NY Barfly

Best Burger and a Beer Deals / A Spotted Pig Intruder

-Metromix has a round up of the city’s Burger and a Beer Deals, penned by yours truly. You better read it, we didn’t get addicted to Tums for nothing.

-We love The Spotted Pig, but not as much as the guy who wandered in through the basement at 6 AM and ambled to the bar. The staff found him, and he was promptly arrested. Sadly, the police took him away before he got to try the burger.

-Diner’s Journal has a fun look at the new coffee cocktails over at The Randolph. If The Times does an article about drinking at 9 AM, then it must be acceptable.

Blur Your Vision with Vision Vodka

As you know, we’re always a fan of spirits that let us get in such a good opening zinger. It’s Friday – and you know ALL you want to do is blur that vision come 5 PM (or, earlier, for the strong willed). Well kids, Vision Vodka is there for you.

The brand just launched in NYC, and you can grab some at Astor Wines or over at Hudson Terrace if you like to spend your Friday chillin’ on the West Side. Vision is actually pretty affordable; you can score a full liter for only $29.99. And, for the patriotic drinkers out there, it’s made in the USA.

It’s actually distilled from Oregonian wheat. And we know those West Coast farmers can grow, ahem, some things that will alter your vision. You can check out more about the brand over at their website: visionvodka.com.

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.