The Russian Vodka Room

Like my friend and 365 Bars co-pilot, Al Rizo, I’m a fan of dark bars. And the less TV sets, the better. I found a bar on my 365 Bar Crawl that not only has no TV sets, there’s not even any windows in the joint! It’s like it’s midnight at all hours in there. The bar is the Russian Vodka Room and I’ve never been back since my happy hour. Today changes all that as I’ve chosen it for my happy hour bar of the week.

The bar is in midtown, about ten blocks from Times Square, so we'll take the subway there.

And here we are amongst the tourist madness in Times Square.

Jesus Christ, I need a drink! Let's get to the bar, pronto!

And here we are at the Russian Vodka Room. Even though it's daylight outside...

It always feels like night time in here!

The bartender was shy and didn't want her picture taken, but she wanted to take one of me, so why not? Cheers! I got a martini in here instead of my usual Budweiser, as they're just five bucks during happy hour.

Archy the manager of the bar isn't shy about photos and posed with a bottle of what the bar is named after.

And here he is pouring bottles of vodka into a glass vat filled with cranberries.

Once the vodka fills the vats, they sit up here and age and make the flavor-infused vodkas that are served at the bar.

Here's the view of the bar from my perch.

Martini glasses are chilled with ice on top of the bar.

There's a lounge area in the back of the bar.

A framed piece of Russian art hangs on the dark-wooden wall.

A shot of the bar from the opposite end.

Peter and Kalbir were seated nearby and told me that they're visiting New York and live in the U.K. They wanted to know of a decent jazz bar, so I suggested Arthur's Tavern in Greenwich Village. I hope they enjoyed it!

Glen was enjoying a Russian dinner at the bar. Archy told me he eats there every single night.

And speaking of eating, Archy presented me with a pierogi sampler on the house. The four pierogis were filed with meat, spinach, cheese and potato and were delicious!

As the evening wears on, the bar is starting to fill up.

And the piano man begins playing his tunes for the crowd.

This painting hangs beside him.

And as I head home, day time had turned to night time in New York City. See you all tomorrow!

Russian Vodka Room
265 W. 52nd St. (Near Broadway)
212-307-5835
Happy Hour Specials: Five dollar flavored martinis and beers from 4 PM to 7 PM.

Further Reading: CBS New York, Time Out New York and Black Book.

On the way the paperback was on my knee,
Man I had dreadful flight,
I’m back in the U.S.S.R.
You don’t know how lucky you are, boys.

Surprise link, click on it...I dare you!

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Bonus Photos From Danny The Freelancer!

After yesterday's toilet post,TWM commenter, Danny the Freelancer sent in a couple of his own toilet photos, taken on vacation. Here's what he wrote to me: "Here are two photos that I took at the Ancient Roman city of Ephesus in Turkey in 2008. The Toilets were only for Roman's. Their would be a slave on hand to wipe and wash your ass when you were done." That's Danny's girlfriend Donna, posing on the toilet. Very cool, Thanks Danny!

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Bonus Video From The Duncester!

The Duncester sent in this Russian flavored clip from one of my favorite movies, Dr. Strangelove, great scene! Thanks, Duncester!