Mason Dixon

12/01/09

Mechanical Bullcrap

by tom9d

Mason Dixon is the kind of place that should be cool. The name reflects what they're going for, and the place has a nice look to it, from the sliding door that is the entrance to the mechanical bull. But that's where the positives end.

The real bull starts outside with the bouncer, who is a USDA Approved Grade A-hole. If you're a dude, you better have a couple of girls with you, or you're likely to be turned down. This is sort of understandable at popular clubs that are filled to capacity, but the genius who mans the door at Mason Dixon turns groups down when the bar is half-empty and they're sporting ratios of four guys to two girls...and he's always happy to throw in an unprovoked insult for good measure.

Once inside, you'll find a bar staff that is actually pretty good. They're not the friendliest bunch, but they are attentive, and that's what really matters.

The biggest problem inside the bar is the people who frequent it...lots of hipsters and jocks. Odd combination, but that's how it goes.

Mason Dixon wouldn't be terrible if they had a different clientèle and bouncer. But those two alone are enough to ruin the entire place. If you're looking for a laid-back bar in the area, Boss Tweed's is right down the block. If it's a mechanical bull you're set on, try Johnny Utah's.

• Pros: Getting to see people tossed off the bull
• Cons: Horrendous bouncer and clientele

11/11/09

Not so authentic for the true country girl, but a good time

by MeganInManhattan

I love me anything with a lil country flavor. While Mason Dixon may not be the most authentic, it certainly tries to bring this flavor with a southern style food menu, horns, and wood everywhere that can be seen. Pun intended. A large portion of Mason Dixon's patrons are male, and quite attractive if not a bit fratty. As for the females, they're mostly pretty drunk and letting loose gyrating against either the men or Mason Dixon's main attraction, the mechanical bull! One of I believe only two mechanical bulls in NYC, riders pay $5 for their chance at being thrown around by el toro, but only after waiting in line for twenty minutes or more. The music isn't what I wanted or what you'd expect at a country bar in Manhattan (or maybe it is...) with way more classic rock and hip hop than honkytonk. But I suppose honkytonk doesn't necessarily please the masses, and to stay in business in the over-saturated LES the masses must be pleased.

meganinmanhattan dot com

• Pros: fun energy, cheap
• Cons: wait for the bull, fratty

05/30/09

Mechanical B*ll (Citysearch censors this wd) + Testosterone

by drink_club1

They've got a $5 a ride mechanical b*ll (HONESTLY, CITYSEARCH CENSORS THIS WORD!) and 60 kinds of Bourbon. They've also got one waitress for the entire restaurant, and more testosterone than a hormone replacement lab. In New York, you'd expect an Urban Cowboy buckin' b*ll to have camp value. You'd expect the riders to be the same kind of my-isn't-Americana-quaint people you find at the TRASH BAR or Bowlmor Lanes. You'd expect wrong.

What you get is people who take this SERIOUSLY. And that's scary. You also get a poor manhandled waitress who you can never find because she's being waylaid by some drunk macho man with his hands all over her while he complains about the order.

The place is laid-out like a saloon-- with wagon wheel lighting. I expected a Texas style brawl, with smashed tables and bottles broken over heads. I didn't get one... Maybe next time. (There will be no next time.) The bill seems to have been padded. The 20% tip automatically included is the only fair part about it.

The food was just okay. The waitress was well-meaning, but overwhelmed. If you must go, buy one drink so you can keep track. Pay your $5 to ride the b*ll. And then take off for something a little less macho, like the gym. Drink Club NYC is a roving group of NYC drinkers.

• Pros: mechanical b*ll + lots of seating space
• Cons: macho up the wazoo

04/26/09

Try the food- it's excellent!

by joelstyves

I would have never guessed to try this place out for food...

My husband and I know one of the bartenders and he recommended that we come in for an early dinner with our 2 year old, so we gave it a try. The front doors open up to the sidewalk, and they set up a table for us right at the front entrance.

The food was AMAZING!! We ordered tomato and onion salad with crumbled blue cheese and then catfish tacos....soooo good!

We've been there many times late-night as well....It's definitely a cool atmosphere. That's why we were so pleasantly surprised about the food!

• Pros: best southern food in town

01/29/09

This place wont last long...

by Jenijen1227

Our group of 14 ppl went there for a birthday party Tuesday night. The main attraction at the bar is the mechanical bullride (Charge $5 a ride) that seemed ok.

We ordered food which was suprisingly good. The menu didnt have a big selection of drinks. Just a whiskey list. The poor waitress had to constantly repeat what beer was available.

The drawback was... they played slow tempo country music and it was lame. Any upbeat party music would have sufficed. The whole ambiance and mood of the room was dark and dreary. After thirty minutes of being there, I wanted to slit my wrist. We asked the waitress, bartender and another gentleman who I assumed was the manager if they could play some music that was a little more upbeat. We were there for a birthday party mind you. However our requests were ignored. The waitress did tell us that she had no control over the music and she has told the management many times that people complain about it.

This place is obviously poorly managed and won?t last long. We ended up leaving and going to the Fat Black Pussycat to here better music and get our party on.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Dull, monotoned muffled music and a dark, dreary lackluster room.