Today could not have been a better day for a shop-up. The weather was so good, I felt a little guilty I wasn’t out running. Instead, I was at Pine Box Rock Shop in Brooklyn for the Vegan Shop-Up, indulging on vegan yumminess. The place was packed! Vendors spilling out to the sidewalk; the Cinnamon Snail Truck at the curb.

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A veg*n walks into a BBQ joint…

Sounds like the start of a joke and it ended up being so.

Last night the company I work for had a happy hour at Southern Hospitality, located at the corner of 45th st and 7th ave in NYC. Initially I was jazzed. For anyone who has never heard of this place, even the salads have meat in them. After a Google search, I wasn’t quite as eager…”vegan hell” were my words.

You go for the free drinks and the people, though…and I work with some good people, which is something I almost missed.

As I walked in to look for familiar faces in the sea of the company’s staffers, immediately the pungent BBQ smell consumed my nose…and my stomach lurched. After finding a close coworker and lettinh her know I might not be able to stay, she suggested a quick drink to dull my senses.

Balloa was it sang, “You’ve got to accentuate the positive. Eliminate the negative.” Well, for the moment, neutralize. There is a purpose to be served in not being the surly veg*n.

Now, I have no idea what I looked like at the end of the evening, apparently no pics were taken of me. I suspect I looked as young professional as those you see drawn on for falling asleep at parties. Caveat: I was awake and the instigator.

Since I couldn’t have the appetizers, I did have a drink and chatted and made sport at beg, borrowing, and stealing peoples’ name tag stickers. It was a great time.

Now, keep in mind, I would never recommend Southern Hospitality. The place didn’t make the night; the people did.

The Valentine’s Vegan Shop Up at Pine Box Rock Shop yesterday was a zoo…in the best way possible. Shout out to the organizer(s) for a great time.

Grabbed a new lip balm, some vegan queso, sampled some Heat Sweets, then settled at the bar for a Caribbean Jerk Empanada and a cider.

A nice close to the weekend.

If you’re New York based or even just visiting, Pine Box Rock Shop, the vegan-friendly/vegan-owned bar at 12 Grattan Street in Bushwick, Brooklyn, will be celebrating their 1st year anniversay with, what else, a party tonight October 15, 2011. According to the chalkboard, there will be food by Yummy Eats at 7:30pm and the specials start at 8pm.

The PBRS is growing up. They’ve added a stage in the back. Last night’s show included Carl Vasile and Pinegrove. They’re not the best at updating their Twitter and main site, so you might give them a call at 718-366-6311 or Friend them on Facebook.

If you can’t make tonight, hit ‘em up Sundays for their Waffle Brunch, Wednesdays for Trivia Night, and everyday for unique drinks and empanadas from Park Slope’s V-Spot.

While I personally wish they had more of a variety of grub, I can’t find the Philly Cheesesteak empanada at my local market, so that’s always a must. After hanging out, Foodswings, Champs, B.A.D., Wild Ginger, and Vinnie’s Pizzaria are just over in Williamsburg.

Check in on foursquare to unlock more specials.

Eat, drink, and be veg*n!