Bar of the Week Bars of the Week 2001 Bars of the Week 1999

2000

by Stefanie Arck

[Top]
Tortilla Flats
767 Washington (12th St. )
(212) 243-1053

Since its one of the most fun and entertaining bars in the city, it would figure that Tortilla Flats is consistently packed with those seeking fun, food and fruity margaritas.

Some reasons to come here:
- Margaritas
- Theme nights including bingo Mondays and hula-hoop Wednesdays when you can participate in a contest that might win you a free (usually $27) pitcher of the margarita mixture they're famous for
- A fun, young after work crowd getting really trashed
- Decent, inexpensive Mexican food (Zagat rates it a 16)
- Kitchy decor
- Good for groups as they have a large tabled area in the back of the bar
- Free, good chips and salsa at the bar

It's not big, but it's very close to a few other places (Hell, Finally Fred's, Automatic Slims) so if it's packed, you have some close alternatives. And it's packed often; even on Tuesday nights it's tough to get a seat at the 15 person bar.

They have a full bar, so if you were so inclined, you could have a cosmo or screwdriver, however, I think it's a BIG mistake to miss the margaritas, frozen or rocks. And no matter what your tolerance, don't overestimate yourself. What seems like sober at 11:30 on a weeknight feels like hell the next morning (as my friend, Lee would attest to), so arm yourself with a pitcher, and a pitcher of water, and you're good to go.

[Top]
Ciel Rouge
176 Seventh Ave. (between 20th & 21st St.)
(212) 929-5542

It's tough to find a good bar in Chelsea...if you're straight, that is. So if you happen to find yourself in the neighborhood, and even if you're not, the Ciel Rouge is a phenomenal lounge worth trying out. It occupies a small space on 7th Ave., and since there is no sign outside, and it is easy to miss, but definitely worth finding.

Literally meaning "red sky" in French, Ciel Rouge looks exactly as you would imagine: red and bistro-y. There are about 15 small, antique looking round tables with red plush chaises, and a tiny bar where people don't sit unless it's too packed to find a real seat. A nice and unusual feature of Ciel is that you can only find helpful, friendly waitresses working there, and they all serve you from one of the greatest alcohol menus I've seen anywhere.

They have many exotic concoctions with cream, peach juice and other unusual flavors all for $7 and all worth it because of the alcohol content (order the Bitches Brew - I forget what's in it, but it tasted great). And, they also serve typical drinks like a kick-ass margarita, scotches, wines and bottled beer (no draft beer here) for about $5.

Each time I have been there, there was a local, upper 20's crowd, but the ambiance varied greatly: one Saturday night they played old 80's faves like Violent Femmes, Billy Idol and Yaz, and that seemed to rile the patrons up (enough to boo the DJ who took off Erasure) while one Friday, they played mostly Spanish jazz including Getz sung by Astrud Gilberto, and many of the jazzy Cuban rhythms which today's contemporary stars sample from (such as Mambo #5).

It's a great date place and a good place for a low-key night of drunken fun.

[Top]
Manitoba's
99 Avenue B (between 6th & 7th St.)
(212) 982-2511

You would think that this bar has been here for years with the hard wood floors, black and white pictures and a no-frill environment, but Manitoba's is just 1 year old, and occupies the space that was once the Avenue B Social Club.

Happy hours are quiet there, but could be packed due to the 2 for 1 from 5 to 8 on all well, beer and wine - all costing about $4.25. However, the size is a bit limiting: there are 3 tables which seat about 6 and there are about 15 seats at the bar. And while there is standing room, Manitoba's has live music every night, so that helps account for the capacity sign of 90. They also have a basement I did not visit, but it's nice to know it's there.

They have an amazing jukebox which has something everyone would like: From Metallica and Kiss to the Stones and Sly and the Family Stone to Dean Martin, Louis Prima and some rarely heard tracks like music from the "GoodFellas" soundtrack and the original from which the Black Crows "Hard to Handle" was remade.

The crowd seems local during the week, although on the weekends, they say they get an "uptown" crowd, like mostly every bar in Alphabet City, now. It's a great after work spot as it's a mellow place to meet up with some
friends for quiet conversation (before the live music, that is.)

Intro. to Tapas Bars

I believe that there are two types of tapas bars:
- Traditional Spanish
- Trendy

Traditional Spanish tapas bars tend to have many of the following features: a terracotta bar, wall murals of Spain, Spanish music, pictures of/fake fish and seafood decorations and are family-owned and run.

The trendy fall into a couple categories including trendy Spanish which has elements of traditional tapas bar decor and food elements, but has less traditional food and decor as well (e.g. - Helena's). Popping up all over are new, trendy American or Asian tapas bars which are typically trendy bars with smaller sized portions like spring rolls, chicken satay and calamari (Mica Bar, Divine Bar) which they call tapas, but have no Spanish influence whatsoever.
Below are some Spanish tapas bars...

[Top]
Rio Mar
7 Ninth Ave. (at Little W. 12th St.)
(212) 242-1623
This is one of the most fun tapas bars in the city. While it's tiny, the ambiance makes it worth the trip down to this meat packing district Spaniard. They do have a limited selection of tapas here (sadly, no spicy potatoes) and serve mostly entrees, but the paella is rumored be fantastic and the chorizo is top notch, not to mention, cheap.
However, it's a great happy hour place, usually packed with a smattering of local after work types and neighborhood regulars. On the first floor there's a long bar with peanuts and sometimes, mini-sandwiches, and the second floor is the restaurant. There is almost always a wait for a table, but the friendly bartenders who serve up yummy, strong sangria, make it worth the ait at the bar. Or, you can do what I do: opt to eat at the bar and listen to the jukebox with an odd mix of Spanish music as well as Sinatra, Santana and old 80's like the Dirty Dancing soundtrack and George Michael's, Faith.
It's loud and nutty in there, so it's a great place to go with a group. And if you're downstairs, and lucky, you might get to see a mariachi band come in and play some Spanish tunes on the guitar, drum and accordion. It's a blast.

[Top]
El Cid
322 W. 15th St. (between 8th & 9th St.)
(212) 929-9332
Spicy potatoes. This is reason enough to come here. These yummy, hot sauce covered fried delicacies are served to your table prior to the meal and are probably the best ones I've had here. Covered with onions, they're incredibly tasty, addictive, and you have to order a second round while debating over the huge menu.
As with most traditional tapas restaurants, they have every kind of seafood and meat served in garlic sauce as well as really tasty paella. I recommend the shrimp with garlic sauce and then moving on to the paella Valencia with huge amounts of seafood like shrimp, scallops and mussels and it's phenom.
The sangria here is very winey and doesn't come with too much fruit, so you'll be drunk if you just plan to have a plate of tapas or two.
This is definitely a restaurant versus a bar, so you're best to have a seat in the medium sized dining room and pig out there, rather than sitting at the bar. And as far as a destination, it's a good place to go with a date as you can have tapas and sangria, and if it doesn't work out, take off after that.
And if you're in the mood, you can sit with your date all night and drink yourself away into a Spanish dream (compliments of the wall murals, I mean).

