Maximillian Bell's

About that regular old neighborhood bar...

Yes indeed, it does exist.

Those of you who don't often venture past Rogers may not have noticed this local watering hole on Nostrand Avenue near the corner of Rutland Road (Google map here).

Bell's, which, according to one local customer, has been here "a very very long time", has a casual atmosphere, a juke box featuring island music as well as some classics such as Sinatra and Otis Redding, and even features karaoke on Saturday nights (no cover). There's a friendly regular crowd, and the weekend bartender Gloria (no relation to "Gloria's" next door) will treat you right with some buy backs and occasional "shots" of red wine. Similar to the now defunct Brooklyn & Slim, the front door to Bell's is often locked, but fear not, the proprietors couldn't be friendlier and a brief knock will have them welcoming you in.

This past week I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Bell himself, who was sporting some kick ass amber-vision glasses. Seriously. Without a hint of sarcasm, Bell tells me his bar has been here several hundred years, and admittedly the bathroom sure does look it, but I am always happy to drop in for a beer or two.