm just really die hard...or maybe I was a bad-ass 7th grader simultaneously on the honor roll AND shrooms, and Carson's black room was all in my head.
Another memory I must share is when I actually had the opportunity to be in the live studio audience at TRL (a right of passage for any good teeny-bopper). It was my freshman year of college, and for the first time in my life I was living merely a short train ride away from New York city and the place where celebs gathered, MTV studios. My friend Lauren and I skipped English class (what did I tell you, I'm bad ass) to stand in the cold in hopes of being granted admission to the TRL studios to get a glimpse of one of out favorite stars, Clay Aiken. We came, we saw, we got hugs from the Gayken (eep omg ahhhh!)...and then I grew older and wiser and realized that he was in face, "unavailable".
All of these memories do hold a dear place in my heart so thank you, MTV, for those glory days when you actually played videos and brought joy into a young Claymate's heart. I was truly there for the beginning...and being that I managed to sit through the 3 hour live finale I can now say I was there at the end.
11.17.2008
Blast from the Past: Sponge Monkeys
It's the Monday Blast from the Past, because you need something fun to get through your week! Lord knows I do this week...
Today we pay remembrance to:
The Sponge Monkeys!
Today we pay remembrance to:
The Sponge Monkeys!
You may remember the Sponge Monkeys from circa 2003 in one of Quizno's first major add campaigns. As I sat in a Quizno's yesterday enjoying a tasty chicken carbonara sub, I thought about how much character the Sponge Monkeys gave this restaurant establishment, and how America reacted to these delightful little creatures. Many thought they were ugly, disgusting, and annoying, but I feel that they were just misunderstood. When in my freshman year of college I downloaded a Sponge Monkeys screen saver to my dorm room computer that even included sound and singing, my roommate went off the deep end and threatened permanent damage to the computer. But I know she secretly liked the Sponge Monkeys. I mean, who couldn't! I know I want my food being peddled to me by deformed singing rodents that one would swat with a broom or try to poison if found in a kitchen. Don't you?
For more Sponge Monkey goodness, youtube clips of them singing about such topics as toasted subs, coupons and the moon!
For more Sponge Monkey goodness, youtube clips of them singing about such topics as toasted subs, coupons and the moon!
Dear "Stallionaires"...
Dear "Stallionaires" (Real and Chance...and their brother who looks like Andre 3000),
I know you think you're very tough. I mean, you have an amazing reality show and all, and you managed to survive being in love with New York. But let's talk about your music, as seen on tonight's episode of "A Real Chance at Love". Last time I checked, if you want to be taken seriously as hip hop artists, you might not want your breakout song to sound like something LFO wrote in 1998, complete with lyrics about girls in the summer.
Just a thought.
That being said, where can I cop that shiiiiiit?
Best,
Megan
I know you think you're very tough. I mean, you have an amazing reality show and all, and you managed to survive being in love with New York. But let's talk about your music, as seen on tonight's episode of "A Real Chance at Love". Last time I checked, if you want to be taken seriously as hip hop artists, you might not want your breakout song to sound like something LFO wrote in 1998, complete with lyrics about girls in the summer.
Just a thought.
That being said, where can I cop that shiiiiiit?
Best,
Megan
11.13.2008
It's my party and I'll get drunk if I want to
Forum
East Village
127 4th Avenue (b/w 12th and 13th Streets)
New York, NY 10003
212-505-0301
www.theforumnyc.com
The official locale for my 24th b-day party! Forum combines a sophisticated atmosphere with a young party vibe for a great night out. The crystal walls, Grecian inspired columns and dim lighting make Forum feel quite swanky, even if you are in the East Village. Despite being a mere block from Union Square, Forum seems to thankfully keep out the tourist crowd, but if you are in NY stop by, tell them I sent you, and make sure to try one of their specialty cocktails. The music, even if cliché at times, provided the perfect drunk soundtrack for partying with a large group of friends. I didn’t mind the crowd (that’s why you go out to bars and not have a party with yourself and Arbor Mist on your raggedy couch, right?), but some friends whined and others did have to wait in a line at the door because they were allegedly at “capacity”. But I can’t complain! I spent the night at Forum dancing with friends, sipping champagne, and partying like a rock star without spending a fortune. When in Rome (or NY), go to Forum.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Black & White
East Village
86 East 10th Street (b/w 3rd and 4th Avenues)
New York, NY 10003
212-253-0246
I’ll be honest, by the time I got to Black & White I was how they say “driz-unk”. So I don’t remember the most about my experience about Black & White…but I do remember having a great time! I remember an unpretentious downstairs bar, cute boys, sexy lighting, fun danceable music, there actually being TP and no line at the lil girls’ room, and majorly smooching one of the aforementioned cute boys. There, I said it, go ahead and judge. But in reality, that’s pretty much what you need to have a great time at a bar, so Black & White gets my (hazy) stamp of approval.
