The Shanty's exterior: simple, but hard-to-miss.

The word "Shanty" brings to mind a rough, thrown-together structure, which is not at all an accurate description of The Shanty, 401 E. 9th Street, which has what could be the classiest interior of any bar on 4th Avenue.  Bow-tied bartenders serve cocktails and bottled and draft beer from a three-sided, copper-topped bar.  The barroom is similarly outfitted with copper-topped tables, subdued lighting, wooden seats and blinds.  Four pool tables and a foosball table provide friendly entertainment and an excuse to be out.

The interior is rarely crowded, but a spacious patio, partitioned nicely with container plants, a fountain, and big round iron tables, provides a get-away from the noise and action around the pool tables and everything else.  The Shanty's patio is airy yet intimate, a very well-designed enclave of relaxation at the still-busy slow end of the least relaxed part of town.

Inside and out, The Shanty, is the kind of bar at which one can picture Bogart or Sinatra being comfortable.  Open for over 70 years under a few different owners, it's old enough, too.  Don't let this make you think the place is formal or expensive; Old Blue Eyes would be slumming a bit if he dropped in.  Little twists: cats drinking from the fountain, wild-looking plant branches poking out toward the tables, and the bottomless baskets of three-colored popcorn--the only food served--ensure that it's casual.  It isn't exactly a college bar.  It has the same dressed-down feel, but without the shouting and braying, the wildness, or the binge drinking, and the crowd is definitely mixed. 

The Shanty isn't all style: considering quality for the money, it's one of the best places in town to have a drink.  There are only seven taps--compare to the several dozen at 1702--but over 100 bottled beers at any given time, including seasonal offerings and occasional limited releases.  Fans of Belgian beer will appreciate reasonably priced Chimay and  Orval and even cheaper St. Bernardus.  Liquor and cocktails, too, are above par and inexpensive.  At The Shanty one can have Redbreast Irish whiskey for six dollars, less than the Irish-themed Dubliner (now stocking it again) which charges nine.  Old Fashioneds are very well-proportioned, and unlike many a place catering to a young crowd the bar is old fashioned enough to stock both rye and bitters.  The only real gaffe I've seen was an Old Fashioned that came in a cocktail glass.  I was a bit worried when one of the bartenders had to look up what a Sidecar was, but it came out right, a testament to the staff's mixological sense.  A pleasant surprise was being charged the same six bucks for a call Cointreau Sidecar; this is the sort of bar that would rather make its money off of repeat business than off high drink prices.

Repeat business is encourged by the staff, as well.  Bartenders are quick and polite and waitresses attentive to all, but The Shanty is the sort of place where the regulars are known by name and occasional drop-ins at least by face and group association.  They'll remember what drinks you like to order, and the bouncer will sometimes say whether or not people you know are there.  Giving that sort of personalized service even to once-a-month customers is unusual these days and very welcoming.

Inexpensive, well-mixed drinks, a large beer list, friendly service, and a relaxed yet comfortable and classy atmosphere: what more could one want?  Food.  Heading either north on 4th Ave or south under the new underpass to Downtown--The Shanty almost has one foot in both neighborhoods--there's plenty of that to be found, and The Shanty makes a great second stop for after-dinner drinks.  Or if throwing a party, outside catering is an option; phone well in advance for details.

At the time of writing, The Shanty is open from noon-1 AM Sunday-Wednesday, noon-2 AM  Thursday-Saturday.

For more information:  Phone The Shanty, listed in the phone book and some directories as "The Shanty Cafe", at 623-2664 during business hours.