Entertainment in North America
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Mcgillin's Olde Ale House
Philadelphia's oldest continually operated tavern (since 1860) - it remained open as a speakeasy in the prohibition years. Great buffalo wings (Tuesday is special wing night) and karaoke on Wednesdays and Fridays. St Patty's Day is absolutely crazy here.
reviewed
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B
Lion on the Beach
An expansive pub that spills out onto The Beaches sidewalk (lyin' on the beach – geddit?). A respectably long beer list and hearty pub grub (tex-mex, bangers and mash, fried rainbow trout) keeps everyone occupied. Kids run around between people's legs.
reviewed
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C
Joe’s Oyster Bar
This popular spot perched over the beach is OK for a sunset drink in the early evening, but it goes ballistic after 11pm when it’s packed with college kids dancing on tables, chairs and each other. On a tiny lane that connects Avenida Playa Gaviotas to the beach.
reviewed
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D
Le Loft
A spiffed-up crowd of 18-to-25s turns up for mainstream rock and alternative on two dance floors, rough-edged murals and a great rooftop terrace. The wide metal staircase and ventilation ducts give the place a warehouse feel; the usual gear is jeans and T-shirts.
reviewed
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E
Stubb’s Bar-B-Q
Stubb’s has live music almost every night, with a great mix of premier local and touring acts from across the musical spectrum. Many warm-weather shows are held out back along Waller Creek. There are two stages, a smaller stage indoors and a larger backyard venue.
reviewed
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F
Café de Carlo
Coffee connoisseurs head for this unassuming sidewalk café, with an aromatic roaster and a vintage espresso machine. Across the street is a relic of 1950s Roma, La Bella Italia. It’s an old-fashioned ice cream parlor that sees few customers these days.
reviewed
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G
Healey’s
The 300-capacity Healey’s has an idiosyncratic lineup of rock, blues, soul and roots. Swing by when owner Jeff Healey, a Canadian music icon, audiophile and radio DJ, gets up on the stage with his house band. Tuesday open-jam nights and Saturday muso matinees are free.
reviewed
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H
Wetbar
In a vaguely industrial stretch of Midtown (near one of Atlanta's popular strip clubs) is Wetbar, a spot with a concrete bar and concrete floor that seem to match the neighborhood's urban grit. The tank-topped bartenders will take good care of you, and the sound system will rattle your teeth.
reviewed
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I
Lee's Palace
Legendary Lee's Palace has set the stage over the years for Dinosaur Jr, Smashing Pumpkins and Queens of the Stone Age. Kurt Cobain started an infamous bottle-throwing incident when Nirvana played here in 1990. You can't miss it – look for the primary-colored mural that seems to scream out front.
reviewed
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J
Big Bop
There's always a bellicose crowd of goths, bad-ass metal fiends and hardcore hard-heads pacing around outside this venue. Upstairs Holy Joe's is a groovy little room made for acoustic shows, while serious indie bands plug in at the 2nd-floor Reverb. The ground-floor Kathedral stage also has low-cover acts, and a dance floor.
reviewed
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Matador
Matador is a hard-to-believe club just west of Ossington Ave and Little Italy, where there’s been late-night dance-floor chaos for more than 40 years. Shuffle in under the rusty ballroom sign for live bands playing honky-tonk and classic rock. It’s alcohol-free, but if you’re up this late, chances are you won’t need any more.
reviewed
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L
Royal Alexandra Theatre
Commonly known as the 'Royal Alex,' this is one of the most impressive theaters in the city. Expect renditions of plays like Tennessee Williams' Orpheus Descending and splashy Broadway musicals.
reviewed
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M
Triple Crown
A storefront bar with adjoining black-box rooms – one with glittering chandeliers, another with a disco-ball dance floor – Triple Crown hosts DJs spinning everything from ‘60s-soul and ‘80s-pop to down-tempo funk and hip-hop. Expect an upbeat crowd of happy locals that love to dance and schmooze. Tuesdays are gay. Call ahead or check website to confirm opening times.
reviewed
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N
Red Vic Movie House
Collectively owned and operated for decades, the Red Vic has preserved a funky ’70s vibe right down to the dilapidated couch seating and popcorn served in faux-wood snack bowls with optional brewer’s yeast. Surfer flicks, punk rockumentaries and movies by local filmmakers pack the place, so get in line if you hope to avoid the too-deep seats with busted springs.
