Rose Alley Ale House

Although he may be loathe to admit it, it appears as though Mr. 3BOEs was somewhat ogling the barmaid at the Rose Alley Ale House on the night of the Barflies' visit. And with Mr. Mix alongside him as an impromptu wingman of happenstance, he may have even been "chatting her up," as the British say. And it is understandable, as Leeann was a very beautiful and gregarious redhead, and Mr. 3BOEs was fortified with a few in 'im already. But enough on 3B's vague flirtatiousness--- the Rose Alley Ale House is also beautiful and gregarious. Housed in a centuries old building, facing Route 18 and the State Pier, one door north of Cork, the Rose Alley is a brand new establishment, started by a trio of young entrepreneurs who have an obvious love for beer. Some time back, the building housed the infamous Cultivator Shoal, and local tales of it persist as a haven for drunkards, whores, brawlers, reprobates, smack dealers, knife wielders, thieves, con men and other riff-raff. But Mr. Draft cannot swear to the veracity of these claims...but folklore exists for a reason. (Bones found in the basement during renovations turned out to be of animal in nature.) In any case, the riff-raff are sparse in the Rose Alley...the crowd seem to be primarily collegiate or twenty-something, with a few old wankers like (some of) the Barflies thrown into the mix. The ale house is a two-story joint with an interesting quirk... light ales, IPAs, lagers, and a few other classifications served upstairs, while the downstairs bars offers "specialty beers". In truth, any beer can be ordered at the lower or the upper bar, and a member of the staff will retrieve it from either bar, but there does seem to a method to the madness. The beer selection is remarkably plentiful. Some of the downstairs offerings included Ommegang 3 Philosophers quadrupel brew, Victory Storm King (a Russian imperial stout), and Rogue Dead Guy malbock. Upstairs selections included Allagash Belgian White, Offshore IPA, Troeg's Hop Back Amber Ale, and a dozen others, as well the usual macrobrew suspects, Bud Light, Coors Light, and one inexpensive skunky favorite of Mr. Draft's- Moosehead, a steal for $2. Beyond the brews, the Rose Alley offers a concise menu of bar munchies, including about a dozen kinds of wings, served wet or dry--- that is, with sauce or a dry rub, including teriyaki and barbecue style, as well as the predictable- but excellently fiery buffalo version. There is a handsome sign above the door outside (and Mr. Draft knows a wee bit about signs), but the interior is a bit lacking in decor...and the right visual kick could add a sense of style, character and history. All in all, the Rose Alley Ale House is a welcome addition to New Bedford's ever evolving bar scene and it rates a well-deserved 9. Put some art on the walls...get a 10. And LeeAnn...Mr. 3BOEs lives just a few blocks up the hill...if you're interested. Pretty sure he is... Roll Call: Mr. Draft, Mr. Mix, Mr. 3BOEs, Mr. Elixir, Mr. Sazurac, Mr. Merlot

Waterfront Grille

Located on Homer's Wharf, just south of the Bourne Counting House, sits the Waterfront Grille, an elegant and upscale addition to city's thriving bar-and-restaurant scene. That space, in a previous incarnation, had been the home of Louie's on the Wharf, a legendary New Bedford restaurant, that raised the bar for the local culinary community. Let it be said that the Waterfront Grille is a worthy successor. Overlooking the harbor and the docked fishing fleet, there is a lovely view that rises above the cliched and schmaltzy sentiment that a cynic like Mr. Draft might ordinarily assign to such a visage. It is beautiful and does, no doubt, attract visitors of the city, but the Waterfront Grille is no kitschy tourist trap. Small, white tubular lights hover over the bar, creating a tasteful atmosphere that is neither too cloyingly romantic nor unnaturally bright. On the night of the Barflies' visit on-tap brews were nothing spectacular or out of the mainstream- Miller Lite, a Sam Adams Seasonal offering, Blue Moon and Long Trail, and Mr. Draft opted for the lunatic choice. The pretty barmaid, Jennifer, proved to be an excellent barkeep. Several of Mr Draft's hungrier companions ordered food at the bar and greatly enjoyed their meals. And while Mr. Draft greatly enjoys the company of his compatriots in the Barflies-- for example, Messrs. Elixir, 3BOEs and Mix are somewhat of a Holy Trinity of entertaining geek conversation, Mr. Merlot and Mr. Sazurac are formidable thinkers as to local politics and art, and keen observers of cleavage; and one could get lost in Mr. Brew-haha's dreamy eyes--- Mr. Draft thinks he would most enjoy the Waterfront when he is out "on a date" with the beautiful Mrs. Draft. It bests functions--at least in the evening-- as a romantic spot. And it rates a 9...and if the draft selections improved ever so slightly, it might enter the exalted realm of the Tens. Roll Call: Mr. Draft. Mr. Mix, Mr. Elixir, Mr. 3BOES, Mr. Brew-haha, Mr. Sazurac, Mr. Lupilin

