Cheap Drinks?

[sally1112]

Posted: 7/9/14 at 11:09am

Hello all. I haven't been on boards much lately, but need a little help. I am leaving for NYC tomorrow. Of course I have spent all my money on airfare, show tickets, and hotel.
Can anyone recommend any gay bars that have drink specials or cheap(er) drinks. I will be out and about Thur-Sunday after shows. My hotel is in Times Square but I am sure we will head to Chelsea and other areas. Thanks for any tips!

[finebydesign]

Posted: 7/9/14 at 11:20am

Well I find most gay bars to be a rip-off. Sometimes those two-for-one deals are already jacked up drink prices. That said, Yotel (near Time Square) has a boozey brunch for like $40.00 that has unlimited brunch drinks and food. A really great deal for two hours of fun with a mixed crowd.

Also not a gay bar, but the Playwright on 8th avenue and 46th has very good deals on drinks on the upper floors. There are beer and mixed drink specials for $5.00. Ufff and they have adorable Irish bartenders.

* This is a bitter note but in my experience a lot of gay bars have really hot bartenders that can't mix drinks. You spend a fortune on a cocktail only to find out it tastes like crap. If you go bottom-shelf all bets are off. It's a very weird business when you get a job for abs and not talent. Don't get me wrong I like looking and some buck the trend.

*Keep in mind that at least $1.00 tip per drink is expected even if it's a bogo. In many cases you will find bartenders are in the business of making tips not selling you drinks. I can't recall any "buy backs" or heard any mention of that from my gays so don't expect any. Oh and don't drink ANYTHING that is not out of a beer bottle at the Cock.

[sally1112]

Posted: 7/9/14 at 11:24am

Thanks!! I have been to the Playwright several times, I forgot about it though.

No worries on tipping, I was a server for almost a decade I always over tip.

A few years back on one of my trips, my tech savvy traveling companion had an app or something and we found 2/3 dollar beer nights every night we were there. It was great.

[finebydesign]

Posted: 7/9/14 at 11:34am

Well tipping at gay bars in NYC is a real pain in the butt in my experience. $1.00 (to me, someone who has also served) is an ample tip for a "regular" drink. I hate laying down an extra $1 for a crappy drink so in general I try to run a tab on a credit card. This way I can look at the entire experience at the end and not deal with tude.

In a straight bar, $1.00 gets you a smile and thanks.. and like I said more drinks gets you a buy back. In a gay bar you get the feeling $1.00 is an insult, why should I overtip someone who is providing mediocre services? It's a very strange culture. In most cities you get way better treatment and their goal is selling more drinks. Tips will come with satisfied customers.

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 7/9/14 at 11:53am

I'm a big fan of Atlas Social Club and they have a 2for1 happy hour until 9 even on the weekends.

[finebydesign]

Posted: 7/9/14 at 12:02pm

Atlas Social Club is a very nice bar. "Hellsea" has really shifted the scene.

[sally1112]

Posted: 7/9/14 at 2:47pm

Thanks ClydeB. I don't know that one. I'll look into it.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 7/9/14 at 3:58pm

Sally, Gym in Chelsea on Sundays has mixed drinks for $4 after 9 till closing. It used to be $3. But still a good price for NYC.

[sally1112]

Posted: 7/9/14 at 6:42pm

Thank you Artman. We will going out for some happy hours but mostly after the shows each nights, so specials that run until closing are best!

[ArtMan]

Posted: 7/9/14 at 7:40pm

Sally, If you are a beer drinker, Posh in Hell's Kitchen has all beers $3 for Happy Hour. At night, they have different mixed drink specials . (But not as cheap as Gym.) No cover and kind of fun. Some nights have free sliders (only eat them when they first arrive) and free pizza.



Updated On: 7/9/14 at 07:40 PM

[sally1112]

Posted: 7/9/14 at 7:46pm

I love beer!!
Martinis before shows and beer after!

[ArtMan]

Posted: 7/9/14 at 7:53pm

Finebydesign, I was at Boots & Saddles last year. Waited forever for a drink (while the bartender talked to his friends) and gave him a $1.00 tip which is a fair tip for what he had to do. He looked at it and me like "what is this". I told him to his face, if he didn't want it he could give it right back. He yanked it up immediately. I said "thought so". I left after that drink. Not because of him but because I wasn't into the bar.

Updated On: 7/9/14 at 07:53 PM