At first glance, it’s impossible to differentiate Manny’s on Second from any other dive bar. The facade features a neon-lit Sam Adams sign in the widow and posters shouting happy hour deals. The line of TVs above the bar screened Modern Family, an NBA game and a boxing match on one recent night, which accurately encompasses the watering hole’s vibe and priorities. Easy listening tunes include “Blueberry Hill” by Fats Domino.
The menu shows off bar snack staples like a basket of three Angus beef sliders with cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion ($10) that are each practically the size of an actual cheeseburger, plus crispy fries ($5.50) and fried ravioli with marinara dipping sauce ($8), among others. Of course, as a sports bar, Manny’s on Second is required to serve chicken wings, which it does in a variety of sauces ($12.50 for 10 wings), and it also cooks regular-size burgers and sandwiches, like a BLT with avocado ($10.50).
The suds on tap are similarly unsurprising. Beer aficionados might cringe at the presence of Bud Light, Coors Light and Miller Lite (each $6), but also on deck is Southern Tier Pumpking, arguably the best pumpkin beer around, and Ballast Point Sculpin (each $8), a refreshing IPA out of California. Yet the real selling point on Manny’s is the crowd. Regulars come in to watch the night’s game and banter with each other and the amiable bartenders they know by name. By the time you leave, you’ll have made a few friends. All in all, Manny’s on Second offers nothing special as far as food or libations, but it’s a respite for those who want to feel like they could be in any small-town sports bar, rather than in New York City.
BY COMMUNITY REVIEWER: JAIME BROCKWAY