The Big Apple: Day 3, Part 6: Dinner (Irish Pub) and a Show (Comedy Cellar)

Okay, so here we are, we have now just left the Museum and we have to jump on the subway and quickly head back to the hotel to freshen up.  Also, I have to plug my camera in to recharge it.  While at the Museum my battery went dead and, of course, I forgot my backup battery at the hotel! DUH!!  Since we are back at our room just chilling for a few moments, I thought I should take a picture of me taking a pic of Nika and share that with you!  Haha!

Chilling in the Room

Getting back to the hotel at virtually the same time as Casey -- as this was Casey's first time at this hotel since Nika and I changed hotels early that morning when he left for work -- we got ready and then went next door to The Irish Pub for a great supper (while watching the Brewers game on TV).

The Irish Pub: Located right next door to our hotel, at 837 7th Avenue, The Irish Pub was established in 1939 and sits in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. They offer a wide variety of foods from the traditional Irish pub fare to classic American dishes and consider themselves a premier sports bar with many TVs and two 100" big screens.  At first, we were seated in the window which was a very narrow counter situated along the front or street-side of the bar.  It was packed in there at the time.  We told our hostess and waitress that we would love a table if one became available.  We had no more than sat down and she came back for us and seated us right where we could watch the big game -- well, big game to us at least, since it was Game 4 of the National League World series playoffs in which the Brewers were playing the Cardinals.  We were a little skeptical about cheering too loudly because New York had just lost out in their series and we didn't want to disturb any mourning that might be going on. With the series beginning on the 9th of October, the Brew Crew was in Game 4.

Casey and Nika at The Irish Pub

Game 4:  To refresh your memory of Game 4, here is a quick recap. Brewers starter Randy Wolf kept Milwaukee from falling into a 1–3 series deficit, by throwing seven innings, and striking out six batters. Bernie's Brew Crew then scored two runs to tie the game in the 4th inning, with Hairston hitting an RBI double to score Prince and then Betancourt followed up with a single to score Hairston.  We then scored another run in the 5th on a single by my hero Braun, and another run in the sixth, thanks to the Cards Thierot's error. Wolf, along with relievers Rodríguez and Axford finally shut the Cardinals down to even the series at two games apiece and guaranteeing that the series would end in Milwaukee. 

Me At the Irish Pub with my Imaginary Hubby

Back to the Irish Pub -- At right, I spoofed for the camera with my arm around my imaginary hubby -- yea, I suppose I could have brought a cardboard cutout of Bob and put him next to me, but it would have been extra baggage charges on the plane! hahaha! As for my meal, I had the fish and chips and it was so good. This was a indeed a legitimate Irish pub because all the wait staff had true Irish brogues, which was so fascinating to listen to.

After finishing our meal, we jumped on the subway for the second time (actually it would be the third) that day and off to Greenwich Village to the Comedy Cellar for a 10:00 p.m. comedy show that included 6 nationally known comics (who all live in the NY City area or burbs).

Casey and Momma

The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system owned by the City of New York and leased to the New York City Transit Authority, a subsidiary agency of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and also known as MTA New York City Transit. It is one of the oldest and most extensive public transportation systems in the world, with 468 stations in operation (421, if stations connected by transfers are counted as single stations); consisting of 209 miles of routes, which translates into 656 miles of revenue track; and a total of 842 miles including non-revenue trackage. In 2011, the subway delivered over 1.640 billion rides, averaging over 5 million rides on weekdays, over three million on Saturdays, and over two million rides on Sundays.  

The New York City Subway is the seventh busiest rapid transit rail system in the world in annual ridership, after Tokyo's, Moscow's, Beijing's, Shanghai's, Seoul's, and Guangzhou's (f/k/a as Canton, China) rapid transit systems,  and the busiest in the Americas. It is one of the four systems in the United States, along with portions of the Chicago "L" system, PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson in New Jersey), and PATCO (Port Authority Transit Corporation), to offer service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Crime rates have shown variations over time, with a drop starting in the 1990's and continuing through today.

All Three!

Photographing: After the 9/11 attacks in New York, the MTA was extremely wary of anyone taking photographs or recording video inside the system and proposed banning all photography and recording in a meeting around June 2004. However, due to strong response from both the public and from civil rights groups, the rule of conduct was dropped. In November 2004, the MTA again put this rule up for approval, but was again denied, though many police officers and transit workers still confront or harass people taking photographs or video. 