Rating: 3.5 stars
East Village
127 4th Avenue (b/w 12th and 13th Streets)
New York, NY 10003
212-505-0301
www.theforumnyc.com
The official locale for my 24th b-day party! Forum combines a sophisticated atmosphere with a young party vibe for a great night out. The crystal walls, Grecian inspired columns and dim lighting make Forum feel quite swanky, even if you are in the East Village. Despite being a mere block from Union Square, Forum seems to thankfully keep out the tourist crowd, but if you are in NY stop by, tell them I sent you, and make sure to try one of their specialty cocktails. The music, even if cliché at times, provided the perfect drunk soundtrack for partying with a large group of friends. I didn’t mind the crowd (that’s why you go out to bars and not have a party with yourself and Arbor Mist on your raggedy couch, right?), but some friends whined and others did have to wait in a line at the door because they were allegedly at “capacity”. But I can’t complain! I spent the night at Forum dancing with friends, sipping champagne, and partying like a rock star without spending a fortune. When in Rome (or NY), go to Forum.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Black & White
East Village
86 East 10th Street (b/w 3rd and 4th Avenues)
New York, NY 10003
212-253-0246
I’ll be honest, by the time I got to Black & White I was how they say “driz-unk”. So I don’t remember the most about my experience about Black & White…but I do remember having a great time! I remember an unpretentious downstairs bar, cute boys, sexy lighting, fun danceable music, there actually being TP and no line at the lil girls’ room, and majorly smooching one of the aforementioned cute boys. There, I said it, go ahead and judge. But in reality, that’s pretty much what you need to have a great time at a bar, so Black & White gets my (hazy) stamp of approval.
Rating: 3.5 stars
11.12.2008
Fun times at...K-Mart!
Megan, exhausted, approaches an overly enthusiastic tweener cashier at her local K-Mart (yes, they have those in Manhattan) after a long day of work. She clutches her purchases of TP, Oscar Meyer coldcuts, Country Crock, and glazed Pop'ems...only the essentials in life.
"Oh wow, I didn't even know we sold these!" chirps the young cashier while holding the coldcuts. Her mousy brown hair limply falls around her glasses-clad face. Getting this job at K-Mart was clearly her big break. Megan looks on as her purchases are scanned, enjoying the hint of suburbia.
"Did you check the expiration dates on these?"
"Excuse me?" Megan is now snapped back to reality.
"The expiration dates. I'd always make sure to check. You don't wanna get sick ya know."
Megan laughs uncomfortably, clearly weirded out. "Yah, I guess not."
"No, really, it's important. You never know when one day you're gonna get sick from something. I'm always cautious about these things here. This one time I heard..."
Upon this comment, Megan snatches the Country Crock out of Hannah Montana's hand and frantically looks for the stamped date, and wondering if she'll even find one at all. December 27, 2008. Sigh of relief.
"Thanks, have a nice night!!!"
It's so nice to know that employees have so much confidence in their own store's product. Nothing like a scare of sickness and death to make to make a girl's trip to K-Mart something to remember. Despite the blue light specials and bargain shopping, Megan will now be buying her groceries at Gristedes only.
"Oh wow, I didn't even know we sold these!" chirps the young cashier while holding the coldcuts. Her mousy brown hair limply falls around her glasses-clad face. Getting this job at K-Mart was clearly her big break. Megan looks on as her purchases are scanned, enjoying the hint of suburbia.
"Did you check the expiration dates on these?"
"Excuse me?" Megan is now snapped back to reality.
"The expiration dates. I'd always make sure to check. You don't wanna get sick ya know."
Megan laughs uncomfortably, clearly weirded out. "Yah, I guess not."
"No, really, it's important. You never know when one day you're gonna get sick from something. I'm always cautious about these things here. This one time I heard..."