Chuck's China Inn

There are a plethora of Portuguese / Portuguese-American bars along the Avenue and many of them are quite good. But barhopping to several of them on a single night, can be become a distinction-blurring excursion of too many fava beans on the counter, flaming linguicas, syrupy wines, a strange synthesis of the Portuguese and English languages (Portuglish?), and far too many attractive women named Maria that would mind-numb all but the most fervent Luzophiles.
Chuck's China Inn is the antidote. Chuck's has been a staple in the New Bedford restaurant vibe for many years, offering a full range of Chinese-American dishes such as the indefatigable General Tso's Chicken and the giggle-inducing Pu Pu Platter. (Well, it induces giggles in Mr. Draft's preteen son...but, then again, he also is quite amused by Provincetown's most common nickname.)
Passing by the hostess station and through two large dining rooms, the Barflies sat in the cocktail lounge, a visually-impressive, beautifully decorated little bar. It may be one of the last great hidden gems in the city's bar scene. The room seats only a few...perhaps less than two dozen...but it is worth squeezing into. The lounge features intricate lattice work, three-dimensional dragon heads, bare breasted women in bas-relief, and a bullet-proof looking bartender, beefy enough to bodyguard Beyonce. The bartender was affable and professional. The draft selection was limited to Samuel Adams' offerings-Cherry Wheat, Lager, and Octoberfest, but that was certainly adequate in a place that one could opt for a Zombie, a Love Potion or a Volcano Bowl. There is something oddly noirish about Chuck's....the cocktail lounge would look great in an old black-and-white movie, where Humphrey Bogart would fall for some stunning Asian girl, who'd dope him with powdered opium in his bourbon, when he asked too many questions. Even after that, Bogie would give this place a 9.
Roll Call: Mr. Draft, Mr. Mix, Mr. Merlot, Mr. Elixir, Mr. 3BOES, Mr. Whiskey, Mr. Brew-haha
A last note: Mr. Mix and Mr. 3BOES would think Mr. Draft remiss and Luddite if he did not mention the patrons playing Grand Theft Auto on the bar's television screen.

Inner Bay Cafe and Grill

Across from the dike on Cove Street, there sits a small, elegant, old brick building that houses one of New Bedford's most charming bars...and there's a restaurant there, too. Years ago, Silmo Coffee Syrup was manufactured in that building, and a generation of New Bedford children- including Mr. Draft- gulped down countless glasses of coffee milk made with that sweet stuff. Now, the Inner Bay is in its' place and producing some sweet stuff of its' own. As Mr. Draft's tastes have matured away from coffee milk and toward good draft beers and old-school martinis, he ordered an Absolut martini. A very cute and gregarious barmaid, Gloria, proved to be quite skilled in her profession, making an excellent martini, so dry it was crispy, by doling out the vermouth with an eyedropper...clinically efficient and oddly elegant. Mr. Mix's tastes have not matured much beyond coffee milk, and perhaps in homage to the days of Silmo, he ordered an espresso martini...which is more akin to an Awful-Awful from Newport Creamery than a classic cocktail. But, it was pretty and he thoroughly enjoyed it.
According to Gloria, Thursday is poker night--- and on the night of the Barflies' visit, it was Texas Hold'em Night, but the Barflies exercised fiscal restraint and did not head upstairs to partake in the games. But that option, the Ms. Pac-Man game by the door, the fava beans served as a bar snack, the impressive menu, the comfortable and tasteful barroom, and Gloria herself won over the Barflies. The Inner Bay rates an unequivocal 9.

