Midtown Lunch

If you like to eat, chances are you like to drink (read: a lot of you are freakin’ lushes), so I thought maybe it was time to introduce a happy hour column to the site. Every week, our Happy Hour Correspondent posts about a different bar in Midtown that fits the Midtown Lunch mentality: unhealthy food, not lame (unless it’s lame in a cool way), and most importantly… cheap.

Unstingy, heavy pourers. Those are my favorite bartenders. And bars that encourage this sort of behavior? Well, those are my favorite bars. Typically, in NYC, the only way to make sure you get a fair amount of scotch in your glass is to ask for it neat; otherwise, you just end up getting a glass of ice with a measly splash of the good stuff. At Katwalk, however, a scotch on the rocks means a full glass of scotch accompanied by 3 cubes of ice. And with half off ALL drinks during happy hour (daily from 4 pm – 8 pm), my $7 spirit hit the right spot without adding any financial guilt.

Assuming new ownership, Katwalk is currently undergoing some renovations to prepare for their grand opening in one or two weeks (including development of a new full menu), and will most likely become a date-night hang (the sofa-lined walls and candle-lit tables create the perfect canoodling environment) or a place for after-work group gatherings (taking up 2 floors, Katwalk definitely has room for larger get-togethers).

Additionally, Katwalk has 2 projector televisions and flat screens that above the bar, making it a great spot for fairweather hockey lovers to watch the Devils take on the Kings.

The lounge area is first come, first served; which for now, works to patrons’ favor, but may be an issue when Katwalk gets busier. Our group of 5 was able to secure a whole nook to ourselves, but I don’t see this happening once Katwalk has their grand opening. The soft opening crowd is unassuming and far from obnoxious. As such, the last two times I’ve gone have been quite enjoyable.

The bar is extremely well-stocked with your favorite spirits, while the beer on tap is your standard selection –Guinness, Sam Adams, Miller Light, Amstel, Stella, Blue Moon, Yeungling and Coors ($3-$4 during happy hour). Because Katwalk is still transitioning, food items are not yet available. That said, Yanna (the Tuesday bartender), assured me that the new menu is going to be fantastic.  We’ll be the judge of that!

Katwalk, 2 West 35th Street (btwn 5th and 6th), (212) 594-9343