Upon this comment, Megan snatches the Country Crock out of Hannah Montana's hand and frantically looks for the stamped date, and wondering if she'll even find one at all. December 27, 2008. Sigh of relief.
"Thanks, have a nice night!!!"
It's so nice to know that employees have so much confidence in their own store's product. Nothing like a scare of sickness and death to make to make a girl's trip to K-Mart something to remember. Despite the blue light specials and bargain shopping, Megan will now be buying her groceries at Gristedes only.
Forever 21 strikes again!
Since the "Sex and the City" movie came out in May, I have been simply lusting for Carrie's black studded belt which she wears for about a fourth of the movie. The actual belt is from SATC stylist Patricia Field's collection, but I refuse to spend $120 on a belt no matter how fab.Now, a good studded belt is hard to find, and 99% of the time I would recommend staying clear. You can't just throw on any ole crap that your 15-year-old wannabe emo sister got at Pacific Sunwear and call it fierce.
Since Forever 21 has no shame when it comes to making exact copies of other people's designs, they just came out with this beauty, the Pyramid Stud Waist Belt (retail $9.80). The only difference is that the Forever version has elastic in the back where I believe the Patricia Field version is leather all the way around. Get this while you can, it's so close to
Carrie's belt I'll be surprised if it lasts 2 days in the stores (already gonzo on the web). Wear it over a simple dress with a full skirt (H&M has a great deep purple one right now) or a light trench.Btw Forever 21, I so smell a lawsuit. Luv ya!
11.07.2008
Mah b-day...and this little thing they called "the election"
So I’m not gonna lie, I was just a tad pissed that my b-day fell on the same day as one of the biggest elections our country has ever seen. After feeling neglected for most of the day on Tuesday, what’s a girl left to do but suck it up, try to have a good time watching the results, and get driz-unk?
Now, I do my patriotic duty and rock the vote, but I’m not a highly political person. However, I found myself becoming very involved in the excitement. It’s not every day that I get to scream out cab windows, celebrate with total strangers, and actually feel like people in New York City are getting along.
And I kinda loved the fact that on my bday, a friend of mine proposed an election watching party at one of my fav bars:
Fat Black Pussycat
West Village
130 West 3rd Street (b/w 6th Avenue and Macdougal Street)
New York, NY 10012
212-533-4790
www.thefatblackpussycat.com
In quirky West Village style, the Fat Black Pussycat manages to combine the best of every world. One room wood-clad local watering hole, one room sexy Moroccan lounge, and even a dance club downstairs at Village Underground. There’s never a dull moment at the Fat Black Pussycat between the cheeky name, old time photographs and videos, and unisex bathroom downstairs (ow-ow!). You must try one of their 30 delish and destructive specialty martinis at the very cheap price of $9. I recommend the Apple Pie Martini (just make sure the bartender knows you don’t want the run of the mill appletini…much confusion will ensue). If you have a moderately sized group of 15 or so, reserve the loft area in the Moroccan room and you’ll be in for a relaxed sexy time…or just a night where you can feel like a VIP with your friends without dropping a grand on bottle service. Whatever vibe you’re looking for, this place is certainly the cat’s meow.
Rating: 5 stars
Now, I do my patriotic duty and rock the vote, but I’m not a highly political person. However, I found myself becoming very involved in the excitement. It’s not every day that I get to scream out cab windows, celebrate with total strangers, and actually feel like people in New York City are getting along.
And I kinda loved the fact that on my bday, a friend of mine proposed an election watching party at one of my fav bars:
Fat Black Pussycat
West Village
130 West 3rd Street (b/w 6th Avenue and Macdougal Street)
New York, NY 10012
212-533-4790
www.thefatblackpussycat.com
In quirky West Village style, the Fat Black Pussycat manages to combine the best of every world. One room wood-clad local watering hole, one room sexy Moroccan lounge, and even a dance club downstairs at Village Underground. There’s never a dull moment at the Fat Black Pussycat between the cheeky name, old time photographs and videos, and unisex bathroom downstairs (ow-ow!). You must try one of their 30 delish and destructive specialty martinis at the very cheap price of $9. I recommend the Apple Pie Martini (just make sure the bartender knows you don’t want the run of the mill appletini…much confusion will ensue). If you have a moderately sized group of 15 or so, reserve the loft area in the Moroccan room and you’ll be in for a relaxed sexy time…or just a night where you can feel like a VIP with your friends without dropping a grand on bottle service. Whatever vibe you’re looking for, this place is certainly the cat’s meow.
