99 Below 99 MacDougal St. (W. 3rd & Bleecker Sts.)
Greenwich Village
212.387.8292
99 Below:
There's nothing chilly about this addition to the MacDougal St. bar blitz (well, maybe the brewskis), but 99 Below is a trek down a winding flight of stairs, so don't get too hot-headed before you attempt it. Two of the owners, both Dublin-born, reiterate the mantra, "We are NOT an Irish bar." And it's true; the place is more of a cozy cubby hole/dartboard bar with a decent beer selection. But there are a few tip-offs to their Irish origins, and one, you'll be glad to know, is the 20-ounce pint. Fill it with draft Grimbergen Belgian Abbey and check out the weekend brunch, where a small premium gets you unlimited quantities of the cocktail of your choice. Here you'll feel as chilled as its name implies, but after so much booze, you'll likely be more of a hot mess.
Because the bar is downstairs I almost missed the place! But I'm so glad I didn't! The staff is friendly, the drinks are cheap, the Irish Nicahos are AWESOME and the atmosphere is chill and low key--unlike most of the places on MacDougal Street. I'd definetly go back.
