Grassroots Pub - New York, NY

Grassroots is one of those places that's very easy to pass on the street without thinking twice. The exterior is unassuming, the front door actually down a few steps from street level; and the only signage is a small neon sign on the window that you can barely see from the street. But it's really worth checking out, as it's one of the least pretentious bars in the area (LES? East Village? I can never keep NY "neighborhoods" straight in my head).

The place is somewhat small and cramped. There are some tables and of course seats at the bar... however good luck trying to get one on a weekend night. The bartender uses a complex system of indecipherable grunts to answer your requests for drinks. However, these is all part of the place's charm; the bar is inviting despite all of that, and for all the bartender's lack of verbal communication, he's incredibly efficient in getting me what I really want -- beer, not conversation.

There are a bunch of beers on tap (including several from Brooklyn Brewery), available in a small mug, a pint glass, or a pitcher; as well as a fully stocked bar. In addition, you can order air-popped popcorn until they run out. If you're not sold already, this is not the place for you. But it was for me.

All in all, if you want a low-key unpretentious place to BS and have a beer, go to this bar.

The Trinity, Irish Pub & Carvery - Atlantic City, New Jersey

If you frequent Atlantic City at all you may have heard about The Pier at Caesar's. For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, let me fill you in. The Pier is essentially a pretty large and fairly high-end mall for the first 2 floors, but the top floor features bars and restaurants.

The Trinity, Irish Pub & Carvery is my focus here. It's got a very promising look. They've done a great job making it look like a classic pub. When inside, I could almost forget that I was actually in a newly built mall that sits amongst many casinos.

Unfortunately, I just haven't been able to get into this place. Keith and I went on July 3rd, a night that we expected would bring the partiers out. We were mistaken. I'm not sure if we just happened to choose a bad day or if the place just hasn't been able to pull a crowd, but it was a nearly empty bar.

Now, this isn't something that will definitely turn me off of a bar; I often like a quiet setting for a cold one. The real turn off here was the horrendous music. When we had first come in there was a Flogging Molly song playing - not necessarily my favorite, but Irish and kind of fun to listen to. It all went far downhill from there. Slow, boring song after slow, boring song was what followed. Some of the most depressing songs I could think of were being played and it was just not making feel like I wanted to stay. I actually felt like I needed to drink my cider as quickly as possible so I could get out of there before true depression set in.

Ok, so, on a positive note it did have some good brews offered up. I was able to get my cider, as you might expect since it is an Irish pub.

I think I might give it one more chance one of these days on a Saturday night at midnight where if it's still the same as I found it last time, then I'll be sure that there's no hope for this place.

The Trinity was not a winner for me.

~Vicky

The Trinity, Irish Pub & Carvery
The Pier at Caesar's 3rd Floor
Atlantic City, NJ
609.345.6900