Imperial Village

For an after work Pint session, especially one on the cheap, I found myself recently at the Village Tavern.



A decent West Village sports bar, I felt it's 20oz Imperial Pints and happy hour gave it an advantage. Staff was super friendly, which was an added plus in this neighborhood. $4 Imperial Pints of Yuengling during happy hour can't be turned down.



6 out of 10 Pints.

Some Sleight of Hand

We've spoken of the corner of Essex and Rivington before. Another great place to pint down, situated on this corner, is The Magician. Although not Imperial, it is still a solid pub that deserves it's due. According to Citysearch, it's named for an Ingmar Bergman film.

Decent jukebox, American 18oz pints, and a healthy selection of beers, all put The Magician on the map. At the very least, they don't stoop to baby pints.


6 out of 10 Pints.

Life Behind The Lens

His Majesty is not normally in the habit of throwing out endorsements, unless they are of a brewed nature, but here is one that strangely fits into that category. The Great Books Have Been Written is the photo blog of a fellow Imperialist, Danny Weiss (as in... Weiss Bier). A fine photographer from the school of William Eggleston, he's been shooting the New York streets for years. He managed to capture some familiar Imperialists in their pursuit of the revelry and merriment one evening. The joy of this moment is now forever on film.

A Taste of Old New York

Stuck in the Flatiron district, looking for a pint, can be a dire situation for some. Fear not, however, there is an Oasis. Old Town Bar is a drinking landmark. Thru and thru this is a turn of the century place. Both beers and food are on the level. Just walking inside you know you've arrived someplace special.

I went in one summer afternoon with a friend some years ago. I ordered a beer and the friend ordered a glass of wine and then excused himself to the bathrooms. The bartender brought over our drinks and asked me, "what's wrong with your friend?", as he placed down the glass of wine. Old Town, indeed.


7 out of 10 Pints.

The Daughter of a Pagan and a Catholic

A true imperial destination in the East Village is St. Dymphna's pub. A good pour and good food, the only issue being that it gets a little bit crowded at times. Being that St. Dymphna is the patron saint of mental and nervous disorders, maybe its fitting that a nice pint would calm one down in her namesake bar.

8.5 out of 10 Pints.

Tales Of Brave Ulysses

The patriarch of the Swift Hibernian family is the financial district pub, Ulysses. Great establishment with the same level of attention to Imperial detail as you will find at Puck Fair and Swift. Always a proper pour. A little out of the way for those of us who don't (or no longer) work in the financial markets, but worth a trek on the weekend. Also, don't miss the Oysterfest in the fall.

7.5 out of 10 Pints

Query - Molly's Shebeen

A question for the readers. Who has been to Molly's Shebeen? Curious to know if they have a proper pour.

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays to all Imperialists near and far. For a holiday themed pint, I offer up The Ginger Man. The beer choices are staggering, but most importantly they serve 'em up Imperial style (should the flavor dictate). The area is unfortunate, a veritable no-man's land, but this seems to be the fertile ground for the modern Irish bar. This establishment can get crowded after work, but a Sunday afternoon should be festive.
7 out of 10 Pints.

A Ward Of The State

The Whiskey Ward, which sits unobtrusively on the corner of Essex and Rivington streets, is a nice choice for a respite amongst the heavily designed and heavily un-designed establishments lining this intersection. They stick to the American pint glass I believe, but the Ward has all the trappings that would warm the heart of the staunchest Imperialist. We won't hold it against them. The random bowls of shell-on peanuts and the dark interior make it a welcome place to inspect the pour.

6 out of 10 Pints.

Stay in Good Health

Slainte´ is a Bowery mainstay that has, for some, heralded the beginnings of gentrification. Whatever your pop-cultural disposition, this place has a decent pour. The name is Gaelic for "good health", but the multiple taps with all the mainstays will probably mean otherwise. They also have a mean curry sauce for the fries (possibly the only real accompaniment to an Imperial Pint). Gets a little loud what with all the frat screen TVs after work.

6 out of 10 Pints.

Rooming House

Another Room, the third child in the "Room" empire here in NY, is what I like to call an anti-imperial establishment. Incredible selection of beers awaits patrons of this bar, but never to be served in a 20oz glass. Never. They might have regular pint glasses, but I've only been served in Baby Pints. Not that good times can't be had here, mind you. Staff is pleasant and decor is somehow satisfying. Outdoor seating is always a plus, seeing as it is overlooking one of the last mini-parks in the downtown area. But for the purists, the Imperialists, Another Room is not up to snuff.

5 out of 10 Pints.

Wash & Fold

Drop Off Service. I don't like doing laundry, the whites, whilst inebriated. This establishment had an Imperial glass last time I was there. Large windows let in the afternoon sun, a must while enjoying a liquid lunch. Good placement if the 11th st. bar is filled with Johnnies from an after work e-vent. 2 blocks and you're there.

6 out of 10 Pints.

Lend Me An Ear

The Ear Inn is a classic New York Pub. Steeped in history, and history is becoming paramount in this blog, it lives alone amongst the west side of manhattan's pubdom.
Almost literally like walking into a frigate waiting to depart, the Ear harkens back to an earlier age when shipowners rubbed elbows with sailors and their ladies-of-the-night.
Fine Imperial selection, good food at sharp prices, dodgy bathroom. Upon my next visit, interior pics will be provided henceforth.

A bit of a hike, we know, but worth it for generally civilized atmosphere.

7 out of 10 Pints

Ring the Telephone, But Careful Who Answers...

The Telephone Bar is a nice place in the warmer days to sit with a true 20oz'er and watch the world go by. Prices are reasonable, AND they have Cider on tap. Unbelievable that this is a rarity. In the old country, the tradition goes that you drink Guiness in the winter and Cider in the summer. Is this a tradition lost in the new world? Clientele is mixed, but some days you can be lucky and get a quiet table. Avoid during the cold times though.

5 out of 10 Pints. 7 out of 10 Pints for the Cider!

Time to go to Bed

The Scratcher is a decent place for a pint in the east village. Usually quiet, but now all the horrendous buildings going up may change all that.
Nice place for an afternoon though, as the sunlight comes in through the low windows. Last time I was there the bartender looked like Siouxsie.

6 out of 10 Pints.

Turn it up to 11

11th Street Bar is a family favorite. Been going there for several years now. Even stopped there the night of my bachelor party... Good atmosphere most nights. Low amount of riff raff, just the common-folk.

Only drawback is the lager is priced a little higher than your average pub.

6 out of 10 Pints.

King Puck

Puck Fair serves up a cozy pint. Along the same lines as Swift (they are part of a larger conglomerate), it has nonetheless a good pour. Excellent food as well, should the mood strike you. Regular patrons lament when the "stuffed spud" is gone.

Friendly staff... Chance of a possible buyback, a rarity in these parts.

7 out of 10 Pints.

Swiftly now... Swiftly.

Swift Hibernian Lounge has a very good pour. Sadly, the crowd can get the better of you on a blustery night when all you want is the racing form and a pint of mothers milk.

7 out of 10 Pints.