LocalBozo.com correspondent Link Cromwell vowed to have a drink at every bar in Hoboken before running the 2011 New York City Marathon. With every bar visit in the “Sixth Borough” now completed along with a successful race now finished, it’s time to reel our reporting back toward the City. And as such, every single Friday we’ll be taking over where Link left off, showing you distinctive bars in each borough perhaps for the very first time, perhaps to refresh your memory of a fun place you’ve ducked into, or perhaps to suggest a new spot for you to check out. You can follow our travels as we approach each weekend on Friday mornings with LocalBozo.com’s “Drink Here Now.”

Point Break
12 West 45th Street, Near 5th Avenue, Midtown, Manhattan
212-391-8053
Getting There: F,M,B,D to 47th-50th Street Rockefeller Plaza
http://http://www.pointbreaknyc.com//

You don’t happen to like: drink wheels, scorpion bowls, photo booths, and the honoring of the greatest film where surfers rob banks dressed like former Presidents, right? Just kidding, because who wouldn’t adore that? You and your crazy friends can experience all that and more at,”Point Break. The, “Drink Here Now” crew and yours truly made our way to this midtown watering hole and we have got some great things to report back!

If you are arriving at the bar for the first time you may be slightly confused. A few years back a place called,”Nation” sat in this same spot and for some humorous reason a tribute the current owners kept the old sign sitting just about the new one. Well, make no mistake it is most certainly , “Point Break” now! As soon as you walk through the doors guests will notice right away how massive the joint is. Two spacious levels provide a plethora of locations for all your imbibing needs. Our crew decided to take up a few hour resident at their gigantic bar. The bar is loaded with all usual suspects booze wise. Since Budweiser was everyone’s drink of choice we grabbed a few. During our stay each bottle ran us six bucks, which is while not cheap but standard for midtown. As mentioned previously, adventurous drinkers can get down on some frat house styled, “Scorpion Bowls.” But, please share with a buddy!

While you party and take in the light hearted tributes to the classic Patrick Swayze film (His character’s picture dons the wall) you may notice that the bar reminds you of another place in the West Village. You would be right to make that assumption. “Point Break”, is indeed operated by the same folks who brought us the great, “Thunder Jackson’s Urban Roadhouse” which explains the same upbeat mix of rock and modern hip hop paired with a tongue in cheek way of running things. Even our old bartender from, “Jackson’s” was working here now. And she still had that hilarious attitude which we loved from before! You seriously can’t go wrong in midtown making a stop in here. Be it an after work Happy Hour, or a Saturday afternoon like us. Either way pretty so you’ll be shouting out lines like, “I am an FBI agent!”

Bar Type – The after work spot once known as, “Nation” is now proudly under the “Thunder Jackson’s Urban Roadhouse” brella doling out their classy dive creations and fun!

When to Visit – Make your move directly after 5:30 on weekdays to grab a seat at the bar and watch the tidal wave of the midtown workforce surf in for happy hour! If you’re doing some Fifth Avenue based shopping with your significant other on a Saturday, try to pop in around 3pm for a solid afternoon crowd

Value – Listen, beers may not be dirt cheap at, “Point Break” but where else are you going to find a raucous divey joint so close to major midtown banks and shopping districts.

The Lowdown – Let’s get serious here. If you happen to be in midtown Manhattan and want to let your hair down for a few hours or even and entire night, “Point Break” is for you. We have been here during the work week as well, and let me just tell you that wearing a suit means nothing if you’re a party animal, because it all comes out here. Fear not, tourists because even though this joint retains a very local clientele, everyone is welcome. But, you better be drinking!

- Alex Corrine