We’ve all done it before: downed a little bit too much booze and found ourselves staggering to and fro, with less than stellar reflexes and fewer inhibitions. Luckily for us, our favorite bars have capitalized on this concept and added some good, clean competition to the mix, churning up the excitement for our weekday blues. With prizes and reputations at stake, how well would you fair at these spots with the top bar games in New York City?
675 Bar
675 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
You’re hands are shaking and unfortunately for you, the round of Peroni on the house did not help calm you down. Just as you slide out the next Jenga block, the entire contraption collapses and spectators around you break the silence with roars of defeat. This is the scene every Tuesday night at 675 Bar, where your favorite old school game has been brought back to life. Although it’s not the typical bar game, the event offers great prizes including gift cards to Diesel, B.R. and guest restaurants – plus there is no registration fee, so it is no wonder this low-key, unpretentious bar is getting so much buzz. Onlookers and players alike enjoy great deals on beer in this vintage, mid-century old stable-house. If Jenga isn’t your forte, 675 features other games within their five game rooms including Ms. Pac-Man, foosball and billiards.
The Village Pourhouse
64 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10003
Where karaoke once ruled a Tuesday night blitz at the bar, Village Pourhouse has been taken over by the newest fad – Rock Band and Guitar Hero. Pourhouse owner Michael Sinensky discovered this winning mix of videogames and alcohol in his “Almost Famous Rock Band 2” tournament, which now attracts over 60 players a week, who are each vying for the prestigious “champion” title. Awards go out for the best performance, fan favorite and (what we called the pity award) best Rockstar costume. Prizes include gift cards, drink tickets and best of all Rockstar bragging rights. In light of March Madness, the event will be taking place on Monday nights instead of Tuesdays and will feature even better drink specials.
Wicked Willy’s
149 Bleecker Street
New York, NY 10012
Okay, so this cheesy pirate-themed bar, complete with skulls, bones and chandelier embellishments is a bit of a quirky stretch, but after a couple of their half-priced drinks (every night of the week until 9 p.m.), who really cares? Wicked Willy’s is anything but a swanky bar, but it has all the elements to bring you back to your frat-partying days, including their infamous beer pong and flip cup tournaments. Every Monday night, Wicked Willy’s hosts a beer pong tournament with $1 drafts, $2 shots, $3 drinks, and $7 pitchers. At that rate, there’s no such thing as a loser. If you can handle the few sloppy drunks and sweat exchange, this is the perfect place to show everyone what you learned in college – your superior beer pong skills.
Down The Hatch
179 W 4th Street
New York, NY 10014
This is nothing like playing at your local Rec Center; at Down the Hatch, they are serious about their foosball. Although they offer other table games, it is the battle for foosball supremacy that makes this a staple game bar. Drink specials make the $5 dollar registration fee easy to swallow, and even easier to work up an appetite. Among the crowd are rambunctious co-ed college students, scarfing down the bar’s famous atomic wings, and for a measly $21 dollars you can get unlimited wings, fries and onion rings, plus three pitchers of beer! If you haven’t fallen into a food coma just yet, enjoy ESPN on one of their nine HD televisions in this hidden underground dive. The competition is fierce, but if you’re up for the challenge, check out this spot on Tuesday nights and pound out your opponent in a Draw Your Partner tournament. Who knows, you may end up winning the grand prize of $50 – a prize that any hardcore foosball player would appreciate.
Doghouse Saloon
152 Orchard Street
New York, NY 10002
What other reason do you need to go out on a Wednesday night besides free alcohol? That’s the logic, at least for most of us who are interested in breaking the monotony of the week by enjoying some friendly trivia competition at The Dog House Saloon. Winners of each round get a spin on their famous “Wheel of Shots” and the chance to win a $50 bar tab. Not to worry, The Dog House Saloon also caters to the not-so-savvy trivia- type and offers drink specials just the same, including $1 PBRs, $3 Three Wise Men shots or $5 PBR and Jim Bean shots. Note: hipsters and Lower Eastsiders beware; The Doghouse Saloon is a meaty sports bar where you’ll find an ode to the Yankee Stadium. Enjoy a couple rounds of skeeball, pool, Buck Hunt and best of all, get a free hot dog with your beer.
