Hittin' the Night Train at Subway Inn
Walking over to the Subway Inn across Lexington Ave., you are immediately struck by the red neon curves of the bar sign that seems completely out of place with the uppity stores that surround it. Once inside, you are immediately transported to another world, one where you might expect to run into Mike Hammer sitting on a stool, or any host of unsavory characters from a noir film like Hans Beckert, and quite a few drunks stooped over their drinks. The place dates back to the 1930s and is proud to broadcast its age and dinginess in the form of a dust-encrusted deco veneer and the blackened mirrors of the bar. But what strikes you most are the red neon lights which bathe the place in a brothel-like glow. It's a dive bar, pure and simple, and thus the perfect place for a beer. As you might expect, drinks are cheap, ranging from Corona, Brooklyn Lager, Yuengling, Budweiser to Bud Lite. Yuengling and Brooklyn Lager are the picks of the bunch. Years ago, drinks were served in perfectly chilled mugs, but regrettably times have changed and today you can only buy beer in bottles. We recently hunkered down in one of the vinyl booths to toss back a few brews and soak up the bad amateur art, the ubiquitous photos of Marilyn Monroe and the curios that line the top of the bar-- including a Godzilla figure and a number of boats. Be sure to stop by the juke box which features an eclectic selection of musical styles and tastes. Another unique feature, and a rare treat, is trying to navigate the bathroom after a few shots-- it seems someone thought it would be funny if the bathroom floor sloped dramatically making some "activities" more challenging than normal. We encourage you to visit the Inn soon because this landmark's days are numbered. Like so many other places in New York, the building where it's housed has been sold for $6.3 million doubtless to be replaced by some characterless storefront. Subway Inn, 143 East 60th Street, New York, NY 10022. Tel. (212) 223-8929 |
Recent Comments