NYC, Hell's Kitchen. One of NYC's greatest dive bars. It began in 1919 as a speakeasy visited by Al Capone, and was established as a bar in 1933, receiving one of the first post prohibition liquor licenses in the city. Their motto is "less talkin', more drinkin'!".

I think everybody has a story about Rudy's. One of the early owners Helen Rudy had 2 German Shepherds at the front door who would bark and bear their teeth at unruly customers. Norman Mailer used to hang out in the front booth and the day bartender Vicki would say "Ah that's just Normie - he's okay but I'll throw him out if he gives you any trouble". In the 1940s Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner would go there trying to keep a low profile. Drew Barrymore got thrown out for drinking there at age 20. It was a post game hang for the New York Mets in the 1980s.

The list of famous is of course long and notable, including Paul McCartney, Julia Roberts, James Gandolfini, Dexter Gordon, Tommy Malone, Ethan Hawke, Slash (Guns and Roses), JFK Jr., Morley Safer, Timothy Hutton, and Jimmy Fallon. In 1996 Rolling Stone named it having the Best Juke Box in the city, filled with Jazz and Blues. And there is the line in Steely Dan song Black Cow - "I saw you at Rudy's and you were very high". Personally, when I first moved to the city I was told to go to Rudy's between shows on Broadway and I would run into musicians there. Sure enough, the first time I went there I met 2 trumpet players (who shall remain nameless) who I ended up getting a lot of work from.

The interior features the original mahogany and lots of vintage posters and memorabilia on the walls. It is a bit "dark and dirty" (it is a dive bar!), and in the old days the red leather booths were covered with red gaffers tape. But here is probably the biggest feature - some of the cheapest beer prices in the city and free dogs. No wonder so many musicians hang out there! I had a Rudy's Red Ale - $4! A shot of Bushmills - $5! And to top it off, both of the bartenders were there the last time I was there - 17 years ago!

And then there is the giant pig outside (which has been stolen several times over the years).