[Top]
Cafe Español
172 Bleecker (between MacDougal & Sullivan St.)
(212) 505-0657
This is not the type of place you'd expect to find on this touristy, NYU laden stretch of Bleecker Street, and not the type of place you'll find tourists or NYU students either. It seems like lots of native Spanish people as well as neighborhood types come to Cafe Espagnol for the phenomenal and cheap tapas and seafood.
No matter how hungry you are, try to keep yourself from devouring chips and (mediocre) salsa or bread as you'll want to save room for the excellent garlic sauce, and you'll need the bread to dip in it. The sauce is so good, we ordered a side just for bread. But the garlic shrimp tapas was great.
The chorizo is not too spicy, so if you like it that way, enjoy, although I prefer it more zesty. The lobster is cheap and good and the paella smelled amazing as well. The tapas run about $6.95, and you get a very generous portion - enough for you and a companion or two.
There isn't much of a bar scene here, but if you bring a date, get some tapas and a pitcher of fruit-filled sangria, and hide away from the crowds of the west village in a drunken stupor.

[Top]
Helena's
432 Lafayette (between W. 4th St. & Astor Pl.)
(212) 677-5151
This is the only trendy tapas bar I have on my list, and with good reason: Helena's menu has traditional dishes but a hip decor that makes this a destination rather than a pit-stop on the way to somewhere better.
This is a great bar scene with a fantastic drink menu --try the blood orange margaritas-- and in the summer, people flock here to enjoy the gorgeous back garden with a tent covered in strings of lights.
Each season, they re-decorate the large column in the front portion of the restaurant to reflect the mood, and they rent out the upstairs for private parties. And sometimes, they have live music which may or may not include flamenco dancing.
Their tapas menu is extensive - including faves like garlic shrimp phenom spicy potatoes and oil-cured olives and it also include more unusual dishes like crab fritters, fried oysters and Spanish chicken wings served with salsa. No matter what you come here for -- you can't lose.

[Top]
La Paella
214 E. 9th St. (between Second & Third Ave.)
(212) 598-4321
The smell of garlic permeates this small, East Village tapas restaurant. It's always busy, and cramped, but so good, it's worth sitting 1 foot away from people you don't know.
The upstairs has a small bar, and that's it. Downstairs, there are a plethora of tables, squished up against each other. But sit down and enjoy a pitcher of sweet, fruity sangria, and it won't bother you as much.
The chorizo is excellent as is the paella. I can't comment too much on the food since I drank much more than I ate, but, despite that, this is really more of a restaurant than bar, and if you enjoy the feeling of being in Spain, come here with a date and check out the scenery.

[Top]
Xunta
174 First Ave. (between 10th & 11th St.)
(212) 614-0620
This place is always packed --and with good reason. The decor is kitchy, the tapas is amazing and the crowd is young and fun.
There are about 40 different types of tapas including sautéed mushrooms (which they serve on fire), spicy potatoes, fried calamari and, of course, everything in garlic sauce. Xunta serves their dishes particularly spicy, so it's best to have a glass of water and some potent sangria to wash it down.
It's small with about 4 barrels acting as tables in the front and a few larger tables in the back. There are fishing nets with starfish and other sea faring creatures, and Spanish music blaring through the place.
A good date place, the bar scene here is always particularly jumping. Also, they don't take reservations, so sitting at the bar will help you avoid the hour long wait you'll encounter after 7:30 any night of the week.
As far as bar scene and fun goes, this is up there with Rio Mar, but East, so come by (off peak hours, of course), pull up a barrel, and enjoy.

[Top]
Ace Bar
531 E. 5th (between Avenue A & B)
(212) 979-8476
The Ace is a bar. It is exactly what you would picture in your head when you ask someone what type of venue you're going to, and they reply, "a bar". It has all the features you would expect:
- Pool tables
- Darts
- Juke Box
- Red vinyl booths
- Hard wood floors
- Locals in jeans

However, what's great about the Ace it that it has a lot more than that as well.

Ace is huge: a large front room with a booth, a couple tables and floor space, the middle bar room which has 3 booths and ample bar seats, and the back room which has 2 pool tables, darts, about 6 booths and standing room as well. This is the type of place you can bring a slew of people, and there's enough space for all of them. It's also the type of place where everyone can find something to do.

If you don't like pool or darts, they have 2 pinball machines. If you prefer to spectate, they have the largest collection of 80's lunchboxes I've ever seen. Some of my faves include Strawberry Shortcake, Mork & Mindy, Pigs In Space, Beverly Hillbillies and Hong Kong Phooey.

If you're not into 80's nostalgia, they have a punk/metal jukebox which also includes fun stuff like Devo, a CD with blues BBQ songs like "A Pig's Foot and a Glass of Beer", and you can also find some Rat Pack tunes from Sinatra and Dean-o.
There's no food, but they will let you order in (note: Two Boots is around the corner), and they also have 13 beers on tap and specials like:
- Wednesday night Mandarin Martini Madness ($5)
- Weekday happy hour 2-7, $2.50 drafts and well drinks
- Bloody Brunch on Sundays until 7, $2 pints and well, $2.50 bloody Mary's

[Top]
Drinkland
339 E. 10th St. (between Ave. A & B)
(212) 228-2435
Many people site Drinkland as one of their favorite bars in the city. When it was newly opened, it was so popular that you would have to wait in line an ungodly amount of time, and, as everyone knows, waiting in line makes it more appealing so this phenomenon continued for quite some time. There's not as much of a line now, although people are still attracted to DrinkLand because of the interesting decor, the ability to dance in a non-club environment and the retro white vinyl furniture. It's reminiscent of a 60's psychedelic house with white and black patterned walls and an all-white, padded back room. It's not expensive - the slow bartenders serve up $4 draft and well drinks, and they only take cash as Visa is not actually everywhere you want to be. During the week, they have a DJ and they also host occasional Saturday night karaoke sessions in which drunk people come in droves to sing badly, slump into the psycho ward room, and take a nap.

[Top]
Lakeside Lounge
162 Ave. B (between 10th & 11th St.)
(212) 529-8463
Unlike the up and coming trendy bars in Alphabet City (Niagra, Luca Lounge) the Lakeside is a comfy, loud bar with a divey kind of feel, table top atari games and it attracts a local crowd. No need to get dressed up to come here as the casual, upper 20's patrons are generally in jeans and t-shirts. There are 2 rooms - the smaller front room which houses the bar, and the other room with sofas, tables and lots of people. The jukebox is great with rock, country and blues faves blaring on the weekends, although they generally have up and coming bands play during the week. They have a $2 b&w photo booth that spits out pix of drunken friends in strips, and they serve up $1.50 PBR cans. The other drinks are cheap as well; $4 draft and well drinks. The service is kind of slow, although there are more people than the one bartender can handle at any given moment, so while you're waiting, hang up your coat on the deer horn coat rack and enjoy the country-esque, 80's ambiance.

[Top]
Trinity Pub
229 E. 84th St.(between Second & Third Ave.)
(212) 327-4450

This is the quintessential Irish pub: the bartenders know the patrons names and what they drink, there are beautifully kept hardwood floors and a mahogany bar, they pour a perfect Guinness, and they have a choice of Irish bands on the jukebox including Black 47, U2 and Irish folk compilation discs.

While you'll see posters for ski trips and outings from time to time, it is not a typical post-college Upper East Side bar. The patrons at this bar are mostly Irish, and mostly neighborhood folk in their 30's and 40's which makes it a good choice for a drink after work or to watch a game on one of 3 TV's.

