by Sabrina A. on This is a great bar. Walking in at about 7pm on a Friday it wasn't crowded but the bar seats were mostly full. It has low lighting, a few tables, great video projected on the wall for amusement, rich colors of green and blue decorate the wall and in general just a cool feel. It's a small bar so I'm sure it can feel cramped and packed with a bunch of people. The bartender was friendly without being too much so. He was quick and told us of the awesome happy hour that ran until 8pm. Our two Anchorsteam's were only $3 each. Though they only have a few beers on tap they have a great selection of beers and of course all the standards for cocktails. It's the kind of place you can just sit and chill. Very comfy spot and with great prices and friendly service I'd definitely come back.
by August Math on Anti Pop Consortium and Prefuse 73, mainstays of trip-hop, performing at a swanky nightclub in the district of dudes wearing Ralph Lauren striped shirt, the obligatory sporty suit coat, and probably Italian moccasins - aka Metpacking - ? What in the name of Dom Perignon is going on around here? Did Hiro's owner think he was gonna pack 'em in with these guys performing? Did he book them while he was on an acid trip at his apartment while watching Tricky? On impulse? Upon entering Hiro, you're confronted with what the name suggests - a ballroom. Architecturally, it's sort of exciting, if only because the tables and the "couches" where Mr. Perignon introduces himself to the wealthy suitors are planted on the side, not smack dab in the middle of what will quickly become a dance floor. Countless clubs make this mistake - perhaps it's not a financial mistake because there's more chances for Mr. Perignon to acquaint himself with the crowd; but if you wanna get your bootie shakin' and don't care about Mr. Perignon, then these tables are akin to a running back getting stuffed by a linebacker. You don't want obstacles, you want freedom. So the space works. The crowd, meanwhile, a refreshing conglomeration of backpackers who bought the group's t-shirts, chilled out dudes, and the occasional striped shirt, coexisted peacefully as they let the DJ's do their thing. Booze will be priced much the same way as other Meatpacking spot, give or take a buck, but at least the beer lexicon at Hiro extends beyond lame-o Bud Light and Corona, and you can actually get sake and Sapporo and Asahi. I don't know how it works when there's no act, but it was actually fun. Fun happens in a Meatpacking nightclub. Yes, it's true.
by Freckles D. on The only reason I'm giving this otherwise likeable bar 2 stars? The last time I was there - the bartenders and staff in general were completely rude. I'm not a yuppie from the Marina, I'm not a jerk and nor do I smell...I live in the neighborhood and love shuffleboard. I walked in w/ my boyfriend and 2 other friends of ours, walked up to the bar like normal people do upon entering a bar and all we got was pretentiousness. Funny attitude for their motto of "your neighborhood dive bar".
