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 stone’s 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.

Washington Street’s Whiskey Bar proves if nothing else that despite some massive overhauls around the neighborhood, there’s still some old school left in Hoboken. Perhaps best known for its stacked lineups of live music featuring some of New Jersey’s most talented cover bands, it’s an intimate throwback of a bar, reminiscent of a 1980’s Garden State haunt. Decked out with some passé tiling on the floor and outdated wall paneling, Whiskey Bar is as upfront as any bar in the borough: come here for cheap drinks and live music.

Stopping by for happy hour on a Thursday after work proved an interesting scene. Myself and a buddy entered to find that we were the only people inside, save for members of the night’s first band, set to take the stage a few hours away. But with the Knicks on all 4 tv screens and some music playing, it was perfectly suited to what we were looking for- catching up over a few pints. The Thursday specials were $2 domestic draughts (PBR in the house) and $4 Pinnacle Vodka drinks, both of which were more than reasonable.

Glancing around at the empty bar and having been here before, I thought back to what a fun place Whiskey Bar could be- packed with the energetic young crowd that the neighborhood embodies, except everyone inside is a lover of rock. I looked down at the distressed wooden floor which serves as the standing room area for each live show and thought about how although Maxwell’s is the Sixth Borough’s most well known live rock bar, Whiskey Bar is perhaps its best. From the linoleum bar stools to the old fashioned bathroom, which could use a bit of a facelift, and a cash only secondary bar in the back, Whiskey Bar is a place that simply screams New Jersey. And that’s not such a bad thing.

So here’s the rundown…

Preconceived notion – It’s been a few years since I’ve been to Whiskey Bar, but it’s surprisingly still exactly as I remember it. A place with good values and live music, although the time I arrived wasn’t necessarily ideal for people watching.

Bar Type – Hoboken’s second best well known live rock bar.

Crowd stereotype – Tough to say since we were the only ones in there. Normally an eclectic group based on the agelessness of the music played. There’ll usually be some gray haired types scattered about, but the crowd here skews younger typically.

Music – The music was likely from someone’s iPod. There was some Coldplay playing to an empty bar.

Value – As is the Hoboken custom, drinks are cheap and you can often get nice and bombed for under $20. That’s the case here for sure.

Good for a….

Date – Look, if you read this space every week, hear me out. Take your dates to date places and stop looking for an excuse to get touchy feely in front of a GNR cover band.

Hookup – On the other hand, live music makes a lot of people do a lot of crazy things. Just tell her you play guitar.

Dance – Not in the traditional sense, but once the band comes on, for sure.

Catch up with a friend – Definitely a decent spot before the first band hits the stage.

First or last drink of the night – I’d prefer my last drink here; something that draws you to a live band. On the other hand, they’re likely to charge a cover with a band playing. Why don’t you try to convince me to pay a cover a 1am?

Overall – Rather than attempt to explain some deeper meaning behind Whiskey Bar, lets appreciate a place that stays true to what it does best. It’s a no frills place to catch a decent band nearby, get a nice drunk on, and stumble back to your apartment. The tvs are also a nice plus, because it’s a dive bar that you can sit down at and watch some sports should the mood strike you. Are there better all around bars in Hoboken? Probably. But the charm here lies in keeping an out-of-date, authentic Jersey bar alive. And no place knows live music like Jersey..I’ll give it a 7.3

-Link Cromwell

Completed Bars
Introduction
Halfway
Marathon Recap
Northern Soul – 9.3/10
The Clinton Social – 9.1/10
Cooper’s Union – 9.0/10
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
Marty O’Brien’s Social Club – 8.0/10
The Dubliner – 8.0/10
Scotland Yard – 7.9/10
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
Texas Arizona – 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
Gaslight – 7.0/10
Hobson’s Choice – 7.0/10
Rogo’s – 6.7/10
Wilton House – 6.0/10