WHIRLWIND WEEKEND...

I'm currently watching ENGLAND vs FRANCE (Euro 2012) at the bar as I update the blog, and I have to say, I've been impressed with the action of the tournament so far.  Most of the matches have been interesting and entertaining; I only expect things to get better as the tournament goes on.

The weekend itself was pleasantly busy, with birthday parties and a full weekend of riveting sporting events capturing everyone's attention.  It all started out with the surprising news about the Belmont Stakes favorite, "I'LL HAVE ANOTHER" and his abrupt scratch from the big race.  That threw everyone for a loop and fueled speculation that there was some shady dealings going on.  Fortunately that didn't dampen the spirits of the regulars at the bar, who still enjoyed what turned out to be a fantastic race.

Speaking of regulars, one of our own (LAW SCHOOL HOWIE), celebrated his 27th birthday on Friday and he had a large contingent of well-wishers stop by throughout out the course of the night.  They brought a cool vibe to the bar and it turned out to be fun night for all.

Saturday was a full, and I mean FULL day of sports with the EURO 2012 kicking things off for us.  From there, it was a steady stream of sports action and if you were a true sports fan, you were experiencing nirvana.  Between that, the Belmont Stakes, the Subway Series, Stanley Cup Game 5 (Devils vs Kings) and the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, Game 7 (Heat vs Celtics),  and the usual debauchery of a Saturday night, it was literally sensory overload.  Another good day.

During the Devils/Kings game, one of our regulars got a bit of camera time with this stunt:

courtesy of I4u.com

Ah, kids...

Sunday was more or less "Recovery Day" as the neighborhood was blissfully serene.  Aside from the folks in tow for the EURO 2012 matches earlier in the day, it was pretty sedate otherwise.  We did get a visit from NICOLE POWELL of the NY LIBERTY later in the evening.  She's a good friend of the bar and it was great to catch up with her.  It's been too long since her last visit.

TONIGHT: "MONDAY NIGHT UNWIND" featuring $2 Domestic Draft mugs and 2-for-1 Wine/Sangria by the Glass (5pm - close).  Catch Game 6 of the Stanley Cup (8pm, w/audio)!  Will the NJ Devils continue their improbable comeback or will the LA Kings finally lift the cup on home ice?  Join us and find out!


Cheers!

"THE CUP FINALS" IS A LOT LIKE "HUNGER GAMES"...

Throughout the NHL playoffs, one of the things I've enjoyed the most is the playful banter with many hockey fans, especially on Twitter.  And one of the things that has come out of the banter is the constant references to the blockbuster film, "The Hunger Games".  Now unless you have been living under a rock, then you know what the premise of the film is.  And if you, in fact, have been spending your vacation under a rock (or in Alabama, same thing),  and have no idea what I am talking about, here's the Cliff Notes version.

In any case, hockey fans have taken to comparing the NHL playoffs with "The Hunger Games", using symbolic references from the movie for various scenarios of the live playoff games.  Each seeded team are referred to as Districts, just as in the movie.  Depending on each team's situation during each successive round, witty quotes/photos from the film are applied; best of all, it's fun to see other hockey fans and even NHL players get involved in the banter.

One notable player in particular, ANTHONY STEWART of the Carolina Hurricanes, has taken this sort of banter to a new level, and has become the de-facto go-to guy for great Hunger Games quotes.

Why do I bring this up now?  Because after watching the NJ Devils (better known as District 6, for their #6 seeding) take a beating from the LA Kings (otherwise known as District 8, for their #8 seeding) in Game 3, their backs are up against the wall.  The citizens of District 6 ) find themselves in desperate need of a parachute, some guidance or any kind of tribute to hold off a sweep.  It seems that fate has not been kind to the NJ Devils thus far as they have run into a swarm of killer bees.  And after last night's loss,  I got the sense that many of the District 6 faithful were ready to pull out the cyanide capsules.

That being said, while things do look especially grim for the NJ Devils, it's not over yet.  While you have to commend District 8, err.. the LA Kings for their dominant performance, not only in the Stanley Cup, but in the playoffs in general, they still have to win ONE more game.  And while history is on their side, it's not impossible for the Devils, if they approach it the right way.  Every game from this point forward is a Game 7.  Don't look ahead to Saturday or next week.  Focus on Wednesday and put everything out there- leave nothing behind.

photo credit: @ehstew13

That also goes for the NJ Devils fans.  Now is not the time for you to "jump ship" now that you find yourselves on the verge of elimination.  Your team can still climb their way back into this series.  And if in fact, you do end up hearing the sounds of the cannons signaling your elimination from the Stanley Cup,  you can at least hold your head up high and say that you were there for your team, through thick and thin.

Will District 6 become the last district eliminated from the Stanley Cup (otherwise known as the NHL Hunger Games)?  Or will the cannoneers stand at bay for another night?  We'll find out on Wednesday night.  In any case, I hope to see full contingents from both districts in the house, cheering wildly.


TONIGHT: CRAFT BREW TUESDAYS (5pm-close).  Enjoy $3/pints of select craft beers tonight and every Tuesday night!  TONIGHT'S SELECTIONS: Shipyard Sea Dog Blueberry Ale, Long Trail Belgian White, Lagunitas IPA and Brooklyn Pennant Ale!

And make sure to catch Game 5, Heat vs Celtics (8pm)!


Cheers!

AN INTERESTING CHAIN OF EVENTS...

Just as the title of this post says, it has indeed been an interesting chain of events over the course of the weekend.  In the sports world, we find the NBA playoffs finally producing some interesting drama in the two Conference Championship Series.  What was expected to be a cake-walk for both the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat has all of a sudden, become a dogfight as both the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics rediscovered their game.  Now both series are tied at 2-2 and and everyone's interested in what happens next.