Rating: 5 stars
11.06.2008
Celeb bargain fashion
On Tuesday's episode of the new "90210" series on the CW, rich bitch Naomi would love us to think she's wearing some uber-expensive outfit, as always, to Silver's party. Jig's up, Naomi, it's actually from Forever 21! Naomi's red satin ruffled tank is even one of Forever's "fabulous finds" (translation: even cheaper than normal). It's sold out in solids on the website, but if you're lucky you can still find it in stores for $12.50, though it's been sold out in NYC for weeks. I have this top in solid purple, and it's a great go-to piece with dark skinny jeans and some fierce heels. You can also still find it on forever21.com in some tickity-tack prints.
Love the modern Victorian elegance of the solids. The prints, not so much.
Love the modern Victorian elegance of the solids. The prints, not so much.And love that the CW is putting some fashion on their characters that real girls can afford!
11.05.2008
My life has gone to the dogs
One of the simple pleasures in life has got to be puppies. So thank you to Michael K at dlisted.com for giving me something new and productive to do at work...
Click for too much cuteness...and stop judging how I spend my time
Click for too much cuteness...and stop judging how I spend my time
11.03.2008
Bar crawlin
Great times at Halloween pub crawl! Shout to www.halloweennow.com
The Village Pourhouse
East Village
64 3rd Avenue (at 11th Street)
New York, NY 10003
212-979-2337
www.pourhousenyc.com
What can I really say about this place? It’s practically an East Village legend. Lots of beer, lots of college students and those who wish they still were, and lots of mingling are guaranteed at the original Village Pourhouse. You can always find a friend here (or quickly make new ones) and catch the game in one of their multiple rooms with multiple flat screens. If getting drenched in beer every time the Giants make one of those touchdown thingeys really isn’t your scene, relax on a couch in the lounge area in the back which provides a completely different atmosphere for those girls who just aren’t up to pretending to know what’s going on in the game, but still want to partake in the pickup scene. The Pourhouse sets the scene for the type of nights with friends that create lifelong memories…that is if you can remember it the next morning.
Rating: 4 stars
Coyote Ugly
East Village
153 1st Avenue (b/w 9th and 10th Streets)
New York, NY 10003
212-477-4431
www.coyoteuglysaloon.com
Ever since I was a wee girl of 19, it’s been my dream to one day become a coyote at Coyote Ugly. Dancing on the bar, wearing sexy/skanky outfits with cowboy boots, getting inappropriate yet flattering attention from dirty men, and of course all the country music you can handle. Now that I finally convinced a friend to accompany me to my dream bar, I found that only the parts of my fantasy that were true were the country music and the male attention…except it was just downright skeezy and not at all flattering. If you enjoy country music like myself and feel deprived of it in New York City, then come to Coyote, but do not expect much other than these comforting twangy beats. The music gave me that happy feeling and I wanted to shake my honky tonk badonkadonk, but I seemed to be the only one in the bar who felt the need to do so. Bar dancing alone does not equal sexy, but rather makes you the crazy drunk girl who dances on the bar alone and thinks she’s sexy. Even the real coyotes did not once dance on the bar in the hour plus I was there. And it’s not like they were too busy serving drinks, despite its surprisingly small size and busy rep, Coyote Ugly did not house the raucous crowd from the movies. *Sigh*, goodbye sweet daydreams…
Rating: 2 stars
Bar None
East Village
98 3rd Avenue (b/w 12th and 13th Streets)
New York, NY 10003
212-777-6663
www.barnonenyc.com
Another great find in the E-Vill. Bar None is one of those bars you walk past a million times, never go into, but when you finally do it then becomes a good standby in your going out repertoire. (Btw, it’s embarrassing how long it took me to figure out how to spell “repertoire”) Bar None provides a no-frills atmosphere minus the sports bar vibe that plagues many other bars of its kind. Check the website, Bar None also offers some awesome happy hours and other specials. Despite the hearty crowd, we were actually able to get seats at Bar None, which surprisingly didn’t even limit the socializing. Many a new friend was made. The patrons and staff at Bar None are friendly, social, efficient, and just plain looking to have good times.
