Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010—Bar 296
Day 296—Monday, November 1st, 2010
Cubbyhole
Okay, thanks to visiting commentator and friend, Biff, I don’t have to pick a bar tonight and I’m answering a question at the same time. The question is: “When are you going to a gay bar?” One bar that Biff wanted to hit was the Cubbyhole in the West Village which is a popular lesbian bar. Yes, that’s one of the many things that Bifferoonie and I have in common, we’re both lesbians. But I’ve also read that it’s also just a fun neighborhood bar and they welcome gays, straights, slightly curved and polygons. So that’s tonight’s destination. But first...dinner at The House!
Here we are at The House. I came here all the way back in May for a Sunday dinner.
Biff called ahead and reserved us a private banquette table in the downstairs area. Clockwise from left: Biff, Mr. Wise Guy, Paul, Janie, Chrissy and Aaron. We had a great dinner and of course a few drinks.
And speaking of drinks, here we are at tonight's destination, The Cubbyhole.
We thought it would be empty, being a Monday and the night after Halloween, but there was actually a good size crowd in here.
Here's Zak, the super-friendly bartender. He's a Pepper, wouldn't you like to be a Pepper too?
And here's Bifferoonie and I at the bar, doing what we do best, hoisting a couple beers. Cheers!
Halloween's over, but it's still raining pumpkins in here.
As we settle in, Biff gives me a patented, "Are you going to take photos of me the whole fucking night?" looks, so it's time for me to move on and get some other shots.
Here's Erin who was chilling out over by the jukebox.
A shot from the end of the bar.
Some of the drink specials at Cubbyhole.
And here's the draft beer available.
Here's Thomas and Ashley who were enjoying drinks at the bar.
An Elvis stool sample...yikes!
Yeah, you go ahead and smile Mr. Pumpkin, but tomorrow you won't be so happy when you get stuffed back in a box for a year.
Andy was the other friendly bartender on duty and here he is posing with Zak.
And the empties pile up as the night comes to a close.
And one last parting shot is had at the bar. Cheers and goodnight, everybody!
Review
The Cubbyhole has been on the block for sixteen years and while it’s known as a lesbian bar, they welcome people of all stripes and even polka dots. It’s a friendly atmosphere in a small, cozy setting. The wooden horseshoe bar takes up most of the space with a few tables and a wooden railing up front occupying the rest. The bar is usually crowded and is populated by everyone from NYU students to neighborhood regulars who have have been fixtures at the bar since it opened in 1993. There’s an overload of knick-knacks, bric-a-bracs and piñata-like festive twirly-do’s hanging from the ceiling and walls giving the joint a forever festive feel and it always is a party in this place. No wonder it was voted the best lesbian bar in 2007 by New York magazine.
There’s a full bar available at Cubbyhole and daily drink specials including: Four dollar Cosmos on Monday, two buck Margaritas on Tuesday and three dollar screwdrivers on Wednesday. You will not break the bank getting a buzz going in this joint. Sunday through Thursday Coors Light and Pabst in cans are available for three bucks from opening to closing. And if you’re not a beer drinker these drinks can be had for three bucks as well: Whiskey Sour, Rum Cocktail, Madras, Sloe Gin Fizz and Phil’s younger brother, Tom Collins.
Wednesday’s the bar has the “Wheel-O-Drinks” night where you can spin for shots, cocktails and a 30 dollar bar tab. You can also spin to be entered in a monthly raffle to win a Cannon Power Shot A495 camera and a shot at an iPad which will be raffled off at the end of the year.
Cubbyhole
281 W. 12th St. (Near Eighth Ave.)
212-243-9041
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R.I.P. Howard O’Brien, veteran bartender from Sophie’s.
I just learned via Fat Al at the Half Empty Glass and from EV Grieve that longtime bartender Howard O'Brien from Sophie’s bar has died after a battle with cancer. Mr. O’Brien wasn’t there the night I visited, but from what I’ve read he was a great bartender and all-around good guy. He was 56-years-old and will be missed at Sophie’s. R.I.P. Howard O’Brien.
Photo courtesy of EV Grieve.
2 References
Reader Comments (18)
That looks like a real party bar and you gotta love lesbians! Nice that all types are welcome at the Cubbyhole. Glad you're friends are having a good time on the crawl!
Cubbyhole does look like a party,,,,lots of crapola hanging from the ceiling. As far as lesbian bars go,,,it really doesn't matter to me. It looks like any other good bar on the crawl. Well now you can say,,,,"been there,,,done that" so basically every type of bar is now represented on 365. Glad to see that on election day,,,,365 is very democratic,,,,love everybody.
@Al: Cheers to that thought!
You asked to take my picture last night and now I wish i would've let you. You captured the spirit of Cubbyhole perfectly, good job and nice review. I hope to see you in there again!
To Howard O'brien!
love this place! it is festive and looks like you had fun with biff and her gang. the line that both you and biff are lesbians is hilarious! LOL!
(r.i.p. to howard o'brien.)
@365: Fun times all round! I tried to find that clip of the Simpsons where Homer goes to a lesbian bar because he gets barred from Moe's...He's confused by the whole scene mainly because the place doesn't have a fire escape. Classic but it was all in some south American over dub on the tube.
Got ya email see you on Prince street around that time. We'll probably be there before you.
NEW YORK RULES!!!!!
Cubbyhole is a great bar filled with friendly folks! Thanks to everyone for being such great hosts!
Dinner at The House looks fantastic and I love the name.
The decor in the Cubbyhole was super-cool and you could tell that it is a very fun place to grab a few drinks and make a few new friends and YES I would like to be a pepper too!!
Cheers Biff, Cheers Aaron and Cheers Marty and Cheers to all of you fine A Guy Walks Into 365 Bars fellow fans.
Please rest in the Peace and Comfort of our Lord Howard O’Brien,
@Tim Clack: great to meet you and Shannon tonight on the bar crawl! Pictures will be up tomorrow!
@Biff, Paul, Aaron, Janie and Chrissy: Thanks for coming in to town and for the David Sedaris tickets, that show was definitely a highlight of my life, thanks!
@Tiki Bar Susie: Cheers to you and let's try and talk this week, it's been too long!
I'm going to start a new company just so I can call it Bobbitt & Lewinsky.
Cheers, Tiki Bar Susie! Have fun Clacky and Shannon! And RIP Howard O'Brien.
Marty, thanks for the cheese.
Lesbians = ratings.
@Biff: Have a safe trip home and thank for the David Sedaris ticket! Come back soon and I hope you've changed your clothes today!
@Howard Stern's Penis: If only ratings = cash I'd have it made. But no, it's back to work I go. Fuck.
R.I.P. Howard O’Brien.
To all the "Co-Crawlers"... Have a safe trip back home.
Looking forward to the David Sedaris review!
I would be afraid some of that stuff on the ceiling would fall on me. I would like to be a pepper! Looks like a fun place, and am loving seeing the pictures of your gang. Cheers to Howard!
I would LOVE to see David Sedaris!
Listen, Marty, it's hard to find time to change clothes when bartenders are making you stay out til 4! Thanks for the lack of memories, Zak! I owe you one.
I think this bar was my favorite--the clientele reminds me a lot of the places here at home--except the girls are more vigilant about spotting potential trouble--which is good, because it shows that they have "community ownership" of the place and want to keep it nice.
I know we talked about it before, but don't we pity the poor fool who has to take down all that stuff from the ceiling? Zak said at least it isn't him! :-)
Thanks Zak and folks at Cubbyhole! I want to hit this place again next time I'm in town!
@Aaron: Great to see you in New York and hang out with you on the crawl!