Common Ground

Yes, This is a review. Well somewhat of a review, more like a refined and unfaithful retelling of a night out in the city... deal with it.

Night: Friday, April 3rd, 2009
Venue: Common Ground
Location: 206 Avenue A, New York City (East Village)
Occasion: A friend's cousin's friend's birthday.
Über-companions: Joelo D, Alexys D, Hans C...

It was a cold night. Too cold for spring in New York city. However, all that was forgotten as we entered Common Ground. This decently sized lounge was surprisingly not packed for a Friday night. However, it was around 10:30 when we arrived, perhaps still too early. This isn't to say there was no one there. In fact, the front lounge and the bar was rather bustling with activity. As you enter, the front lounge and the bar initially gives you a sports bar feel, it didn't help that there were at least three LCD TVs tuned to the NCAA Championship Game. I have nothing against sports bars, or bars that show put sports on their TV (what else would they do?), in fact,I frequent some such establishments. Let's just say, I wasn't really feeling that kind of vibe that night. Nevertheless, I followed Hans through the melee of youthful New Yorkers enjoying themselves and eventually ended up at the more comfortable and somewhat elegant end of the lounge. This part of the lounge was primarily candlelit helped by some soft yellow light fixtures on the walls.This gave the lounge a much more relaxed feel, quashing what remained of the sports bar vibe.

My friends (well some of them) know exactly what I mean when I say Lounge. Its primarily a place where you can actually LOUNGE on preferably soft and well padded furniture while sipping a favorite drink, talking to those around you with good music in the background. Its not quite a regular bar but something like it, just more comfortable, better music, and less trashy. Unfortunately, in New Jersey, and parts of New York, "Lounge" is often confused with "Club." Sometimes, when I enter what they would call a lounge, I often find myself lost in the ear-bleed-inducing garbage that a lot of dj's incorrigibly mistake for music. Fortunately, Common Ground is exactly what I mean when I think Lounge. Seating was rather comfortable, with little tables that primarily serve to hold your drinks for you. Apart from the lounge seats and tables, Common Ground has a collection of classic board games stacked at either ends of the lounge available to its patrons. I thought this was a nice touch, making for a better experience. One can only imagine how much fun Jenga is when you and your partner (partners?) are tipsy. Also a nice treasure found in the lounge is a modern jukebox filled with just the right mix of music. By modern, I mean CD's (perhaps Mp3) instead of records, and a modern sound system instead of a standalone stereo. I loved that it had The Verve Pipe, No Doubt, Modest Mouse, and Common in the same page...

Being that this venue was an actual lounge, there were servers patrolling the area, anticipating your every need. I'm sure this doesn't really come to any surprise for anybody. However, I do make a mention of them particularly because they were... lets say, good girls. For the life of me, I cannot remember what our server's name was, nor do I have the receipt in which her name is printed, but she was, in fact, my supplier of life-water (i.e. alcohol) and a cute one at that (I should warn you, the cute one working the bar is married...). There was little need for exertion in calling her attention, a little wave, a gesture with your empty glass, and zoom, you're good until you finish your newly delivered drink. Speaking of drinks, I never did find out how much shots cost since Hans (i think) took care of them. Joelo and I really stuck to pints of beer and they were well priced. Yuenglings for 5 dollars while Stella Artois and Brooklyn Lager went for 6 dollars a piece. Somewhat average for the city, although I wasn't even expecting for Yuengling to be on tap. That was a pleasant surprise.

Overall, coming to Common Ground was an enjoyable experience and I would certainly go back, bring some friends, and drink/talk/laugh/flirt the night away.

Left to Right: Josemaria, Amber, Michelle, Hans, Alexys, Joelo