Who’s There: The old-time regulars (especially during the day, according to long-time bartender John), but the new look has brought a younger crowd with it. The age range is still in the mid 30s to 40s. Everyone is casually dressed and ready to throw back a few.
What They’re Drinking: Beer, shots, and mixed drinks in red plastic Solo cups. “It’s a regulars’ thing,” John says. “People don’t come in for 20 years, and they come back and ask for a red cup.” Ostensibly the cup is used to take drinks from inside to outside, but in the old days taking your libations to-go was probably a frequent occurrence. Does anyone have a lid and some Scotch tape?
What’s Playing: The digital jukebox has everything from Radiohead to Widespread Panic to Robert Palmer. On weekends, live music is drawing crowds. John told us sales were up 170% on Fridays and Saturdays.
When You Enter, Make a Beeline For: The bar. Get a drink, then mingle. Stay long enough and you will be entertained.
When the Crowd Arrives: The scene really gets going on weekend nights around 8. Overspill from the swanky restaurants nearby will bring people looking for a good time after dinner, a drink right before they eat, or a crowd of rowdies ready to burn the place down.
Be Sure to Check Out: The back room. Yes, it’s been redone, and new leather couches replace the old stained ones. But things haven’t changed that much. On a recent happy hour visit, we went looking for a place to sit only to find a couple making out heavily.
Another tip: There’s pretty much no food sold here, but you can get delivery from Fireside Pies or Campisi’s. Occasionally those restaurants will stop in selling pizza by the slice.
Overheard: “If you don’t put some music on the jukebox I’m putting you in time out.”
Bottom Line: The Tavern has retained its divey charm, but it feels just a bit nicer. Whether the crowds at night are a blessing or a curse remains to be seen. The Lovers and Inwood corner has seen many a new storefront in recent years, but its roots with the old guard remain strong.
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