Tuesday, August 24th, 2010—Bar 226
Day 226—Monday, August 23rd, 2010
Gonzalez Y Gonzalez (Originally headed for Pravda)
Another night, another bar. I had a good time at the Russian Vodka Room the other week and in a comment to that post, the mysterious Nick Beal suggested I try Pravda, a Russian bar in the East Village. I had a lot of beer over the weekend so a switch to vodka sounds good. Okay, Nick Beal, this one’s for you and “Boris,” which leads to Natashia which leads to everybody else reading this. Da!
Here we are at the Pravda entrance.
There's a long flight of stairs to climb down. Once in the bar I was hit with the sad news that I had to contact the General Manager to see if I could take pictures in there. They were more than nice about the whole thing, but now I had to improvise. I think we all know what comes next.
A lonely walk in search of another bar.
Here's an open-air restaurant, but the bar is packed. Hey people, it's Monday night and we're in the middle of a fucking recession here, I'm the only one who's supposed to be out tonight. Sheesh!
As I approach Broadway I remember this Mexican place we used to go to when I worked next door to it. It's only minutes away. Time to trade vodka for tequila.
Here's the building where I used to work. Hi Joe!
And here's the Mexican place. Above the neon is a giant sombrero which you can't see, because sometimes my photos suck. The name of the joint is Gonzalez Y Gonzalez.
They claim this is the longest bar in New York City and I believe them.
There's tables and a candle lit dining room opposite the bar. But of course I'm headed for the bar.
And Benny the bartender mixes me up an expertly crafted, spicy Michelada.
And speaking of Michelada's, today is 365 commentator Tiki Bar Susie's birthday. She's out of town and not on a computer, so she won't see this for a day or two, but happy birthday, Tiki Bar Susie! This Michelada's for you!
Here's a shot of the south of the border bar.
That's one big sombrero on the wall.
Midway into my drink, Benny brings some chips and salsa. I like it here!
Is that a lovely sight or what? ¡Aclamaciones!
Here's a no-flash shot of the other end of the bar. Hmmm...and what is that on the bar?
The brightly lit columns give it a festive feeling in here.
Some of the happy hour specials.
A shot of the well-stocked bar.
Mexican artwork and photos adorn the walls.
I had a couple more Negra Modela's and Benny bought me a shot of tequila and I was ready to hit the road.
As I walked up Broadway I heard an unmistakeable voice. I stopped and watched the couple walk away and then doubled back and walked in their direction. I stopped and let them pass me by and then asked, "Is that you Cousin Brucie?" He turned towards me and sure enough it was the legendary New York DJ himself. This is the guy who introduced the Beatles at their legendary Shea Stadium show. His wife was kind enough to take this photo. Check out Cousin Brucie on Sirius radio here: Cousin Brucie on Sirius. Hey, Cousin Brucie, you need to check out another cool DJ, my friend Gidget on Woody Radio. Check out her and the station here: Woody Radio. Goodnight everybody!
Review
Gonzalez Y Gonzalez has been on the block since 1989 and boasts that they have New York City’s longest bar. I don’t know if that’s true, but it’s the longest bar I’ve seen in this entire bar crawl. It turns and stretches for a good city block and opposite it are tables and a dining room in a low-lit atmosphere. The bartenders and staff are friendly and the cliental is a mix of tourists and locals from the neighborhood.
There’s a full bar with a good selection of tequilas and margaritas and I can tell you first hand that they make a great Michelada. Thursdays through Saturdays the back room with a stage opens up and there’s live salsa music available with no cover charge at the door. The last Wednesday of every month is comedy night featuring a monthly showcase of NYC comedians. There’s a daily happy hour featuring five dollar margaritas and three buck draft beers.
There’s a large menu of Mexican food to be had here with a nice selection of Tortas, Quesadillas, Fajitas and Tacos. Some of the entrees include: Chimichangas with chicken and cheese, Carne Ranchera which is a grilled steak with an ancho-chile sauce, Pollo Frito which is a breaded chicken cutlet served with black beans and Mexican rice and the Chile Relleno, a poblano chile stuffed with three cheeses and ground beef; topped with a fresh tomato salsa.
Thursday and Saturday nights they offer free Salsa dance lessons. Areeba!
Gonzalez Y Gonzalez
625 Broadway (Between Bleecker & Houston)
212.473.8787
Happy Birthday Tiki Bar Susie (Thanks to raginrr for reminding me to put this here!)
