the great gramercy sunday funday bar crawl

Last weekend, I finally made my triumphant return to the city of all cities. My former stomping grounds, the home of the romantic & the hubs, the big old apple: New York City. Most specifically, I enjoyed the most perfect Gramercy Sunday funday.

Unfortunately, my red-headed counterpart and her beau are zip-lining around Costa Rica. This meant couldn’t be in attendance, but I made sure I paid proper homage to one of my favorite cities. I very happily enjoyed a whirlwind 24 hours of drinking and eating. I have my gracious host to thank, the Scholar (remember her?), for showing me around her new neighborhood and taking me to a few of her favorite places.

Bar #1: Pete’s Tavern, 18th & Irving Pl // Pete’s is arguably the oldest bar in New York City, and it also happens to be one of the Scholar’s favorite haunts. We sat outside and enjoyed bloody marys, french fries, and a few Sam Adams. All while taking in the scenery of one of Gramercy’s prettiest streets, of course.

Pros: Old-school New York City experience, delicious drinks, and an authentic and regular crowd

Cons: $$$$$. I mean, just a little. But I’m poor.

Bar #2: Brother’s Jimmy’s, 16th between Park Ave and Irving // Bro Jim’s is a NYC chain, with locations all over the city. Think southern barbecue meets college frat party. We sat at the bar and salivated over the smells coming from the kitchen while enjoying a few tall-boys of cheap low-brow beer.

Pros: $4.50 cans of PBR and Natty Light all day every day. That’s a freaking steal in New York City.

Cons: Crowd full of sports-crazed and college-aged bros. But hey, maybe that’s your thing.

Bar #3: The Penny Farthing, 13th & 3rd // This is where things started to get rowdy, as the tall-boys of cheap beer started to creep up on us. There was a lot of laughter at this bar, especially after a few stouts.

Pros: Lots of outdoor seating, super nice staff, AND it’s really fun to say the name of the bar in a British accent. Sunday Funday trifecta.

Cons: Can’t really think of any. Maybe that my Guinness came in a Brooklyn Brewery pint glass? Does that count?

Bar #4: Back Forty, 12th & Avenue B (EDIT: NOW CLOSED) // We thought it best for everyone that we got some food in our systems at this point, so we headed over to the East Village for dinner at Back Forty. We split a loaf of house-made bread, a beet and goat cheese salad, and super delicious burger.

Pros: Everything we ate was absolutely delicious, and there was a great selection of craft beer to wash everything down.

Cons: Definitely not hipster or cool enough to frequent Back Forty on a more regular basis. Let’s just say there was a little air of pretension amongst the East Village clientele.

After four bars and about seven hours of fun, we decided it was best to head back to the Scholar’s apartment. Once there, we half-heartedly watched the Olympics and mostly snoozed on the couch. Unfortunately, the next morning, the Scholar was back at work and I was on my way back to DC, but not without my favorite Monday morning hangover cure:

New York, you were real good to me for 24 hours. Don’t think this means I forget about how smelly you get in the summer, or how much rage your crowded streets give me. But hey, it was nice seeing you again.

xo!

the wino