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New York

Eat, Drink, and be Merry in New York City

  • by scooby
  • A travel journal
  • Last Updated: August 24, 2000
Journal Usefulness Rating 4 out of 5
Journal Usefulness
8
Reviews
2
Experiences

Bars, Restaurants, and fun things to do in America's greatest adult playground.

Eat, Drink, and be Merry in New York City

Overview

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge around sunset and eat dinner at Brooklyn's greatest pizzeria, Patsi-Grimaldi's Someone once said to me that Brooklyn is like New Jersey. I said, 'How's that?' She said, 'Well, have you ever been to New Jersey.' 'No,' I answered. She said, 'Well, I've never been to Brooklyn.' Well, here's a reason to go: Bar Hopping through 5 hours of happy hour, in Williamsburg

Quick Tips:

Ask your subway token/metrocard cashier for a map. If they've got them, they have to give you one for free. Your metrocard also allows you to take buses.

Best Way To Get Around:

Of course, if you have the money, take cabs everywhere. Otherwise, the subways are quick and easy. I highly recommend the Metrocard. The best bets are the week long unlimited pass or the 11 ride card for the price of 10 rides. I know it's not the same as the token, but, hey, a deal is a deal.

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Corner Bistro

Restaurant

Corner Bistro

Arguably the best burger in NYC. Tables in the back are the best and the line forms from the far end of the bar. It is dark and smokey, lots of wood. The Bistro is said to be the one place where New Yorkers look at their watches. The Menu is up on the wall. The McSorley's is the kindest beer; order two if you like to drink because they are small and the service is slow. The Bistro Burger is just a Bacon Cheeseburger. The Chili Burger is amazing if your really hungry and you've got a big stomach. Burgers here are best eaten if you don't put them down.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by scooby on August 24, 2000

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Corner Bistro
331 West 4th St New York, New York 10014
+1 212 242 9502

Carib

Restaurant

Carib

It's like actually stepping into the Caribbean. The palms and ferns seem to close in on you as you walk in. This is a great place to have 4 or more of your friends. Start out with the Calamari and Fried Plantains, but don't get too filled up because the portions on the entrees are huge. I have never met anyone that has finished a plate full there. If you don't drink, you can walk away spending less than 10$. However, The drinks here are awesome. My favorite is the dirty banana. Be careful, 3 or more drinks in a lightweight, you won't find your way back out through the palm trees. Notice it's on Greenwich St. (One West of Hudson) not Greenwich Ave. That has gotten more than one person lost.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by scooby on August 24, 2000

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Carib
Corner of Perry and Greenwich St. New York, New York

Leshko's

Restaurant

Leshko's

The interior reminded me of the Brady Bunch house. The food here is excellent and the staff is friendly and on time. They make one of the best Martini's here that I've ever had. The pork chops are another one of my favorites. This is a good place for a date.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by scooby on August 24, 2000

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Leshko's
Avenue A New York, New York

Other Room

Activity

The Other Room

A dimly lit place full of grey and steel. The booths across from the bar are well elevated, and make you feel like a king/queen. Be careful getting down after a few drinks. This place is just down the street from Carib. No hard alcohol is served here. They have about 8 specialty beers on tap that rotate fairly frequently, and an extensive wine list, most of which can be bought by the glass. There's a little room in the back for a big group, just get there early.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by scooby on August 24, 2000

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Other Room
143 Perry St. New York, New York 10014
(212) 645-9758

Village Idiot

Activity

The Village Idiot

This is your average dive bar: broken glass, occasional puke smells, shady characters, and beautiful bartenders. About a year ago it got written up as having the cheapest drinks in the city and became very crowded with cell phone toting yuppies. I think the hype has died down. Great old school pinball machine in the back room.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by scooby on August 24, 2000

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Village Idiot
85 E 4th St New York, New York 10003
(212) 505-3360

