New York City proper (Manhattan) used to be fill of old joints, old bars for old/real men. Now you have to travel to Greenpoint, or further, to find out where the working man chills out. Just a block away from this brick and round windowed haven/heaven, hipsters (definition here) drink at "the lokal" or the oyster bar, smoking like mad, drinking pints, numbed by multiple flat screens, volume and their own fashion sense. While at this unassuming Polish bar, the charming female bartender (in her family since the 60s) charged me 25 cents for a club soda, and smiled when I left a dollar tip. They weren't doing much business. The place was quiet. Old guys drinking beer from short glasses -- no hipsters in sight.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
old guy bar / Greenpoint
New York City proper (Manhattan) used to be fill of old joints, old bars for old/real men. Now you have to travel to Greenpoint, or further, to find out where the working man chills out. Just a block away from this brick and round windowed haven/heaven, hipsters (definition here) drink at "the lokal" or the oyster bar, smoking like mad, drinking pints, numbed by multiple flat screens, volume and their own fashion sense. While at this unassuming Polish bar, the charming female bartender (in her family since the 60s) charged me 25 cents for a club soda, and smiled when I left a dollar tip. They weren't doing much business. The place was quiet. Old guys drinking beer from short glasses -- no hipsters in sight.
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17 comments:
I thought that might have been a "hipster" on the right.
though I think I'm too old to even know what one is!
Beautiful,fantastic and lovely shot !!
lol.
What's the cross street of this bar? It must be in toward GP and away from Long Island City?
Mark had a great time living in GP, though it is still a bit isolated. Having to take a train and then transfer to the G puts people off, I think, which is why GP has changed more slowly than Williamsburg.
Beautiful and interesting shot!
The Subway Inn across from Bloomingdale's in midtown was one of my dad's stomping grounds. Last time I was there was after a political demonstration on 1st Avenue that brought a mob of activists into the bar and startled the old guys for sure. Bartenders aren't what they used to be either. Had to go to Ruby's in Coney Island to get a guy who knocked on the bar for the third drink ordered and called it luck and gave you one on the house.
Wow, the colors in this shot! Great image, love how you captured life.
Cool shot !
Again KM, you've captured some fine colors here. Lots of corners, it seems, in many of your street shots. I remember, when a bar in P-town here had 'shorts' for 20 cents. That'd make a long night!
Straightoutadamovies.
As a former Greenpointer...this is/was known as Walker's or Irene's. It sits on the corner of Manhattan and Nassua Aves.
yeah, me and a buddy one wandered in here and got the stinkeye, we're pretty sure because he's african american. so, there's stuff to get nostalgic about, and then there's bars where black people are made to feel unwelcome.
Old guys huh......probably where I should be hanging out.
V
I especially like the blend of text and photo this time, Ken. Of course, how can we dismiss Henry's concern? Just when you're about to feel free to indulge in some healthy sentimentality . . . . Good ol' reality. Whack.
i don't dismiss Henry's concern. But when I was there, a table of Hispanic fellows seemed to be enjoying themselves with no problems. Who knows...
i do like his use of the word "stinkeye," haven't heard that in ages...
«Louis» didn't know places like this still exist!
Definitely my kind of place, one with history and atmosphere ... quiet is good!!
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