Blackstone’s

There are Irish pubs on every Midtown East corner and Blackstone’s is only marginally less boring than the rest of them. Better than average bar food and a fireplace, yes, but still boring. Definitely not worthy of your energy if you’re not five minutes away. And this appletini happy hour special. I don’t even know where to start on the wrongness of all of that.
The only reason I find this bar worthy of a review? The jukebox. It’s one of those fancy electronic kinds that has every song since Elvis Presley’s hips. I like to make people listen to the same cheesy songs over and over, as consecutively as my dollar bills will allow. The Blackstone’s jukebox takes cards. Meaning if you’re here when I’m here, you’re in for a lot of Call Me, Maybe. Fortunately for everyone’s ears I try to be here as little as possible.

Blackstone’s is your typical midtown pub/​bar. I was there for a birthday party and they’d rented the back room («The Atrium»), which I’d definitely recommend for other parties/​events. The bartender was awesome and fun, and went to the back to get a bottle for us that they didn’t have out front. It’s a fairly big room, and has a couple of big televisions, which was great for watching the Olympics.

Came here a couple of times after work to meet a friend for a chat and every time the place was great We could hear ourselves talk and not be drowned out by loud music. The staff was very friendly and always came by every so often to our table to ask how we were doing.
Although I didnt play, the pool tables in the back were very clean and always had a nice crowd around them.
The food is actually pretty good for bar food. Will come back here again.

This is my go-​to-​spot in this neighborhood for a no frills drink or bite to eat. The crowd is very mixed, and it doesn’t Typically get crowded/​loud except on weekend nights.
The food is a notch above typical bar fare, and they have happy hour every day till 7pm with $ 3 drafts and $ 4 cosmos & appletinis.
Whether you want to bring a book or newspaper with you and not be bothered, or are with a group and want to socialize, Blackstone’s works for both. They have a backyard but it’s only open certain days.

Considering how crazy any bar in the city can get on St. Paddy’s, I enjoyed the somewhat orderliness at Blackstone’s (well as orderly as a bar can get) this past Saturday. I also enjoyed the plethora of free drinks that came my way. Beers, Irish Car Bombs, Jameson shots, etc. etc. All cold and served with a smile from nice people who are actually enjoying themselves. Gotta love those kinds of bartenders.
There were many bars throughout with a downstairs, upstairs, and greenhouse terrace area. Capacity numbers were regulated (thank God!) to ensure overcrowding wasn’t an issue. Sure, it was a little crowded but not to the point of claustrophobia.
If I’m in the area, I would definitely come back to Blackstone’s to partake in another drink or two (or ten). The people working here just seem so laid back and the windowed terrace is so appealing for the upcoming summer months.

Decent bar.
Burgers are awesome.
Although, pour a real shot of jameson, these little glasses are a bit passé if you ask me.
Live in the neighborhood, so will be back and have been back.

I have to say, I really love this bar. It is never crowded, even late on a Saturday night. The drinks are cheap and delicious, and best of all our group is always able to hog the touch-​screen game machine and play round after round of erotic photo hunt (seriously way more fun than regular photo hunt, and way more entertaining thanks to the 90’s Penthouse pictures they use).
Navigating the pitch black hallway to the bathrooms was kind of a pain, and there were some sloppy drunk college kids at a table next to us the last time we were here. Still, this place makes a mean vodka cranberry, and it’s right around the corner from my friend’s apartment. We inevitably end up here after dinner, and it never disappoints.

I heart this bar. The twinklie-​lights in the back make me happy everytime I see them. Happy Hour deals are always good, and generally, their live music blends well.
I once gushed all over Silverchair’s Daniel Johns, who happened to be living nearby during an album writing stint. Apparantly, he hearts this bar too.
*I agree, «hearting» anything is stupid.

I really love Blackstone’s. I bought 2 vodka cranberries (well), one martini, and bought a cider for my friend, and only spent $ 22. Amazing. The bartenders are always incredibly friendly, and the back area is really spacious compared to the bar up-​front.
Definitely a quality time.

There is certainly no need to come here if you don’t live or work close by, but it’s exactly right for casual after-​work drinks if you’re in the neighborhood. I find myself here most Fridays having beers in the back room, trying to talk over the often too-​loud stylings of the guy singing covers and playing acoustic guitar. A friend recently had an event here in the downstairs room and it was actually pretty fantastic — especially the early-​mid 90s alternative playlist. (And I heard a rumor that Daniel Johns from Silverchair hung out here a few months ago while working on a new album — why, I have no idea.)
The food is nothing to write home about, but would you expect it to be? The mozzarella sticks are spot-​on, at least.

Drinks were always full… shots served up quick… monster potato skins… good mix of people…
I have zero depth perception or else I would have played some pool — it seemed like the type of crowd where you can easily pick up a game.
Left there full and happy and didn’t even care that I had to walk all the effing way to Terminal 5.

Downstairs is OK for a private event, upstairs is good if you like meat-​heads from Missouri and waiting for far too long for a drink.

When rating an establishment, I always consider its location.
For its location, I think Blackstone’s does a body good. In an area where there are a number of somewhat generic watering holes, Blackstone’s is a welcome sight.
The barstaff are friendly, and there are incredible specials during football games. If there is an NY touchdown, there’s a free shot! How can you argue with that?
I suspect if I lived closer, I’d be a frequent visitor.

There’s not much for me to add to all the other reviews stating that Blackstone’s is a run-​of-​the-​mill Irish pub, but I’m bored at work so I’m writing this review anyway.
I’ve been here several times with my 8-​ball team on Tuesday nights. They have two pool tables, a standard pub menu (bangers and mash, burgers, wings, etc.), decent and friendly service, and not much special about it.
If you’re looking for a laid back neighborhood pub, this place is a good bet. But it certainly isn’t going to knock your socks off in any way.

HAPPY HOUR!!! If you are looking for a bar that at some time between 5−6pm, loads up with bankers, go no further than Blackstones. I went here, for, er, umm, ehh, happy hour with some colleagues for drinks after work. It was busy, but not crazy packed, and full of dudes just out of work for the day. I even bumped into an old b-​school pal there.
Gender lopsidedness aside, the bartenders are friendly and attentive and mixed drinks are priced around $ 7, which is pretty good for Midtown.

Blackstone’s would be awesome if:
A. Their excellent happy hour didn’t end at 7.
B. Their main bar room wasn’t preoccupied with pool tables and their pool league. Last time I checked this was a bar, not a bar and billiards.
C. All their actual seating areas not dominated by pool tables weren’t always reserved for private parties.

The happy hour is pretty fantastic. $ 3 bottles of bud/​budlight and $ 3 drafts (there’s a decent selection) till 7pm.
That being said. Not much else about the bar screamed out at me.
If do you like pool, this bar has 2 full-​sized pool tables that people are able to play at (wasn’t a wait to play at all).
I’d come here if I didn’t want to deal with the crowds and wanted to get a friendly game of pool on but, for a more lively time, I’d head elsewhere.

Theres not much that makes this place stand out besides the pool tables. Its a pretty standard pub, but it’s in an area that is full of college bars, so it’s a nice change of scenery if you’re not looking for a crazy night. You’ll typically find an older crowd here and it tends to be pretty dead at night.