Since we’re now full swing into the holiday season, I thought I’d put up a Xmas post from my 365 bar blog that I did in 2010 in New York City.
That year I made my first visit to Rolf’s German Restaurant and this place is an over-the-top Christmas bar. Below is the introduction, photos and captions from the original post from November 11, 2010. Ho, ho and…ho!
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I want to send out a thank you to Nick Petri who sent in a generous donation of fifteen dollars to keep this bar crawl on the road. Accompanying his PayPal donation, he sent along this note: “Thank Rick Halberg, he sent me the link to your website. You will need to come to Minonk, IL., to buy me one though... Nick Petri, Petri's Pour House. Rick knows where we are. Good Luck.” Alright Nick, thanks to my pal, Rick Halberg and thanks again to you Nick. Our paths may cross in December!
And now on to today’s bar crawl. It’s the last night of my Thanksgiving four day weekend, but it’s really the start of the holiday season. I thought I’d end this weekend on a festive note, so I’ve decided to visit Rolf’s German restaurant and bar. I had never heard of Rolf’s till a couple of week’s ago when I saw this post on the fine blog, EV Grieve: Lights, Camera’s: Rolfs! It looks like when it comes to holiday decorations they really go over the top, so that’s tonight’s destination.
Here we are at Rolf's, let the festivities begin!
Holy shitballs, it looks nuts in here.
Ali, the lovely hostess pointed me towards the bar.
Wow, the bar is packed. Looks like a lot of other people had the same idea I did. Let's take a look around till a spot opens up. Warning: You may want to put on some sunglasses for this.
There's lots of dolls hanging around and I have to confess they creep me out a little bit.
There's tables in the back all lit up by the holiday lights.
Okay, these dolls are starting to creep me out big time! I don't like the way the one on the right is staring at me.
Yikes! Can you say, "Redrum?"
I'm starting to get a Christmas sensory overload in this joint, I hope a seat at the bar opens up soon, I need to sit down!
Ask and ye shall receive, I think I spy an empty seat.
Cheers and happy holidays to you and yours!
A shot of the bar from where I sit and an obligatory bar room mirror shot. Can you find me in the lights and glitter?
And hidden away behind the decorations and lights is a tin ceiling.
Richard and Jen were seated next to me and we had a nice conversation about the 365 bar crawl and bars in New York City.
There's booths opposite the bar to sit in and take in the kooky atmosphere in this place.
A long shot of the bar. Bartender Shoriful told me there's over 70,000 lights they put up and it takes five people to do it.
Here's Rachael, Andy and Jennifer who were enjoying some holiday drinks at Rolf's.
Goodnight, everybody!
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Review
I know I said I’d start writing my own reviews again today, but it’s Monday, after a four day weekend and I overslept. So once I again I turn to New York magazine and use their review. I hate Mondays.
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Ignored by New Yorkers much of the year, the rustic, tchochke-packed dining room at Rolf’s is transformed into a Christmas spectacular that’s as much a December institution as the Rockettes and Rockefeller Center. Twinkling lights, Teutonic dolls, and green garlands like so many boughs of Black Forest don the front bar, while a seasonal roast suckling pig is ceremoniously served at the roughhewn tables and booths in back. Not surprisingly, the food is a mediocre throwback to another era, so don’t be surprised if the stringy sauerbraten can’t hold a candle to your grandmother’s three-day ginger snap-marinated wonder. But crispy potato pancakes and simple, hot-dog-like wursts keep kids complacent, while a few steins of the remarkable array of German pilsners and hefeweissen will find mom and dad satisfied, if not altogether oblivious. — Carla Spartos
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I told you I hated Mondays, right? Good. Sneeze ya tomorrow.
Rolf's
281 Third Ave. (@21st St.)
212-473-8718
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