The prices are cheap to moderate with drafts about $4.50 and call drinks costing a mere $4.00 during happy hour. They also have guest bartending, but, like the crowd, the bartenders are mostly locals whom the bar owners know, and the schedule is booked about 4 months in advance.

It is small with only one room with a bar on one side, and one long ledge with stools on the other, so go early if you're planning to stop by on the 17th - it's worth it.

[Top]
Swift's Hibernian Lounge
34 E. 4th St. (between Bowery and Lafayette)
(212) 260-3600

Swift's Hibernian Lounge is named after the Irish satirist Jonathan Swift, 1667-1745. (Note: "Hibernian" means "Irish" in Latin). It has a small, narrow front bar room with a few tables which are generally filled with casually dressed, mostly 20-30's crowd, and the occasional local drinking pints at the bar, book in hand. However, those scholarly types are hard to come by as on the average weeknight, it is dark, packed, and smoky, making for less of a library ambiance.

The back room is more of a lounge as it is a wide open space and it has booths good for chatting with a small group and one long table down the middle of the room great for a large group of hard-core drinkers. The benches at the booths are incredibly uncomfortable, though, so if you're planning to hang out awhile, sit on your coat rather than hanging it up. There is wait service back there, and they have food, so if you're hungry, you can choose from a small selection of Irish goodies like Shepherd's Pie, pot pie or bangers and mash.

The libation selection at Swift's is vast: They have 30 single malts, 20 premium vodkas, 20 top shelf tequilas, and almost 50 bottled beers from all over the world. Depending on what you order, the prices vary incredibly, but if you just want a pint of Guinness, expect to pay $5.

The back room also has a DJ, so it's lively and fun back there, while the front is so crowded that unless you get a seat, you'll get jostled around and drinks spilled, so beware.

Although it's next to the B-Bar, there are few similarities, as Swift's will never choose patrons by what they're wearing, ask $6 for a call drink or be known as a pick up spot. That's what makes Swifts, in such a trendy location, great.

[Top]
The Parlour
250 W. 86th St. (Between Broadway & West End)
(212) 580-8923

This Upper West Side pub would be a great place to spend St. Patrick's Day for a slew of reasons:

- Menu includes Irish favorites such as bangers and mash, shepherd's pie and fish & chips
- 12 beers on tap including Harp, Cider Jack, Honey Brown and Paulaner Hefe Weisen; and reasonably priced at $4.75 a pint/ $3 half pint
- A great selection of over 15 bottled beers from all over the world including the typical choices like Rolling Rock ($3.50) and Heineken ($4), and less typical ones like German Weiss ($6), and Belgian Chimay Rouge ($7)
- A mixed local crowd from 30 year olds at the bar to 50 year old men drinking at a table to families in the dining room
- Fun '80s music like INXS, Eric Clapton, U2 and Sting
- Live music in the downstairs bar room.

It is a rather large place with two barrooms with tables in each and a back dining room more suited to groups or families. It also has live music every Friday and Saturday night in the downstairs room, which has yet another large bar area.
The bar menu consists of chix fingers, wings and a few other $5 platters, and aside from the Irish food on the dinner menu, the burger and steak fries are amazing with sautéed onions and roasted red pepper ($8.75).
Bring a bunch of friends, commandeer the front bar room, taste every beer on tap and enjoy the Parlour.

[Top]
H2K
219 9th Ave. (at 23rd St.)
(212) 727-2616

First: the name. It is not a jump on the bandwagon type millennium name. It is named for the Irish owners, two Hyneses and a Keane.
Second: Location. Just because it's in Chelsea does not mean it is a gay bar. During the week, it hosts dates as it's quiet and dimly lit, and you can also find professionals as well as locals in their 40's there. On the weekend, you will find a good looking, well dressed upper 20's/young 30's crowd there for a private party, or as a stop after a gallery opening or dinner at one of the up and coming restaurants within two blocks of the bar.
Third: Description as an "Irish bar". It does have the feel of an Irish bar as it has a welcoming and friendly vibe (perhaps due to the knowledgeable and sharp Irish bartenders), but, to be fair, it is more of a lounge without typical lounge traits; no snotty people, no velvet rope, and no expensive drinks. They do have Irish influenced dishes like onion soup with Guinness stout ($5), and will have corned beef and cabbage this Friday, but they also feature an eclectic menu including gulf shrimp rubbed with citrus dressing ($9.50), a lobster club ($11.75) and veggie wrap ($8.95).
Otherwise, it is a large place with comfy couchettes, tables, a long bar, and a back room which is separated with a door, and curtain for privacy, if needed. It has high ceilings, and is very open and airy with ceiling fans and art on the walls which changes monthly and is for sale.
They control the music, however, their selections are great as I recall a Barry White CD playing above the low din of the crowd. As far as drinks, they have 10 beers on tap including cider, Sam Adams, Beck's, and a few micro-brews like Chelsea Piers brew and Checkered Blonde. Those are about $4.75 pint/ $2.50 half pint. They also have 8 bottled beers all $3.50 or $4.00, and top shelf drinks run $6. If you are a drinkie (like a foodie, but for drinks), they also have some more exotic concoctions such as an apple martini ($8.50) which, along with all other martinis, are half priced during happy hour.

[Top]
Dewey's Flatiron
210 Fifth Ave. (between 25th & 26th St.)
(212) 696-BEER

For some reason, I never went to Dewey's in the two years I worked on the Flatiron district, and I'm kind of sad about it now. I guess it was probably because I was 22 and possibly intimidated by all the people who went there as they all looked very professional with their briefcases and their suits, and they seemed much older.

The crowd still looks very much like it did then -- upper 20's/early 30's Park Ave. professionals, but just because they look professional, doesn't mean they act like it. Not here anyway.

No, this is a drinking crowd; they are people who go to happy hour to get trashed. And they do a great job since Dewey's offers about 15 beers on tap, each $4 or $5 per pint and they also feature over 40 bottles including everyday beer like Amstel ($4.25), and Red Stripe ($4.25) to the more exotic Saranac Wild Berry Wheat ($5.00), Young's Oatmeal Stout ($7.00) and Chimay Grand Reserve (25 oz for $16).

The first floor has both a front bar room, and booths in the back. And while the upstairs is about half the size of the first floor, there is a a pool table, and lounge. From either floor, you can watch ESPN on the large screen TV, and drink since there is a (smaller) bar upstairs as well as they huge one downstairs.
It is also a fabulous place to go for food. You can enjoy any type of bar food you like from chicken fingers to mini pizzas to tequila battered jalepeno poppers -- all apps are $6. They also have a make-your-own-sandwich menu (all sandwiches are $8 and include salad, bread and potato salad), pasta, burgers and deserts.
It is loud, so despite the fact that they play music, you can't hear it, but since you're here to drink, it doesn't matter what they play anyway. It's a pick up scene (happily, about 3 men to every one woman), but friendly and non-threatening.

If you really want to play pool, be patient as there is usually a long line. And if you're looking for quiet conversation, go somewhere else. But if you're looking for a fun happy hour place with a cool crowd and no attitude, stop by Dewey's.

