Uptown Saturday Night April 17, 2010

CK: My sister told me not to go out without consulting her because she “knows” the bars in Albany. She recommended Junior’s. So we started there. As you’ll read, we’re no longer relying on her knowledge.

Juniors:
CK: Two things to say about this place. One: Juniors is an apt name since everyone in there is about 18. Two: The bartender should get a job that doesn’t involve working with people. Did not dig this scene.
DT: I wasn't even drinking yet but all I can remember is that it was dark and smelly and unfriendly.

Mahars:
CK: I could say even less about this place but it was so bad I will spill all my thoughts. First, the rank smell of stale beer on entering was only overwhelmed by the smell of a beer fart let fly by a gentleman at the bar as we passed. His companion was heard to say “Did you just drop a bomb?” There was some type of paperwork everyone seemed to be doing, a lecture being given by the guy we ended up standing next to (with a waxed mustache, no less), and we just weren’t part of the “in crowd” at this place (not a bad thing, in my opinion). An older gentleman did speak to my companion at the bar as she tried to get me an NA beer. What did she come back with? ROOT BEER! They don’t even have NA beer at this beer joint! Hated this whole experience.
DT: Beer Blowhards is more like it. The people there SEEM truly to care about nothing other than beer and their beer paperwork, much less basic manners. Disgusting!

Andy’s Place Sports Bar & Grill
CK: We decided after the two horrific places we’d been to go visit our new friend D (whom we had met a couple of weeks ago). At least he’s good for a grope – big muscles and a medium sized brain). We found him at Andy’s and got a wonderful hug. This place is for the young, beer is served in plastic cups and the only attention I seemed to attract was from the Al Qaeda operatives sitting at a table behind us. Not crazy about this place for me.
DT: If you like to look at young drunk men in assorted athletic gear, drinking perphaps since the big game ended at 3pm, this is the place for you. D is really the only attraction here...perhaps worth the trip for that alone.

Midtown Tap & Tea Room:
CK: After two horrific places and a grope, we were headed downtown when we spied Midtown Tap & Tea and decided to see if there was a crowd our age in there. There were a few people in the New Scotland entrance bar, a nice jazz duo playing and not much else happening. UNTIL . . . we spied Rico Suave, a very handsome man we both recognized from the 80s. We engaged him in conversation and I have two observations about him that stick with me. One: He was texting while talking to us and when asked why, he replied “This is time sensitive.” Two: He gave me his phone number but never asked my name in the half-hour we talked. I might try Midtown Tap & Tea again but need to know what is the best night to find good single men my age hanging out there.
DT: Yes, this place has some potential. A good assorted crowd, clean, and friendly wait staff. Too bad Rico never called back - we could give this never married (why?) gent some pointers!