Bar: Rudy’s Bar and Grill
Location: 627 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036
Score: 8.6/10
On a recent family trip to New York, my friend and I stumbled into Rudy’s. Rudy’s was recommended to us by a friend who lives in the city and was on our list of places we wanted to check out. We had been out all day, and it was now 10 pm on our last night in the city, and we just called it a night. A quick Google search revealed it was only a 2-minute walk from our hotel, so we decided to say fuck it and go for a beer. And what a great decision that turned out to be. One beer quickly turned into five, and we realized we found one of the greatest establishments New York has to offer. Rumored to of potentially been a speakeasy, and then getting one of New York’s first liquor licenses, Rudy’s has seen it all. Many celebrities have been known to frequent this bar, and it makes total sense why. Because it is absolutely sensational.
Rudy’s was one of my favorite things about this New York trip. I know what some of you are thinking reading that: “Guy goes to a massive city that has so much to offer, and his favorite part was a bar. What an alcoholic.” But that to me just shows how great Rudy’s truly is. We went late on a Sunday, so the bar was not slammed, but still a pretty good crowd. All the seats were taken, and the booths along the wall were filled. There was still plenty of space to stand comfortably without someone bumping into you every five seconds, but I could easily see the opposite occurring on a Friday or Saturday. There was also a backyard area, but we did not check that out as it was 20 degrees outside when we were there. Rudy’s is a cash-only bar and one of the cheaper spots we have visited in New York. It was a pleasant change in pace from the $9 beers at other establishments. The bartenders were moving fast, and we were able to get a drink fairly quickly, and then something amazing happened. The bartender asked if I wanted a free hot dog. I know food does not play a factor in the rating, but I couldn’t leave this detail out. With every drink you order, you get a free hot dog. And who am I to say no to that. The hot dogs are just on a roller, so it is nothing crazy, but who in their right mind turns that down? This was all within 5 minutes of entering the bar and was the perfect way to end a trip to New York. Walking out I could not help but feel a sense of sadness knowing it would be a long time before I would ever be back, and it made me wish I could pick the bar up and drop it back in my hometown of St. Louis.
Décor: The walls are not filled with neon signs or posters and are rather simple. While it may seem lackluster, this is more fitting to the type of bar Rudy’s is. One wall is lined with all the drink specials, and there are multiple mosaics paying homage to the bar’s jazz legacy. Also make sure to check out the statue of Rudy’s mascot, Baron Von Swine, right outside the entrance.
Service: Bartenders were flying behind the bar getting drinks out quickly. Every transaction is also cash, so adding on the task of giving back change to every customer and still being fast with service exceeded my expectations.
Atmosphere: The place was buzzing for a Sunday at 10 pm. Everyone in the bar was super friendly, which is the opposite of a lot of the New Yorkers I came across on this trip. The music being played is all through TouchTunes, and not one bad song was played, which is rare when giving that many people access to play any song they want. Rudy’s certainly attracts the best crowd for a dive bar.
Price: While the price of beers are still higher than I would normally like to pay, they were cheaper than anywhere else in New York we had visited. They also do specials where you can get a beer with a shot, which is always appreciated.
Cleanliness: No red flags here. The floors were a little sticky but have to expect that from a place that’s serving the amount of drinks Rudy’s does.
Bonus Points: Bonus points awarded for Rudy’s being a cash-only establishment.