Rudy’s Bar & Grill

My good friend Anton plays violin for bands like Bright Eyes, Mates of State, and Judgment Day, so when he played Town Hall with Bright Eyes he got us some tickets. After the show, we all met up at Rudy’s for a beer and then headed down to the after party at some bar in the Meatpacking District that the band had rented out. We ended up closing down the bar that night; we were the last ones standing. But this isn’t about drinking for free in the Meatpacking all night, because, I hate that place. This is about Rudy’s being, what is probably, the best bar above 14th Street. The booths at this fine establishment are all taped up with red duct tape, in fact, I think the entire place is actually held together with red duct tape. But as they say, if you can’t duct it, fuck it.

This isn’t just another one of those dives filled with eye patch wearing old timers that your pal Broke-Ass usually sends you to, no ma’am (ok there’s a few of them here), Rudy’s is usually busy with attractive and cool people every night of the week, even Mondays (though weekends can get a little fratty). And if for some reason it feels too crowded inside, there’s a huge backyard that’s even open in the winter because they cover it with a tent and heat it. Plus Rudy’s is mad cheap too; pints of Rudy’s beer ring in at $2.50 and pitchers are just $7. Oh WAIT! I almost forgot to tell you, THEY HAVE FREE HOT DOGS TOO!! I’m not even a hot dog man, but free is beautiful. I’d like to buy Rudy a drink, as long as it’s at his bar.

Rudy’s Bar & Grill
627 9th Ave @ 44th St.
[Hells Kitchen]

photo from Midtown Lunch