September 19, 2011
My friend Kate from One More Folded Sunset has told me about a bar in her neighborhood in Park Slope called Hank’s Saloon, which is a legendary dive bar that’s been on the block for over 100 years. We’ve talked about meeting in there and having a drink or three and today is the day we’ve chosen to do this. Goggla and Ed who you may remember from our Chillmaster outings are also coming along and so are you if you continue to follow this post. It’s right below and here we go.
I was going to meet Goggla and Ed at Coal Yard and then we were going to take the subway to Brooklyn and meet Kate at Hank's.
But Ed got stuck at work, so Goggla and I had a drink at Coal Yard and ventured off to Hank's.
And through the miracle of the internet, here we are at Hank's Saloon in Park Slope, Brooklyn. It looks like a great bar.
Great mural on the side of the bar.
"Tonight...Hank's." I couldn't have summed it up better. It 's almost like Cliff's Notes haiku.
And here's Ed reunited with Goggla. Kate's here too, but she was camera shy so there will be no photos of her. But I thank her for suggesting this outing.
Jeannie is the lovely and friendly bartender on duty. She was part of a photo shoot earlier for a Californai biker magazine, so she was used to posing for photos and happily agreed to have this one taken. She wanted me to inform everyone that there's been rumors of Hank's closing and that they are just that, rumors. Hank's is alive and well, stop in and have a drink or three.
Here's a shot of the bar in all it's glory. It's been on the block for over 100 years and it's named for Hank Williams. The original name of the bar was Do Ray, and the subtitle was, "Where Good Friends Meet." Still true today.
Gumby's all settled in and as always has a mescaline-like smile coloring his green face.
Christmas lights hang over the bar, giving a festive feeling to the place.
The draft beers are illuminated by more Christmas lights.
There's a well-worn pool table in the back of the bar.
And there's a stage for live music in the very back, opposite the pool table.
They have a great jukebox with selections ranging from The Talking Heads to Nina Simone to Frank Sinatra and of course there's Hank Williams tunes as well.
There's a collage on the wall of photos from the bar and I know every one of these pictures tells a story.
A long shot of the classic wooden bar in Hank's.
Speaking of classic, check out this vintage Pabst sign.
Okay, night has fallen and Sabrina has taken over bartending duties from Jeannie.
But before Jeannie leaves, we're reminded from the back of her shirt that Hank's is one sweet ass bar! And it truly is!
And one last look out the window and it's back on the subway to Manhattan. Thanks to Goggla and Ed for hanging out and to Kate for suggesting this fine bar and for meeting us there, a great time was had by all! Goodnight everybody and see you tomorrow after dark.
Hank’s Saloon
46 3rd Ave (@Atlantic Ave.)
Brooklyn, NY
Further reading: Park Slope Patch, tumblr and Black Book.
You Might Also Like: John, Cougar and Melon Camp.
When I pass by, all the people say,
“Just another guy on the lost highway.”
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