[Top]

WXOU Radio
558 Hudson Street (between W 11th St. & Perry St.)
(212) 206-0381

Generally if you're going out in this neighborhood, you're in for a long night of drinking. The Blind Tiger, Cowgirl Hall of Fame and White Horse Tavern all cater to a fun, young crowd who are looking to get seriously trashed. But if you're in the neighborhood and just want to have a drink or two, relax and chat with a friend, I suggest WXOU Radio.

If you've walked down Hudson, you've probably walked right past it since it's small, and doesn't draw too much attention, relatively speaking. Small meaning a room about 30x20 lined with a bar on one side, and 6 tables occupying the front window space and lining the left wall. This place surely helps support the theory that size doesn't matter, in a bar anyway.

WXOU attracts a mostly local, 30 something year old crowd who come for the atmosphere but stay for the happy hour special: every weekday until 8, everything is "almost half off" according to the friendly bartender. This means, essentially, that you can get a pint of Bud Light for $2, a good bottled beer for $2.50 or a well drink for $2.75. Aside from Bud Light, they have 5 other beers on tap, and about 9 bottles including Sierra, Anchor Steam, Sam Adams or Dos Equis.

The atmosphere is very relaxed with dim lighting, candles and black and white photos of American cities back in the day. This is complemented with one of the best jukeboxes I've heard; "White Room", "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, (I'm Yours)", "3 Little Birds" and "Moondance" were some of the fabulous selections that played while I sat at the bar. Other CDs on the diverse jukebox include AC/DC, Kiss, James Brown, Ella & Louie, Tom Petty, old U2 and Derek and the Dominoes.

If you're hungry, you can bring food in, or opt for a bowl of the crunchy Japanese bar snacks they leave for patrons.

I highly recommend this place for a small group as they have small booth like areas in the front of the bar that overlook Hudson street. And if you're just meeting one other person, opt for the bar where the friendly bartender offers you "cheers" everytime you tip her.

[Top]
Revival
129 E. 15th St (Between Irving Pl. & 3rd Ave.)
(212) 253-8061

I don't know that I'd go here if the garden weren't open, but it is, so I'll be there a lot this spring/summer. This two level, divey bar smells like a frat house, and has sticky floors to match in the downstairs bar, and a nice, quiet lounge upstairs where you can bring in food and chill out.
But the main attraction here is the quiet, pretty garden with seating for about 25 people, comfortably. When sitting back there, you face a beautiful red brick Gramercy Park building, trees with budding chartreuse flowers and can actually hear birds chirping when chatting with your friends on the bi-level deck. It has wooden walls so you're not intruding on people in the neighboring gardens, and two lamps, so it keeps a romantic ambiance if you're interesting in bringing a date.
Otherwise, the crowd was a young (25-30), professional one just looking to hang out; it's not a pick up spot like nearby Union Bar or pretentious with a velvet rope like Belmont Lounge.
The drinks left much to be desired as they were out of Bass, the cider was flat and they make screwdrivers with concentrated OJ, but otherwise they have $4 bottles during happy hour (5-8) and $5 call drinks.
Despite the drinks, and in addition to the deck, one more great thing about Revival is that they have great bar snacks including BBQ potato chips and cheese doodles and the bartender will give you a whole bag for your group if you ask nicely.
They have a CD jukebox inside which you can not hear outside, and, in the winter, bands sometimes play in the upstairs lounge.
As for now, you can get a seat on the deck until about 6:30 when it's packed, so stop by early to secure a table and grab some cheesy poofs to munch on while you relax in this outdoor oasis.

[Top]
Madame X
94 W. Houston (between Thompson & La Guardia)
(212) 539-0808

This bar is not what I expected, and that's probably why I ended up liking it so much. It is nothing like what you would expect from a place close to the once popular Match and the trendy Room. There's no velvet rope, but it still brings in a hip, upper 20's after work crowd of internet professionals. So at Madame X, you'll get no attitude. Well, not from the patrons anyway.

While the service leaves much to be desired, I highly recommend spending some time at Madame X.

There are 3 main areas:
- bustling bar area
- relaxing lounge
- beautiful outdoor deck

The bar room is narrow, small and doesn't offer much in the way of beer as they have Corona, Sam Adams, Original Sin and maybe a few others, although I wouldn't know since the bartender responded with a "we don't have that" when I asked for an Amstel. All beers and well drinks are $5. They do make a great martini there, though, for $7 and some specialty drinks priced at $7 and up.

The back lounge is red. It is made up of 5 smaller lounging areas consisting of a matching couch, loveseat and table ensemble. These areas are perfect for chatting, as you can hear yourself above the great, dj spun classic funk music. There is also waitress service back there, but it is slow due to the patrons who are standing rather than lounging.

Aside from beautiful velvet antique furniture, there is a piano, not sure what it's for though, and great modern art for your viewing pleasure. Exit the back of the lounge, and you can take the stairs up to the hard wood deck, which includes a garden complete with waterfall. It wasn't open yet for the season when I was there, but I'm told it's great for quiet conversation as it faces away from Houston.

So if there's good weather, you're with good company, get a good drink, and enjoy this great bar.

[Top]
Recess
310 Spring Street (between Greenwich and Renwick)
(212) 590-6050

I think this is one of the best names of a NYC bar that's come up in awhile. Upon hearing it, images of fun and play are conjured. Some reasons it lives up to the name:
- It is somewhere to go to get away from the monotony of the day and hang out with friends
- You can play Chinese checkers or Scrabble
- They have snacks
- There is an outdoor patio space in the back everyone flocks to

[But wait, there's more...]
Aside from the above reasons to go, here are some more:
- Loungy with overstuffed sofas and loveseats
- Candles and art adorning the walls
- Fab DJ spinning disco and hip-hop
- No velvet rope, no cover and attitude-less crowd
- $4 and $5 bottles, $6 call drinks

The story behind the former Bell Caffe space is that the owners met at the Belmont Lounge, married, and jointly created Recess.
There is waitress service, although it's slow due to crowds and slow at the bar as well, but it's worth the wait.

[Top]
Finally Fred's
765 Washington St. (between W.12th St. & Bethune)
(212) 255-5101

They've got a little something for everyone here:
- live music nightly in the downstairs bar
- pool table in the small back room
- a lively dive setting with seating for 8 at the bar and an additional 8 in the bar area
- a walled garden/patio area with seating for 10

They 70's basement ambiance complete with exposed brick and wooden paneled doors is accentuated with old concert flyers on the walls (CSNY) and pictures of musicians like Billie Holiday and Janice Joplin. The life-sized photo of Humphrey Bogart is unusual, but not out of place.

They also have love beads strewn of the walls, and a small disco ball in the window that adds to the décor of the place. And lots and lots of coat hooks, so wear a parka, trench coat or whatever outerwear you desire and rest assured that you'll have somewhere to hang it.

As far as food and drink, it's next door to Tortilla Flats and since they don't have food here, you can bring it in or order from elsewhere. And beer runs about $4, call drinks cost $6 and they have a slew of bottled beer, but none on tap.

The bartenders are friendly and welcoming, and it's a great people watching place as it's close to the sidewalk, so when you get crowded out of Tortilla Flats, or Automatic Slims, come by here to drink in peace and style.

[Top]
Coygirl Hall of Fame
519 Hudson (at 10th St.)
(212) 633-1133

It's kitchy and cool and serves some great southern delicacies including chicken fried steak, fried chicken and catfish (which are AYCE on Wed. nights), and they also serve their kind of famous frito pie: a bag of corn chips split open and drenched with chili.

