The Black Sheep
Written by Steve Mendelsohn Friday, 22 January 2010 00:00
Name: The Black Sheep
Location: 38th and 3rd
Date visited: January 22nd, 2010
Bar number: 13
Price of Guinness: $5 (Happy hour)
Rating: 2/5
I went here after work for a happy hour drink on my way home on Friday. It was kind of a morbidly depressing establishment. They had decent happy hour specials ($3.50-5 pints) but what made this place so weird is that everyone there was probably over the age of 60, unemployed, suffering from emphysema, and pounding out Bud Diesel from the bottle. Now I love Bud Diesel as much as the next guy, but to be drinking it when there are better beers that are cheaper during happy hour absolutely boggled my mind. I think I became 23% more likely to live in a trailer from visiting this place. I was astounded that this place was located in Murray Hill and not next to a mechanic in Somerville.
But this place did have some pros. Mainly a fancy door. And a bartender with a thick Irish brogue. I don't know how many Irish people actually live in NYC, but my guess is that something like 84% of these people are bartenders. (Did you know that 77% of all statistics are made up on the spot?) Either that or bartenders are faking Irish accents to get better tips.
This guy was clearly from the old school of bartending. Dispensing sagely advice, commiserating with patrons about why work sucked that week, and constantly glancing at the clock to see when he could leave. He may have been like 5′4", 125 pounds and 65 years old, but this hardcore Irish guy could clearly have kicked my ass back to Dublin. After I drained my Stella, I ran the hell outta there before someone could figure out I had a college education and wanted to beat my ass for it.
Bars left to visit: 187
