As I trekked through the highlands of Scotland by way of NYC, weary and parched from our epic journey, we saw in the distance a beacon of comfort and safety. Slowly we walked up to the unassuming front entrance and pushed through the barrier door – lo and behold, tis be a fine drinking establishment indeed!
Manly dark wooden accents, dim lighting, stained glass, long bar, hidden seating in the back, ancient paintings on the walls, warm cozy fireplace with cushy leather chairs to sit in and converse over many brews. A place that Scottish warriors and noblemen alike would be proud to call their own. Shoolbred’s in NYC is the motherland for these fine people.
The barkeep was a fine gentleman who handed us the menu and was very welcoming. We had told him of our journey to this far neatherland and he was more then willing to tell us of the special secret of the day. Something called “happy hour” that afforded us a wooden trinket to be handed in for another brew. My God, what kind of magic was this? We were taken in by it’s spell. We chose an ale called Rare Voss made in some country called Ommegang, and a potion of Hot Mulled Cider that the barkeep whipped up as his specialty. Both were exceptional and worthy of a second round which we drank heartily. Methinks a return trip to this land should be planned to take in a hot toddy or two.
Yet, we needed some food sustenance after a long day. Perusing the menu there caught my eye a perfect choice – french fries with malt vinegar. These fine spuds were served to us cooked dark, thick, and with a fresh potato flavor. Drenching them in malt vinegar only enhanced the experience more. Our thirst and hunger were quenched.
I also gleaned over a dutiful selection of scotch and whiskeys behind the bar. Mighty tempting, but that be for another time….
On this day we had arrived late in the afternoon, as it seemed the sun was just over the horizon at about 4:30 or so. Night was falling. Just a few local townsfolk and fellow travelers were inside resting their feet and bellying up to the bar. The sounds of music were at a soft level and conversation was easy. Yes, tis a fine establishment indeed laddies and lassies. I would recommend this a destination for anyone looking to replentish their souls for a wee bit.
Our minds were now at ease, and we made on our merry way to further adventures.
Shoolbreds – http://www.shoolbreds.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/shoolbreds-new-york?nb=1
Phil – Happy New Year, I see you are still finding excellent places to hang out. I am making notes about places to visit, if i ever venture out of my nest…. take care and enjoy. I hope you are staying warm, we are coming out of our deep freeze – it is 2F and I think that is the high temp for the day. The good news, the wind is gone
Hey Clay!
I do try to explore many cool spots here in the city. Looks like its getting a bit warmer finally with temps in the 50’s on Saturday! Still a long winter to go!
This could be my home from home kinda place! HA, the feeling i get looking at the first pic is … Gentlemen’s Club! Looks nice and cosy too, could see myself in here on a winters day! I’m coming over lol
Hey Claire!
It does resemble a gentlemans club! Perfect place for a hot toddy in front of the fireplace!
Why is “Princes of the Universe” by Queen suddenly playing in my head? I prefer Duncan to Connor McLeod, by the way… Truth is that Christopher Lambert just has not been aging well at all. :-/
As for this pub? Sounds great! Well, as long as they don’t try to serve me haggis.
Hey Kitt!
Ha! Nice Queen reference. Ew, no haggis. I’ll stick with fries and malt vinegar with a fime malt whiskey!
Sounds like a great place! You are an ace with the reviews, buddy!
Hey Christy!
Thanks so much. Maybe I missed my career calling? 🙂
I love the writing style in this post Phil. I can hear the bag pipes in the background just playing “The Flower of Scotland”!
Yet again you find a wonderful sounding watering hole which is a great blend of Scottish and NYC life.
Hey Guy!
So glad you liked. I tried being a bit different for this one. So many great pubs like these to be found in the city.
This looks like a fine manly man’s manly establishment. Others might be tempted by the adult beverages, but it’s your description of the fries that has me drooling!
Hey Jill!
It is a fine manly man place, but good for the ladies too.
Yeah, I am a sucker for fries and malt vinegar!
YUMMY- fries with malt vinegar. My first time to have that was on East coast in Rehoboth beach , Delaware. I was hooked!
What a great interesting place you stumbled on and i love the voice of the Scottish.
Hey Holli!