Margaritas are a huge draw here as they serve great, frothy frozen ones - the strawberry are particularly yummy. They won't get you trashed, however, so if you're looking for a buzz, get it on the rocks. It'll cost you $6, and it's served in a mason jar with either a plastic donkey on the rim of the glass or a fun stirrer with the logo of the place on it.

There are 3 areas of this bar: the bar which is always crowded with neighborhood and after-work types, the front dining room which is a haven for families, and the back room where they have live music on Wednesdays. The bartenders pour a strong drink, and the bar has fun items including old Elvis movie posters, cowboy hats, license plates and other eye candy to keep you entertained.

[Top]
El Teddy's
219 West Broadway (Between Franklin & White)
(212) 941-7070

It's swanky, campy, and they have great food and phenomenal margaritas. El Teddy's, a TriBeCa institution, is an art-deco paradise with colorful lamps, modern furniture, tchotches and the Statue of Liberty's headpiece over the entrance. Or a replica of it anyway. It's trendy and will never go out of style both because of locale as well as the genre of place - upscale Mexican - of which there are few in the city.

After work, you'll see a mostly 30's Wall Street crowd in the downstairs bar with shakers of tasty, superbly strong margaritas ($7/glass) and snacking on the salsa and chips at the bar. On the weekends, it still draws in pretty, upper 20's, young 30's crowd looking for good Mexican food and other attractive, drunk people.

It's far, but worth the trip if you've never been, especially this Friday when it will be more festive than usual.

[Top]
M&R Bar
264 Elizabeth St. (between Houston & Prince St.)
(212) 226-0559

M&R is not the type of place I recommend as the people can be snotty, it's crowded, a bit expensive and it's tiny, but there is an outdoor space here that makes it a not-to-be-missed bar for the summer for the following reasons:
- The back garden is like an oasis which helps you forget you're in Manhattan with flowering weeping willow type trees
- The fountain may make you have to pee, but it's soothing
- There are real as opposed to picnic tables in the back, and there's even room for about 20 seated, 30 hanging out
- They have a canopy they roll out over the space if it's raining

All of the above factors make this one of the most romantic hide-aways in SoHo

M&R also serves decent American food (entrees start around $9), has a small, but cool retro 50's bar in the front serving fab cosmos and a good wine selection. They also have a 15 person dining room in the back, slow service and drinks start around $5 for bottled beer.

This is a fave around San Genarro time both because of the proximity to the festival and the ability to enjoy the cool weather, but you don't need to worry about being trampled by kids with life-sized stuffed animals or drunken B&T'ers.

[Top]
White Horse Tavern
567 Hudson St. (11th St.)
(212) 243-9260

Ah...The White Horse. What can you say about a pub that helped kill a famous poet from alcohol poisoning besides the fact that it's very important for everyone to visit this historic place? Actually, there are a lot of reasons Dylan Thomas and many others make this their bar of choice such as:
- 7 beers on tap, none more than $5 (Guinness)
- 12 bottles including 2 ciders, Corona and Brooklyn Lager
- Cheap, simple comfort food as written on a chalkboard. Menu includes grilled cheese, curly fries, burgers and other fried favorites
- It is huge with a front bar room, and two back room as well as sidewalk dining - about 15 picnic tables
- Horses everywhere from the lamp-adorned horse heads to the horse ornaments behind the bar and on the walls
- Great jukebox with Hendrix, Donovan, Motown faves, Sly and the family Stone and other classic rock hits (although Dylan Thomas probably didn't get to enjoy this facet of the pub)

The other things you should know are to avoid it on weekends as frat boys and their female counterparts pack it in here, perhaps due to the proximity of the PATH train, but it is a phenomenal happy hour spot. As such, you'll find a mix of village locals in jeans and t-shirts and young professionals, mostly 25+.

The waitresses are nice and take care of seated patrons with a smile while the bartenders are older and while they probably know every drink there is, take my advice and don't ask these guys for a Cosmopolitan.

[Top]
Bar 6
502 Sixth Ave. (between 12th & 13th St.)
(212) 645-2439
This neighborhood bistro draws a huge after work crowd as well as a beautiful late night crowd because of the outdoor space, airy atmosphere and, of course, the other beautiful people. On a balmy Thursday night, my friends and I sat just inside the bar which had two tables on the sidewalk, and two a couple feet away from them, inside, although with the walls opened out, outside also.
They have basic food like burgers, pasta, and some Moroccan influenced food as well. However, the pizzette was a bit more upscale than I like my pizza (with
gruyere cheese and lamb sausage), so stick to the basics like Steak frites or light salads.

Well drinks are $5 and call drinks are about $6.50 and they have a great selection of Belgian and other beers ranging in price from $5 to $12. Two suggestions; try the Magic Hat #9, an amber brew from Vermont (a fave of some people I know) and the cider which has a kick and is not of the typical Cider Jack or Woodchuck variety. Also stay away from drinks made with orange juice as I think it's from concentrate.
The music was a mixed hat with classic rock like the Who as well as Rolling Stones to classic funk like BrickHouse by the Commodores.
It is small as the bar seats about 12, there are a few tables up front, and a slew in the back, but the front is where the action is. So if you're itching to check out the scene and enjoy one of the many wines by the glass, come early for prime seating, but stay late.

[Top]
The Slipper Room
167 Orchard Street (at Stanton)
(212) 253-7246

Time: Last Saturday night, 11 pm
Setting: Slipper Room, a new retro lounge on the LES
Atmosphere: Like Shine, but less expensive and sans velvet rope

It was a sultry evening in downtown Manhattan, and me and my friends were dying for some booze. Sick of the same old same old, we happened upon the Slipper Room which quenched our thirst as well as our desire to do something a bit different. Upon entering, we were not impressed as we thought we stumbled upon a typical lounge with red vinyl banquettes, retro lamps, guys in Hawaiian shirts and a bachlorette party where the bride-to-be donned a tablecloth turned veil and a candy necklace which random men chewed on while still around her neck.

Despite our first impression, I left wanting to come back, and quick due to:
- Mellow, attractive late 20's crowd
- Great DJ who inspired random dancing
- Fabulous nightly cabaret acts
- Cheap drinks - 5 for $20 (although I do suspect that ours were cheap due to the bartender's crush on my friend)

So it doesn't open until 6, and the kitchen isn't ready yet - so what? If you want to go out early, you can check out Rivertown's 2 for 1 until 8:00, and get a corned beef on rye at Katz' Deli down the street.

[Top]
Puck Fair
298 Lafayette St. (between Houston & Prince)
(212) 431-1200

From the good people who brought us Swift's Hibernian Lounge on 4th between Lafayette and Bowery, here's another great Irish pub. Similarities to Swifts: very little. This spot just inside SoHo has a lot to offer:
- Great space with high ceilings, artwork with pictures and blown-up newspaper articles about the Puck Fair famous carnival and Kign Puck
- 2 upstairs bars with about 15 seats at each bar
- A downstairs great for dates due to dim lighting and snugs
- Great music
- 14 beers on tap (cider is $4/pint)
- Yummy bar menu with stuffed mushrooms ($5), skewers (chix, veggie, shrimp and beef), salads, pot pies and pizza and burgers
- Mellow, good-looking, after-work crowd just there to relax

Just for your knowledge, according to one of the murals there, "Bewildered King Puck is a symbol of virility" and "Above all, Puck is a place where we all get drunk on the most potent brew in the world". With that type of endoresement, how could you NOT go?

