Rony M.
Yelp
I'm no stranger to dive bars, but I have to admit I was a bit skeptical the first time I walked into this place. Your first impression is probably less like Happy Storks and more like Marabou Storks, (Africans call them undertaker birds if that helps you any). This watering hole reminds me of when I was stationed in Cheyenne, Wyoming and I used to frequent 1 out of only 2 bars in the city. To give you an idea of what I'm talking about, the local "ladies" thought scrunchies were fashionable, would spit dip into empty Mountain Dew bottles, and would tell me things like;
"Did you know we're famous for the world's largest rodeo?"
I think it's funny that they use coasters when the bar looks like it's taken a few direct hits from a XM307 automatic grenade launcher. The "decorations" include baseball cards, in front of me was Bo Jackson and Al Rosen (Jews play professional sports outside of Israel?) and spring break pictures so outdated that the contestants could make a contemporary reunion tour called Grannies Gone Wild. You could spend a good hour laughing at their teased hair, neon bikinis and make-up that could help them pass as clones of Bret Michaels.
The men's room reminds me of the time I took a tour of the USS Los Angeles, the oldest submarine in the US Navy's fleet; monochrome, grimy and uncomfortably small. I don't even think there's a door on the stall.
Being a Dominican York/Nuyorican I instantly recognize that the bartender, Yenecy, is a Big Apple Boricua, but how in the world did she end up in place that even Amy Winehouse would call sleazy? I really don't care why, I'm just grateful. She's a whirlwind of energy, is always smiling, and shares a quality with my brother, Bo; she can talk to anyone about anything. That's a skill lacking in corporate, assembly line bartending that's endemic to Miami. Besides attentive service she hooked me up twice! She gave me 3 free Alabama Slammers (a $9 value) and 10 jukebox credits.
One of my jukebox selections was "Oh Sheila" by Ready for the World.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbL2lMn34Oo
After everyone yelled out that they love Prince?! Half the bar started dancing, there was only 9 of us (I was tapping my foot so that accounts for the half).
It's still a mystery how Storks has such an astonishing collection of booze, yet slangs them at wholesale prices. I guess it's because it's attached to a liquor store. Or maybe because the regulars only order the big three; Bud, Miller Lite and Corona, and they have no idea what to charge me for the "fancy" beers.
Some of the fancy beers by the bottle include; Franzikanzer, Newcastle, Stella, and Spaten. Having just returned from Amsterdam, I ordered my usual Dutch breakfast...Hash Coffee and a Spacecake please....no but for real I asked for a Grolsch.
For those of you that prefer spirits; Belvedere Intense Vodka, Pyrat Rum, Tanqueray Rangpur Gin, Bushmills Irish Whiskey, and Cachaça 51 for making "Happy Style" Caipirinhas were at most $6. Most drinks falling between $3-4 range.
We got completely inebriated and the bill came up to a modest $40 (for 3 doods). As we left I yawned and said to my co-worker Yelper Mike D., "am I too drunk to work on patients?" the entire bar responded with an audible gasp and demanded to know what hospital I worked at...fun times. I give Storks my stamp of approval as an ideal pre- or after party location.
***As you're leaving be careful of the dash cams and don't speed over the causeways, the North Bay Village po-pos collect their pensions on the causeway!