I love those fries and malt vinegar together!
Glad you liked my Scottish tilt for this one!
COOL! What a magical place. Will have to remember this one when I visit next.
Hey Beth!
I even wrote this one wearing nothing but a Kilt! 😉
Sounds like a fine establishment indeed, and certainly one worthy of a second, third, fourth, visit. After all, the first may have been a fluke so you’d best check it out again just to be sure before you go endorsing it to the general population.
I love those kinds of bars with character. If I’m ever in your area, which is highly unlikely given my penchant for general dislike of all things urban, I’ll definitely check it out.
Love the post, Phil!
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Hey Patricia!
Oh, I must venture there at least 20-30 more times to be sure!
Many spots like this in the city, and I must hunt them all down. So glad you liked the style of this post. I was drunk and wearing a kilt when I wrote it.
Happy New Year, to our New York, Anything but Regular Guy…Phil. As usual you have us pining away for the taste of Scottish ale. Must tell you that gazing upon the first picture, one word came to mind….MASCULINE!!! Oh how perfect for the description you gave. Scottish Warriors. Images of Mel Gibson, (Braveheart) face painted blue, as he stormed thru the field, entered our mind. Yet all we kept saying was…..How F***ing good we’re those French Fries with Malt Vinegar!!! lol. Seriously, we’ve never even heard of Malt Vinegar & wondered how it would taste. So now, as Bethie said, we will have to add this to our list when we visit New York & take a trip to the masculine den where Scottish warriors & our New York regular guy dine. Perhaps we will belly up to the bar & tell them. “A Scottish spud with Malted Vinegar for 2 Irish ladies!” Great post Phil. Love the pictures which completed the story & description you gave brilliantly. You have us amazed at just how unique New York is, representing so many cultures with her restaurants. Hoping your next one will be a nod to the Irish!! Sharing this now.
Hey Inion!
Happy New Year! As you mentioned I was thinking all of that while writing this review in a drunken stupor wearing nothing but a kilt. It brought out the manliness in me! Oh yes, fries and malt vinegar rule! 🙂
So many great spots here in the Big Apple. This is just one of them. On to the Irish soon!
Well said Sir. Indeed, this seems as lovely, civilized, and comfortable place to enjoy among friends.
Hey Peggy!
Thank you! It is a fine civilized establishment. Can get very crowded though!
Fries with vinegar is such a good invention, but along with mulled cider? Hmmm…not sure I’d like that combo:)
Hey Mitzie!
Yeah, those together are a bit iffy, but they sure tasted good on a cold day!
Hot toddy? Yes, please.
Fries and malt vinegar combo? Yes, please.
Dark bar where you feel like a local? Yes, please!
Hey Cowboys!
I guess this sounds like your kind of place! I’m sure Ted would take up a spot by the fireplace and have all the ladies swooning over him.
Yummy! Kilts are hot! Way to immerse yourself into the post….
Hey Beth!
Also, I was completely naked under that kilt. Just sayin’…….
Of course you were….it’s a kilt. I’m about to come up there and make you a sammich!
Hey Beth!
I have been told I do my best cooking in the nude! 😉
I warmed up just looking at those photos. I love the rich wood accents, fireplace and that big leather chair … maybe I’ll bring a book and just hang out on a cold winter day.
Hey Lisa!
Its one of those spots that lends itself to a hot toddy on a cold winter day!
Looks like one fine establishment, indeed! It’s the one negative about living in the sticks … it’s not easy to find a watering hole such as this!
Hey PJ!
I would bet it’s hard to find spots like these out where you are. Just think of all the places to check out when you come into NYC!
Ah, this place sounds lovely. Pretty sure the boyfriend would love it. We will be in NYC this spring, I’ll have to keep stalking you for additional suggestions…
Hey Aussa!
Let me know when you guys get here. I’ll give you a bunch of suggestions on where to eat, drink, explore, etc.
Hello Phil..
Seems like a literary coffee store or something like that. A place where Charles Baudelaire & Edgar Allan Poe would love to go for a drink. Awesome. ! xo Aquileana 😉
Hey Aquileana!
I could definitely see them sitting by the fireplace with snifters of brandy talking poetry! It’s that kind of spot.