On April 3, 2009, the NYPD issued a directive to officers stating that it is now legal to take pictures within the subway system so long as it is not accompanied with suspicious activity.

Nika and me

Litter accumulation is a perennial problem in the subway system. In the 1970's and 1980's, dirty trains and platforms, as well as graffiti were a serious problem. The situation has improved since then, but the 2010 budget crisis has threatened to curtail trash removal from the subway system.  Just the other night, I heard on David Letterman that the Mayor had issued a proclamation banning eating on the subway (supposedly because of the draw of rodents).  Luckily,  I didn't see any huge rodents!

We had to consult the large subway maps to determine which lines and routes we were going to take to get out to Greenwich Village.  I am glad that Casey and Nika knew what they were doing, as I certainly didn't!

Getting on and off the subway was a lot easier than finding the Comedy Cellar itself.  We exited the subway and then tried to get our bearings on where we were walking.  We asked many people for directions but most didn't know where they were going either, so they were of little help -- probably all tourists like me!  Finally, we found someone who sent us in the right direction.

As we approached the Comedy Cellar we saw there were two lines out front.  I showed the person at the door our tickets and he told us to get into the line East of the establishment, which snaked around the corner, and we hopped in line.  The other line out front which went in the opposite direction was the line for those seeking a free pass into the show.  The CC distributes a limited number of free passes for shows taking place Sunday through Thursday.  If you are a local you just try to be the first ones there in hopes of snagging one.  If you are a tourist, I wouldn't recommend it, because  you run the chance the show is sold out and that everyone shows up for their tickets, and then you have wasted your time waiting in line.   People stand in long lines outside hoping to that people will not show up for their reservations. If there is room for these sold out events, then they allow those standing in line to come in. But with a capacity of only around 80-90 seats, they get sold out fast.

While we were standing in line, one of the comedians came out to entertain us while we were waiting.  He worked his way down the line doing a few jokes and magic tricks.  It helped pass the time, which wasn't really all that long as I think we were only in line less than a half hour.  Once the ticket holders to the earlier show emptied out, we worked our way in and found the seats we wanted and felt comfortable with.  First, they were close to the bathroom (that is, if you can call it a bathroom -- seriously, a one-seater shared by both sexes, that I have seen closets bigger than this!); second, we got end seats -- so we were not closed in; and third and most importantly, we were what we figured was out of reach for a comedian to pick on us!  You do not want to place yourself in prime real estate reach of a comedian because you know that out of the three of us, one of us would be the target at some point or another.

Next, let me give you a few tidbits of quick info on The Comedy Cellar. 

The Comedy Cellar - the lit-up area is where the comedians performed

The Comedy Cellar is a comedy club in Manhattan, where many top New York comedians perform. It was founded in 1982 by then standup comedian, and current television writer/producer Bill Grundfest. Located in the heart of Greenwich Village at 117 MacDougal Street, the upstairs portion is a restaurant called The Olive Tree Cafe, where many of the comedians hang out after performing. They share the same menu, kitchen, and staff.  Many people eat at the restaurant before attending a show.

The Comedy Cellar uses what is known as a "showcase format," as opposed to a headline format like most clubs. A show will consist of between five and seven comics performing sets of roughly 20 minutes each. 

People Filing in To Find Seats at The Comedy Cellar

Regular performers there include, and maybe you have seen or heard of some or all of these: Colin Quinn, Opie and Anthony co-host Jim Norton, Mitch Fatel, SNL star Darrell Hammond, Dave Attell, Louis C.K., Nick DiPaolo, Artie Lange, Dave Chapelle, and radio host Marc Maron. Also, some rising stars in comedy frequently perform, including Dov Davidoff, Robert Kelly, Sherrod Small, Keith Robinson, Gregg Rogell, and Ben Bailey.  Each week consists of two shows a night on Sunday through Thursday, three shows each Friday, and four shows on Saturday. The New York Post regularly rates the Cellar as the best comedy club in New York.  Musician John Mayer has also been known to dabble in a stand-up comedy performance there occasionally.  We found out that there is always the high probability of unannounced drop-ins by the likes of Dave Chapelle and Robin Williams. Much of Jerry Seinfeld's 2002 documentary Comedian was filmed at the club, and it also can be seen in a 2006 Pepsi commercial starring SNL star Jimmy Fallon. 


