Spirits In The Sixth Borough: Texas Arizona

LocalBozo.com has sent one of our correspondents out for some field research, as our own Link Cromwell attempts to bar crawl his way through Hoboken, New Jersey- just a stones throw away from Manhattan. Check back for his adventures and travels every single Friday as LocalBozo.com attempts to do the unimaginable. And yes, it involves drinking.

Over the past year I have taken you deep within the Hoboken bar scene. Many of these spots were way off the beaten path, while others existed in the back of restaurants. But sometimes a night out drinking should be kept simple, as a true matter of convenience. Located just steps away from the Hoboken PATH train is the local watering hole that wears two state names, Texas Arizona. In the past this has always been the bar I tell my Manhattan friends to meet me at when they arrive off the train, sort of as a landmark for convenience’s sake. But on this day, it was time to head inside to really get the lay of the land and judge it objectively.

The first thing you notice when you walk into Texas Arizona is how huge it is. Unlike other bars I have covered, there are no narrow walkways which tend to cause bottlenecks yielding long drink waits. The layout is one of comfort, with easy access to the bars. Yes you read that correct there are actually two huge functioning bar counters to get your fill, the latest of which was a new (and welcome) addition within the last five or so years. Each of the two rooms have several tables surrounding it providing great access to viewing the multiple flat screen TVs and waitress service to get your grub on.

I wasn’t just whistling dixie when talking about the TVs at Texas Arizona. This place is a no joke sports bar with a football allegiance to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Many joints that claim to be sports bars are usually too packed on game day to view the game, let alone order drinks but the warming glow from the line of screens at Texas Arizona provide views from any point in the building. So, it’s really a no brainer here. Easy access to the train, and all your teams. Now you just need a beer.

Brews of all types are on hand for your consumption. I headed to the bar on a Tuesday during the late afternoon hours. Miller, Coors, and Bud drafts were all on special for three dollars a pint. If those beer brands really aren’t your bag fear not. Texas Arizona has fridges and taps full of bold craft beers. And if you’re truly serious about suds they also offer the “Texas Arizona Beer Club.” The deal is simple, drink every beer they have on site (not in one sitting) and get your name on a plaque. It’s a great way to show future generations how big of a lush you are. By the way one of the beers you must drink to get into the club is a 40oz. of Olde English malt liquor. Good luck!

So here’s the rundown…

Preconceived notion – Texas Arizona has always been a bar I would go to out of convenience with no opinion good or bad.

Bar Type – Sports Bar/ Neighborhood bar

Crowd stereotype – Recent college grads, and thirty somethings

Music – Current Top 40 Hits and 90s rock like, The Counting Crows.

Value – Great weekday happy hour specials on domestic beers.

Good for a….

Date – This a bar that happens to serve food. Best bring your date to one of the many restaurants in Hoboken.

Hookup – When it gets fratty on weekends you have a good shot.

Dance – Nope, but feel free to sing along to the playlist and bob you’re head. Tey often have live bands to get your groove on.

Catch up with a friend – Great, especially if they are coming off the PATH or leaving to go there.

First or last drink of the night – Either, depending on the crowd size.

Overall – Texas Arizona is a true marriage of convenience. With easy access to the PATH train, cheap beer on many nights, and enough TVs to never miss a minute of the action, you really have nothing to loose by heading over. It’s also a perfectly good Hoboken bar as a destination rather than a meeting place. The food is solid and the place certainly fills up with likeminded drinkers in their 20′s and 30′s. Just don’t go in there expecting anything more then a sports bar or you may be let down.… I’ll give it a 7.5.

 -Link Cromwell

 

Completed Bars
Introduction
Halfway
Marathon Recap
Northern Soul – 9.3/10
The Clinton Social – 9.1/10
Havana Cafe – 9.0/10
The Turtle Club – 9.0/10
Bin 14 – 8.9/10
Court Street – 8.9/10
Hudson Tavern – 8.9/10
10th & Willow – 8.8/10
Elysian Cafe – 8.8/10
Grimaldi’s – 8.8/10
Madison Bar & Grill – 8.8/10
Cork City – 8.7/10
Onieals – 8.7/10
Village Pourhouse – 8.7/10
1 Republik – 8.6/10
Mikie Squared – 8.5/10
Wicked Wolf Tavern – 8.5/10
Zack’s Oak Bar – 8.5/10
Black Bear Bar & Grill – 8.4/10
Moran’s – 8.4/10
Arthur’s Tavern – 8.3/10
Oddfellows – 8.1/10
Cucharamama – 8.0/10
The Shannon – 7.9/10
Carpe Diem – 7.9/10
Helmers’ – 7.9/10
Teak – 7.8/10
Mulligan’s – 7.7/10
Karma Kafe – 7.7/10
DC’s Tavern – 7.7/10
Louise & Jerry’s – 7.7/10
Brass Rail – 7.6/10
Hoboken Bar and Grill – 7.5/10
Four L’s – 7.5/10
Liberty Bar – 7.5/10
McSwiggans – 7.4/10
Nag’s Head – 7.4/10
Eight Street Tavern – 7.3/10
Maggie’s Place – 7.3/10
Three A’s – 7.3/10
The Tilted Kilt – 7.3/10
<The Quays – 7.2/10
Willow Billiard Club & Lounge – 7.1/10
S. Sullivan’s – 7.1/10
Farside – 7.1/10
Hobson’s Choice – 7.0/10
Rogo’s – 6.7/10

Related Articles

Share

About Author

LocalBozo

(0) Readers Comments

Comments are closed.