Blue & Gold Tavern

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

An old-school bar meets well-schooled boozers.. The Scene
This Ukrainian family-owned bar has been an East Village fixture since the early '60s. As you step into the tiny joint, you'll find a dark wooden bar, nine well-worn booths, a pool table and a jukebox. In the early evening hours neighborhood regulars drink and play pool; later on, the under-25 set takes over, upping the decibel level with loud talk and laughter.

The Draw
The Blue & Gold is a popular college bar for one simple reason: Cheap booze. Draft beers, including McSorley's and Bass Ale, and bottled beers can be had for between $3 and $4. A chalkboard lists over a dozen drinks that go for $3, ranging from a shot of Jack Daniels to an Absolut screwdriver to Chivas Regal on the rocks.

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livehappy1

Joined 6 years ago

this place has it and always will. I'm not sure what the heck altj/whateverhisnameis is talking about. Anyone who manages a bar in the East Village knows how hard it is to keep the prices down and B&G has been doing it for years. Also-what true East Village bar has a "GM" ? You'd never find me in a coporate McBar-couldn't be one of the newer bars that just popped up in the neighborhood, could it? You know the kind-no personality, likely low-cut and pancake makeup faced servers who they smile at their "regulars" and rob 'em blind at $6 a pint (or more!) Whatever I'd rather hang in the chillest place in the East Village that people have been turning to for years for a relaxed time. I for one love that the bartender doesn't bother talking to me -I'm there for the booze and my friends.

So to people looking for a great time head here like everyone always has and will...great booze, awesome atmosphere and chill people.

Doesn't Recommend

altamuratj

Joined 7 years ago

Here's the Scoop.... Okay so I'm a GM at a bar in the village, so what big deal, right? But that does mean I understand the business from a behind the scenes perspective and I'm telling you this: the cheap shots, the cute little "happy meal" drink combos, the 15 dollar pitchers all sound very enticing, and when you go in for the first time they are. And when the bartender doesn't exactly acknoweldge you you chalk it up to being a first timer. So what if the guy has no personality or idea of service, so what if the supposed "generous" buybacks actually do not exist, so what if the bartender always seems to be making out with his girlfriend...it's because you're a first timer and hey, we in the business take care of our regulars. So the prices and hopes of being treated like a "regular" lure you back in...again...again, hell and maybe again. Then the pattern becomes obvious - your not important, the money is the goal, service is non-existent, you will suffer to get a buyback, and the neighborhood feel you hope for isn't there. You may save some money, you might have fun on the pool table, hell the jukebox is even pretty interesting, but doesn't getting poor service time after time and feeling as if your money means nothing to the ONE SINGLE bartender who works get old after awhile? Yes...yes it does.

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cdobbelaere

Joined 8 years ago

Still hanging in there. I remember this place from back in the day and although the setup has changed, it is still a friendly and totally unpretentious neighborhood bar. With an absolutely godlike blond, blue eyed barkeep. Mmmmmm. Relaxing booth seats, relatively clean bathroom.

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diamonddaev

Joined 8 years ago

Avoid weekends. A good hangout on weeknights . No, it's not clean - it's dive bar !! Drinks are cheap, & the buybacks are generous as well . The pool table has seen better days if you're a competitive player (like me). Otherwise, a solid old school dive with alot bang for the buck.

Doesn't Recommend

angelicadwsn

Joined 8 years ago

What a dump!. I hate this place! Yes... Yes.. the drinks are cheap, but they are the smallest I have ever seen. At any rate, who cares? The service is appaling. The guy behind the bar was rude and beyond obnoxious. This place felt like combat camp instead of a place to chill. Don't bother!

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ilovethesox

Joined 8 years ago

Cheap Beer. Cheap beer in the East Village - classic East Village bar - booth, basement level... chill

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benjaminluce

Joined 10 years ago

What Happened Last Night?. That is usually what I end up asking myself after a night at B&G. I love this bar. You can't beat 3 dollar shots of all the best booze. Cheap pitchers and cheap mix drinks keeps the guys and girls happy. The bartenders are not the nicest in the world however, and girls complain that it's "gross". Regardless it's always a great vibe from the crowd, an awesom place to get messed up with your buddies.

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ddavila2001

Joined 10 years ago

Yeah its Divey... but. Who cares! For $3 drinks who cares how divey a place is! I've been to many other dirt bars that charge more for a drink. Blue and Gold is the place to go to load up on drinks for cheap. The atmosphere is not bad, it attracts a fairly young crowd and the jukebox is okay. Expect to flash your ID at the door, even if you're 30!

Doesn't Recommend

jackryan

Joined 11 years ago

PreGame. Nice place to pregame....cheap beers in a dive bar. when i went there the upstairs people were pissed about the noise outside and tossed water or some other liquid down on the people outside....