August 17, 2011

Tonight I’ve decided to go to the sister bar of the International Bar, The Coal Yard for our Swizzle Stick Tuesday night out on the town. I haven’t been back there since I did a trip on the 365 Bar Crawl and met Shannon and Clacky in there. I’d say I’m overdue for a visit. And for a drink or three as well. To the Coal Yard!

Oh shit, two steps out of the subway car and I'm hit with this.

Aaaahhhh!

Okay, here we are, 1st Avenue in the East Village, almost there.

Nothing yet, but I think that will be rectified in a minute or two.

And here we are at the Coal Yard.

Like its sister bar, The International Bar, it's one of the darkest bars in town. I think I see a familiar face there at the bar.

It's Tyler with his friend Hank holding down the right end of the bar.

And here's the lovely bartender Amanda, serving me a gin and tonic. Let's check out the swizzle stick.

It's your basic black straw.

Simple, dark and sturdy, much like the bar itself. Two more for the collection.

Lit up bottles on display behind the bar.

A shot of the circular wooden bar that frames the inside of the place.

A long wooden railing runs the length of the wall opposite the bar.

Like its sister bar, The International, the jukebox here is one of the best in town. Tunes run the gamut from The Rolling Stones, Jerry Reed, The Cars, MC5, Bob Dylan and everyone in between.

I love the vintage Blatz sign.

Coaster artwork from patrons hang below it.

Ian serves me up a Little King's beer in a can.

Amanda's busy behind the bar.

Kurt was seated next to me and it turns out he's a photographer visiting New York from Jacksonville, Florida. We had a few drinks and a nice chat about New York City. Check out his website and photos here: Kurt Rogers Photography.

And one look out the front window and I'm headed for home. See you tomorrow after dark.

The Swizzle Stick Collection So Far
Thanks to all of you who have donated, it’s grown to be a great collection. I’m going to get some sort of a case to house them in.

Coal Yard Bar
102 First Avenue (@6th St. )
212-677-4595

Further reading: Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York, EV Grieve, NY Press and Shecky’s.

You Might Also Like: Jay and The Americans, Jay and Silent Bob and Jay and Laura (The Marriage “Edu-tainers!”)

Four Other Yards
Scotland Yard
Word’s Longest Yard Sale
A Yard of Ale
The Yardbirds

Five o'clock in the mornin', I'm all ready up and gone,
Lord I am so tired, how long can this go on?

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Bonus Pudding Face From Jaws!

Jaws sent in his own version of the creepy Pudding Face. Aaaahhhh!