30 to Midnight

Bartender Says: Employees Only, White Horse

This is not the first time a bartender has directed us to Employees Only (510 Hudson St., Manhattan) when asked to name an Age Appropriate bar. We're going to have to check out both non-service-industry and service-industry hours, and report back.

This particular bartender, Richard, says: "I'm 33 and I gotta say I'm okay with staying in on weekends." That is part of the problem, isn't it?
"And after 11pm isn't every bar inundated with the young?" Yes.

So where was Richard on his last night off? The White Horse (576 Hudson St., Manhattan). Was it AA? More like AABM. One of us once (or twice) smooched a bartender there, when we were AI, of course.  

Bouncer Says: Fat Black Pussycat and Sutra

"Have you tried the Fat Black Pussycat?" Jean asked Sara. "That's an older crowd." 

The two were standing outside the Whiskey Ward, where Jean was helping a friend by manning the door. "You writing this down?" Jean asked.

"I'm writing this down," said Sara, nodding. "Where else do you recommend?"
J: You really 36?
S: You want to see my driver's license?
J: I have to see it.
S: Let's wait for my friend so she can laugh at that request with me.
J: Okay, have you been to Sutra?
S: Nope.
J: It gets crowded.
S: How old?
J: 21 to 40. The older people book parties; the younger people are walk-ins.
S: Older people need a reason to come out.

The Fat Black Pussy Cat
130 West 3rd St. (MacDougal St.), Manhattan
Sutra Lounge
16 First Ave. (First St.), Manhattan

Bartender Says; Thank You, Paddur at Brass Monkey

Paddur, who has worked five years of Fridays and Saturdays at Brass Monkey, tells us his bar "can be a lot of fun" for people in their 30's—if you get out before midnight on weekends, or come on a weekday. That advice makes sense to us; things change everywhere after midnight.

Bartender Says: Thank You, DJ at Milady's

DJ, the Wednesday bartender at Milady's, told us to come back Sunday through Thursday, but never on a Friday or Saturday if Age Appropriate is our criteria. "Don't come on New Year's either," she said, which is funny because Sara did end up there in the wee morning hours of New Year's Day, circa 1996.

DJ also recommends Kettle of Fish and Gaetana's (143 Christopher St.; we didn't know they had a bar) for us 30's persons.

Better: DJ is part-owner of a bar in Park Slope: 689 6th Ave. at 20th St. It's called Safe Haven. We're planning a non-Wednesday trip out there.

Bartender Says: Thank you, Merida at 2A

Summertime, when kids go home to mummy and daddy, is a great time to be 30-plus in New York City, says bartender Merida. True, it could mean that bars like 2A (where we had a lovely party are empty, but rather that than a roomful of fake id's. 

Bartender Says; Thank You, Ladies of Quality Meats

Who knows better than a bartender what type of crowd you're most likely to find at a bar? Besides us, of course.

Here are the suggestions for Bars Frequented by People in Their 30's per the Bartenders of Quality Meats:

• Death + Company
• Employees Only
• Le Bateau Ivre
• Nobu 57
• Ulysses
• White Star

Got to get out to the lab.