Cool Bars on the UES

While I’ve lived on the UES for over a year now, there are a number of restaurants and bars that I haven’t gotten around to trying yet. So last week my boyfriend and I decided to hit up three new bars: Ryan’s Daughter, Caledonia Scottish Pub, and Auction House.

We started at Ryan’s Daughter which always looks so cute from the outside. Inside it’s dimly lit with a pool table and basketball hoop/arcade game in the back. They have unusual trinkets and decor (like two legs dressed in jeans with black shoes hanging from the ceiling), and about a dozen beers on tap. They also have their own Ryan’s Daughter Ale. On the chalkboard behind the bar there were three beers listed for $5 each: Brooklyn Summer Ale, Yuengling and Ryan’s Daughter Ale. We went for one Summer Ale and one Ryan’s Daughter Ale and both agreed that the in-house brew was much better than the Summer Ale. They also offer snack size bags of chips and pretzels for free which the bartender graciously offered us. We liked the feel, the prices, the beer and the service. It’s a solid spot.

Next we went to Caledonia Scottish Pub which we originally walked right past since it’s so small. It was very dark inside with a bar and two leather couches in the back. I was hoping for some cool Scottish beers, but I guess I should have known better that their specialty was Scottish whiskey. There were some specials but since I don’t drink whiskey I didn’t pay it much attention. Instead we ordered one Bellhaven Scottish Ale and one Bellhaven Scottish IPA for $6 each and we liked them both. We chilled on a sofa for a while playing multiple games of Connect 4 (they also had Jenga). Paul preferred this spot over Ryan’s Daughter for the couch and games, but I think I preferred Ryan’s Daughter. Either way it was a nice good find.

We ended our night at Auction House which I’ve heard so much about from friends who live in the neighborhood. It always looks like it’s closed from the outside so I was anxious to go in since the windows are covered up. It was definitely a cool space with a great atmosphere, just as I was promised. Red velvet chairs and couches, dark lights, candles, etc., a truly intimate feel that’s good for a date and “conversing” as Paul said. There are two rooms connected and a few TVs showing sports and movies, although I don’t think they went with the overall vibe of the bar. We ordered one Blue Moon and one Harpoon IPA and each beer was $5 which made us happy. This was our favorite of the night and I’m excited to bring people back to this gem for a nice and different night out.

Two other gems I’ve enjoyed are Trinity Pub and David Copperfield’s, but these three bars will definitely be in my new rotation. Next up: The Gaf, B. Cafe, and Earl’s Beer and Cheese. Do you have any other good recommendations?