Pint&Pen&Paper Week 135 (Vol I)
Black Beatles
Black Beatles
- Duck Duck (@duckduckbar)
- Sleepwalk (@sleepwalk.nyc)
- Emblem BK (@emblem_bk)
- YouTube Rabbithole
Alright @YouTheReader,
Today’s tune is Rae Sremmurd’s Black Beatles because it was on in the background at one of these many fine drinking establishments in Brooklyn this past February.
Rae Sremmurd is a hip-hop duo of Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi. The Mississippi brothers found success in the Atlanta rap scene. The duo tagged themselves as the Black Beatles, comparing their lifestyle to The Beatles. According to SongFacts, Slim Jxmmi has claimed to be related to Paul McCartney. The English singer has never confirmed.
This song was released in the autumn of 2016. While it was already semi-popular for hip-hop fans, Black Beatles blew up to #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 thanks to the #MannequinChallenge. To date, it’s Rae Sremmurd’s only Top 10 Hit. However, Swae Lee does have two Top 10s on his own, Sunflower and Unforgettable. For some unfair comparisons, The Beatles had 20 #1 Hits and 35 Top 10s.
The social media phenomenon took place at the beginning of November ‘16 and had people from all walks of life standing still like mannequins. The original Mannequin Challenge took place in a high school classroom in Jacksonville, Florida. Why they chose the Black Beatles is unknown, but it oddly enough works well with the bit.
(Source: Mic.com)
On to the pints…
#GuinnessChallengeSeason
Commonly Asked Questions
What’s the deal with “hashtag Guinness Challenge Season?”
I don’t know; it was invented after a Jets loss and quite a few pints on New Year’s Day of ‘23. The “Season” was supposed to last from New Year’s to Saint Patrick’s Day, but the bit has stuck for 135 weeks now.
What is a Guinness Challenge?
When you split the G of a proper pint of Guinness in one sip, it's fun. You should try it next time. See the picture above for reference.
Is there a difference between Guinness at different places?
Why yes, of course, great question. Guinness varies more than any other beer. It comes in all shapes and sizes like bottles, cans, and drafts (draughts, as the Euros say it). A proper pour of Guinness is a work of art. Guinness kegs must be run quite a bit, and their lines must be cleaned extensively. As a self-proclaimed Guinness connoisseur, my 0.0 to 10.0 scale is extraordinarily nuanced, but for reference, the only perfect 10.0 will be at the Guinness Factory.
Duck Duck (@duckduckbar) 2/19 ‘25
Service & Staff: A
Guinness: 4.0 (Standard Can)
Guinness Challenge: N/A (No Logo)
Song On In The Background: Crimson and Clover by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: Cash only bar. Valentine's Day decorations are up from last weekend, along with multi-color Christmas lights. Probably about 60 or so rubber ducks behind the bar. They have church pews for booth seating in their dining area. There is also a couch lounge space in the corner. Team USA takes on Canada in the Hockey Four Nations tournament final tomorrow night. A lot of rubber ducks.
Located in East Williamsburg, Duck Duck has been a neighborhood staple for over a decade. The diver bar’s front garage door makes for some nice airflow in the summer. Every weekend, they have a DJ for your late-night Saturday. Cool spot, they have a lot of rubber ducks.
Sleepwalk (@sleepwalk.nyc) 2/19 ‘25
Service & Staff: A
Guinness: 6.4
Guinness Challenge: Count It! ✅
Song On In The Background: Novelty by Joy Division
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: Sleepwalk has a Happy Hour until 7 PM. Behind the bar are two Playboy Magazines. They have a nice lounge area with couches in their back room area for stand-up, live music, and more. Sleepwalk also has a patio out back for the warmer months. My one gripe is that there was very little schtick to my pint of Guinness. According to the Google, 3.6% to 7% of the population sleepwalks once in their life, but it’s much more common among children.
Established in the summer of ‘22, Sleepwalk is an East Williamsburg venue, restaurant, and cocktail bar. They blend a 1920s Shanghai style with modern Brooklyn flair. The bar is named after the US Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit record, Sleep Walk, by a Brooklyn rock & roll brothers duo called Santo and Johnny in 1959. The song inspired Fleetwood Mac’s Albatross, which in turn inspired The Beatles’ Sun King. You would know the beat if you heard it, the instrumental is still pretty popular today. Check out Sleepwalk’s Website for their live music calendar for upcoming events. Cool spot, that’s a lot of sleepwalkers out there.
Emblem BK (@emblem_bk) 2/19 ‘25
Service & Staff: A
Guinness: 6.2
Guinness Challenge: N/A (Montauk Glass)
Song On In The Background: Black Beatles by Rae Sremmurd
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: The menu states they have the best wings in NYC, so might as well review them too. Sports bar. As soon as I sat down, the bartender asked if there were any specific games I wanted to watch. It’s a quiet February Wednesday night, so College Hoops it is. I’ve been ghosted by my Valentine’s Day Hinge date, so we’re onto the blonde of the Upper East Side. The wings here truly are elite, 9.5, because you can’t be giving out a perfect 10s.
In the heart of East Williamsburg, Emblem Sports Bar is a haven for fans. With 21 TVs behind the bar and wall-to-wall, you won’t miss a play from a single game, regardless of the sport. The Emblem has 16 different beers on tap and an outdoor beer garden for the summer months. It’s the perfect spot to catch a big game. They can also hold up to 50 guests indoors or outback if you’re interested in a party. Cool spot, the wings were elite.