Meanwhile, the Stanley Cup has produced two straight overtime games, with the L.A. Kings winning both games on the road.  Now they go back home with a 2-0 lead and have the NJ Devils on the ropes, needing only two more wins to hoist the Cup for the very first time.

Now, as expected, with the NY Rangers out of the mix, the crowds have been much lighter than normal.  Much of that had to do with the fact that many of our diehard NJ Devils fans went to the games in New Jersey.  In fact, it's safe to say there were probably more L.A. Kings fans in the bar than NJ Devils fans.  However, I expect things to change for Game 3, especially with the Devils being on the road.  The fans should band together as their team faces a very critical situation.  Should the Devils lose and fall behind 3-0 in the series, you can all but call it a wrap.  History dictates that it's almost impossible to come back from a 3-0 deficit in a seven-game series, so it is imperative that New Jersey steal one, if not both games out West.  Tonight's game will be critical, to say the least.

The weekend itself was pretty tame.  The weather had much to do with it, with thunderstorms peppering the area off and on throughout, thus interfering with the flow of the nights.  Friday night actually turned out to be a pretty good night as many of our patrons chose to stay at the bar rather than try to deal with the pouring rain.  They also got to witness some history being made as JOHAN SANTANA pitched a no-hitter for the NY Mets, the first one in the team's 50 year history.

Saturday night, on the other hand, was pretty quiet, sans for the crowd we had for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup and Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference Finals.  We had a group of revelers show up at about midnight in one of those Mexican party buses, but they were in for a quick round of drinks, and made more of a mess than they were worth.  Nothing exciting other than that.  Neighborhood was that dead.

Sunday was a total waste of a day for me as I think I may have contracted food poisoning.  Woke up with aches, chills and the worst case of diarrhea known to man.  We are talking projectile proportions.  That bad.   I was scheduled to open that day; couldn't make it out of the apartment; then tried to shoot for a later opening, hoping that I would feel better by the afternoon, but no shot.  I spent pretty much the whole day either lying in bed or praying in the bathroom.  Simply brutal.  Still not 100% but I am hoping to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

This is going to be a busy, BUSY week at the bar.  Between the hockey, the NBA playoff, we also have the start of the EURO 2012 soccer tournament from Poland/Ukraine.  16 of the best teams in Europe go at it and it always draws a crowd.  Matches run from Friday June 8th, through the end of the month.  Two matches each day (12 noon/2:30p) during the group stage, and we'll carry EVERY match of the tournament.

Then you still have PUB TRIVIA on Thursday; Interleague baseball kicks in again this weekend, with the Yankees/Mets Subway Series taking place; Then there's the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, with "I'LL HAVE ANOTHER" shooting for the elusive Triple Crown.  Oy.

After all of that, I'm going to need a vacation.  Catch you tonight for Stanley Cup/NBA Playoff action!  By the way, we're raffling off an autographed photo of LA Kings great, MARCEL DIONNE during tonight's game.  So catch the game with us!

Oh and sorry, no boob sightings in Murray Hill this weekend.



Cheers!

BREAKING THE (heat) WAVES....

So far, our "unofficial summer" has been a scorcher.  With high temps and brutal humidity bearing down on us, especially over the holiday weekend , this week has been a royal pain in the arse, if you know what I mean.  Of course, when the weather becomes unbearable, strange things begin to happen.  Whether it be  the beer box or the air conditioner acting up (the two things you need to work on days like these), you can always count on Murphy's Law to kick in.  Thankfully, we're due for a break by the time the weekend arrives, with more tolerable weather to enjoy.

Speaking of "Heat Waves", there is a subject that comes up every so often here in NYC, and that is the topic of topless women in pubic places.  Recently there's been a spike of the number of women walking the streets of the Big Apple topless, enjoying the hot summer rays.  Now in a city where practically nothing shakes the average New Yorker, this has caused more than its fair share of confusion.  Who are these women who dare bare their breasts in public?  Is that legal?  Why aren't they being arrested?  

Courtesy of NYC.BarstoolSports.com

Fact of the matter is that it IS legal for females to go topless in public in NY State.  And so every so often, you'll see the random female exercising her right to bare it all (up top), ..... because she can.   Read more on this fascinating story HERE.  And in the meantime, if you happen to come across a young lady walking about, sans top, remember guys.. "eyes up here".  :)

KINGS vs DEVILS, Game 1: The L.A. Kings continued their road domination, stealing an OT win from the NJ Devils in the opening game of the Stanley Cup.  Both teams were tentative, feeling each other out for a few periods before finally opening things up in the 3rd period and in overtime.  Now some NJ Devils fans are already in panic mode, while some Kings fans are already lifting The Cup.  Settle down, folks.  I get the feeling that it's going to be a long series.  Buckle up!

Game 2 this Saturday at The Rock! (8pm)

On a separate note, we tip our cap to Detroit Red Wings defenseman, NICKLAS LIDSTROM, who hung up his skates today after 20 years.  During his storied career, he was an 11-time All Star, won 7 Norris Trophies (Best Defenseman) and 4 Stanley Cups.  He will no doubt be a 1st ballot Hall of Famer and he will be missed, not only by the Detroit Red Wings, but by the NHL and hardcore hockey fans everywhere.

TONIGHT: PUB TRIVIA returns to Third and Long with another fun-filled edition!  As always, it's free to play, with a $45 bar tab up for grabs to the winning team!  Great drink specials available ($20 Coors Light buckets and $4 Mixed Well Drinks for ladies, 7pm-11pm)!  Get here early and get ready for a full night of "Good, Pouring Fun"!




Cheers!