There is a two-purchase minimum per person.  But they offer a full bar with beer, mixed drinks and specialty cocktails, plus you could also order something from the upstairs menu which features burgers and wings or snack-type foods.

The Comedy Cellar

Continuing On About Our Cellar Experience:  I did mention before about the bathroom but the surroundings was that of a typical basement, with very low ceilings, dimly lit, and very, very tight quarters.  You could tell from the mixture of the crowd that the majority were probably college-age regulars, but there were those, like me, in the middle age range and also couples who appeared to be out for date night.  With the raucous atmosphere, you are taking your chances if you select this as your first-date night location, though. 

We couldn't take pictures during the show but, as you can see from the pictures above, this shows our seats which were great. We were in the first row right behind the front row which was fantastic because you could see the comedian great, but yet you were not in the immediate front row and getting picked on by the comedian!  A lot of politics and talk of Occupy Wall Street plus good old racial talk across the board. That is what I love about these comedy shows (if you have thin skin you shouldn't go) as this is a no-holds barred show. Every ethnic group and race gets beat up along the way but it is all in good fun.  If it is an African-American comedian, the Caucasian people are barbecued and served up on a platter, and vice-versa. The Middle-Eastern descent gentleman in the picture above (the only one who is facing the camera) definitely picked the wrong seat.  He was fodder for the comedians as they used him as their primary focus for Osama Bin Laden- and terrorist-type jokes.  And, this was when there was a lot going on in the Middle East in the way of territorial-boundary wars, etc. There was also a couple in the first row who were picked on pretty heavily, too.  Then there was the African-American woman with a pretty "heavy" chest, dressed a little too provocative, that also was a constant target.  See -- picking your seat really is something you need to pay close attention, too. 

The comedians we saw were: Andy Hendrickson - from HBO US Comedy Arts Festival, Xm/Sirius, Great American Comedy Festival; Moodi - from Comedy Central's "Tough Crowd", The Howard Stern Show, "Sopranos", Comedy Central; Lee Camp - from Showtime's "The Green Room", Comedy Central's "Fresh Debate", Contributor to "The Onion"; Sherrod Small - writer and actor on the new TBS show "Are We There Yet" which is produced by Ice Cube, "Red Eye" on Fox,  VH-1's "Best Week Ever", Comedy Central's "Tough Crowd", Showtime at the Apollo; and Justin Silver - from NBC "Law and Order" MTV New Year Comedy Special.  I was totally surprised with Justin Silver, as I have seen him regularly on Law and Order and did not realize he did stand-up comedy.  And then, of course, there was the host, Ardie Fuqua, who was just hilarious, too! It was a super night of comedy and I would definitely recommend this to anyone visiting New York City. 

 

After our 10:00 p.m. show ended, it was announced that since we had already gotten tickets and were there, we were being offered the opportunity to stay for the Midnight "Nasty" show.  Unfortunately, though, since it was already 11:45 p.m., it would have gotten too late for Casey since he had to go to work the next morning.  As those of us who weren't staying filed out, the patiently waiting line outside eagerly were ready to pounce on the empty seats.  You have to be a die-hard fan to wait in line like that, especially in this case since it was raining outside.  And here we were with no umbrellas with us either.  So we made a mad dash to head to the subway for some shelter from the rain. 


Once inside the subway, I found that there is always late night entertainment. 

Drummer in the subway

Music In the Subway: This guy, pictured above, was playing in the subway on our way home back to the hotel (probably around 1:00 a.m.). He was super and was also selling his CD's. He was what was labeled as a one-man E-percussionist.  Riding the subway, I found, can be very entertaining because it seemed there was always someone doing their musical thing along the way, whether it was this one-man band, a 3-person mariachi band that hopped on one car, or mimes that we encountered on one trek that pantomimed to the music.

With the rain still coming down, it was a good thing that our subway exit was just on the other side of our hotel building.  And, due to construction renovations to the facade of our hotel, there was scaffolding set up so we were able to walk underneath that to avoid the rain.  

Once inside our hotel room, Casey was hitting the pillow pretty fast.  I still had to download pictures to Facebook, as promised, so it was nearly 2:30 by the time I climbed under the covers.  

All in all, it was a great night for a dinner and a show! Day 3 of my New York Adventure finally closes.  It has unequivocally been another satisfying day in The Big Apple journey.  Time to turn in, so I say to you. . .Good Night All! Until tomorrow when we start Day 4.