Friday, Sept. 24th, 2010—Bar 257
Day 257—Thursday, September 23rd, 2010
Hurley’s
Tonight I’m going to the legendary New York bar, Hurley’s. I remember Johnny Carson talking about Hurley’s way back when the Tonight Show was located in New York (yes, I’m that old.) It’s no longer located in its old Rockefeller Center location, it moved to 48th Street about ten years ago. It looks like it retained its old school attitude and looks though and it’s a whopping three stories with a bar on every floor. My three bars! I hope they’re named Robbie, Chip and Ernie, but that would be too good to be true, but we’ll find out.
And there’s going to be a special guest star tonight. Most of you will remember Lex from last Tuesday where she was the 365 bar correspondent for a party thrown by Jon and Kate from the fine magazine-styled website, Grade “A” Fancy. Lex is in town with her in-laws from Canada, her husband Peter had to stay home and work and watch their two kids, one of whom is a rumored window breaker, but I’ll never tell. Tonight Lex’s in-laws are going to a Broadway show that she’s seen already, so she’s joining me on the bar crawl. The least I can do is buy her a drink or three for standing in for me at the party at the Rum House. So it’s off we go.
Here it is, Hurley's bar. I got a stiff neck trying to get this shot.
Here's Emily, the lovely and friendly hostess who pointed us towards the bar.
And here is the aforementioned bar. It's big and looks nice.
And bartender Benjamin quickly serves up a beer.
And here I am with my special guest of the evening, Lex all the way from Canada! Cheers!
The bar on the ground floor is a large horseshoe bar which is divided into two rooms. One side is relatively quiet and calm...
And then you go through this alcove...
And this side is kind of crazy busy. It's cool, you can choose whatever atmosphere floats your boat on one floor.
There's tables opposite the bar and this place is a big hangout for business people and those rumored to be business people.
Smile, Lex, you're on 365 Candid Camera!
On my way back to the quiet side of the bar I met these guys, from left: Silas, Matthew and Fred. Silas and Matthew were in town from Oakland, California and Matthew was visiting from Fargo, North Dakota.
Always love the lit-up bottles behind the bar!
On our way up to the rooftop terrace bar we met Clive the manager of Hurley's. Here he is with Lex.
And here's the rooftop terrace bar. One of the coolest and relaxing rooftop bars I've been to.
And here's bartender Stephen with yet another bottle of beer and a trick up his sleeve.
Or should I say in the palm of his hand, check out his moustache tattoo. Hilarious!
Here's the outside terrace that has a beautiful view. Hey, are those two smoking?
Hell yes they're smoking and they're outside so the Bloomberg cigarette police brigade can't touch them. Wilhemina and Chuck were visiting New York from Holland and were having a great time in the city.
The stunning view from the terrace.
Lex is back at the bar chatting with Stephen.
And who shows up but Lex's in-laws direct from the Broadway show. It's their 50th wedding anniversary! From left, Conrad A.K.A. "Morley," Mary Ann, Lex and Yours Fooly.
Lex's in-laws were lots of fun and we had a great night. Here they pose with Richard (I think, I forgot to write his name down in my notes.) Lex said she had seen Richard in diapers in Mexico and I didn't ask any questions about that. Some things are better left unsaid. Thanks to Lex, Morley and Mary Ann for joining me on this bar crawl, it was lots of fun! Goodnight, everybody!
Review
Hurley’s originally opened in 1892 in what is now Rockefeller Center. When prohibition happened, they simply outfitted the front to look like a florist shop and the Hurley family operated a speakeasy in the back. In 2000 they moved to this location and the bar and restaurant is a tri-level affair. The first floor has a giant two room horseshoe bar with one side that’s occupied by locals and the other is frequented by tourists and theater goers. The middle level houses a small bar and a large dining area and up on top is a recently opened roof-top terrace bar. It’s a friendly atmosphere and they’ve managed to retain the old-school Hurley’s charm of days gone by.
Hurley’s has three full bars all with a decent selection of draft and bottled beers. It’s also a restaurant but you can eat full meals at the bar. Some of the offerings on the menu include: Certified Angus Beef New York Strip with blue cheese butter; Beer Battered Shrimp; Tuscan Roasted Chicken and Grilled Bratwurst & Garlic Mashed potatoes. They’re known for their French Onion Soup and if you have a strong heart, check out the Irish Cheese Fries which are topped with cheddar, jack cheese, bacon, scallions and gravy. Ouch, my heart just exploded a little just typing in that last sentence!
Hurley’s
232 W. 48th St. (Near Broadway)
212-765-8981
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24 References
Reader Comments (20)
What I love about this is not only the bars, but the calvacade of characters you bring along with the ride! An unending cocktail party! Happy anniversary, Mary Ann and Morley!
What a great night out.
Like we've said before.
The "Crawl" has taken on a life of it's own.
