On the Rocks

For the neighbourhood, this is a huge honkin’ space.
Holiday weekends are weird in the service industry and this place was dead dead DEAD when I went in. I did get the impression that this was not usually the case. It was also really freaking bright, but that may or may not be typical. We watched a half hour of My Cousin Vinnie with the bartender without a single other patron popping in, then left to walk past the likewise uninhabited Glasslands.
The well whiskey is Evan Williams and comes served in plastic cups. I’m not a fan of plastic cups, even in dive bars. If I’m poisoning myself, I prefer for it to be from the bourbon and not the bisphenol-​a.

Whenever I step into a dive bar, the gay man in me comes out. Its «Honey» this, «Sweety» that, «BJ» this and I tend discuss exes in the most vulgar of terms. Not that any of the gay men in my life would set foot into a dive bar.
I don’t get it. Dive bars, perhaps allow one to check all niceties at the door and promote crassness. But, what I really don’t get is how my inner Harvey Finestein attracts hot crazy bartender chicks who smoke while pulling your PBR. Eh, could be worse. Too bad I don’t get down like that. My Girlfriends, née’ Sister-​Wives, um Fag hags, would be hawt.
Despite my act, I am something of a dive bar connoisseur. And this is the kind of dive where a girl who frequents swank and dive bars can enjoy. Its cheap, there is smoking (occasionally), they have shows, and glow-​in-​the-​dark air hockey!!!
Word to the Wise*** Do not sit on the sofas. Avoiding sofas in dark cave-​like dive bars is always a good rule of thumb, but these particular sofas will violate you if given a chance.

I’m not a smoker anymore, but when you give me a giant plastic cup filled with maker’s for what would normally be about a shot-and-a-half’s price, you’ve got a friend for life.
Also the food at Pies N Thighs is totally worth it. Yum.

Anti-​smoking regulations of NYC somehow missed this dive-​y bar under the Williamsburg Bridge. Big plaster mermaids writhe out from the central bar, and a fiberglass cave (!) engulfs the only booth in the joint towards the back. Your dive pub favorites like a pool table, $ 2 Pabst and black lit air hockey are all present. The real attraction, and it says it right there in the name, are the soon-​to-​be Rock stars that may perform on the small stage. The bands may be great, maybe not. If you catch a really good set, like the band Bearclaw from Friday night, you’ll be in for a great evening.

YOU COULD SMOKE IN HERE! AMAZING BAR! 2 dollar papst cant beat it…

Everytime I’ve been here this place has been empty. Like 5 other people max. I guess when they have shows here people come? I have no idea.
If you like ruling your own bar that’s equiped with a weird make-​shift sailor theme, cheap beer, pool, and air hockey, then this is your spot.

This bar hosts everything from heavy metal shows to bachelorette parties. Located almost directly under the Williamsburg Bridge and a block away from the Hudson River, immersing yourself here will feel like stepping into a period film about hardboiled sailors in the grimy days of mid-​century New York. The inside is painted almost completely black, with the exception of a monstrous statue of two mermaids perched in the center of the bar. There’s also a cave. Yes, that’s right, a cave. While the sound at shows is mediocre and the bathrooms are located to either side of the stage (just try getting past a thrashing metal guitarist and not tripping over his mic cable), Rock Star Bar makes up in charm what it lacks in «amenities.» But you don’t come here for amenities. You come here for great shows, a fun atmosphere, cheap beer in plastic keg cups, and A CAVE. You also come here because they’re open til 6am most nights and because you have a natural affinity for stumbling towards the Hudson River after spending hundreds of dollars on 4 drinks at the bars on Bedford. But go sober first. You really need to appreciate the cave.