Being a Boston native, born and raised, and growing up for the first 25 years of my life as a true Bostonian and proud Masshole, I couldn’t help but notice when I passed a bar inconspicuously located on the corner of 2nd Avenue and 88th Street with the most flagrant sign out front in daringly bold red letters unashamedly declared, “Catch all the Red Sox Games Here!” After living in enemy territory for the last 4 years of my life and never seeing anything like this in the tri-state area and I was more than duty-bound to investigate. Although baseball season has yet to begin I will definitely be coming here to see all my favorite home teams play; Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Bruins…Pat O’Brien’s started in 2003 by three gentlemen including a Boston College alumnus; these bar owners also own Thunder Jackson’s in Greenwich Village, Point Break in Midtown West and Billy Hurricane’s in East Village. Much of this bar is staffed with fellow Bostonian blood and a bartender named Diego otherwise known as the self proclaimed “Best Bartender Ever.”
If you’re Boston/ New England bread or just a fan who can relate, this place provides a safe haven- a home away from home, if you will from the unendurable ranting and relentless blathering of the ever so primitive Yankee fan.Unlike many other bars in the area (which I have grown accustom to know- since I reside just a few blocks nearby) this bar definitely embodies the phrase “You’re neighborhood bar.” If you’ve ever toured the city of Boston you may have heard of a little bar featured in a sitcom called “Cheers.” –Ok, well this bar is nothing like Cheers, however when I entered Pat O’Brien’s the slogan, “Where everyone knows your name,” resonated in my mind at this great locals hangout. A non pretentious, non hostile environment where fellow colligates or their older counterparts can drink twenty five cent beers and play beer pong freely, go pretend hunting on the “Big Buck Safari” video arcade game machine, or shoot basketball hoops behind the bar.
As to be expected you may encounter a pesky Yankee fan heckling as they pass by, or stray balls from the beer pong on the ping pong table; however bar fights are not typical here- As this is friendly bar with smiley, upbeat patrons ready to drink and have a enjoyable time. Friday, Saturday and during all Boston games seem to be the busiest times of the week here. The music is a great mix of hip hop, top 40, pop and house music from Kanye West “Goldigger” mixed with “Tu vo Fa L'americano Remix” (Radio Ibiza Edit), Sean Paul, Justin Beiber, Nightcrawlers “Push the feeling on”, Cee Lo, Dave Matthews Band, Jay-Z, etc. Take advantage of the most inexpensive happy hour that the city has to offer here and also reasonable non-happy hour priced drinks average $5. My favorite is all the Boston sports articles and memorabilia displayed all around.
Although very much a pro-Boston sports bar, there is a little something for everyone and especially if you are a Boston fan you must venture over here once, twice or even five times and if you do please feel free to comment on it via http://www.uppereast.com/, so that everyone can share their experiences too and hopefully do a little more Yankee bashing :)
PS. GO SOX!!!
Pat O’Brien’s
1701 2nd Avenue
Corner of 2nd Avenue and 88th St
New York, NY 10128
212.410.2013
http://www.patobriensnyc.com/
1 comments:
This establishment subsequently closed due to the closing of Elaine's. They were part of the same buiding which was subsequently sold.
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