I love Pigeons

I was just looking over my MySpace page and I realized that last night in my drunk stooper I managed to post a number of bulletins. It feels so weird to have written things and not really remember what I wrote.

Can I tell you how one of my favorite bars in all of New York City is this place called Three Jolly Pigeons. It's known in the neighborhood as an old man's hangout but it really suits me well. I've been going there since I was... 18 or 19. I knew the bartenders before they quit in pursuit of their careers (big ups to Kevin Cash!!! check him out in Ash Wednesday - the Ed Burns film and others). I even had a fling with one of them. I met my ex-fiancee there. Had my first experience getting completely shitfaced at a bar there. And, most importantly, my cousin ordered her first beer there... ah! The memories!

One of my first times in 3JP I was with this woman, Maureen, who used to work at my undergrad college. She tells me that she's going out to this bar to see her boyfriend because he's playing darts out there this evening. So I tell her I know exactly where that place is (since my best friend lives around the corner) and I tell her I'll meet up with her. So, me and my best friends Sheila and Brianne go out there. We see her and chill with her momentarily but start talking to these dudes at the bar. Well, I proceed to have, oh I don't know... maybe... 4 shots of tequila and 5 beers.

Did I mention that I'm little? You can't possibly imagine the damage. Bad, bad, bad.

Needless to say, tequila and I never got along well after that experience. At least not until recently.

So last night, my cousin Kiera, her boyfriend Nick and I go out to 3JP. "Three Jelly Pigeons?" Nick asks and we correct him. I can't tell you how many people are so put off by the name of the place but it's such a chill atmosphere. Don't get me wrong, it's not like a lounge. It's not hip or trendy at all. It's this old school joint with a good juke box, well maintained bathrooms and a pool table in back (which is an absolute necessity for me).

AND... oh my god - I almost forgot the best part!!! What's up with people not knowing what "buy-backs" are?? Well like I said, I was pretty used to hanging out in this bar during my formative years. So whenever I used go to another bar and not get buy-backs, I'd get so pissed off. For those who don't know what buy-backs are, they are a courtesy from an appreciative bartender where every 3rd beer you purchase is free. Granted - a good tip is expected but still it's a pretty sweet deal - at least I think so. And its not like buy-backs are reserved for the regulars. I mean, everyone, like every person who goes to Pigeons will get their 3rd drink for free. Awesomeness...

Maybe it's only something done at 3JP... or in that area of Brooklyn - but I think it should be universal.

They used to have live music there all the time. Open-mic night was always pretty interesting. They got some characters. On this one night, Brianne and I decided to head over for a few drinks. So we're there having a great conversation when the music starts. It was this dude and this chick. They were sitting. The guy was chopping at his guitar and the girl was banging on an overturned plastic bucket and they were simultaneously singing/speaking "Weird. Weird. Weird. Weird...." That was the whole song. Freaking weirdos. But whatever floats your boat.

So I got pretty shitfaced last nite. It was fun. Played some pool. Badly. Tried a new beer. Ayinger. Some german wheat beer in a kick ass glass. What're they called? It was this tall beer glass - like a pint but with a curvy indentation in the middle. Like a pint glass with a waist. I dunno. Whatever. It was cool. The special glass made me feel fancy. I love Pigeons.


Brianne, Sheila and I drunk as skunks at Pigeons back in the day.