Tracy J's Watering Hole 106 E. 19th St. (Irving Pl. & Park Ave. South)
Gramercy
212.674.5783
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Tracy J's Watering Hole:
The brightly colored cartoon characters on the walls and the year-round Christmas lights give Tracy’s a sort of funhouse/romper-room vibe Hunter S. Thompson would have appreciated, and the circus of intoxicated singers, on-looker groups, and regular beer drinkers are quite at home here. While you’re waiting for the cutie you brought to guzzle away their inhibitions, you can see which Yankee is earning his paycheck on the massive flat screen past the bar, which is also a godsend on the non-karaoke weeknights. The bar staff is friendly and, more importantly, tolerant. Perhaps it’s in their job description, as they’re experts at corralling mic whores to the bar after karaoke shuts down at 2am, as well as serving late-night snacks like the yummy Quesdailla Carnivale to the crew.
As happens, places change hands. For the Watering Hole (formerly TracyJ's), this change went horribly wrong. The decor, charm, staff, prices, menu, etc. all went down the tubes. Sure there's a great staff member from time to time, but they never last. Nor will any trip that you make to the Hole, surely you'll leave wanting more and wonder why you've wasted any time there.
4/11/2010 2:42:18 PM
tommy g says:
On a recent visit I noticed that the place is not the same as it was a couple of years ago. The animals are all gone and the atmosphere has changed from a neigborhood pub to a more commercial resturant feel.
7/8/2009 11:01:58 AM
EJK . says:
My girlfriend and I went here with a group of her friends for a kind of end of the night for a birthday outing. It was preplanned as this place was supposed to be excellent (when it was called Tracy J's). But, we quickly found out differently! My girlfriend grabbed us each a drink. As we stood and watched some of the Karaoke (which was actually kind of fun) a seat at the bar became available. We asked the guy next to us if he knew anyone sitting here, he said no. My girlfriend sat down. However, there was a jacket on the chair. A tall skinny lady came back maybe ten minutes later and told my girlfriend to get up (she didn't ask at all). My girlfriend kind of smiled as told her that we didn't know anyone was sitting there. The woman then promptly followed with a comment that she will have my girlfriend kicked out. I told my girlfriend to get up and as she did...the woman waved over the bouncer. This all happened within a matter of a minute or two. The lady must have had some connection or something...because we were asked to leave. When I asked why...no one could give me any answers...no talking to managers....no information at all. Not to mention the bouncer was treating each of us as if we caused a real problem. So overall we were kicked out of not just the seat but the entire bar, and quite rudely. Be careful at "The WateringHole" ; you have to walk on broken glass, practically.
3/30/2008 10:46:00 AM
Cindy . says:
My favorite thing about the place is Joe the best bartender ever! He will greet you with a smile remember your drink and listen to anything you have to say worth going just to meet him. But the place is also great to rip in to a microphone and sing your heart out.
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