[Top]
Liquor Store Bar
235 W. Broadway (at White St.)
(212) 226-7121

The Liquor Store Bar looks kind of looks like an old western saloon, that is until you get a glance at the people. During happy hour, you'll see mostly financial guys drinking pitchers in suits, ties undone. Do not mistake "financial guys" with "brokers" though; while drunk, these patrons do not cat call women (there, at least).

The western bar metaphor I used is due to the fact that it's old (used to be an actualy liquor store), it's housed under a historic townhouse, it has a wooden screen door, and it's a bit, well, rustic. The decor is the charm and the antique feel is also what differentiates this bar from the plethora of it's more upscale TriBeCa neighbors the Bubble Lounge, Dylan, the TriBeCa Grand and El Teddy's.

There is no food, but on nice days, they have a handful of 4 person tables they bring out outside so you can get some great people watching in while drinking your $4 draft of cider.
Aside from the 25-30 year old finance guys, you'll find a mixed crowd of older (40+) neighborhood patrons and young yuppies looking to site outside.
This is an absolute must-see if you're in the neighborhood, assuming you like divey places, as this is as divey as it gets, in TriBeCa, anyway.

[Top]
Daddy-O
44 Bedford St. (between Leroy St. & Carmine St.)
(212) 414-8884

Despite the right off 7th Avenue address, this small little known gem avoids the tourists, people coming from the Christopher Street Path station and doesn't have a theme.

What it does have is:
- Black and mahogany color theme making for a clean and upscale look
- 6 tables, 2 banquettes and 10 bar seats
- Bar menu including $6 fingers, $9 sautéed shrimp and $3 tater tots
- Good music: Bob Marley (not Legend) and Jane's Addiction Live
- Local, casually dressed crowd - upper 20's/young 30's
- Large windows, and ceiling fans for an outdoor feel without outdoor space

One very interesting feature we came across was a blow up doll perched over the door with a photo face. Not sure who it was supposed to be, but when we asked the bartender about it, he said: "...that's the 3rd one...we're open 'til 4am...use your imagination..."

Anyway, drafts are $4, well is $6 (rather steep for crappy vodka, I think) and call is $7. When I asked bartender for the prices, he looked at me strangely, so I told him I write bar reviews. He said, if you're writing one about this place, are you going to tell me? I smiled and said, I just did. And here it is.

[Top]

Ñ (33)
33 Crosby (between Broome & Grand St.)
(212) 219-8856

Pronounced "N-yay", this tiny tapas bar in SoHo is always crowded, and for good reason: it kicks ass.

It's chic, cheap, the selection of food and beverages is vast and yummy and it's great place to meet for quiet conversation or low key fun.

Chic
The crowd is downtown, it's dark, the lamps over the bar are made from pennies, it is polka dotted (gold with copper dots) and there are cool mosaics adorning the walls outside the bathrooms.

Cheap
Tapas such as gambas al ajillo (shrimps with garlic sauce) are $5, grilled cheese with monchego cheese is about $4 and you get bang for your buck with the $15 pitchers of potent sangria.

Incredible Selection
They have all the typical tapas from pulpo (octopus) to croquettas and chorizo, but it's all amazing and they average $5 in cost.

Martinis, caipirinha, mojitos are all $8, margaritas vary from $6.50 to $8 depending on what type of tequila they use, they have 7 types of wine from $5 - $6.50 (3 whites, 2 sparkling and 1 rose) and the sangria is $4/glass.

Meeting Place
It seats about 15, so it's hard to go with a group, but it is perfect for a date or to meet up with a friend or two. There are two bars and a couple free standing tables which are highly in demand- one in the window and one next to a leather lined alcove. Although sitting at the bar is fun, too, as people are friendly and you get to check out the tapas.

Cash and checks only, but it's so cheap, you probably won't even need to hit the ATM on the way over. Go early, as people love to linger there, and once you go, you'll linger as well.

[Top]
Copper Lounge
(Formerly Sweet Melissa's)
1629 Second Ave. (between 84th & 85th St.)
(212) 585-2768

Much has changed from the Sweet Melissa days:
- the crowd
- the menu
- the atmosphere
- the specials

The Crowd:
Went from a local, blue collar, older 30's and 40's crowd to young neighborhood yuppies

The Menu:
Now includes food. They have a standard bar menu with chili ($6.50), curly, steak or waffle fries ($3.50), chicken sandwiches ($6.95) and a plethora of other greasy bar favorites

The Atmosphere:
I wouldn't call it a lounge, per se, as they have one lounge area in the front consisting of two sofas and a coffee table, but it definitely is less frat barish. The walls are a deep maroon color, they have lava lamps, candles and a cigar store Indian (has nothing to do with the atmosphere, but I like it). They also have added a flat screen TV, and kept the good jukebox and large pool table

The Specials:
- Monday night is all you can eat wing and drink draft beer night for $15. While I didn't have any, the wings looked and smelled great.
- Wednesday nights they have live bands
- Weekend specials include a $7.99 bucket of Rolling Rock, $20 bucket of wings and $3 Jaeger shots
- Happy hour is 2-7 daily and then you can get 35 cent wings, $2 domestic beer and $3 imported beer

[Top]
Rudy's Bar
627 Ninth Ave. (between 44th & 45th St.)
(212) 974-9169

You know you're going to a good dive bar when there's a 6 foot cartoon pig standing outside to greet you.

Other ways you know you're in a good dive:
- free hot dogs with beverage purchase
- $2.25 Bud/Light pints until 7:00, $7.50 pitchers
- booths covered in old brown vinyl
- local crowd
- Yaeger on tap
- The first person you see when you walk in is wearing a straw hat and Felix the Cat suspenders

It's not a big place: there are 5 large booths and seating for about 20 at the bar, but this doesn't fend off the crowds as many patrons spend the evening standing, or even sitting on the floor. They have a small garden, and a good jukebox with old rock 'n' roll faves like Steely Dan and Joe Cocker.

They also have 14 beers on tap including Rudy's Red Lager, Mc Sorely's, Murphy's Irish Stout and Checker Blonde Ale. None of these cost more than $4.50. They have a decent selection of bottled beers including not one, but two ciders - each are $3.50. And there are Wawa vats of frozen mixed drinks; pints of frozen beverages are $6, and a smaller sized "Brain Freeze" will cost you $4.

So despite it's recent appearance on Sex and The City, it's divey as ever. So if you're in midtown looking for a place to relax with a cheap beer, come on by - you'll know it by the pig.

[Top]
Hell
59 Gansevoort St (between 9th Ave. & Washington St.)
(212) 727-1666

There are so many reasons to visit this fabulous, mostly gay lounge in the meatpacking district.
First and foremost, is the drinks:
- Passion fruit margarita
- Sour apple martini
- Surfer on acid (malibu, jaeger, pineapple)
- Satan goes bananas (cuervo, 99 bananas, OJ)
- Lucifer Takes Manhattan (Jim Beam, grand Marnier, oj)

Not only are the names great, but they are all great tasting, and incredibly strong. It is not cheap there, however, so bring a lot of cash - the cheapest thing you can get is a $5 beer, and specialty drinks on the menu go up to $12 (that's for the Wicked Bitch which is totally worth the money).

