When Stacy suggested we just grab a drink at a place called Onieals, I glumly was picturing an Irish pub, with glaring TVs shouting sports at me in every corner and the kind of soaked in beer wood that smells like an entire forest urinating. I was met, however with a sophisticated dimly lit corner of old New York. Its history is compelling, and it goes well beyond its guest stint as Aidan's bar on Sex in the City (look out for people on SATC tours). According to the bar's website:
“The bar itself is directly opposite the old Police Headquarters and its former occupants, as a brothel, speakeasy and gambling parlor would seem diametrically opposed to the purpose of the Police Department. But see, that's the corruption part. So endemic was this corruption (we're talking the heyday of Tammany) that when the Police Headquarters was built in 1909, a tunnel was dug connecting the buildings. This was so uniformed cops and especially officials of the NYPD could step across the street for some cheer.”
Under the exquisitely carved all wood ceiling complete with impish devil faces, which the owners uncovered behind a drop ceiling to their amazement and joy, we were sipping on expertly made martinis when in walks none other than legendary wit, Fran Lebowitz and she sits right down next to?who else but Toni Morrison! It was a meeting of the minds and we were glowing in the intellectual aftermath.
But what do you think?