The Ginger Man

paranoya — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 13:26:51 +0000

11 E. 36th St
New York, NY 10016-3337
(212) 532-3740
Between 5th Ave and Madison Ave

The Ginger Man in New York, NY is a place that I happen to frequent. Perhaps it’s the great beer selection that draws me in, or perhaps it’s the fact that this is a New York bar with no B.S. Let me explain:

The city has many bars as i’m sure you are aware. I’ve been to lots of them. Unfortunately, they harbor some pre-conceived notion that they are able to make you jump through hoops just to get in the door. Examples are waiting on line in the cold, outrageous covers or being denied entry because you’re wearing sneakers. Believe me, I’ve seen all of that tried. The Ginger Man stands out because without any advanced notice you can walk in and grab a great pint. I really enjoy this place.

Upon walking in you’ll notice dark wood everything and extremly high cielings. The layout is elegant and simple, a large bar on the right with upwards of 60 (yes, you read correctly) taps on the wall. On the left are booths and tables where people gather to share conversation with their pints. In the rear of the building is a second smaller bar that I’ve never seen used and a “living room” type setting. The “living room” offers table service and the perfect opportunity to relax on couches or sit a few friends around a table and talk. The Ginger Man also offers a full menu though I’ve not tried there food as of yet.

A full bottle selection exists if nothing on draught fits your liking. The list tops out at around 120(wow!) bottles that are suitable for session drinking or that one hefty pint before you catch a cab. Most pints will run you about $6 which is not terrible for a great bar in the middle of Manhattan. Rarities will obviously cost more, but are well worth the occaisonal splurge.

Olde Silver Tavern

paranoya — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 00:11:26 +0000

The Olde Silver Tavern in Manalapan, NJ is a good place for that “let’s go out for a drink” type mood. The setup of the bar is simple. The entrance opens into the main room, which has a bar and high tables surrounding it on the left and the dining area on the right. A good amount of beers on tap and reasonable prices make it ideal to sit and enjoy a pint while watching the game. Televisions are placed around the bar and a plasma screen is off to the side in the seating area. They are almost always showing the current game, and if they aren’t, all you have to do is ask.
The thing this bar lacks is a pretentious wait staff, which is a welcome change from other bars in the area. There’s no cover, it’s easy to get a drink, and the waitresses are helpful and responsive. Sitting at the bar can be a separate challenge though unless you’re a “regular”. The bartenders can be a bit lackadaisical. However, their drinks are quality for the price.
Food at the OST is not something to be passed over. They offer a full menu of standard “pub grub” at reasonable prices. I’ve sampled the wings, the ribs and other fried delicacies that arrive quickly, taste good and are inexpensive. From a distance I have eyed the “bar pies”. Upon a subsequent visit, I will certainly make it a point to test one out. Another can’t miss is the “hodge podge”, a plethora of fried goodness. The hodge podge features chicken fingers, fried mushrooms, fried zucchini, fried cauliflower, and mozzarella sticks and is certainly a treat.
The parking lot of the OST can be slightly difficult to navigate. It’s large and quite ample though the lack of paving and poor driving of some Monmouth county residents make it a place to enter with caution. However, it is well worth the trip and is the perfect destination for a chill night out.

Expect the Extraordinary » tavern

The Ginger Man

Olde Silver Tavern