Places & faces

Wednesday I went to the grand opening of the Volstead, a bar named after the Volstead Act that instituted Prohibition back in 1919. The newly-renovated space is well laid-out: clean lines and pathways with lots of room for sitting and mingling. The staff was very friendly and on point. Plus, I can't complain about a few hours of open bar with pass-arounds! However it's doubtful that I will return… The bar is located in East Midtown off Park Avenue (which translates into packs of ill-mannered male patrons wearing suits) and the DJ reminded me of a wedding DJ (playing some crowd-pleasing songs, but with no edge). Wasn’t a bad time, just wasn't my scene.

On Thursday I kicked things off at Bottlerocket, a fun wine store near Union Square. Thursday nights in August, they’re hosting "Get Some" wine tastings for singles. Grace and I didn't meet any new love interests, but it was a nice way to jump start the evening.

Went to Tara's birthday party at the Galway Hooker on East 36th St. FYI, a hooker is another name for an Irish fishing boat, so get your mind out of the gutter! Sadly, the Galway Hooker is one of those big, cavernous bars whose “ambience” consists of Top 40 music being played entirely too loud. But the trek was worth it because I was able to visit with Tara and a couple of her old roomies (one of whom now lives in Florida).

Dessa, Britta, Tara & me. Irish bar=pints.

One of Grace's co-workers was hanging out with his Ohio State friends at Tonic East, so we went there next. Tonic is a 3-story bar in Murray Hill. The lower levels were very frat-ish, but we were on the roof (less crazy and quite nice on a summer evening).

View of the Chrysler Building from Tonic's rooftop bar.