Media Drinking Hangouts
Writers like to drink. Other forms of substance abuse are often indulged in, but drinking is the only one that's state sanctioned. After a long day of drinking at their desks, sometimes journalists like to hit the town. And by town, we mean the closest, cheapest bar. So here's a map of media-bar hangouts. Don't be surprised if you walk into one of the bars and hear people discussing The Elements of Style or the underappreciated genius of Joshua Ferris. Know of any media bars not on this list? Send them in, and check out our earlier list of New York blogger bars.
68 Jay Street
68 Jay St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
L Magazine is not on the L. "L" is for local, not L-line (or "elevated," or lesbian). WTF, right? This bar has $3 draft beers at happy hour, allows dogs, and serves … goldfish (the Pepperidge Farm kind). A staffer described it as "Dumbo's most generic/convenient bar." [link]
Old Town Bar
45 E 18th St
New York, NY 10003
Old Town Bar is the New York Observer's place, especially on Tuesdays after the paper closes. The bar is also known for its perfectly sized burgers and mixed crowd. [link]
Metro Marche
625 8th Ave
New York, NY 10018
This city has everything, including a French restaurant in Port Authority, the armpit of Manhattan. One New York Times staffer described Metro Marche as "unappealing for … so many reasons, it's tough to pick just one. Overpriced drinks, mediocre food and service. Oh, and there's the constant stream of buses to New Jersey. It's the kind of place no Times employee would set food in if it wasn't 50 feet from the front entrance of the building." [link]
Kennedy's Restaurant
327 W 57th St
New York, NY 10019
Newsweek actually has an organized staff drinking event. Every Thursday, the magazine hosts a buffet meal with free wine and beer. But on other nights (and for hard … alcohol), Kennedy's is the default spot for staffers. [link]
MercBar
151 Mercer St
New York, NY 10012
City magazine publisher and restaurateur John McDonald owns this bar. Synergy! A tipster claims it has the best bartenders, waitresses, and barbacks in town, and says … it puts the Conde and Hearst cafeterias to shame. [link]
Botanica
47 E Houston St
New York, NY 10012
Botanica is simply a rich hipster bar, so it's no surprise that Huffington Post staffers enjoy drink specials there. Some might argue that Botanica is a place for well … intentioned pansies, just like the Huffington Post. [link]