Rating: 3 stars
TG Whitney’s
Midtown East
244 East 53rd Street (b/w 2nd and 3rd Avenues)
New York, NY 10022
212-888-5772
www.tgwhitneys.com
You’ll find a smattering of everything at TG Whitney’s. Relaxed pub atmosphere, yummy bar foods, good drink specials, but this is more than your typical midtown pub. TG Whitney’s also offers great karaoke Thur/Fri/Sat without the intimidation and pretention of so many official karaoke bars…or the letdown of bars that claim to offer karaoke but simply have a guy in the corner with a microphone. TG Whitney’s never gets uncomfortably crowded, but can border on empty at times. Great staff though, I once planned a birthday gathering here for two friends and the managers and bartenders couldn’t have been more accommodating. And they did many, many shots with us…score!
Rating: 3 stars
The Village Pourhouse
East Village
64 3rd Avenue (at 11th Street)
New York, NY 10003
212-979-2337
www.pourhousenyc.com
What can I really say about this place? It’s practically an East Village legend. Lots of beer, lots of college students and those who wish they still were, and lots of mingling are guaranteed at the original Village Pourhouse. You can always find a friend here (or quickly make new ones) and catch the game in one of their multiple rooms with multiple flat screens. If getting drenched in beer every time the Giants make one of those touchdown thingeys really isn’t your scene, relax on a couch in the lounge area in the back which provides a completely different atmosphere for those girls who just aren’t up to pretending to know what’s going on in the game, but still want to partake in the pickup scene. The Pourhouse sets the scene for the type of nights with friends that create lifelong memories…that is if you can remember it the next morning.
Rating: 4 stars
Coyote Ugly
East Village
153 1st Avenue (b/w 9th and 10th Streets)
New York, NY 10003
212-477-4431
www.coyoteuglysaloon.com
Ever since I was a wee girl of 19, it’s been my dream to one day become a coyote at Coyote Ugly. Dancing on the bar, wearing sexy/skanky outfits with cowboy boots, getting inappropriate yet flattering attention from dirty men, and of course all the country music you can handle. Now that I finally convinced a friend to accompany me to my dream bar, I found that only the parts of my fantasy that were true were the country music and the male attention…except it was just downright skeezy and not at all flattering. If you enjoy country music like myself and feel deprived of it in New York City, then come to Coyote, but do not expect much other than these comforting twangy beats. The music gave me that happy feeling and I wanted to shake my honky tonk badonkadonk, but I seemed to be the only one in the bar who felt the need to do so. Bar dancing alone does not equal sexy, but rather makes you the crazy drunk girl who dances on the bar alone and thinks she’s sexy. Even the real coyotes did not once dance on the bar in the hour plus I was there. And it’s not like they were too busy serving drinks, despite its surprisingly small size and busy rep, Coyote Ugly did not house the raucous crowd from the movies. *Sigh*, goodbye sweet daydreams…
Rating: 2 stars
Bar None
East Village
98 3rd Avenue (b/w 12th and 13th Streets)
New York, NY 10003
212-777-6663
www.barnonenyc.com
Another great find in the E-Vill. Bar None is one of those bars you walk past a million times, never go into, but when you finally do it then becomes a good standby in your going out repertoire. (Btw, it’s embarrassing how long it took me to figure out how to spell “repertoire”) Bar None provides a no-frills atmosphere minus the sports bar vibe that plagues many other bars of its kind. Check the website, Bar None also offers some awesome happy hours and other specials. Despite the hearty crowd, we were actually able to get seats at Bar None, which surprisingly didn’t even limit the socializing. Many a new friend was made. The patrons and staff at Bar None are friendly, social, efficient, and just plain looking to have good times.
Rating: 3 stars
TG Whitney’s
Midtown East
244 East 53rd Street (b/w 2nd and 3rd Avenues)
New York, NY 10022
212-888-5772
www.tgwhitneys.com
You’ll find a smattering of everything at TG Whitney’s. Relaxed pub atmosphere, yummy bar foods, good drink specials, but this is more than your typical midtown pub. TG Whitney’s also offers great karaoke Thur/Fri/Sat without the intimidation and pretention of so many official karaoke bars…or the letdown of bars that claim to offer karaoke but simply have a guy in the corner with a microphone. TG Whitney’s never gets uncomfortably crowded, but can border on empty at times. Great staff though, I once planned a birthday gathering here for two friends and the managers and bartenders couldn’t have been more accommodating. And they did many, many shots with us…score!
Rating: 3 stars
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