Today I’m inspired by a fellow blogger to write about bars….my favorites, my least favorites, and what makes me love a good bar so much.
The Oak Bar at the Plaza, NYC
How do I love thee, let me count the dirty martinis….
The Oak Bar, to me, exemplifies all that is wonderfully Manhattan. I never minded going there and spending $20 on a martini (though my husband didn’t feel the same way when we visited in February) because to me, I wasn’t paying the money for the booze, I was paying for the experience. I was paying for the privilege to sit in this venerable institution and, for a minute, pretend that I belonged to a different world, in a different time. It’s romantic, it’s clubby, it sits on the edge of the most glorious park in the world, and they make a mean dirty martini (Vodka is my liquor of choice for a martini; I’m not a gin girl). Oak Bar, I love you. I promise never to visit Manhattan and not pay you a visit.
I think I’m a little bit obsessed with the romantic connection between writers and bars. Visions of the Algonquin Round Table dance through my head whenever I read The New Yorker, but I think that the idea of the Southern writer with the ever-present cocktail is even more prevalent. I can’t even think of Faulkner without hitting the bar. Maybe that’s where my slight obsession with a beautiful rocks glass, perfect ice, and a slow pour of bourbon came from.
Just so you don’t think I’m a total snob, I’m equally in love with plenty of dive bars. There’s nothing better than to be able to go into a place and drink the blues away or just casually hang out with your friends. You don’t have to be decked out, you won’t find a $20 cocktail, and there may or may not be some sort of debauchery taking place at any given moment.
In NYC, I love Joe’s Bar in the East Village. I’ve spent many a night and many a dollar listening to the best country music jukebox in NYC at this place. I grew up in SC and didn’t love country music until Joe’s…go figure. Also, if this place could talk, I’d cut its tongue out. As for a dive bar in Charleston, I have to be honest and say that I don’t really have a favorite dive bar in Charleston. I’ve gone through a few since I’ve been here, but nothing has stuck the way that Joe’s did. What about you guys? Favorites? Suggestions?
The restaurant bar….one of my favorites. I have a couple places that I love here in Charleston. I must be honest and say that the bar at Fish is awesome. I love going there after work for a lovely glass of wine (the picpoul is my new obsession) and some of the best tuna tartare I’ve ever eaten. The bartenders are friendly, the ambiance is cool, and there’s always a fun cast of characters to run into. If Evan is working, ask for The 49’er. A delicious concoction of bourbon, lemon, and agave nectar that will make you thank your lucky Kentucky stars for the invention of that sweet nectar of the gods…can you tell I like it? Make sure you asked him whose idea it was to make this drink.
My other favorite restaurant bar in Charleston would probably be McCrady’s. They make a killer drink, Sean Brock’s food is sublime, and the historic setting couldn’t be prettier or more charming. It’s another must.
My favorite bars are like my friends. Each one puts me in a different mood and makes me happy in a different way. I can move anywhere in the world and find a favorite bar…it’s a talent of mine.
*For the purpose of full disclosure I must add that I was sober when I wrote this
April 27th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
well the 49er is a very close 2nd to the real “gold rush” i found in NYC!
glad to share it with the low country, you’re welcome…… you, should try to get more bartenders to make their own version.
yes ($20 is a lot to spend on a single drink) spending that time with my lovely wife was for sure priceless.
we did have a very cool summer late day drink at fish(bar) yesterday!
i’m sure we can find a swell dive bar here at home, Honey
April 27th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
LOVE LOVE LOVE Joe’s bar in the East Village…best thing to happen between A & B.
What I love even more is a fine cocktail prepared by Evan!
Here are two “must haves” from Evan:
-Distinguised Gentleman
-Amber’s Sunshine Drink
(not sure the real title but he will know what it means:-)
April 27th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
I have a passion for great cocktails, fine wines and craft beers, but there is definitely something special about a great neighborhood bar or dive where they know your drink…give me a pool table, an ice cold bud heavy and a jukebox full of oldies and press PLAY for a good time. Tin Roof and Sand Dollar are two awesome spots I have come across in Charleston recently.
April 28th, 2010 at 10:03 am
My dive bar in NYC was Mars Bar…a block away from cbgb’s…..
I too love the Oak room. I remember my first visit there and the anticipation….and my visit was exactly what I had imagined in my head!
MAkes me want to wear brooches, gloves, etc….!
and I always wished I was at that round table at the Algonquin ( and had visions of living at the Chelsea)!
I second Tin Roof and of COURSE, Moe’s crosstown Tavern as a great Charleston dive bar.
I eternally miss Group Therapy, dive bar extraordinairre from the 80’s, on Society Street.
April 28th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Oooooh, I just love it when you all talk to me! First, to jimihatt…..YOU brought that drink to Charleston? You’re funny! I do love you for that priceless comment, though.
Amber: I love that you know Joe’s Bar! You continue to amaze me! I will check out your Evan suggestions asap!
Evan: I haven’t tried Sand Dollar…tell me more.
Celeste: great minds think alike! Whenever I’m in the Oak room I want to be dressed as Grace Kelly in Rear Window. That black and white dress she wears as she sweeps around the room turning on lights and introducing herself seriously makes me want to cry it’s so beautiful. That was actually what I was looking for when I bought my wedding dress. I’ll agree with you on the Moe’s thing. It’s a good dive bar and they have great fries!
April 28th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Love the Oak Room!! If I am not mistaken, the first time I went was with you. Uh, that was an interesting evening:) I got to know many bars in NYC the 18 hours I was there…ha!
Charleston has so many places I love for so many different reasons. Basically, I love a cocktail (or more) in interesting places with great friends and the one I love!
April 28th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
mmm mmm Oak bar martinis make my mouth happy. On your next visit you must try a Pisco Punch at Club Pegu. Light refreshing and oh so civilized…it’s De-Lish!
April 30th, 2010 at 10:29 am
Melody, I think we can arrange that!