September 22, 2005

Oh the things you'll see at Macy's basement bar

Did you know Macy's has a bar in the basement?

Macy's Cellar Bar & Grill serves up pretty standard fare but the real draw here - besides the location - is the sights.

For the nice people of the world, there is plenty to look at in the restaurant, including recreations of a scene from "Miracle on 34th Street" and twee little models of stars from past Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parades. Roy Rogers sits on a bucking Trigger, Wayne Newton waves from a Cinderella float and the Rockettes high-kick in their short Santa skirts.

There are items from old Macy's catalogs, and an antique ceramic tub of gin. "The first liquor license in New York City was issued to R.H. Macy & Co. in 1933 at the end of Prohibition," the sign says.

The people watching is divine, however, for those who appreciate the perverse comedy of watching engaged couples fall out of love while arguing over the price of a Calphalon cooking ware set. The restaurant, you see, has large picture windows that allow the perfect angle to watch shoppers in Macy's kitchen section. The engaged couples are easy to spot, toting a Star Trek raygun-type device used to scan bar goes that feed into their wedding registry. During a weekend lunch recently, three different couples could be seen arguing. You could almost see the thought bubble over one potential groom's head: "There's no way I'm spending $300 for a pan that will last longer than this marriage." For the potential bride's part, she actually stuck her tongue out at him as he walked away for the last time.

Since 1902, Macy's flagship store has been located at 151 West 34th St. Map.

Related: Thrillist on shopping while drinking: free vodka at Bergdorf Goodman on Saturdays this fall from 2 to 5 p.m.

September 22, 2005 12:44 PM in Drinkology, Kids, Shopology, Sightsology

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