Haakon's Hall
Haakon's Hall was a bar on Amsterdam Avenue between 118th and 119th Streets in the space formerly occupied by Radio Perfecto. Drinks are slightly pricey at $4-7, but the beer+shot $7 special isn't bad.
Haakon's was a major GS hangout due to their secret policy of letting veterans drink for free on Thursday nights. It also attracts Law, Business and SIPA students due to its location, though it's not as packed as its prime spot would indicate, giving the bar a low-key vibe. Haakon's has a jukebox and plays "dadrock" constantly.
The concept of the bar seems to change slightly every year or so; Haakon's originally emphasized wine and upscale food, then became a cheaper bar, then closed their kitchen, then re-opened their kitchen, and added a pool table? Whatever. The self-proclaimed "proprietor" of Haakon's is charmingly eccentric. If you see a wasted, homeless-looking guy sulking outside the bar after 12pm, that's him. The bar is named after his son Haakon, who also works there.
Haakon's almost certainly loses tons of money because it's never full. Columbia lets them stay anyway because they fear re-attracting a violent bar like the previous tenant or Amsterdam Lounge. The bar is closed on Sundays and frequently doesn't open when the owner has other stuff to do. When Haakon's is open, last call is around 12am.
How the hell do you pronounce Haakon's? Probably Hawk-ons. But Hack-ons is fun to say too.
It closed in summer 2014, to be replaced by "farm-to-table" restaurant Friedman's Lunch, which does not serve beer.
References
