The Fat Black Pussycat

I came to FBPC on a random night in the city with two friends. I loved the location of the Village it was located in. It wasn't too crowded since I went on a Wednesday night, but it was the perfect crowd. The bartender was super friendly and the music was just what I needed to put me in the groove. My friends and I spent some time in the pool hall after throwing back a few drinks. Definitely a great spot to grab a couple drinks with some friends if you're ever in the Village.

The West Village can be a maze to an exploring visitor or New Yorker alike and there are a plethora of places where you can stop in and get a food and drink on just about every corner. But if it's you're looking for something a but more out of the ordinary, look no further than the Fat Black Pussycat. The welcoming dim light and old-style New York decor set the scene as you look over possibly one of the most extensive drink menus in the city. From a myriad of martini flavors to a long list of specialty cocktails, this place will definitely find you a lip-smacking drink to complement their surprisingly tasty bar food. And with nights of live music and dancing during the week, it's almost always a party from the moment you walk in.

Sometimes, The Fat Black Pussycat is a NYU members-only stomping ground, but it felt welcoming a few weeks ago. My girlfriends and I partied with the locals and mavericks from Greenwich Village bohemian set. No one was really decked out in showy duds or dresses; an unrepressed, casual aura had comfortably settled over the place. People were so enthralled with shooting pool in the modern feeling front pub. But we were wayfarers because we couldn’t sit still. We stumbled upon into this hidden back lounge embellished with these cool antique couches and oriental rugs. And we kicked the night into full gear on the Village Underground’s downstairs dance floor. The eclectic mash-up of top 40 songs, hip hop and reggae was totally seducing like the live music pumping through this place’s heart (they have some memorable vocalists like Cheryl Pepsi Riley on Mondays). The dance floor was a hotbed of activity. I advise anyone to try one of their $10 martinis paired with calamari during a dance break. There are conventional munchies like sliders and wings, and the homemade infused vodka is also certainly worth indulging in at least once. Warning: they serve potent drinks! The best way to sum this place up is as a melting pot; the pub, lounge and dance areas have dramatic, yet distinct energies. Yet, it all merges together well enough to make a fresh impression.

The reviewer below me makes a good point--there is only a fleeting mention of the Pussycat's downstairs space the Village Underground, which is because the reviewer couldn't get into the Underground during open hours, because it, much like the rest of this place, thrives on some contrived image. The inside of this bar is a nonstop blur of influences and images, all bordering on a Russel Brand-ish decadence but also feeling forced. It's all so...thirsty, you know? Not as in boozey, but as in it's dying for something, anything, to quench its need to be noticed. Plus points for having the adorable seductive black cat everywhere, minus for being too much of a mouthful. Once is enough for me, thanks.

I'm surprised there's just an offhand mention of the Village Underground here. If, instead of walking into the ground level bar, you make a left and head downstairs, you're in one of the best jazz clubs in New York-- a WAY better deal than what's going on upstairs. They have a live house band with some of the best musicians you've ever heard-- the lead singer is Cheryl Pepsii Riley, a well-known gospel and soul singer. They occasionally have an open mic night and regularly bring in big name artists. The crowd is a mix of old and young, and the music is a reflection of that. Sometimes you're crammed into a booth with strangers, and there is a two-drink minimum (and the drinks aren't great), but the show you get is incredible, so just head down to the dance floor if you're feeling smushed.