I think the next best thing is the music: old but good 80's music like Wham and Duran Duran, fab 70's always including Donna Summer and some random CDs like Nancy Sinatra and Fiona Apple.

The crowd is great: I like it because I don't have to deal with stupid men spouting off stupid lines, but the crowd is very animated to the point that they will sing along with the great songs, boo the bad ones, and exclaim "awww" when the bartenders skip one they like.

It has high ceilings with a great, antique chandelier, red walls, red velvet furniture and many pictures of celebrities with devil's horns. The bar seats about 20 and there are 3 small, high tables with bar stools, and 3 couchette areas with little velvet stools which makes for a communal drinking experience. There is no food, but they have mixed nuts if you get there early, and they don't always let you bring food in, so ask first (we got kicked out one cold, drunken night for ordering pizza).

So, go to Hell.

[Top]
Shine
285 W Broadway (at Canal)
(212) 941-0900

I am a believer in Shine.
In the former New Music Cafe space, this small club/lounge has a lot going for it:
- Cabaret every hour on the half hour on the weekends
- DJ Greg Poole on Saturdays nights spinning old faves and soon to be new ones
- Fabulous, comfy, plush space on the cusp of TriBeCa
- Good sized dance space

This club really gets going around 1 when the dance floor gets packed with people dancing to old skool rap like Humpty Dance and Hip Hop Hooray and new music by the likes of Snoop and Madonna. This combination of music brings a combination of people together from young NYU types looking for somewhere to dance to 30 somethings looking for a plush lounge where they can sit back and relax.

The cover is $20 ($10 on reduced), and the drinks are about $6 - $7 for mixed drinks which are pretty weak, so you might want to get your bang for the buck and enjoy $5 bottled beers instead.

If you're with a group and would prefer to have a lounge space in which you can hang out, you can call ahead a reserve a table. It's $200 and that gets you a bottle with mixers - pretty steep for a round of absolut cosmos. There are about 8 tables to reserve and 4 of them are blocked off by velvet rope, so if you have personal space issues, this might be something to take advantage of.

The cabaret acts range from high class circus acts of juggling or magic to more original mini-shows. Last Saturday, for instance, there were two male devils, and a female angel dancing around and we watched as they chased and tortured her until she converted to the dark side. It's very fun and trippy as the emcee happened to be a 6 foot, blue, sequined rabbit which I at first thought I had hallucinated.

Owned by the same people who brought us Reminisce (prior to the Cocktail Room on E. 73rd), they brought Reminisce Reggae Sundays down to their new venue with great live acts starting at 4. They also have live music other days of the week, so call ahead especially on weekends if you're planning to bring a crowd.

Whichever day of the week you go, you're sure to have a great time, but make sure you're dressed well so you can get in...

[Top]
The Belmont Lounge
117 E. 15th St. (between Park Ave. South & Irving Pl.)
(212) 533-0009

After a couple years of not coming here because it had gotten too crowded with uninteresting, snotty people, I decided to give it another shot.

Glad I did:
- The DJ played great 80's music including Prince's first hit, I Wanna Be Your Lover, Nasty Girl from Flashdance, Let's Hear it For The Boy from Footloose and other early 80's favorites
- The 25-30 after work crowd was friendly, fun and looking to drink
- The menu is more interesting than it used to be with spring rolls and crab cakes replacing potato skins and chicken fingers
- The patio is great with about 6 tables (seating for 30) and good for a date

In addition, they have a few other areas including:
- The front bar with about 20 bar stools
- The 'Game Room' -- a small area with about 6 tables with a checker/chessboard pattern
- The lounge with great couchettes, sofas and love seats in a dark red velvet color

Sadly, they used to have a 2 for 1 happy hour, but, alas, that's no longer. So, instead, you can expect to pay $5 for a bottled beer (they don't have any on tap) and $8 for a cosmo. Bottled beers include Amstel, Sam Adams, Cider Jack and Red Stripe. They also have a good selection of wines --about 10 reds and 10 whites.

They take reservations for the back lounge, so call ahead if you're with a group, or come early (6-ish) for a seat at the bar. And expect a velvet rope and bouncer after 9 Thursday, Friday, Saturdays.

[Top]
Ideya
349 W. Broadway (between Broome & Grand St.)
(212) 625-1441

Despite the smack in the middle of SoHo address, Ideya is incredibly mellow, friendly and fun. The walls are a light yellow exposed brick and the front of the bar/restaurant has colorful murals of the Caribbean over the light wood tables and green and yellow banquettes. The bar itself has lots of candles, a huge mirror, and an interesting shrine with a cigar, rum, statues, four aqua blue tin shot glasses, a conch shell and a sign which reads "El Boticario de Los Santos". Since I never took Spanish, I can only figure that it means..."something of the Saints".

The real reason to come here, though, is the drink menu. In addition to the amazing mojitos and caipirinhas, they have a huge selection of batidas which are a milkshake-like drink made with rum, milk, fruit puree, spices and fruit juice and they come in nine flavors including mango, blackberry and guava. These are made in an old-fashioned milkshake blender and blended to perfection.
Other stellar drinks include the banaloco - a mix of vanilla liquor, banana liquor, pineapple juice and "loco" soda and the mal de amor which has orange vodka, almond juice, pineapple juice, bitters and grenadine. All drinks run about $7 or $8 with the exception of the sangria which my friend described as "refreshing....light...had big ass chunks of oranges" for $6 an and 1800 margarita made with Cuervo 1800 tequila, lime, orange juice and Cointreau for $10. These concoctions use a selection of the 12 kinds of rum and 15 tequilas they have stocked behind the bar. If liquor isn't your thing, I'm not sure why you'd come here, but they have 7 white wines, 12 red wines, and 3 sparkling, mostly by the bottle, a few by the glass. And they also have a great selection of bottled beer from all over the world - all for $5. A couple you should try include the Brahma amber ale from Brazil and the Aguila lager from Columbia.
They do have food including scallop ceviche and chicken soup appetizers, tuna and other fresh fish entrees and sitting at the bar, you can get great plantain chips and a nice, light, pineapple tomatillo salsa for free.
Our bartender was great and while it was empty when we got there, it was packed with fabulously, in style, older 20's/early 30's crowd by 7:30, so either reserve a table or get to the bar early for a seat. And, they have live salsa starting at 9:30 on Mondays and they also have dominoes at 10:00 on Tuesday. Either way, don't miss out on Ideya.

For the Halloween parade, here are some bars on Sixth Avenue...
[Top]
Bar Pitti
268 Sixth Ave. (between Bleecker & Houston St.)
(212) 982-3300
More of a restaurant than a bar, but they have a great outdoor space and good eggplant parm in case you're hungry.

[Top]
Stoned Crow
85 Washington Place (between Sixth Ave. & Washington Sqare Park)
(212) 677-4022
One of the best places in the city to play pool, you can get cheap bar food and low prices during happy hour (until 8).

[Top]
Greenwich Brewing Company
418 Sixth Ave. (9th St.)
(212)477-8744
Great steps from which you can view the parade if they don't shoo you away. Beware: this is across from the PATH, so it will probably get crowded early.

