There aren’t that many bars in Manhattan that I frequent anymore now that I live in Brooklyn, and it’s argueable that there weren’t that many bars that I frequented when I lived in Manhattan (do to my location).  But there is a small list: DBA, Cake Shop, Botanica, and of course the Castle…but I always forget about Hi-Fi.

Hi-Fi located in the space that was formerly known as Brownies.  I actually went to Brownies for a show back in 2002, and had wondered where it was/had been located ever since I moved to New York.

Hi-Fi no longer does shows, but it is home to the El DJ.  The El DJ is not human it is 100% machine:

ELDJ is the often-talked-about jukebox that is the undisputed centerpiece at Hi Fi (sorry pool-table enthusiasts). With a library that is now approaching 3000 albums, and covering five decades of rock and rock-related music, discerning music fans from all over the planet continue to marvel at our version of the Ultimate Record Collection. We like to say that it’s the best jukebox on the planet – and no one has been able to challenge that claim yet! From Buck Owens to The Arctic Monkeys, there is a broad range of music to choose from, and we add new stuff as quickly as we can shop for it!

You can browse what I assume is a fairly updated list of albums here.  I have yet to see a better jukebox (it’s so impressive that Wired Magazine even wrote it up when it only had 1,700 albums), and when I walked in the other night it went from Fugazi to Fleet Foxes to Dead Kennedys…that is pretty amazing. The El DJ is a wonderful machine, and Hi-Fi deserves the reputation it has for this beast.

Hi-Fi is a brightly colored bar, and in addition to the El DJ they have a pool table, buck hunter, pinball, large tables, and a nice long bar.  It is rarely packed on week nights, and you can usually get a table.

I have typically been to Hi-Fi on Wednesdays…this was never conscious it just happens to be the day that I end up there.  On Wednesday night from 9pm-12am they have a Brooklyn Brewery special: $3 Brooklyn Beers.  I think this is the one of the best deals in Manhattan, and on top of that happy hour is 2 for 1 beer, wine, and well from 4-8pm.  They also have other drink specials every weeknight.

Make sure to have your ID because they have a bouncer every night (and they card everyone).  But once inside the bartenders are friendly and attentive.

I really do like this bar, and need to think of it more often when grabbing drinks in Manhattan.

Photo by Shanna Ravindra via NY Magazine.