Sunday, February 21st, 2010—Bar 42
Day 42—Saturday, February 20th
Manitoba’s
Usually I go to a hotel bar on Saturday nights, but since last night was a bit of a flop, I thought I’d go somewhere a little more lively. I’ve been meaning to go to Manitoba’s bar for awhile and tonight is the night.
Manitoba’s is owned by “Handsome Dick” Manitoba, who fronts the band, The Dictators. I remember reading about “Handsome Dick” and the Dictators back when I was a senior in high school in Peoria, Illinois in Punk magazine. Punk was founded by John Holmstrom, Legs McNeil and Ged Dunn. Since moving out to New York I’ve met and gotten to to know both John and Legs in my travels and have written about them both in my old magazine fishwrap. So tonight we travel to Manitoba’s and we’ll see if I get to meet “Handsome Dick” Manitoba.
Okay, so a few minutes after I wrote the introduction to this post I heard water leaking in my bathroom. I called my landlord and we got the water turned off and thought the problem was solved. About fifteen minutes later I heard a big kaboom noise and part of the ceiling had caved in. Motherfucker!
My bathroom now looks like a bomb went off in it. Okay, my bathroom's a wreck, the cats I'm catsitting are freaking out, so I know what to do...
It's time to start drinking heavily.
I'm here early enough to enjoy the Happy Hour specials.
There's a friendly vibe and a nice neighborhood charm to Manitoba's.
These two offered me a seat next to them at the bar. They are Joe and Jessica and were two fun and friendly people. Joe is a marketing guru and this is one of his many business alliances: Culture Catch. Jessica told me her boyfriend is in Africa and you can read about his travelings here: Dave Arman's Blog.
Everyone is welcome at Manitoba's.
LIz the bartender served me up a can of Pabst and the hole in my bathroom ceiling was soon forgotten. Liz is in a band called the Runaway Suns. Check them out here: The Runaway Suns.
There's great photos from the late 70s and early 80s punk rock heyday in NYC lining the walls.
Mike and Alex were enjoying the Saturday night out at Manitoba's.
A cool vintage poster of "Handsome Dick's" band the Dictators.
I wonder who these people are...I know, I'll go up and ask them.
It's Tara, Jaime and Billy. Billy flashes the 365 card. You can follow him on Twitter here: Billy.
The bathrooms at Manitoba's. Ooh la la!
Denton was seated next to me and flashed his Darth Vader Pez for the camera.
Lauren and Sarah were seated at the end of the bar.
Here's the backroom of Manitoba's.
Manitoba's has a great eclectic jukebox. After checking it out, I had a couple more cans of Pabst with Joe and Jessica and was feeling no pain. In fact, maybe some magic fairies had fixed the hole in my bathroom ceiling.
No such luck, time for more beer. Goodnight everybody!
Review
C.B.G.B.’s is gone, but the spirit remains alive in Manitoba’s bar located in Alphabet City. It’s a dark paneled, low-lit bar loaded with punk rock era pictures and memorabilia from owner “Handsome Dick” Manitoba’s glory days with his punk band the Dictators. There’s a game room in the basement but I didn’t go there because I don’t play games. Manitoba’s has one of the best jukeboxes in town with artists ranging from Wilson Pickett to NRBQ to The Monkees to The Damned. It’s a friendly neighborhood bar where everyone is welcomed and a good time is had by all.
Manitoba’s has a daily happy hour from 2pm-8pm featuring $3 well drinks, imported drafts, and wine plus $2 domestic drafts and $1 off all other drinks. There’s a half dozen beers on draft including Coney Island Lager and Killian’s Irish Red. The dozen bottled beers include Budweiser, Goose Island and Negra Modelo. And for those of you with Peoria in your bloodstream, Pabst Blue Ribbon is available in cans. There’s no food available, but you can bring in a slice from the neighborhood pizza joints and nobody’s gonna complain. Manitoba’s is open 365 days a year from 2pm to 4am.
Manitoba’s
99 Avenue B (between Sixth and Seventh)
212-982-2511
2 References
Reader Comments (10)
Oh that is the fucking bets bar !!!!!!
I love it!
I have to live vicarously through you Marty!!!! we dont have anything that cool here....
I am so sorry you have all that ceiling shit covering your toilet... is there a window to piss out?
I uncovered the toilet, Gidget but it's still a wreck in there. I'm actually at work now and thankful for the clean toilets here!
Your bathroom problems remind me of a stunt my asshole landlord pulled when I was living in Minneapolis. He decided to 'fix' the roof, and shortly afterward it started raining in my bedroom. I lost a chest of drawers and a lot of books because of that moron. And yes, old advice is good advice. I drank heavily, and when the hangover passed and I was coherent again, I dialed LAWYERS.
I"m gonna crack open a beer and put Go Girl Crazy! on! Great post, hope your bathroom gets fixed soon. That looks like one rough spot to be doing your business in!
Dood! Sorry about your bathroom! That sucks!! But hey, $2 domestic drafts rock!
Great review!
Manitoba's is on my list when I get out there to visit.
I did the CBGB's/Max's Kansas City stop back in the "daze".
Always glad I did.
I will say the bathroom at your place is kind of "Punk Chic" now.
Talk to you hopefully tomorrow.
Hey, at least we got the obligatory bathroom shot.
I've heard of feeling like the walls are caving in on you, but no one ever said anything about a ceiling! Hope that's cleaned up for you soon. Til then, at least you have super duper places like Manitoba's to while away the time.
That is one very cool bar!! I loved it and the people there were very cool too. Joe and Jessica do look fun and friendly. I am so glad that you had the opportunity to meet them.
I like the Runaway Suns music very much. I just "friended" them on Myspace. Very cool!!
What a great place!
P.S,
Sorry about your bathroom....
Anyway, this obligatory bathroom shot is the best you did ! ohhhh hooole shiiit..... what a Jesus hole shit !!! Keep smiling Marty....