NY Barfly

Bar Running Bum, We Salute You!

So, how about this story: a transient bum learned his favorite bar was closed, broke in, and illegally re-opened the place! Unfortunately, it didn’t last long. Check it out:

According to Placer County Sheriff's detectives, Kevie had learned that the Valencia club lost its liquor license and shut down because he worked on the clean-up crew for the previous owner. Kevie allegedly broke into the building on July 16th, placed an open sign in the window, and started selling alcohol with a six pack of beer he purchased from across the street.

Aww, Kevie. You did good! Not good enough though. The bamboozle was shut down after three days, when the police saw the reopening notice IN THE PAPER! The moral of the story? Always let the blogs do your opening press.

Is Ladies Night at the Bar Gender Discrimination?

Dudes, you know those “ladies night” bar specials where female drinkers can get price breaks while the men get bubkis? Turns out it might just be bona fide gender discrimination. Bar specials for all!

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights is cracking down on ladies only deals. Check it out:

In an e-mail obtained by Reuters, the agency says the popular promotions, celebrated in the 1979 hit song by Kool and the Gang, are an illegal form of gender discrimination because they deny "men the right to the 'full and equal enjoyment' of the goods of a place of public accommodation because of sex."

See – we’ve been telling people for ALL these years that Kool and the Gang were up to no good! Even so, the whole thing seem kind of silly to us, especially because the average guy from Minnesota isn’t going to get laid unless the women in the room are significantly drunker than he is.

Awesome Happy Hour Alert: The Pearl Room

We recently took note of The Pearl Room, a posh lounge in SHO Shaun Hergatt. Well, our friends over at The Tasting Table have set up a choice deal that you can take advantage of.

From now until August 3^rd, asking for “The Tasting Table NY Special” will score you two for one cocktails and a selection of bar snacks. Kids, we’ve tried the cocktails on this list – this is one deal worth taking. The drink special is available from 5 to 9:30 PM.

We bet if you tell some of the other folks who are paying full price, they’ll be your best friends. The Pearl Room is located at 40 Broad Street.

Medicate your Mondays with a $15 Burger and a Beer Deal

Do you have a case of the Mondays? We know – it’s only Wednesday, but the horrible, back-to-the-grind day can really kill the vibe, even five days out. Well, we’re thankful to see that Uptown’s Vareli has just launched a deal that will make your Mondays a little more bearable.

From 5 to 10:30 PM on the fateful day, the spot will dish out their Middle-Eastern Lamb Burger (served with harissa, tomato and pickled red onion). You can score that juicy burger and a beer for only $15. They serve a selection of New York craft ales, not too shabby.

Vareli is located at 2869 Broadway between 111^th and 112^th Street. If this gets you through Monday, well, then you have to face Tuesday. You’re on your own for that one.

Party Report: Jacob's Creek Launch at Landmarc

Wine lovers (aka winos) of all stripes gathered the other day at Landmarc to sip on a new Jacob’s Creek flavor and learn about a charitable initiative planned by the winemaker.

First up, the folks behind the Creek are donating $1 for every glass poured in the United States to Share our Strength. This organization focuses on eradicating child hunger, a noble cause that should have you reaching for another glass. Or, it should have you pouring a virtual glass. You can check out their website (www.sharejacobscreek.com) to see how you can contribute.

And then, of course, the new flavor! Guests sipped the new Jacob’s Creek Moscato, which will only be available in the U.S. The vino is slightly frizzante and has tasting notes of tropical melons, apples and pears. Landmarc Chef Marc Murphy paired the Moscato with spicy asian-inspired dishes such as, crab cakes, shrimp toast and fresh ahi tuna. Check out some more photos after the jump!

Greenpoint Celebrates Last Saturday. Drink Deals!

Greenpoint has quite the growing bar scene these days. Last weekend saw the opening of Veronica People’s Club, a new drink den inspired by the ‘80’s flick Heathers. Well, if you need any more excuses to go out, this weekend marks the area’s Last Saturdays celebration. You know what that means for you – drink deals!

Fashion boutiques in the area are set to offer some sales (with some spots up to 70% off) but we know you’re really jonesing for some beverages. From 12 PM to 7 PM, check out these cheapy ways to get liquefied:

• t.b.d. brooklyn (224 Franklin Street) will serve $5 Caipirinhas and $5 Absolut fresh lemonade.
• Black Rabbit (91 Greenpoint Avenue) is giving away a free Black Rabbit lager to the first 150 people, after which it will be $3. $5 bratwurst and $5 watermelon margaritas will also be served.
• The Diamond Brooklyn (43 Franklin Street) – Get ready for the shuffleboard Biathlon from 5-6 PM! They’ll test shuffleboard skill in two unique events. There’s a $1.00 entry fee - with a Diamond gift certificate for the best combined score. $4 Beer/Wine Specials from 12-7 PM for everyone.