5 References
Reader Comments (34)
Cousin Brucie looks great, he must be at least 70 by now right? That was a long bar and with salsa and tortilla chips, and cold beer, wow. Funny how one bar has to get permission for photos, the other one is packed and yet another one is empty. A fickle business this bar stuff, isnt it?
@Al: You never know what's going to happen on the old bar crawl. I don't know Cousin Brucie's age, but he's a nice guy and has no attitude. A good night on the crawl!
Forgot,,,,happy birthday Tiki Bar Susie,,,hope you have a great one!
and Mexico won the miss universe pageant last night. i think you're on to something here, Martin.
aww TY Marty..
you are totally awesome for mentioning me..
I love this bar. Cute bartender.. Awesome looking chips.. And a fucking awesome bar name!
I love when you have to improv it a bit cause the outcome is always worth it.
Frustrating for you but fun for us...
Isn't it wonderful to know that you are a sort of entertainment for others and you live solely for their entertainment?
IS IT JUST ME or does Cousin Brucie look like Frank Gifford? perhaps they have the same surgeon.
happy birthday, Tiki Bar Susie!
Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tiki Bar Susie!!!!!!!!!
That's one beautiful bar!! I love the high ceilings and the lights festooned everywhere! And chips and salsa--that's MY kind of bar snack!! No salty-ass popcorn for me! Not to mention the other Mexican delights....yet another to add to the list when I come there! (I must remember to pack my iron liver.)
Goddamn, another great bounce-back! I admire your tenacity in a search for a good time. When the Russians block you, the Mexicans welcome you with open arms, beer and chips! And how cool to see Cousin Brucie on here, a true radio legend! This is one of the crawl's for the books!
Oh, and Happy Birthday to Tiki Bar Susie, hopefully you're on vacation and boozing it up at a Tiki Bar in the islands!
Once again.
Serendipity.
Had to stuck with original plans you wouldn't have run into Cousin Brucie.
Very cool.
Great looking long bar!
Very casual y festive evening.
Happy Birthday to "TBS".
Hope you get back to see those Ruskies!
AND
I got my Butch's Pizza goodies in the mail today!
Thanks Tim!
I do "Dig The Pig!"
"Boris"
Happy birthday, Tiki Bar Susie! Good comeback Marty!
One of the great things about this blog is a walk down memory lane and G y G brings back some good ones. I left NYC in 2001 but had gone to this joint many times for margaritas. Glad to see it's still around. For a restauarant, 21 years is a lifetime!
@mattyanza: I used to work right next door and we'd stop in there all the time. Maybe our paths crossed at some point!
Happy Birthday Tiki Bar Susie....may the shouts (free beer) be endlessly plentiful......have a good one mate!!
To Tiki Bar Suzie! Feliz cumpleaños! felicitaciones!
FIRE FIRE FIRE !!
oh and happy birthday tiki bar susie !!!!! :)
Happy Birthday to Tiki Bar Susie!! I think I forgot to say it before...so I'm saying it now!!! :-)
Gonzalez Y Gonzalez wow I didn't know it's still there , haven't been in the part of town for a long time .
Do they still have paper on tables with pencils to draw with , I used to draw cockroaches on it , all over , looked bad , & my friends would get mad at me for doing it .
\Happy Birthday to Tiki Bar Susie!! Man there is allot of Birthdays this month !!!
You had Mexican last night! Ha ha ha! Looks like a great place and as for the food and drinks - yummily in my tummily!! How cool that you recognized Cousin Brucie's voice! All in all, a classic post. And happy birthday, Tiki Bar Susie! Hope you're having a fun vacay!
@JHwang: Somebody else is having a birthday this week? Who? (Ha ha ha!)
@Biff: Mexican always brings the facecrack out in me!
Happy Birthday Tiki Bar Susie! All the best. I'll have a Mojito for you when the shaking stops.
@365 this place looks awesome. Totally red. Red brings out the seediness and is what makes it look and feel like a mexican bar/rest/joint should.
This is just around the corner from where were staying in the Evillage (Evil!! i think thats what I'll call it from now on!!) So Shan and I will be going there for some mexican and shots! Thanks for the tip off.
Is it you birthday this week Marty? If it is, great timing. I've sent you a present!! ha ha.
I did some research because a friend told me there was a H.R. Giger themed bar in NY. Was going to suggest we head there for the crawl, but sadly it's no longer there. Did you know about this place? (i'll send you a link to you email...very creepy but very cool)
2months to go!!! WOOOOOOO!!!!