Last week after veering off to the present day because of Saint Patrick’s Day week, we’re traveling back in time on our regularly scheduled programming on the Pint&Pen&Papers. These pints were drunk last fall and I picked today’s tune Body by Loud Luxury featuring Brando because it was on in the background of these fine drinking establishments in New York City.
This is a club song that came out in October of ‘17. Loud Luxury is from Ontario. The “Six” reference here is the area code of Toronto. The nickname of the Canadian city was made famous by Torontonian rapper Drake.
This tune reminds me of a time my friends and I hit Atlantic City back in January of ‘18. We got a table at a club to see these guys DJ at a club. Mind you, we were just out of college then so hitting AC probably wasn’t the brightest of financial investments, but it was a fun time. Crew Love is also another Drake reference, great tune, great tune.
Below is a compilation of Snapchat Stories I took from the trip. I swear I’ve grown up a ton since then… I think at least. Also, @Dougherty I still O U for the room service burger, it was delicious!
Fingers crossed that my grandma skips over my trip to AC from January ‘18…
These were the Jameson & Ginger Ale days. I had way too much charisma for the camera. Now I’m just a boring old sports writer, thank goodness we’ve moved…
On to the pints…
#GuinnessChallengeSeason
@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, whom 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.
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: Veronica is bartending. She’s been working here for 2 weeks. They serve popcorn. Veronica “loves NY. It is amazing. A lot of different opportunities and lifestyles. Something is different about New York.” She’s been here 5 years and has also spent time in LA but likes the change of seasons. Wings and pizza are recommended. Not a big fan of sports but a huge fan of One Direction. Office workers crowd. “LA was too bland. The weather was always sun.” New York is better, woohoo!
Located in NoMad, the Tipsy Nomad offers a place to watch a game or hang out with friends and colleagues after work. They have 2 bars and a nice lounge that is perfect for private parties. Their kitchen has options from burgers, jumbo wings, tacos, and thin-crust pizza. With draft beer options of craft, domestic, and imports like Guinness, they also have premium wines or top-shelf liquors if you’re looking for something stronger. The bar has a nice space and plenty of TVs. I look forward to getting another Guinness at Tipsy NoMad again!
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: This bar is also owned by Tara Rose. I remember they got the name from Tara, the town they were from in Ireland, and Rose Hill, being the original name of what is now Murray Hill. This place is swanky! 2 levels, more of a restaurant but they have a great long bar. They still serve a proper pint. The Creole Cocktail is sort of like an old-fashioned, it’s been recommended. As for the food, maybe go with the Pot Roasted Monkfish. “A bite from a pear is better than a kiss from an alligator” is where they got the cool name. After being recommended to check this place out by Siobhan from Tara Rose last spring, this place was awesome. I had high expectations but they outdid themselves!
Established in ‘23, the Alligator Pear is the latest creation of Kevin Doherty who also owns Tara Rose and Bosco. Located in the heart of Midtown, they are a new American-style ambiance with the same friendly Irish pub hospitality. With it being just a few blocks from Madison Square Garden, they would be an excellent spot to check out for a game, concert, or show. They have sophisticated new American dishes and cocktails infused with Southern Charm. It would be a nice date spot, a great place to go with a group or even a nice night out in the town. I look forward to grabbing another pint of Guinness at Alligator Pear again soon!
Song On In The Background: Rocky Mountain Way by Joe Walsh
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: Right by Times Square. Garvey is the last name of the owner’s family. Mother's side is from Galway and dad's side is from Mayo. Up the West! (Kidding) Guinness is the top seller. Irish Stew is their go-to food-wise. Mayo GAA is coming over to play at Gaelic Park in Woodlawn. The owner, JP, knows all about Pearl River and he’s having an Irish breakfast next to me. The bartender, who lives in Woodlawn, recommends a pint at Rory Dolan’s, Morley’s, Keane’s, and Rambling House. World Cup Rugby and Six Nations always get shown here. Sports bar. Their crowd varies between hotels and Broadway shows, popular area!
Nothing like a nice Saturday morning in The City and after scarfing down a Bacon-Egg-Cheese grabbing a pint of Guinness. The opening round of the Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship is coming up and will feature Mayo vs. New York on April 7th in Woodlawn. Mayo last played in The Bronx back in May of ‘19 when they won 1-22 to 0-4. Mayo just won the Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship so expect Gaelic Park to be swarmed for the match. When in The City, it is always funny to run into somebody who knows all about Pearl River. JP is a huge fan of our bar scene. Garvey’s is a nice Times Square spot where I’m sure the Guinness was flowing this past weekend for Saint Patrick’s Day. They have live music every night of the week and always have sports on TV. I look forward to grabbing another pint of Guinness at Garvey’s again soon!