Sigh. Can’t every Saturday be last Saturday?

New Happy Hour Alert: Ofrenda

We’re glad to see that a number of New York City bars are discounting food options for happy hour, because after a long day of work (and dreaming about happy hour), we sure is hungry! First we noticed that Veranda jumped into the happy hour grub game with some small plates. Now, Ofrenda is set to keep your stomach full with a selection of $5 happy hour options.

They’ve got guac and chips, quesadillas, and nachos all for no more than a five-spot. You can also score some margaritas for $5 per, so you can get properly fed and liquefied here even if you’re down to your last $20 or so.

The deal runs from 4 to 7 PM. Best part – it’s available 7 days a week! Weekend happy hours are our second favorite thing, right after drink deals during the week. Ofrenda is located at 113 7^th Avenue South.

Asian Dining Controversy / Robot Butlers Imminent

-New York food blogger Chubby Chinese girl has a hilarious post accusing Midtown restaurant Oceana of placing all Asian diners in a back room (which is backed up with the photo on the right). Coincidence or conspiracy (our vote is for the former)?

-Eater has word that tony restaurant South Gate has replaced all of their paper wine lists with iPads. Can robot butlers be far behind!?

-Fork in the Road talks to Rye’s Sother Teague and he admits that – gasp – he thinks that pickle backs are played out. We disagree with him on one point though. It’s not all that brine that’s upsetting people’s stomachs, it’s the massive amount of Jameson’s.

BBQ and Comedy, Together at Last (Tonight!)

Brother Jimmy’s in Union Square wants to make sure that the funniest thing about their BBQ joint isn’t your face after you’ve gorged on a plate full of ribs. They’ve launched a comedy night in their basement, which is scheduled for every Monday at 8 PM.

Their deal puts those street-pusher “do you like comedy?” clowns to shame. $19.95 gets you all you can eat wings and rib tips plus all you can drink draft. The standard drink minimum becomes a drink maximum at this comedy show. What is the maximum amount you can slurp down for less than $20? The special lasts for two hours – so drink up!

Brother Jimmy’s is located at 116 East 16^th Street and comics from MTV, VH1 and Last Comic Standing are promised. If you’re going to heckle, make sure to wipe the BBQ sauce from your chin first – otherwise you’re just asking for it.

Mini Chill - The Happiest Buzz of Your Life?

Here’s something curious from the inbox. We just received a note from  Mini Chill, an “alcohol enhancer” that promises to increase relaxation, mental focus and boost serotonin. The product seeks to balance the depressive effects of alcohol and give you “the happiest buzz of your life.”

It’s made from herbs and amino acids, and you’re supposed to mix it right into your drink. Hmmm – last time we heard anyone talk about a buzz enhancer, they had just come back from the bathroom and were wiping some white powder off their nose. Just sayin’.

Want to decide for yourself? A starter kit is available for $17.95 at their website.

Don Hill's Open Soon / Terroir Tribeca's Gonzo Wine List

-Eater has word that the newest incarnation of Don Hill's is set to open in the next few weeks. Exciting, we can’t wait until we’re not able to get in.

-Metromix takes a look at Terroir Tribeca and their wackadoo wine list. Turns out wackadoo = frickin awesome.

-And of course, it wouldn’t be Friday without a little shameless self promotion. Want to know how far your carrots traveled before you gobbled them up? Turns out not very far at all.

Underwear Party this Saturday!

Come on, admit it, you want to go to a gigantic Midtown club in nothing but your skivvies. The only bad part about Pacha’s annual underwear party is that it’s tomorrow! That means you only have 24 hours to starve yourself / pick out an acceptable hooch-rific set of underwear. Not that we’re saying you can’t be classy, but come on people – it’s an UNDERWEAR PARTY!

The party starts at 10 PM, but won’t get going until much later. Though, if you show up before midnight in nothing but your underwear, you get in for free. If you want to come just to scope out all the scantily clad, then you have to pony up $10. And, you have to deal with the fact that you’re more than a little pervy.

Pacha is located at 618 West 46^th Street. In this case, when you wake up the next morning and think “where did I put my clothes?”, there’s no need to panic.