Coyote Ugly Saloon

Activity

Coyote Ugly Saloon

Okay, I haven't been there since the 'Coyote Ugly' movie came out. I'm sure it has changed. This used to be my favorite dive bar in the East Village (Doc Holliday's is a close second). The movie stayed true to the beautiful bartendresses, sudden discount shots of Ceurvo and Jack, and the general seediness. They used to have a happy hour that was 5$ pitchers of Bud from 8-12pm Mon-Thur. I'd be interested to know if that's still there, it was the best deal in town.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by scooby on August 24, 2000

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Coyote Ugly Saloon
153 First Ave New York, New York 10009
+1 212 477 4431

Staten Island Ferry

Activity

Staten Island Ferry

This is a great way to get out of the city for a little while. Breath some ocean/river air, see Manhattan from afar. Good photo opp of Downtown. Ferry goes right underneath Statue of Liberty. Don't stay in Staten Island, and don't go when it's cold.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by scooby on August 24, 2000

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Staten Island Ferry
Whitehall Ferry Terminal New York, New York 10004
(718) 390-5253

PS 1 Contemporary Art Center

Activity

PS1

They just got bought by the Met or Moca, one of those big wigs. The exhibits I've seen here have been the most fun I have ever had at a museum. All the work is very 'cutting edge.' The Greater New York show had a two/three story tall tube slide you could go down, and a sauna. Worth way more than the 5$ admission. Call them for directions. There are plenty of ways to get here on the subway.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by scooby on August 24, 2000

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PS 1 Contemporary Art Center
2225 Jackson Ave New York, New York 11101
(718) 784-2084

Brooklyn Bridge and Patsi-Grimaldi's

Experience

Everybody in the world should walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture in the world. The first bridge built in New York and the first suspension bridge of its kind. Marvel at the power of steel. The 4/5/6 downtown has a brooklyn bridge stop. You walk out and you can't miss it. Try sitting on one of the benches close to the center of the bridge with your eyes closed. You can feel how much the bridge vibrates and swings back and forth.

On the Brooklyn side of the bridge, the walk way forks. Bear left. You'll go down some stairs, make another left to the corner, left again, underneath the bridge. Make a right on the street running parallel to the bridge, Bridge on your right, Manhattan right in front of you. 3 or so blocks down is Patsi-Grimaldi's on your right. If you get lost, ask around, it's a well known spot. Get there early, it gets crowded around 6ish. They sell only whole pies. The cannoli's are good too.

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Happy Hours in Williamsburg Brooklyn.

Experience

It's best to get a map because it's easy to get lost if you stray too far. The L train takes you to Bedford (1st stop in brooklyn). This is ground zero. Go for the driggs exit and turn left. The Abbey has happy hour 4-8 and a pool table in the back. Back to Bedford, one block west of Driggs, turn left, on your left is Vera Cruz. 5-7 happy hour. Cheap Mexican Food (it's good and I'm a native californian) and discount Margaritas. Pete's Candy Store on Lorimer is a bit of a hike (check your map) but they have a good happy hour too. The blue lounge on Driggs and N9th or N10th (you can't miss it, it's got a big blue sign) has a happy hour till 9. They only serve beer, wine, and sake. The back room is really mellow. If you get hungry late, go to Yabbi's, excellent food and vegitarian options. On bedford and N1st, it is a converted gas station. Also check out Black Betty's on Metropolitan and Havemayer. Mostly a pick up bar, they frequently have very good live music.

If you feel like you have deep pockets, go to Peter Luger's Steak House on Broadway. Probably the best steak in Greater New York. Make reservations far in advance. Cash only.

If you've got a big group and are looking for a nice place to start out, go to PlanEat Thai. Take the Beford stairs out of the subway and walk straight. It's a half a block on your right. Incredable interior decor. Reasonably price Sushi and Thai food. The service is a little off because there's no co-ordination between the sushi bar and the kitchen. Still, the food is very good.

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About the Writer

scooby
scooby
Brooklyn, United States

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