The Happy Hours that Saved New York
by Jodi Lustig
January 3rd, 2013
When Hurricane Sandy hit Manhattan, in a matter of hours, we had our own tale of two cities. Downtown and Uptown. Though the Wet and the Dry—or the Powerless and the Power-full—sum the situation up better.
Downtown, if it wasn’t the worst of times, it was damn close. Mandatory evacuations. Gale force winds. Water flooding the streets. No power and no public transportation. Meaning: no easy way to reach higher ground.
Uptown, it was one day of lockdown. With snacks and Stormtracker 7 and Doppler 4 fully operational. We weren’t exactly lounging on the couch eating bon bons—but that was mainly because what right-minded American eats bon bons these days?
By Tuesdsay morning Uptown, we got the all-clear. By noon, we had gaped at the uprooted trees and offered couches and hot showers to our less fortunate friends. By 12:30, we were hungry. With much sympathy for the folks under water Downtown, we went out in search of an open restaurant. And let me tell you, it was bleak. (Not as bleak as it was Downtown, where more than a month later, there are still as many restaurants closed as re-opened.) But still. Bleak enough for us (okay, me) to squeal when we found out the Gin Mill was open.
Not that I was surprised. The Gin Mill is an Uptown legend with the best happy hours in the neighborhood, and I do mean hours. Every day from 11:30 to 8pm, drinks are half-price. And the food? Let’s just say there are two kinds of tater tots on the menu. (They had me at one …)
The place was packed. As packed as I’ve seen it—and I’ve been there on football Sundays when the Giants were worth watching. One look at the bordering-on-angelic toddlers and the college boys bussing their own tables(!) and I knew our favorite Uptown bar had expanded its geographical horizons. The Gin Mill was a uniter.
Some Downtowners had walked. Some had found—and many shared— the rare cab. Others were out with their couch and shower-lending buddies. And at least for a little while, we could all act like this was one big Snow Day.
The staff, as always, was incredible. Apologizing for delays when apologies were unnecessary. Smiling at the neverending chorus of “Excuse me”s as they sped by. Special mention goes to the manager, an easy-going efficiency expert in the best of times and a steely force of nature in the worst. The day after Sandy hit, when really, just showing up was more than enough, he was a master layout-reconfigurer. Helping the wiseguy trying to wedge the sixth chair around the four-person table instead of making him stand in the corner (or causing a fire hazard.)
I would have paid anything for my Pinot Grigio that day—and the Gin Mill could have charged it (rumor has it other bars were price gouging)—but it was half-price, as always. Because it was just another day in the neighborhood.
Except that it wasn’t.
The Gin Mill
442 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY 10024
Phone: 212.580.9080
Hours of Operation
Monday-Saturday: 11:30 AM to 4AM
Sunday: 12PM to 4AM
NEW YORK CITY HAPPY HOURS
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