-
11th St Bar
Grab a spot on one of the soft sofas and prepare to be entertained -locals come in throughout the night in a steady stream, each one with a tale to share. It's the adopted watering hole of young reporters from the Daily News too, so it's more like a cozy community room than a bar.
-
55 Bar
An unpretentious basement gem favoring jazz and blues driven by funky, guitar-laden combos that will get your feet tapping, 55 Bar has a glow all of its own. Spilling music onto a historic corner of the Village (it's next to Stonewall) at all hours, 55 features local artists and international players.
-
68 Jay St
Paint-spattered but still elegant, with rounded arches and a big columned doorway, 68 Jay St is a rarity among bars - they turn their music down to a comfortable level for discussion among patrons. Consequently, you hear a lot of art world buzz as the regulars - all members of said world - dish the dirt over drinks.
-
718 Sessions
This monthly party, held at an otherwise unremarkable club space, is a riot of old-school dancing to deep, soulful house from DJ Danny Krivit and occasional live performers, like the recent New Year's Eve show from Joi Cardwell. House parties rage on Fridays with DJ Marc Anthony.
-
92nd St Y
The Y is a bastion of literary greatness (as well as a venue that caters for music and dance), with its Unterburg Poetry Center hosting frequent readings, plus a Biographers and Brunch lecture series on Sundays, featuring top-shelf authors. Recent appearances have included Paul Auster, Margaret Atwood, Joan Didion and Michael Chabon. Almost all the big-name readings sell out, so if there's a particular author you want to hear, reserve well in advance.
-
Abilene
Chess and domino lovers will feel right at home at this low-key beer and bourbon joint, where the back tables are set aside for gamers. The bar has a good assortment of beers on tap, and the usual assortment of well drinks, but its the gentle aura that pulls in the regulars.
-
Alligator Lounge
In Williamsburg's northern reaches, the Alligator draws a mixed crowd of hipsters and working-class locals, who sit on U-shaped leather settees or Japanese tea-house nooks in the back. The real draw is the free, freshly made brick-oven pizza. And, hey, a pitcher of Yuengling is around US$14 . Karaoke on Thursday, live jazz on Sunday.
-
Amato Opera House
After 59 years of no-nonsense opera, Amato still has what it takes to pack in the crowds. Classic shows like Falstaff , Madame Butterfly , La Forza del Destino and Die Fledermaus are put on without any of the glitz found in the uptown opera houses, but plenty of passion.
-
Ambassador Theater
Classically horseshoe shaped, the Ambassador's one of the most intimate large-sized venues on Broadway. If you're in town while Chicago is still playing, you'll feel every kick and hear every note Roxie Hart hits, even if you're in the cheap seats in the back.
-
Amsterdam Billiards & Bar
A flight above Amsterdam Ave, this expansive boîte featuring exposed brick and a friendly vibe is way more than a bar - though the drinks are well-mixed and the stools cozy. The main event is the collection of about a dozen well-maintained pool tables.
-
Advertisement
-
Angel's Share
Behind the Japanese restaurant on the same floor, this is a tiny gem of a hideaway, with creative cocktails and well-suited waiters who won't let you stay if there's no table for you to sit at. This often turns out to be the case, so try to stake your claim early.
-
Angelika Film Center
Angelika specializes in foreign and independent films and has some quirky charms (the rumble of the subway, long lines and occasionally bad sound). But its roomy café is a great place to meet and the beauty of its Stanford White-designed beaux arts building undeniable.
-
Another Room
This is the kind of place that lures you inside, whether you were looking for a drink or not. It's tiny and narrow, with an industrial-chic, cement-floor sort of style, and its walls hold works by local artists. There are no cocktails, but the wine and beer list is great, as is the mellow and diverse crowd that settles in nightly.
Additional outposts - in other neighbourhoods but with the same lovely vibe - are Other Room and Room.
-
Arlene's Grocery
Formerly a bodega and butcher shop, Arlene's Grocery now serves up heaping portions of live talent with shows every night. Drinks are cheap and the crowd is good looking - make an impression Monday night with Rock-n-Roll Karaoke. It's free, and you're backed by a live band. Probably your best shot at getting a groupie.
-
Ava Lounge
The modern, palm-studded rooftop lounge of the Majestic Hotel is a high-up gem Midtown, bringing joy to balmy nights with its stellar views of the sparkling skyline around you. Inside, sink into a sumptuous ottoman and enjoy the retro-modern, honey-hued decor and stylish crowd. It's oh so South Beach, right in NYC.
-
B3 Bar
A pretty, bi-level bistro that opens onto the street, B3 does grand pub fare, and is a good place to sip a mojito, listen to the live band and watch the street parade go by.
-
Bar 4
Grungy and a little worn down, Bar 4 is nonetheless relaxing, and it serves up some mean Martinis - flavored with juice, or straight up. DJ styles change daily, and Tuesday nights are open mic starting at .
-
Bar Below
Tucked underneath the Faan restaurant, which does decent Asian food, Bar Below has a strict 'no sportswear' rule and a loungey, cluby feel even though, in theory, dancing isn't allowed. Once the DJ hits a certain stride though, all bets are off and things start moving.
-
Bar East
Kind of off the beaten path (it's quite a hike from the subway, after all), this friendly neighborhood bar is tricked out with a pool table, good pop-rock DJs, darts and a nice mirror-backed bar. If you want to see locals drinking and yammering without pretense, head east and grab a stool.
-
Bar Next Door
One of the loveliest boÎtes in the neighborhood, the basement of this restored townhouse is all low ceilings, exposed brick and romantic lighting. You'll find mellow, live jazz nightly, as well as the tasty Italian menu of the restaurant next door, La Lanterna di Vittorio.
-
Advertisement
-
Bar Reis
You've got choices here - climb the spiral staircase to the upper floor and survey the scene from above, or head out back to the wisteria-filled garden, strung with romantic lights, or hang at the street level bar. The drinks are delicious, the crowd is friendly and the vibe sophisticated and relaxed.
-
Barbes
This bar and performance space, owned by two French musicians and longtime Brooklyn residents, is named after the North African enclave of Paris. It hosts music, readings and film screenings in the back room, and plays eclectic music, ranging from Lebanese diva Asmahan to Mexican bandas, Venezuelan joropos and Romanian brass bands.
-
Beauty Bar
A kitschy favorite since the mid-90s, this homage to old-fashioned beauty parlors pulls in a cool local crowd with its gritty soundtrack, nostalgic vibe and around US$10 manicures, with a free Blue Rinse margarita thrown in, from Wednesday to Sunday.
-
Bellevue Bar
It ain't pretty, but it sure is fun! Despite being something of a dive, Bellevue is one of the most popular places in this rapidly-gentrifying neighborhood--could be the blues music on Mondays, one-dollar sandwiches, daily - two-for-one happy hour and three-dollar margaritas, or the interesting mix of youngish newcomers and graybeard Hell's Kitchen residents.
-
Bemelman's Bar
The only surviving commissioned mural from Ludwig Bemelmans still on display to the public infuses this namesake café with the artist's legendary wit. Bemelmans' plush red interior is a perfect place to canoodle, making it a favorite for in-love couples and those wishing to conduct an affair of the heart with discretion. Suave and sophisticated piano jazz is the musical mainstay.
