Sorry for the heavy CU focus for anyone following this blog--but my nieces are in town and staying near here! My dive-bar and cozy-pub days are now 20 -plus years behind me, so I was a bit lost when they asked me about decent bars in the area--turns out the few I mentioned, when I looked them up, had closed or been transformed into more expensive and trendy venues (eg West End which is now Havana-something and not the hangout for students it used to be..). ..or I forgot the addresses.
However a little quick internet sleuthing turned up some local bars that are not expensive and seem to have a good vibe (according to the reviews on yelp.com ). A short list:
1: Toast: Broadway between Lasalle and Tieman Place (Lasalle is the street about 123rd). Reviews here. Sounds fun and cheap with decent fun food.
2: Abbey Pub-105 between Broadway and Amsterdam (right off Broadway). I've actually been here and they have decent food. Nice atmosphere.
3: Hakkon's Hall -116 and Amsterdam. This was new to me and new to the neighborhood as well. The reviews seem decent. They seem to focus on food, eclectic food....waffles, P&J, etc. Not "just" a bar so not sure about the drink prices.
4: Village Pourhouse- Amsterdam and 109th. Reviews here. "The staff is very friendly and the beer is cold and cheap." Sports bar-ish atmosphere.
5: Mona Lounge- Amsterdam and 109th. Reviews here. "Mona is the classier choice on Amsterdam on this stretch, and the bonus is that it also has a pool table. ...a place where a girl can go to get a drink in the neighborhood and be treated properly by the staff. It's pretty nondescript, but I suppose that's why it's a lounge -- so you can kick back and relax. "