Almost to the 100 Countdown!
I remember Carson mentioning Hurley's as well.
Happy Anniversary to Mary Ann and "Morley"!
Hurley's main floor bar is long,,,then they put another one across the way,,,and more upstairs,,,,a great stop on the old crawl. I liked the darker bar on the main floor (the busy one). Lit up bottles add a nice touch. Lex's in laws are having a great time. Hey what's up with Stephen? notice that tie,, wow is that a worlds record for biggest knot on that tie? Funny stuff
Looks like Hurley's has something for every body's taste. Say, weren't those Irish cheese fries responsible for Edith Bunker's fatal stroke? Hmmm...
I love that there are two areas to the bar to suit your mood. I think I would be hanging out on the rooftop one though! Love the look of that one, and there is good eye candy behind the bar. Nice to see Lex again, and happy anniversary Mary Ann and Morley!
Welcome to the United States Lex and Conrad A.K.A. "Morley" and Mary Ann!! It is such a pleasure to have you here and I sure hope that you enjoyed the play Conrad and Mary Ann. Happy Anniversary to you and CONGRATULATIONS!
Hurleys looks like a very cool bar Marty...very cool indeed and I love the friendly fun loving folks and beautiful bartenders. Great choice and how cool that Carson used to frequent the place.
DAMN YOU, STEELERS!!!
GO BROWNS!
Add a little cheese curd on those fries and you've got yourself some poutine! Hellooooo, Canada! Speaking of which, Lex and her parents seem like real nice folks (even if they HAVE seen Richard in his diapers). Glad you got to spend some time with them and HAPPY GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY, Mary Ann and Morley!
Hurley's looks like a great place - so big you could get LOST in there! HA HA HA! I still gots it! I like all the different areas and you can't go wrong with a rooftop terrace. One of these days, I've got to stop in and check it out - but it'll have to wait til after football season. GO BROWNS!
Why Steelers in New York? What would I know. I'm just a Philadelphia Eagles fan in Australia so I'll stay out of this one....
But because you're my mate Marty...Go Browns unless they're playing Eagles...!
What a great venue. Stephen is my kinda guy! I respect a man with funny tattoos.
Cheers to Lex, mary-ann and Conrad!
TO THE CANADIAN CLUB!!
@365: So...I'm proud to announce that I'll be quitting my job tomorrow! There's a new caterer coming in the place who is a complete DOUCHE BAG and I have too much integrity and pride to waste my time working for this sexist bigot!
In the meantime I'll be moonlighting at my friends lakeside bistro for the next few weeks leading up to our trip so I'd be more than happy to do another Foreign Correspondence bar review. You wait till you see this place!! Million dollar views, kick arse food, ugly staff (thats where I come into things-not literally...didn't I just mention something about integrity and pride?)!!
@Tim Clack: Congratulations on quitting your job and getting a moonlighting gig. By all means send in photos when you can! And I'm a Browns fan mainly because Biff is. GO BROWNS AND TO THE CANADIAN CLUB!
Cool Bar , but to big for Me , would get lost going to bathroom .
Happy anniversary, Mary Ann and Morley!
Cheers & Beers To All
i've heard of hurlleys. love love love that rooftop bar! and lex and in-laws look like fun people, nice additions to your crawl! happy anniversary to mary ann and morley! 50 years quite the achievement!
@Jason: Cheers and Beers, Matey!
Do you have a schpeel (spelling?) that you say when you walk into these bars to get people to pose so nicely? I feel like every time I try and get people to smile for a picture it's like pulling teeth...is it the alcohol?
P.S. still loving the blog- you've got the right idea :)
@spokeit: I think it's a combination of the alcohol and that people like the idea of what I'm doing and they get into being a part of it. For that I'm grateful. As I always say, this blog is more about the people in the bars than the bar itself. Thanks for loving the blog!
Awesome ! Along with TV's & BRICK .... I also like small tiled floors ! This place has all 3 - and the 3 different levels & a outside ... sshhhhish, what more can one ask for ??
PS: Steelers suck ! hahahahahahaha!!!!!!!
nice four in one stop on the crawl...what happened to all the hats?...no pics of the second floor...are all those books still there?...hoisting an early a.m. bloody mary to morley and mary ann...damn fifty years—wishing you many more...good to see lex on the crawl...
365—wasn't acid...it was a more of a tsunami of information overload...still can't seem to put into words...'cept you go down into a rabbit hole not up...KOC
rr
@GENE: GO BROWNS!
@rr: I found out you're right about that rabbit hole, I'll be back next week. And the books are ther on the second floor, just didn't get any pictures. Maybe next time. And yes, hoist one to Mary Ann and Morley!
I'm late on the crawl this week ! I like the moustache tatoo!!!!! hilarious indeed!!!!! :D
Cheers to Lex and her in laws!!
@ Tim : I quitted my job too!!!!! lol