Thursday, May 20th, 2010—Bar 130

Day 130—Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
230 Fifth
Ding, ding, ding, by now we all know what that sound means, good sweet bar-crawling cash via the old PayPal button! My friend, Aaron Smith generously donated 30 dollars to the 365 Bar Crawl fundage. Aaron drums in the super cool band, The Joans. Check out their video to their signature song which he wrote, “Mad At The Dirt.”



Check out the Joans  here at their website: The Joans. Thanks again, Aaron and it was great hanging out with you both nights on the Chicago Bar Crawl. For those of you who missed the Chi-Town two day crawl, check it out here: Simon’s and Club Foot.

Secondly, check out the cool top spinner my friend and designer Joe Freedman made and sent to me. It’s a cool spinning top, it creates a relaxing, hypnotic vibe while watching it twirl and here’s a video of it in action  (the video doesn’t do it justice, you need to watch it in real time):



Check out the rest of Joe’s cool toys, pop-up cards, miniatures and gifts here: Leaf Display. Thanks, Joe!

Okay, on with the crawl! Sadly, my Baltimore Bar-Crawling buddies, Gene, Debbie and Terry have gone back to Baltimore, so it’s back to solo bar-crawling for me. Now that it’s close to summer, the rooftop bars are starting to open up, so I thought I’d start checking them out. The last one I went to was in the winter time, so I wisely have waited for the weather to be a little more inviting. More than one people have recommended a rooftop bar and lounge called 230 Fifth and it’s within walking distance of where I work, so it’s time to crawl!

230 Fifth Avenue, this is the place.

Okay, onwards and upwards to the 20th Floor.

Stay right? Is this place sponsored by Fox News?

Alright, here's the elevator to take us up. All aboard!

And we're greeted in the lounge area by the lovely Hostess Joanna and her friendly neighborhood tiger.

Wow, the bar is packed, let's chek out the other side.

Holy shitballs, it's going to be rough to get a beer in here!

But I manage to wiggle in and not only get a beer, but a shot of the pretty bartender Kelly who's graciously serving it up.

Bright lights, big rooftop and beer. Cheers!

The view from one section of 230 Fifth.

As you can see, 230 Fifth is one of the few bars left in New York you can smoke in. From left, Ian and Ian. I think I've been on this bar crawl too long, now I'm not only seeing double, I'm hearing double!

Another choice view from this huge rooftop bar.

My beer and the Manhattan skyline, who could ask for anything more?

Here's Nate, Adam, Lauren and Duford. Lauren's not really a midget, she's just kneeling for the camera.

A shot of the Empire State Building from the roof.

Val, Una and Stephanie were enjoying drinks and the view from the bar.

The whole place is like one giant outdoor porch.

The bar has emptied out somewhat, time for another drink and...

...a photo of both of the bartenders on duty. Alex and Kelly, two friendly and attractive bartenders.

Lissa, Jimmy and Melissa were enjoying themselves at a table with drinks and cigars.

Lissa's dad, Haj taught her how to smoke cigars and she said this photo would make his day. This shot's for you, Haj, you've got a cool daughter!

Okay, on the way out and the obligatory elevator mirror shot. Goodnight, everybody!

Review
NBC’s website voted 230 Fifth the number one rooftop bar in New York City and Japan’s fashion magazine, Spur, ranked 230 Fifth as the number one “thing to do” in New York for good reason, it’s a great rooftop bar. The area in the bar is huge with lots of wooden chairs and tables available for lounging in and taking in the breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline. There’s palm trees, views of the Empire State Building and the Met Life Building in addition to the rest of the sparkling Manhattan nighttime backdrop and if it’s chilly, there’s heated lamps and they offer robes to wear to keep warm in the off season. The rooftop bar is the only skyline bar in New York open for 365 days a year.

There’s a full bar, but be forewarned, it’s not cheap. But consider the steep prices a bit of a cover charge for the expansive view of the New York skyline to enjoy at 230 Fifth. In addition to the full bar, they offer a bar menu which serves from 4pm to 4am. Some of the items on the menu include: Crispy Shrimp, Veal and Pork Meatballs, Short Rib Beef Rendang and Sea Bass.

The rooftop bar also offers a Saturday and Sunday brunch from 11:00am to  5:00pm. Stop by and check out this bar in the sky.

230 Fifth
230 Fifth Ave., 20th fl @23rd St.
212-725-4300