Trifter

For all the furore that surrounds The Bitter End pub on Bleecker Street in New York City’s Greenwich Village, it really is a remarkably underwhelming place at first glance. The bar actually has its own day – a plaque just outside it will tell you that New York City honours The Bitter End Day each year. But when you get inside it, you’ll be surprised that a place this small and regular could carry such weight.

The bar was once used for a Natasha Bedingfield concert venue in Lipstick Jungle, and those sneaky sneaky NBC cameramen managed to make it look like the place carried on for about half a city block. In reality, it probably fits 75 – 150 people in on a good day. Sweet curveball, Lipstick Jungle.

But once you get inside, without any of staff having to say a word, the wall behind the bar will tell you just why you should laud The Bitter End like the rest of New York City does – it’s played host to Bob Dylan, Woody Allen, Bill Cosby and Jackson Browne, to name but a few stellar faces.

The bands then take to the stage. On any given weekend night, if there’s not a big name playing, there will be at least four or five acts to entertain you for a small cover charge. Of the four bands that we saw (after arriving dismally late), three of them were top class and highly entertaining for unknown artists. (For an example, check out The Funky Fritters at www.thefunkyfritters.com.)

The bands also cross a myriad genres, from motown and funk to modern rock and blues, so you’re likely to relish in the tunes at some point in the evening, no matter what you tend to rock out to. The 75 – 150 people previously mentioned had all come out to do said rocking out, and were a lively and worthwhile audience for the performers.

So The Bitter End, old and cramped as it may be, needs to be experienced to be believed. But once you make your way there, this New York City landmark will leave you with no doubts as to why it has become such a legend. Go to www.bitterend.com for schedule information.