NYC Barface Was Here

Some might say Michael Bloomberg is the face of New York City, others might say A-Rod or even Trump. I dissent. The face of NY is this dude I just drew on a post-it whose delicately-rendered features belie the complexity and accretion of culture that signify New York. By culture, of course, I mean places to get wasted and gorge yourself. What is the face of New York if not a slightly femme bald but mustachioed pudgy wide-eyed man?

Irish Eyes: Almost every city has a bar named Irish Eyes. Ours is in Inwood, a classic Irish pub whose beers on tap consist of Budweiser for $2 a mug.
Moustache: A tiny West Village affair crammed full of tables, vegetarian dishes, "pitzas" and well-to-do West Villagers despite the fairly priced entrees. Lamb sandwich is $9.
Bouche Bar: Besides being where I got drunk for the first time in NYC, this small East Village bar is a comfortable nabe hangout with good and cheapish drinks and often a d.j.
Lips: Abounding with dicks (in dresses) and bachelorettes, the West Village drag bar is a slightly classier version of the East Village's Lucky Cheng's. Don't eat the food. Don't drink the drinks (mad tax y'all) but do sing karaoke and feel profoundly alienated.
James Beard House: This is where I realized people really do judge you if you use the wrong fork. Shitty yuppie people but people nonetheless. The Beard House, named after gastroking James Beard hosts delicious dinners by renowned chefs for people who order things from Hammacher Schlemmer.
Chin Chin: High end Midtown Chinese food, with a Crisped Orange beef that costs $22 and tastes like it should cost around $18. That is to say, high prices and pretty good quality.
Ear Inn: Maybe the oldest bar in Manhattan, the Ear Inn was built in 1817 and used to be on the coast. And while Manhattan's gotten wider, this tiny bar keeps serving beers the old way: without pretense and cell phones.
The Brazen Head: With 15 craft beers on tap, and two "cask conditioned beers on hand tap" this is where Brooklyn's beer snobs congregate to talk about hops and, probably, Yo La Tengo, James Joyce, NPR and their kids with names like Skyler. Brooklyn spite aside, the beer here is really superb.

Irish Eyes [Newyorkcity.com]
Moustache [NY Mag]
Bouche Bar [Citysearch]
Lips NYC
James Beard House
Chin Chin [Menupages]
Ear Inn [NY Mag]
The Brazen Head

Previously: Caracas Arepas: A Good Repas, Things To Eat Before you Die, Dressler Hip, Not Hipster, Fools Russian: Anyway Cafe, Apt. 138 Cobble Hill, Fools Russian: Uncle Vanya's