A good bar should have a lot of wood, a good beer selection, few tourists, and-- if there's music. It should be at a volume where it's easy to talk over.
Ear-splitting music works at a disco or a live show. It's STUPID at a bar. (And where you find ear-splitting music at a bar, you usually find lots of STUPID people.)
This bar has plenty of wood, traditional Irish food (bangers and mash, Shepherd's pie, Chicken p*t pie (Citysearch will not allow the word!!!! Can you believe it?), presented beautifully, in large portions. The food was hearty, the drink good, if not in great variety, and the customers (except for us) seemed like regulars who enjoy conversation and drink.
It's a nice relaxing choice in midtown. --Drinkclub NYC is a roving group of NYC drinkers.
Pros: Good food, well presented... and QUIET!!
Cons: limited draft beer choice
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