Holland Bar
(212) 502-4609
532 Ninth Ave
New York,
NY
10018
40.7568
-73.9937
Neighborhoods: Garment District, Midtown
What People Are Saying About Holland Bar
The Editor
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Citysearch
The Scene
By the rear end of Port Authority lies a narrow, dimly lit alley with a roof. There, between naked brick and a wall plastered with time-yellowed tabloid clips, loners ruminate over cheap drinks under a web of Christmas lights and a discarded Holland Hotel sign. The ashes of late regular Charlie O'Connor sit in an urn over the bar; after the regulars pitched in for cremation in 1996, barkeep Bill "Doc" Cleary thought about scattering the ashes at Aquaduct, but most agree that gathering dust here is better.
The Draw
After-work alcoholics have always gathered here--and now that Hell's Kitchen is called Clinton, an increasing number of yuppies drop by for the atmosphere. Everyone hangs on easy conversation, the oldies juke, televised baseball and the next round.
User Reviews
mstrasha1
February 14, 2003
The Holland is a very interesting spot. George the bartender was great. What's really strange is that if you are looking to be "nowhere"--this is the spot--try to ask anyone where it is or what the telephone number is--i.e. it doesn't exist. This past summer I was there--"lost" my wallet inside--the contents came back to me (minus the cash and wallet of course)--but I did get my id. To me--that's honest--I like out of state, far, far away. A definite dive that is indeed spooky! Only for the brave and tiny-bodied.
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in2xtc
July 21, 2002
My husband and I always like to find the great hole in the wall in every city where the drinks are cheap, the people are friendly and you don't look like as much of an alcoholic as everyone else. This is as real as it gets. We spent a couple of hours drinking, listening to the old music on the juke and talking to all the regulars. Many rounds were bought and a lot of topics covered. By the time we left, we felt like part of the crowd which is what it's all about!
read full reviewThe Details on Holland Bar
What to Drink:
There is no such thing as top-shelf here. The no-name rotgut is super-cheap, but the wise stick with hand-poured shots of Jack.
The Extras:
Check out Rudy's Bar and Grill.
