Too funny! The place is overrated (IMHO). Now McDuff's, there was a place!!!! Oh dear was that a place! Down at the South Street Seaport, tucked away in a little alley. The Guinness!!!, I could weep, they closed the place the ba$tards :( Irish and right off the boat, oh could they pour a Guinness. Vanished without a trace, if they were Chinese they would have left them alone. My very dear drinking partner and I would continue to go there after they shut it down, and stare at the chain on the door.
It's been twelve years and I still haven't gotten over it. For the most part, people should be incarcerated for what they do to a pint of Guinness around here.
dozen or so friends of mine ... working NYC?
Perhaps you could perform a great service, and recommend a place that your friends recommend for a really, REALLY good pint of Guinness.