|
GAZETTE STAFF / NEW YORK CITY
RESTAURANT REVIEW:
JUST ANOTHER IRISH PUB?
Who says all the good all-night bars are in Manhattan?
This small, fun place is good enough evidence that one can have fun in
the "forgotten borough"
 he Real McCoy -
76 Bay Street, Staten Island, NY, three short blocks left of the St.
George Ferry Terminal. No credit cards accepted. Open from 6:00 PM
daily. No phone number provided.
A regular bar patron cannot really spot any physical difference
between The Real McCoy and the large quantity of Irish pubs around New
York City simply by looking at it.
Considering looks alone, the bar is pretty much the same - the
cheerful Irish owner (Josh), the TV sets constantly tuned into sports
programs (although I did spot one of them playing a History Channel
program), the usual CD jukebox ,and, of course, the enormous variety of
liquor, and beer on tap. There is, however, a great, quite overlooked
difference in this Staten Island bar - the live music (mostly blues) on
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
The music program is managed by Michael Packer, a New Yorker with a
distinctive Texan accent who happens to be a very good, Texas
Blues-influences guitarist. He has a working band, and is also the owner
of a local recording studio.
On Tuesday nights, there is an open microphone, and so any style goes
- there is a billboard on the bar's window inviting poets, actors,
musicians and any other artists to perform there at what they call
"amateur night".
Thursdays have recently been established as the blues jam sessions,
in which local musicians gather and have impromptu jams for hours on
end. The jams have not only attracted local Staten Island musicians, but
also a number of music lovers from other boroughs.
The most important night there is, however, Friday night, when
scheduled bands perform at their small stage.
The program usually begins with a pre-selected house band (which
varies every week) at around 10:30 PM.
After one set, it is time for the showcases - short performances by
bands and solo musicians who seek to top the bill there someday. After
that, the main band returns, plays another set, and then Michael Packer
steps in and the jam session begins - and then no one knows where that
will lead to.
The jams, which are quite interesting, can last for a long, long
time. The last couple of times I stayed until the end (participating
with my old, trustworthy Hofner bass guitar), I was almost able to see
the sunrise, which, in my view I consider quite a memorable occasion.
There are a number of drawbacks about the bar that do have to be
taken into consideration.
The first and most important of those would be that the McCoy is
definitely not non-smoker friendly. Actually, it is possibly one of the
best places for those who enjoy puffing their tobacco all night long.
Even though there are posters on the wall indicating non-smoker areas,
those are largely ignored, so one should be to leave the place with
their hair and clothes smelling of that, um, less than delicate, stale
ashtray scent.
Eating is not really an option there. Although they do have a fully
equipped kitchen (which I have actually seen) and signs pointing out
their menu options, I have never seen anyone eating there.
One last drawback is that the bar does not take credit cards nor
checks, so be ready to take cash if you plan to spend some time there.
However, no cover is charge on live band days, and the drinks are quite
cheaply priced in comparison to Manhattan bars.
Even with the few drawbacks, The Real McCoy is a great place to
unwind ,listen to good music and enjoy a generously poured drink - ask
Josh for a White Russian, which is a delicious mixture of Kahlua and
milk.
The Real McCoy is, by the way, a registered member of The Blues
Foundation - http://www.blues.org ).
A "smoking" (yes, there is a double meaning there) time is guaranteed
to all.
Ernest Barteldes
Staten Island,NY
http://barteldes.freeyellow.com/index.html
A writer needs feedback in order to write properly.
Please send feedback to: ebarteldes@nycny.net
http://www.bacchin.com.br/barteldes
Visit Ernest’s ESL Page:
http://www.barteldes.freeyellow.comb
|
