I picked this song because it was on in the background of one of these fine drinking establishments. It’s also the right time to have it Noted that I am Team #FreeBritney if we’re still doing that!
Britney was in the news a couple of weeks ago for sneaking up from behind the #1 Overall NBA pick, Victor Wembanyama, while out in public. She inadvertently slapped herself in the face while getting shoved out of the way by Wembanyama’s security team. That is not right! Just like how it is not right that Wembanyama was born (1/4 ‘04) only a week before this song was released (1/12 ‘04)! Where else are you going to get this type of content on a Guinness review?!?!?
In terms of doing annotations for this song, I had a Britney Spears poster hanging up in my room back in ‘01 so I’m totally starstruck and cracking under pressure. We’ll skip to the pints of Guinness…
Guinness Challenge Season #1
@Kids don’t try this at home. Not just because you’re underage and will have plenty of pints to drink if that ends up being your thing when you’re older but also because Guinness is actually best served in a pint glass from a tap. A pint of Guinness varies depending on the drinking establishment. If the keg it sits in is rarely poured, it can lead to some underwhelming taste. Rather than stealing gimmicks, I’d like to start taking Notes while drinking Guinness. My grandfather from Connemara, who I never got the chance to meet, Thomas Davis, used to drink pints and by all accounts was a self-taught thinker. The one rule I’ve imposed on myself is that I will only have 1 pint per sitting from each establishment I review, so @AnyoneWorrying, don’t worry about my drinking habits. The Guinness Challenge is to “cut the G” on your first sip (more like a gulp and a half). If this is your first time hearing about it, I didn’t come up with the fun challenge @YouTheReader can try the next time you have a Guinness. The 0.0 to 10.0 scale will be extraordinarily nuanced but as a reference point, the only perfect 10.0 I plan ever to give out is at the Guinness Factory in Dublin one day.
Song On In The Background: Toxic by Britney Spears
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: Anthony is the bartender. He has worked here for about a year. They have 16 9-foot pool tables. In-house league Monday to Thursday. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday walk-ins are $16 per player per hour. They also have 2 darts. The Cuban&Guac and Cobb salad is recommended. Mango drinks are made with syrup, egg white, and bitters. The other option for songs was 1, 2 Step.
Open late at night 7 days a week, Society Billiards offers a fun pool hall for everyone. If you’d like to get billiards lessons, they even have a house pro in Jonathan Smith (Jonathan.Smith@societybilliards.com) that you can email to set up a date&time. Their Happy hour is Monday to Friday 4 PM to 7 PM on draughts, select wines, and select spirits. I look forward to grabbing another drink at Society Billiards again soon!
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: “United by Ping Pong” sign is hanging up on the wall behind the bar. 15 ping pong tables in the basement bar and every single one of them has a game going on with couches of people networking. They also have a shuffleboard. Very cool scene. Good after-work teams spot. The “Bambi’s Knees” and The Chad Burger is recommended. Bartender had a mask on so I wasn’t asking too many questions out of respect.
The Chad Burger is made of house-ground Wagyu brisket, short rib, Flat Iron patty, LTO, and American cheese. The Bambi’s Knees is Botanist gin, italicus, blood peach, honey, lemon, chandon rosé, and orange oils. Spin NY Flatiron area was filled with people after work and looked like a fun time where people could do a ton of networking while playing some ping pong. The bar has a very modern feel to it. Spin has many locations in many American cities such as Boston, Chicago, New York (Flatiron & Midtown), Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, and Washington D.C. Their spinitiki drink menu is also very fun! I look forward to grabbing another drink at Spin again soon!
Song On In The Background: Same As It Was by Harry Styles
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: I JUST SHOOK ROGER FEDERER’S HAND OUTSIDE OF BAR AT ELEVEN MADISON PARK. I was listening to “Lucky Man” by The Verve so I have to use it as a No Football Friday now. Move over Marv Albert, Roger is now the 2nd sports figure I’ve come across while Stumblin’ Along in my Week to Week Notes Era. The strip steak at Gem Saloon is recommended, it comes with French fries or mashed potatoes. Roger Federer was like looking at a statue in real life. Soft hands. The Showdown cocktail is recommended. Dimly lit spot. Bar at Eleven Madison Park didn’t have Guinness, I asked their bartender, it is a very fancy spot Roger was dressed to the nines. Gem Saloon would be a great date spot during the week and a fun spot to party at during the weekend. I gave the hostess at Eleven Madison Park a Week to Week Notes card and asked if they could give it to Roger when they gave him his check. Thomas is the bartender at Gem Saloon, he also recommends Milton on the Upper East Side so I’ll have to check it out soon. Steve Nash still has a stake in Gem Saloon, confirmed.
As you could tell, I was VERY EXCITED to shake Roger Federer’s hand. I had to ask him if it was really him in which he nonchalantly said, “Yes, I am Roger.” I kind of blew up his spot because then a few other people went over to say hello. Gem Saloon is located in the heart of Murray Hill. It is a modern-day American saloon with daily happy hour and specials. Their large horseshoe bar on the main floor is unique and the Trixies bar located on the mezzanine level is available for private events. Their Lunch Special run from 11 AM to 4 PM every Monday thru Friday. Happy Hour at Gem Saloon runs from 4 PM to 8 PM Monday thru Friday. They have a DJ every weekend on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night that starts at 10 PM. For weekends, Gem Saloon also does Bottomless Brunches on Saturday & Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM. I’ve been to the Gem Saloon a few times with my friends previously, so I can vouch that it’s for sure a fun weekend spot. I have to check out the Milton the next time I’m in the Upper East Side. I look forward to grabbing another pint of Guinness at the Gem Saloon again soon!
1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2…
…I still can’t believe I shook Roger Federer’s hand…I haven’t washed my hand since…