reviewed
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Irish Times
Residing in a handsome old bank building, this lively Celtic bar is a cut above standard Irish pubs. The interior is a pleasing fusion of high ceilings and dark wood finishes and the draft selection is a cornucopia of popular favorites from Ireland, France, Belgium and the UK. Daily food specials are offered (pizza and beer is $9.99 on Wednesday), plus there’s nightly live Irish music.
reviewed
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Hotel Monte Alba\'n
This hotel presents a 1½-hour version of the Guelaguetza nightly, usually to recorded music.
In a grand old high-ceilinged building smack on the Alameda de Leo\'n, the Monte Alba\'n is an atmospheric place all in all, though the fluorescent lighting and somewhat threadbare rooms diminish the romance. The cheaper, interior rooms are no great shakes, but the exterior rooms are large and have balconies or views of the cathedral.
reviewed
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Q
Libra Room
This glowing, brick-and-art-lined long room is a great spot for a relaxing, chatty dinner over a martini or three. Even better is the roster of nightly music, when two hopping jazz bands hit the stage (not at the same time, luckily) to deliver a mellow, toe- tapping sidedish to keep you in the mood. The kind of place you'd happily stay into the wee hours – they'll probably kick you out around 1am – it's one of Commercial Dr's best music venues.
reviewed
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R
Mermaid
Hermosa's pedestrian promenade, Pier Ave, is one big, loud pumping party on weeknights and all day on weekends. It's a rowdy, early-20s crowd releasing their hormones at such watering holes as Patrick Malloy's and Fat Face Fenner's Fishack , which has a handy 2nd-floor balcony for babe- and dude-watching. If you're past college age, check out the legendary Mermaid , a charmingly divey '50s flashback that serves some surprisingly good food to boot.
reviewed
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S
Jazz at Pearl's
A stylish supper club with a friendly, sophisticated vibe, Pearl's features modern jazz talent and has expanded its repertoire to blues and Latin music. It draws a well-heeled, mature crowd with its high-quality vocalists and instrumentalists. Sultry diva Kim Nalley, who owns Pearl's with her husband, is a throwback to the glamorous jazz era, and on some Mondays and Tuesdays, she'll grace audiences with an appearance.
At cocktail tables, a two-drink minimum is in effect - best to make a night of it.
reviewed
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T
Kangas
If you're looking to be pampered you've come to the wrong place. Think BYOB, as in 'bring your own bathing suit.' Well, actually, beer works too - Friday night at Kangas is a well-established social event. The saunas are private and can be hired for up to five hours, so go it alone, or grab a 'conference room' for you and your 'associates.'
Even if you're not in the mood to get steamy, Kangas has other amenities that might pique your interest: a public hot tub, a delicious dining area, tanning booths and even a hair salon.
reviewed
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Bryant Park
Fashion Week, free films, Latin dancing, concerts and Broadway shows (plus ice-skating in winter): there's always something going on at this grassy haven behind the New York Public Library. With free wi-fi and a cute coffee bar, it's everyone's favorite satellite office. Come early for free films in summer - blankets suggested.
reviewed
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Bryant Park Grill
A lovely restaurant and bar situated at the eastern end of the park, is the site of many a New York wedding come springtime. When it’s not closed for a private event, the patio bar is a perfect spot for a twilight cocktail or three.
reviewed
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Cafe Wha?
reviewed
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X
East Side Company Bar
Run by the owners of the overly precious ‘guest-list only’ Milk & Honey, this tiny, speakeasy sort of joint pours inventive $12 cocktails (lots of whiskey). You don’t need a reservation, just walk through the plywood doorway and step down into a low, tin-ceilinged bar that arches, as if you’re walking onto a dream subway car. There are cozy booths and DJ action in back, an inviting industrial bar in front.
reviewed
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Y
Heidelberg
Beer, schnapps and schnitzel. This old-school German beer garden supplies the trifecta of Teutonic pleasure – as well as servers decked out in Bavarian costume. Feeling thirsty? You can order your Spaten in a 2L Stiefel (glass boot). Hokey-good fun. Ein Prosit!
reviewed