i heart nyc bars » Uncategorized

Bill’s Gay 90′s -R.I.P.

Iheartnycbars — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:22:42 +0000

First, Fedora, then Eliane’s and now this. My favorite bar in NYC is closing. This is a tragedy. Bill’s bar is a New York institution. I am on my way now to plead with them to reconsider.

Update: Bills is closing because the building’s owner, who lives in Ireland, would not renew their lease. The place was making money and the owner of Bills, Barbara offered to match any offer he got.

Here is how it will probably play out: some douchey faux speakeasy type place will take the place of one New York’s last real speakeasies. How much more can New York take before it loses all the places that give it its character and soul? Will NYC end up one day as a just plain outdated version of Shanghai?

On a happier note, Bills will move all its wonderful mementos and the entire wooden bar to a nearby location.

Update 2: Last Saturday was a bittersweet night. There was a huge line to get in. Barbara was given a plaque from the City (woulda preferred an edict in her favor) Jimmy Fallon showed up to sing Piano Man. New York already misses you Bill.

57 E. 54th St., nr. Madison Ave. 10022 212-355-0243

Cabin Down Bellow

Iheartnycbars — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:57:05 +0000

Named after a Tom Petty song, Cabin Down Bellow is the indie version of a speakeasy. You used to enter through the recently closed Pizza Shop, and now you go through the ally around the corner on 7th st. The bar is small and the amount of people who go gaga over this gimmick is big, so demand to get in is high. Be prepared to be told or asked who’s private party you’re there for. Once you make it in, you find a lot of rock scene snobs and the models who date them. Don’t expect mixologists, but rather your average everyday drinks. There is hardly any music, people are mostly chatting and looking around trying to figure out who’s private party they’re at.

10 Ave. A, nr. 7th St. 10009

New York/Delhi

Iheartnycbars — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 01:40:11 +0000

I am back from my 2-month trip to India. I saw some amazing things, but I also witnessed extreme poverty. Once you see kids digging through trash, you start to wonder if it is ever ok to pay $14 for a cocktail. Anyways, it isn’t all misery in India, this is a pic of the Mannekin bar (yes, that is how they spell it) pretty cool, right? Well, time to get back to NYC’s best bars!

Mannekin bar, N-2 Greater Kailash I N Block Market, New Delhi, India, tel. 011-41631814

GOING ON VACATION!

Iheartnycbars — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:27:18 +0000

Dear readers,

Iheartnycbars is going on holiday. But we will be back mid January to bring you more of NYC’s best bars!

Happy Holidays!

A60

Iheartnycbars — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:47:23 +0000

A rather subdued and chic 13th-floor rooftop bar in the heart of Soho. On top of one of the original trendy designer hotels, the Thompson Hotel. A60 is a members only bar, but if you get a room, your room key will grant you access. And if you somehow manage to get in some other way, the hostess will check to see if you have the Thompson logo stamped on your hand. This is not a loud club, but rather a cool lounge where you can relax with a cocktail while you take in the view. A nice plus is that you also have the non-members only Thom bar downstairs, which is a tad louder but still equally stylish.

Hours: May-Labor Day: daily, 5pm-2am, weather permitting; Labor Day-Apr: daily, closed

60 Thompson St., nr. Broome St., NY 10012 877-431-0400