Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010—Bar 44
Day 44—Monday, February 22nd
Mé Bar
Okay, this week I’m working from noon till around nine every day, so I decided to go to a bar that closes a little early on weeknights during the wintertime (in the summer it's open later). It’s called Mé Bar and supposedly it’s got a great view of The Empire State Building. It’s on the top floor of a La Quinta hotel in Korea Town, which is kind of bizarre. But I like bizarre, so that’s tonight’s destination. I read online that NY Magazine declares Mé Bar to be the best place in New York for a rendezvous. I haven’t had a good rendezvous in ages, so let’s go!
Here we are, Korea Town in Manhattan. You know what you get when you cross Cougar Town with Korea Town? A new reality series on VH1 starring Margaret Cho.
Mé Bar is on the top floor of the La Quinta hotel, although you'd never know it because there's no sign outside. It's kind of like a secret club. And now you're in on the secret. Come on, let's go find it.
Just take the elevator up to the 14th floor...
And follow the sign to the roof top bar.
And we're here! It looks nice and cozy.
Here's Andrew the bartender and the well-stocked bar. Time for some drinkage!
Andrew serves up a bottle of Guinness and we know what that leads to...
The tradtional wearin' of the Guinness on the head!
Okay, I forgot to write her name down, but I think this is Kim. Kim was there with a friend who was a little photo-shy, luckily Kim wasn't. Kim, if I've botched your name, feel free to berate me in the comments section.
The bar may be small, but it houses a large selection of bottled beers, wine and liquor.
Here's the outside rooftop area of the bar.
It's one of the few places you can still smoke while enjoying a drink in New York.
Even in the cold nights of February you'll find people enjoying the rooftop view. This is Mindy and Hoang.
Here I serve up my patented shit-eating grin with (from left:) Claudia the sidekick and Candy the (former) stripper. That's film stripper, get your minds out of the gutter, people!
Here's a patio shot of the Empire State Building in all its glory.
Julien and Marie were also enjoying the rooftop view. Put a coat on Julien, it's freezing out here!
I believe her name is Melissa, she gave me her card and I lost it. I have to start limiting myself to three drinks at each bar! Melissa, if you see this you can leave your website information in the comments section.
And now, time for the occasional bathroom mirror shot. Goodnight everybody!
Review
The Mé Bar (pronounced May Bar, Mé is Korean for mountain and the bar is in Koreatown) should think about changing its name to Secret Bar, because there’s no sign outside of the La Quinta hotel that it’s there. I found out about it through the magic of the internet.
The inside of the bar is about the size of a double New York City studio apartment. It’s cozy and quaint though and would be a great, quiet place for a drink on a first date. It’s got one of the best views of the Empire State Building in the city and the real draw here is the outside patio area. There’s umbrella tables, a white picket fence, festive lighting and the spectacular view. This would be the perfect spot to enjoy a cold beer in the middle of July. Sadly it’s the end of February and as usual my timing is perfect. But even in the cold of winter, the outside rooftop is open to the public and smokers take note, there’s ashtrays out here, a rarity in bars these days.
They have a full bar, 16 different varieties of bottled beer and a nice wine list. The bartenders are friendly and the vibe in the bar feels like you’re in a party in one of the coolest apartments in Manhattan. Even in the winter, it’s a fun little hideaway bar and if you’re going to see a show or a game at Madison Square Garden, just show your ticket stub and you get a two for one deal on your first round of drinks. They don’t serve food, but they do have a variety of menus from restaurants in the area that deliver to the bar and there’s free popcorn available as well.
Mé Bar
17 W 32nd St (Between 5th and 6th Ave.)
347-321-4167 (I don't get the wacky area code either, but it is the right number.)
1 Reference
Reader Comments (9)
That patio looks like I could really relax on it! And you can't ever go wrong with an avalanche of beers! I'm going to head there next time I'm in town. Maybe I'll bring along a miniature ape and a Barbie doll and reenact scenes from King Kong.
Hay Marty I think there is another roof bar near there , I have to go find it , can't remember address , but the view of Empire state Building is awesome . I don't think it's open in this season , but I know it's open in spring , will look for it & let you know .
No 13th floor.
I will definitely take note of this place...I like "secret" bars.
I would go there JUST TO BE ABLE TO SMOKE AND DRINK - and AT THE SAME TIME!
Minnesota bars went smoke free one and a half years ago, and even though I ran a smoking cab, I'm glad I don't have to listen to my hillbilly ex-clientele ranting about how they can't smoke down at the country drunk bar and grill anymore and act as though it's my fault. Fuck'em if they can't take a joke! I'm glad I'm retired!!
This look's like it would be cool in the spring and summer. But it even seems like a nice spot in winter. And @Cocksman: most hotels don't have a 13th floor on the elevator, it's considered bad luck.
I miss New York :( I want to be baaaaack !!!!!! and drink beer with Marty and Jason..... see motherfucker !!!?
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