Sometimes it only takes a few extra steps to save a night
The plan was to meet at El Rio Grande, a hugely popular–and therefore always overcrowded–spot crammed uncomfortably into a corporate setting. I met my friends Holly and Trisha there but we decided to ditch the crowd, texting the rest of our friends to meet us across the street at The Black Sheep.
However, this was not the respite we had hoped for. What happened to this place? This is not what I remembered. Lots of day-glo lights, music more befitting a club in the Meatpacking District, a bartop that covered with a huge billboard ad and a very inattentive bartender. I have no tolerance for this kinda thing. There are far too many options in this city to settle for just anything.
Frustrated, we walked out and found our haven only a couple of doors away at Margarita Murphy’s (591 3rd Ave, NYC). Just as the name implies, this place feels like someone dropped a neighborhood Irish pub into the bright sun of a desert pueblo. Hospitality with chili pepper lights and Guinness with Native American rugs hung on southwestern hues.
The musical selection came from an internet jukebox so it was left up to the whims of the masses. This left me to suffer thru a myriad pop mediocrity. Well, at least the volume was at a comfortable conversation level. We didn’t try the food but I’ve heard mixed reviews. For the sports fans, there are a number of flatscreen TVs to watch whatever game.
I do wish that they’d serve their Guinness in an imperial pint, but it’s a good pour nonetheless. The friendly staff, good prices and nightly drink specials make this pleasantly schizophrenic spot a refreshing change from the nearby ruckus.
See Also:
MurphGuide.com
SeamlessWeb.com
