Every now and then, something truly, remarkably random happens to reaffirm my love for this city.
Last night, I went to the East Village with some friends to grab dinner and scope out some bars for my upcoming birthday. Our walk eventually led us to Alphabet City, and as we made our way up toward the next bar on our list, we passed by an extremely divey sort of place. Heeding little attention, we kept walking for a few steps.
“Hey,” said Sachin, the eagle eyes of the group, as he paused to look back at a sign on the sidewalk. “I think this place has all-you-can-drink Bud Light for $5. Let’s check it out.”
“No way,” said Evan, who somehow seemed to know about this bar. “It’s a country bar. We should not have the party here.”
“No, not for the party. Let’s just go in to get some cheap beer,” said Rishi, the voice of reason.
“Whatever,” said I, too lazy to care.
We made our way into the bar (Doc Holliday’s), and ordered up a round of beers. The place had a western feel. The wood decor had an old, weathered appearance to it, and the whole place, from the stools to the bathrooms, felt a little saloon-y. A few people were sitting around the bar (some in cowboy hats), while a jukebox in the back played an assortment of old, honky-tonk tunes. It was very “cowboy” (or as cowboy as cowboy can get in Manhattan).
Silence
Halfway through our second beers, the jukebox cut out mid-song. A rather large fellow in full Scottish regalia walked to the center of the bar carrying a set of bagpipes.
SLAP!
With a swift whack to his airbag, the man broke out into some sort of Scottish tune (it sounded like the national anthem, but then again, it all sounds the same to me). All heads turned in his direction to watch him play, some in bewilderment, some in amazement. One guy even started talking pictures.
CLOMP, CLOMP
Our heads spun back around. The bartender was now standing on the bar. She was wearing cowboy boots. Not the type of cowboy boots you’d expect at a bar like this, but the type of silver, shiny boots a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader would wear. As the bagpiper continued to bagpipe, she broke out into a dance on the bar involving a mix of stomping her feet, tap-dancing, clapping her hands, and spinning around. Line dance? Not so much. More of a ‘jig’.
Silence
The bagpiper finished his song. The bartender hopped down off the bar. After a quick round of applause, everyone returned to their drinks. The jukebox picked up where it had left off. Within a matter of seconds, everything went back to the way it was. It was like nothing happened.
God I love this city.
Email: me [at] amishshah [dot] com
17 responses so far ↓
Jaime // Aug 30, 2006 at 2:16 pm
Doc Holliday is a fabulous dive. Plus they have Buck Hunter. I really couldn’t ask for more.
Kristen // Aug 30, 2006 at 2:42 pm
damn, I love a good jig.
Jane // Aug 30, 2006 at 3:06 pm
How does this stuff always happen to you??
angelina // Aug 30, 2006 at 6:00 pm
big buck hunter, ah, yes, now I remember this place.
fond memories of best friends, beer and big bucks.
FOBioPatel's Urine Sample // Aug 30, 2006 at 10:38 pm
Doc Holiday’s ain’t bad. I like Korova’s - it’s got the Clockwork Orange theme to it. Try the 5 Horsemen Drink. You’ll swear it tasted like peppermint gasoline.
pinknest // Aug 31, 2006 at 10:01 am
lol!! i love nyc, too, but that sounds like my worst nightmare.
Anonymous // Aug 31, 2006 at 12:53 pm
One time I was at a bar/club on Avenue A (which is now non-existent) located right next to Route 85A. When my group went inside, we found the Olsen Twins and their massive entourage (P.S. They look like aliens). To follow up this pleasant surprise, a group of females (probably hired?) plopped up onto the bar and proceeded to dance all over each other and slowly strip. By the time they were down to nothing, we were given the opportunity to watch them orally pleasure each other. Splendid! And then, to top off the night and eventually joining the bar-dancing-women, was a midget dressed in a Mini-Me costume. You can’t top ABC.
Also, I agree that Buck Hunter rocks.
Ryan // Aug 31, 2006 at 3:00 pm
The bagpiper–
Where did he come? Where did he go?
No Cottoneyed Joe jokes please.
Kevin // Aug 31, 2006 at 5:49 pm
So wait was it really $5 all you can drink bud light? Is it everynight?
Amish // Aug 31, 2006 at 5:54 pm
Never played buck hunter, so I don’t have much of a reply for you guys.
Kevin- I’m not sure if that’s an everyday thing or not. They definitely had it on a Tuesday though. Its a pretty divey place so I’m sure they have some cheap special going on every night.
Amy // Aug 31, 2006 at 8:37 pm
That’s awesome! I love NYC…Amish, I think you’re the only one who reads my blog….so sad. Also good, because it’s embarassing.
DonnieSally // Aug 31, 2006 at 10:59 pm
So if you want another place with such dive locations but not the Ave with Letter there is a place called “Bar” on the UWS at about 76th and Bdway. The Sign outside reads Ba and the drinks inside are just as cheap and the dancing just as good.
diane // Sep 1, 2006 at 12:18 pm
that’s SO funny…and so RANDOM! i never tried that place out (even though it is so close to my apt.)…but for $5 all you can drink bud lights i just might have to!
a-mess // Sep 1, 2006 at 1:29 pm
the bar place is Yogi’s
its got a huge bear outside
and its great
shoelover // Sep 2, 2006 at 1:03 am
Light American Beer……what is that, another name for water?
concha // Sep 2, 2006 at 10:59 pm
bud light??? eeeeewww.
FOBioPatel's Urine Sample // Sep 6, 2006 at 5:36 pm
NEW POST PLEASE.
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