Saturday, November 13th, 2010—Bar 307

Day 307—Friday, November 12th, 2010
Hickey's Bar

First off the donation bell has rung from a donor who prefers to remain anonymous. This person sent in a more than generous donation of fifty bucks and it's not the first time he's donated. I thank you very much, this bar crawl isn't cheap and I appreciate you picking up the tab for tonight!

Okay, onto night number two with the BBC. I just got an email and they’re coming out of their 379th bar of the trip. They’re taking it light tonight and have only had 379 beers and 139 mixed drinks between the three of them. Hey, time moves on and you slow down a little, it happens to the best of us. Gene picked another bar tonight that I think will be a winner because Fat Al from the Half Empty Glass chose this bar as a backup joint in case we got tossed from the OTB bar last Sunday for taking pictures. And that bar is Hickey’s, which looks to be a perfect Friday night spot. It’s an old dive bar and from what I’ve read it’s an older cliental, so maybe it won’t be packed and crazy. There’s only one way to find out...

Is to walk over. Here we are outside the well-worn walls of Hickey's. So far this place looks like a winner, nice pick, Gene!

Nice and divey inside and check it out, a whole corner of the bar is free on a Friday night!

James the bartender is quick with a bottle of Bud.

Some of the crates of empties are stacked up in the front room.

Here's a shot out the front window looking out at 33rd Street.

Obligatory bar room mirror shot!

Budweiser!

There's a long wooden railing opposite the bar.

The paneled walls feature vintage boxing photos and sports mirrors.

You got two choices of drafts here: Budweiser and Budweiser Light. If you don't like it, go to some fancy-pants joint.

A long shot of the interior of the bar. Potato chips and booze, a perfect picture if ever there was one.

Some kids were whooping it up down at the end of the bar, let's go and say hi.

They were happy to have their photo taken and to be part of the 365 bar crawl. From left: Andrew, Toika and Chris.

Meanwhile back at the bar, James is taking care of business.

Hey, some people have taken over my spot at the bar!

And of course it's the BBC ready for night number two on the bar crawl. From left: Gene, Smoopy and Terry, flashing the 365 colors on his shirt that he bought at the 365 Bar Store. Speaking of the store, "Boris" is working on a new "Crawlapalooza" design that we'll be unveiling soon. I'll show a sneak peek of it in a day or two.

Everybody dance now!

The BBC show off their Rockette-like dance moves.

Gene suggested we try the old-school thumb to nose salute as an alternative to the one-fingered flip that's been so popular on the crawl.

But in the end, James proves that half a finger is better than none. Well done, James, best one-fingered salute yet! Goodnight, everybody!

Review
It’s easy to walk by Hickey’s bar and not even notice it. There’s a well-worn exterior, with a modest sign saying, “Hickey’s For Delicious Food and Large Drinks.” Well, to be honest, the drinks are about average size and the delicious food consists of potato chips and peanuts, but this place is a classic. It’s a narrow joint with a long wooden bar taking up most of the space. There’s tables in the back and the brown paneled walls with boxing photos and sports mirrors give the place a 1970’s rec room feel. There’s hardly ever a crowd in here and the bartenders are old school and gentlemanly and sometimes known to crack the wise on patrons.

Don’t expect a big drink selection here. If you order a bottle of Budweiser you’re safe, same for a draft. Mixed drink? I’d stick to something neat or a gin and tonic. Don’t even think about ordering a Cosmopolitan in this joint, the odds are the bartender has never heard of the magazine Cosmopolitan, much less the cocktail.

Hickey's is one of the last great dive bars in Manhattan. Stop by for a drink or four and let's keep this joint in existence!

Hickey's Bar
139 W 33rd St (Between 6th and 7th Ave.)
(212) 502-5259

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Bonus Photos: Gene and Tiffany!

The BBC made a pit stop at Nassua’s bar yesterday and Gene met the lovely Tiffany who was part of the bar crawl on October 30th. Here’s a couple pictures of the two of them, enjoy!