Columbia University Bars

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. "

More Columbia U./ CUNY restaurants and bars

Just a quickie for my nieces staying near Columbia...a list of restaurants and bars missing from my prior post. You can get this list at Time Out New York (search on Columbia U and CUNY area) * means recommended:
*Amsterdam Restaurant and Tapas Lounge 11am–1am1207 Amsterdam Ave, between 119th and 120th Sts. - lots going on here, outside and inside...right on Amsterdam and 120th. .

*Dinosaur Bar-B-Que Mon–Thu 11:30am–11pm 646 W 131st St, between Broadway and Riverside Dr-young crowd, fun, loud...LIVE MUSIC every night (here is the calendar). Cute decor (" Weathered gas-station signage and barbershop mirrors constitute the artfully gritty decor at this honky-tonk saloon")

Sezz MediMon–Wed, Sun 11:30am–4pm, 5–11pm; Thu–Sat 11:30am– 4pm, 5pm–midnight 1260 Amsterdam Ave, at 122nd St. Brick oven PIZZA.

Massawa Daily 11:30am–11:30pm1239 Amsterdam Ave, at 121st St. Ethiopian, for something new and different.

*Pinkberry 2873 Broadway, between 111th and 112th Sts, FROZEN YOGURT. Yummy, tangy taste. I only have tasted the original flavor.

Caffé Swish Mon–Thu, Sun 11am–11:30pm; Fri, Sat 11am–1am 2953–55 Broadway, between 115th and 116th Sts--ASIAN/ FUSION

Columbia University Neighborhood Lowdown

Columbia University is really taking over the neighborhood. Morningside Heights, that is! There have been a lot of complaints about the gentrification of the neighborhood--but frankly I can't think of a better thing to happen to it. More students means more housing means: more cafes, more places to shop (thus more competition in prices), and a safer neighborhood. So you won't hear any complaints from me!
There are tons of restaurants popping up along Amsterdam below 110-I was surprised how many, one after the other, have opened in the last year.
Herewith a list of places in the area of 120th Street within walking distance as well as general info about the area (of course this is Manhattan so as far as I am concerned everything is within walking distance!
Bus:
M11 on Amsterdam and 120th takes you downtown, down Columbus Ave. 104 on Broadway takes you down Broadway. 104 runs more frequently.
Subway:
The 1 stops at 1116 and Broadway and takes you downtown, down the West Side, all the way to the Staten Island Ferry stop. You can switch to the 2 and 3 (express and which goes to Brooklyn) at 96th, 72nd, etc. Go through the Columbia campus to get to the 116. It is lovely. The 1 also stops at 110th, then 96th...etc.
Food shopping:
Apple Tree Market across the street—open 24 hours (also great prepared foods)
Broadway around 116^th—grocery store (prepared foods)
110 and Broadway—D’Agonstino's grocery store (prepared foods)

Drugstore:
Duane Reade (Everywhere but closest is 122 and Broadway)

Restaurants:

• V&T Pizza –Amsterdam bet 110-111. Cheap pizza and Italian—old fashioned and very good:

• Kitchenette- Amsterdam bet 122 and 123: Cutesy 50-ish diner theme, old fashioned pastries to go (eg cupcakes). Medium prices.

• Symposium-113 bet. Amsterdam and Bway: Greek –inexpensive

• Cottage-Amst. and about 114 (across from St John the Divine church)- good Chinese…inexpensive

• Mama Mexico-- Bway and 102—always busy—I have never been there but supposed to be good

• MAX——Amsterdam and 123 Italian, pasta—limited menu but pretty good. Outside eating.

• Ollies—Bway and 166—very popular but generic Chinese (they also deliver)

• Indian place (forgot the name)—on Amsterdam bet. 120-121. Good Indian food. Also delivers

• Ethiopian place (forgot the name)—Amsterdam and 121. Never ate there.

• Hungarian Café—about Amsterdam and 114--this is a MUST—across from St John the Divine…famous café…coffee and croissants plus other Hungarian sweets…oreder then sit at table, they will bring coffee to you.

• Café—forgot the name…but cute sit down café, coffee and sandwiches, on Amsterdam and about 122 on the west side of the street…lots of students

• Tom’s Restaurant—another “must” this is the Greek coffee chop that Seinfeld uses as the outside shot for its “Restaurant” scenes…reasonably priced burgers, typical diner fare.

• *Amsterdam Restaurant and Tapas Lounge 11am–1am1207 Amsterdam Ave, between 119th and 120th Sts. - lots going on here, outside and inside...right on Amsterdam and 120th. .
  

  *Dinosaur Bar-B-Que Mon–Thu 11:30am–11pm 646 W 131st St, between Broadway and Riverside Dr-young crowd, fun, loud...LIVE MUSIC every night (here is the calendar). Cute decor (" Weathered gas-station signage and barbershop mirrors constitute the artfully gritty decor at this honky-tonk saloon")
  
  Sezz MediMon–Wed, Sun 11:30am–4pm, 5–11pm; Thu–Sat 11:30am– 4pm, 5pm–midnight 1260 Amsterdam Ave, at 122nd St. Brick oven PIZZA.

  Massawa Daily 11:30am–11:30pm1239 Amsterdam Ave, at 121st St. Ethiopian, for something new and different.
  
  *Pinkberry 2873 Broadway, between 111th and 112th Sts, FROZEN YOGURT. Yummy, tangy taste. I only have tasted the original flavor.
  

  Caffé Swish Mon–Thu, Sun 11am–11:30pm; Fri, Sat 11am–1am 2953–55 Broadway, between 115th and 116th Sts--ASIAN/ FUSION