09/21/09

Great bar, but owner's wife is the Yoko Ono of the bar world

by passto80

I give the bar 4 stars when the owner's wife is not there and 2 when she is.

This is a great bar, however the owner's wife has been appointed manager and is a) uniquely unqualified and b) really uncool.

When she is sober she is ok, but she hangs out there and gets too drunk and then starts picking on the bartenders. Seriously, even if you have an issue w them, do it in private or in a "staff meeting" or whatever.

It was both uncomfortable to watch and actually made hanging out there an unpleasant experience.

To the owner, no disrespect as she is your wife and I'm sure she is a good person, but PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE keep her away from the bar.

• Pros: old school, cheap drinks, good vibe
• Cons: owner's wife is "manager"and nuts

08/29/09

Great place to drown your sorrows

by Greg A

Great place to get a cheap beer at a "hole in the wall." Gary, our bartender, was awesome.

• Pros: Hole in the wall, great bartender
• Cons: Nothing

04/23/09

Cheap and fun

by CSMobileUser

Fun when not crowded Jeff is the best

10/22/04

One of the last Hell's Kitchen dives.

by Contributor

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.

02/14/03

Fun, but too Narrow

by mstrasha1

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.

• Pros: Good prices, Friendly people, You can't find it!
• Cons: Watch your wallet, Too Narrow

07/21/02

Dive right in!

by in2xtc

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!