Roll Call: Mr. Draft, Mr. Mix, Mr. Merlot, Mr. Whiskey, Mr.Brew-haha

Pour Farm Tavern

Located midway between Union Street and William Street, on Purchase, sits one of the city's newest drinking establishments. And it's a very welcome addition. Mr. Draft and the rest of the Barfly crew comfortably ensconced themselves at the staid bar, tended to by a competent young man by the name of Jesse. The Pour Farm is warm and inviting and Mr. Draft was impressed with the draft selection. Many bars in New Bedford serve beer on tap...the Pour Farm does it with a zymurgist's zeal. The on-tap selection includes Guinness, Harpoon UFO Raspberry, Cisco Whale's Tale, Brooklyn Brewery Pilsner, and for the feeble beer aficionado, Coors Light. But Mr. Draft opted for the seasonal offering from Dogfish Craft Brewery, a small and adventurous brewery, based in Delaware. It was a bit pricey at $5.50, but Dogfish's Punkin' Ale was a hearty, chewy brew, with a strong pumpkin pie kick, and hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and coriander.

In the name of full disclosure, Mr. Draft must confess to a previous life as a maker of tap handles. Customers included the aforementioned Dogfish Craft Brewery, as well as Wolaver's, Magic Hat, and Otter Creek. But Mr. Draft knows no loyalty and is a bit of a beer whore...whoever is making the best brew in any given season and at any given location--- that's who gets Mr. Draft's lovin'. But that said, Dogfish is consistently good-- in the bottle and especially, on tap. And the Punkin' Ale is a beauty. And so is the Pour Farm Tavern. It is a highlight for the beer connoisseur, New Bedford's answer to Portland's Gritty McDuff's, or Burlington's Vermont Pub and Brewery.

Mr. Draft has no idea what the other Barflies drank. Or even if they were there.

The Pour Farm rates a strong 9, with a suggestion or three on how to up the score to a 10...

1.) Start offering some good, simple pub grub--- keep it simple and beer friendly- fish and chips, an Angus burger, some bangers and mash, a good Caesar salad (which means with anchovies), and the like.

2.) Hire bartenders who have extensive knowledge about beer (or the willingness to get educated on the subject) and can talk up the offered brews, asking customers what they like, making suggestions, able to explain the difference between an IPA and a pilsner. This would go along way to making the Pour Farm the '"go-to" place for smart and serious beer drinkers in NB.

3.) Stock a pile of the Ale Street News and/or the Yankee Brew News by the entrance. Leave an issue or two of Draft magazine about for visitors to peruse. Play up the commitment to GOOD beer, for all it is worth. Build it and they will come!



Roll Call: Mr. Draft, Mr. Mix, Mr. Merlot, Mr. Cork, Mr. Sazurac, Mr. Elixir, Mr. 3BOES, Mr. Whiskey, Mr. Brew-haha, Mr. Lupilin,

The Catwalk Bar and Grill

Blueberries in the beer? Sure, why not? Mr. Draft ordered a Sea Dog Blueberry Ale and was surprised to see a couple of dozen actual berries added to his mug. (On a side note: evidentially, some blueberries are sinkers, and some are floaters, much like...oh, never mind). While it added nothing to the taste, it added fiber, vitamin C and anti-oxidants making it the healthiest brew Mr. Draft has had since his college days, when inspired by a scene from one of the Rocky movies, he'd gulp down a raw egg in his Pabst. The Sea Dog was a vast improvement in taste (and texture.) The Catwalk is a vibrant, sexy, and trendy bar on lower Union Street, populated by vibrant, sexy and trendy patrons, such as the Barflies. Three lovely barmaids tended the bar, and one in particular took on the challenge of Mr. Mix' esoteric cocktail requests, including the Pink Pussy. The Pink Pussy was recommended by the barmaid across the street- at FINS- and the Catwalk's more-than-capable barmaid was able to produce it, while suggesting other concoctions. She may have been the most knowledgeable bartender as to the subject of mixology that the assembled Barflies have yet come across. However, when she found out that the Pink Pussy was recommended by her across-the street competitor, she referred to her as "the dirty girl"...which was just a little catty...and kinda hot. The Catwalk was rather busy for a midweek night and the patrons very friendly, particularly two regulars, who referred to themselves as Bert and Ernie (Mr. Draft suspects these were aliases). Bert and Ernie told jokes, made drink suggestions, and recommended a number of other drinking establishments within the greater New Bedford area. In the summer, the Catwalk opens up a rooftop bar that overlooks the harbor and the town of Fairhaven, perfect for vibrant, sexy and trendy patrons...like the Barflies. For its' plump draft selection, for its' cute and smart barmaids, for its' atmosphere of gregariousness and good humor, the Catwalk rates a vibrant, sexy and trendy 9. (Roll Call: Mr. Draft, Mr. Mix, Mr. Merlot, Mr. Light Weight)