Doc Holliday’s: Every Day a Holliday

Doc Holliday’s
141 Avenue A, at 9th St.

There are cowboy bars and there are cowboy bars, and Doc’s isn’t like the others. Part of the Dave McWater empire (which also includes Nice Guy Eddie’s and The Library Bar), Doc’s only hires bartenders who are top notch. They are all supremely qualified bartenders who are good with the buybacks and wisecracks. They don’t take shit off anyone, and can toss out the occasional troublemaker with ease.

The bar has been a staple for more than 16 years. If a bar can last 1 year in Manhattan that is saying something. To last for another 15 takes a lot more than luck. A big part of the success is Joanna, who is a bartender like no other. She has been there since Day 1. She’s been the manager and the boss, and everyone who’s a regular knows her. Li is a darling too, so don’t miss her shifts. Li is the kind old school bartender who always remembers your drink and your nickname. All of the other bartenders are fantastic.

If you like country on your night out, then the jukebox can’t be beat. The jukebox frequently wins the “best of” awards.

The bartenders at Doc’s are probably among the friendliest in town, so be sure to introduce yourself and tell them you saw ‘em online here. The customers know the Doc’s bartenders aren’t like the others in some places that serve you and forget you. Here’s something e-mailed to nycbp.com in 2001 from J Di Vico:

About 4 weeks ago, my buddy passed his Series 7 test. It was a Tuesday, and about 10 heads went out to celebrate. Didn’t know where to go. Hopped on a website. Found Doc Holliday’s. Just around the corner on 9th and A. Delved a little deeper in my investigation (not too deep; I’m trying to have a good time, not work), and found that that Tuesday night, like all other Tuesday’s at Doc’s, is $5 all you can drink Bud Light draft from 8-11pm. Naturally, my friends and I had our winner. Just too good a deal to pass up. Needless to say, we had an amazing time. Now Tuesdays are an obligation. As a matter of fact, two of my friends missed it this week and heard about it for days. Still, the beer is great and the atmosphere is a lot of fun, but the person bringing us back is Joanna. Beautiful and fun, she always makes Tuesdays a great time. She actually took the time to know all of our names the 1st or 2nd time there. Always smiling and very attentive to the young, beer drinking, city-dwelling people in the bar who have cups filled only with air. (and if she likes you, she keeps ‘em comin’!) She works on Fridays and Saturdays, too, although I have yet to make it there on one of those days. Maybe tonight, and definitely soon, I will. So here’s to Joanna, one of the best around (for too many reasons to list). If you don’t come out and see her, you won’t know what you’re missing! See you tonight, Joanna!

Doc’s really is in a class by itself. If you are just going to one dive bar in the East Village, make it Doc’s. Be sure to mention that you saw them on nycbp.com, and tip ‘em well!