[Top]
L-Ray
64 W. 10th St. (between 5th & 6th Ave.)
(212) 505-7777
Fabulous Cuban cocktails make this Latin/Cajun restaurant a fave among the young and hip.

[Top]
Bar 6
502 Sixth Ave. (between 12th & 13th St.)
(212) 645-2439
Good beer selection, good looking people and good bistro food makes this a destination even in non-parade times.

[Top]
Automatic Slims
733 Washington (Bank St.)
(212) 645-8660

If I were writing a personal ad for Automatic Slims, this is what I'd write:

Are you My Miss Right Now?
Casual, young, professional former Frat Boy ISO fun, drunkenness and a meaningless hookup.

You're my type if you are uninhibited (e.g., like to dance on the bar), are into funk (the Commodores' Brick House, Kung Fu Fighting, Son of A Preacher Man) and are patient (as the lines on the weekend may not move for a half hour at all and service is slow).

You may be an uptown girl who thinks she's slumming (bachelorette parties are here frequently) or someone taking the PATH over, and don't mind being squished into a tiny amount of space.

My favorite time is right after work (it's never too crowded until about 10, but after that, it's a raging frat party) although I have been known to stay out until I get kicked out.

While I can't offer you tap beer, or cheap drinks ($6-$7 for mixed, call beverage), I can offer you a great meal (they have good chix sandwich, buffalo fingers and amazing fries) and lots to look at (B&W pictures of rock stars on the wall like Bob and Jimi, tables of dice and dominoes).

So if you're interested in a crazy/fun night, come see me sometime.

[Top]
Half King
505 W. 23rd St. (between 10th & 11th Ave.)
(212) 462-4300

With all of the buzz surrounding this bar
Because of author Sebastian Junger, part owner, part star.
I thought it would have a velvet rope - like a club
But I found it to be a fun, friendly neighborhood pub

The bartender, Eammon, was as nice as could be
And served us up cider and Guinness eagerly.
Those are just two of the eleven beers on tap
And there are seven types in bottles other than that.

Drinks are a bit pricey and there's no happy hour
About $7 for a well version of whiskey sour
$5.50 for beer and even $9 for a cosmo
But they're good, as they're strong, so worth all that they'll cost you.

They also have quite an extensive menu to boot
From bar faves with a twist to comfort food.
They have lots of salads from plain green to exotic
And oysters in case you're feeling erotic.

They also have a chocolate banana bread pudding, about which they boast
But I hear it's warranted as it's ordered the most.
So with the food we were happy and the selection excited
So to recommend this bar, I am delighted.

The crowd seems to vary both in age and in type
So perhaps that's why Half King has received all the hype.
It's big --both the bar room, and 2 others which vary in size
And in the summer, they open the garden with an added surprise
(a pool table)

So no matter what season, please come visit Half King
As you'll surely have fun there no matter who you bring.

[Top]
Grace
114 Franklin St. (between W. Broadway and Sixth Ave.)
(212) 343-3200

Grace is deceptive in that it seems like it would be pretentious and expensive, yet, it's neither. Here are some falsehoods and truths about Grace.

F: This is another one in a string of new martini lounges
T: Grace is a stand-out due to great drinks, food, people and space

F: It's expensive
T: The specialty drinks are $8, but they are served in a pint glass and heavy on the alcohol

F: The crowd is snotty
T: While the people are well dressed and good looking, they are a young, very friendly group

F: They serve bar food
T: They have a fabulous selection of well-priced and excellent tasting American tapas

Some specifics:
The "specialty" cocktails I mentioned above include the house drink -- the Grace cocktail which is a rum punch, an Irish Orange martini (with orange vodka, tangerine juice, cranberry juice), a tangerine margarita, an apple martini and 3 other delicious beverages all served in a pint glass and full of booze.

It's a large space with high tin ceilings, lots of bar space (about 35 bar stools), two tables in the bar room, lots of standing room, and a back dining area with about 20 tables which are nicely spaced out from each other.

The tapas range from $8 to $14 and include shrimp basted in tequila, spring rolls, hangar steak, goat cheese and mushroom quesadillas and crostini with 3 dipping sauces. They serve spicy olives at the table instead of bread, and this, as well as the rest of the food, is delicious.

The only downside was that, when entering the dining room, they insisted we check coats and bags. For men, not an issue, but for women, checking a bag is practically unheard of, and should be outlawed.

However, despite the coat fiasco, I'd go back and enjoy the scene, food, drinks and other drinks again. And probably again.

[Top]
Winnie's
104 Bayard St. (between Mulberry & Baxter)
(212) 732-2384

Winnie's, one of the only "karaoke bars" in the city, was nothing like what I thought it would be. Upon entering this Chinatown bar, I had expected to find myself in a huge karaoke lounge where old, drunk men would be on a stage wailing Sinatra to a large crowd of people seated loungily in booths.

Upon entering Winnie's, I found 6 things thankfully flawed with my assumption:
- It's not huge
- The patrons were not old, drunk men
- There's not really a stage
- There isn't room for a huge crowd
- This isn't a swanky lounge

To picture Winnie's, you need just imagine a small dive bar. Well, aside from the large screen video karaoke machine. As far as seating, there are about 5 large rust-colored vinyl booths, 15 seats at the bar, and then, just standing room.

As far as beverages, since they frequently have large groups here as well as host a large late-night crowd, they have a list of "shooters" for $4.50 including the Cookie Monster (a kahlua concoction) and the Creamsicle - both very yummy. However, the call drinks are $7 and have very little alcohol, so I recommend sticking to beer.

In terms of karaoke, the selection is modest as they have nothing later than 1989, but they do have:
- A video screen to project the campy, karaoke videos for each song
- Patrons who end up singing obscure 80's tunes you haven't heard forever, but are happy to sing along to (Caribbean Queen, Vacation, Material Girl)
- With a $1 donation per song, it's much cheaper than renting a room at a karaoke "club"

The crowd is a mixed bag of downtown trendsters, groups of uptowners slumming and random Chinatown visitors, but is it a fun crowd ready to drink and sing.

The booths require a 2 drink minimum, and sometimes, you can call ahead to reserve, which is worth the effort.

As a start or end to any night, Winnie's is a great karaoke place to check out, but bring a map as its random location might elude the average cab driver.

[Top]
No Malice Palace
197 E. 3rd St. (between Avenue A & B)
(212) 254-9184

Here are my new Year's resolutions as they relate to No Malice Palace:
- I will stop calling it Delia's Supper Club even though it's in the former space
- I will try all of the 12 bottles and 4 cans of beer they have (even PBR)
- I will sit both at the long, 15 person bar, as well as in one of the antiquely furnished, comfy, lounge spaces in the back
- I will drink a mostly soda $6 beverage and observe the good looking crowd (27-32)
- I will stop coveting the fabulous lamps housing red bulbs which make for sexy lighting, and, possibly even the "sex" vibe that possesses the place
- I will ask the female Saturday night DJ where she gets those fabulous tunes like "Apache" by the SugarHill Gang on vinyl and tell her that she rocks for playing old rap such as "Momma Said Knock You Out"
- I will dance in the small back lounge area when the spirit moves me
- I will check out the outdoor area when it gets warm

It's on the North side of the street and has no sign, so look out for people outside on their cells since you can't get reception in the cavernous bar.
Enjoy!

©2001 Murphguide.com All Rights Reserved