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Ian Hunter's Guide to Manhattan and Bergen County, NJ's Best Restaurants, Bars, and Gourmet Markets

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EAST VILLAGE (Houston- 13th; East of 3rd Ave)

SECOND & THIRD AVE (Houston - 13th)
 
Professor Thom’s: Bar, Lounge, Sports Bar. 219 2nd Av @ 13th; 41 foot bar; Great brew on tap; Cool décor; Singles scene or for groups and dates; 12+ TVs; Red Sox bar; Good grub; Game  nights- Bingo Wednesdays; 2nd floor lounge; 20s, 30s crowd;  See website. Happy hour

 
Terroir Wine Bar: Wine Bar. 413 E 12th St @ 1st Ave– Av A;  Finally, a cool, almost alternative wine bar;  Great selection of food- even finger food;  5-6pm, $6 wine; Very cool website- check out menu;  Certainly a cool place for a Vino.

 
Nevada Smith’s: Sports Bar. 74 3rd Av @ 11-12th; “Where football is religion” and they mean soccer. Dirt cheap beer;  40+ beers – mostly a college scene or English soccer scene;  Fairly nice inside.  Always open before a game. ( on weekends if necessary)

 

Village Pourhouse: Beer bar. 64 3rd Av @ 11th St; Endless homebrews; If you love exotic beer and sports and a wild, fun crowd, come here;  4 different themed rooms;  Private parties; Happy hours;  50 bottles, 24 draughts;  Very large space and ideal to meet a group.  Upper West Side location.

 

Thirsty Scholar: Irish Pub; 155 2nd Av @ 9-10th St; Owners of Bull McCabes; Happy Hour 5-8pm;  Cheap, stiff drinks; Good jukebox; Very small place- cozy; Great ‘pit-stop’ bar.

 
Central Bar: Irish Pub / Sports Bar. 109 E 9th @ 3rd-4th Av; 2 story huge place. Irish like Puck Fair. Tables, bar, dancefloor. Upstairs is lounge. Mixed crowd. Singles & NYC Biz School crowd; Drink specials.   


Solas: 
Lounge. 232 E. 9th @ 2nd & 3rd;  3 levels- upstairs is a DJ infused dance lounge;  House party feel.  Pool tables; Monday Karaoke; Main floor has an Irish pub feel so place cool for all types. 10 huge TVs for sports.  Happy Hour is

 

Cheap Shots: Dive Bar. 140 1st Av @ 9th;  Ultra cheap dive bar similar to Doc Holliday’s/ Coyote Ugly; All about shots, domestic pints & PBRs; Young, frat scene; Singles and a generally drunken crowd.  Drink for FREE on B-Day. 

 
Angel’s Share: Lounge. 8 Stuyvesant @ 3rd Av near 9th St.Formal, rule oriented lounge; Parties of 4 or less; You MUST sit down; Strict rules applied; BUT- insanely good reviews because of epic good cocktails; Amazing service and friendly, helpful bartenders; Perfect for parents or a date.  Read reviews on link.


Continental: Sports Bar/ Pub. 25 3rd Av @ 8th; Absolutely dirt cheap drinks; Every mixed drink $5 or under; 


Grassroots Tavern: Dive Bar. 20 St. Mark’s @ 2nd-3rd;  Underground; Friendly neighborhood spot; Unpretentious crowd; Classic Dive;  Good Jukebox, Darts; Cheap pitchers/ drinks. Popcorn available; Large space.  


Bull McCabe’s: Irish Pub.  29 St. Marks Pl@ 2nd & 3rd;; Pool, Darts; Trivia; Huge back garden. People watching. Great jukebox; Inexpensive; Lots of room and a solid option.

 
Sing Sing Karaoke: Karaoke Bar. 9 St Mark Pl@ 2-3rd; 15 rooms; Special deals; $5 per person per hour; 80,000 songs- see website for deals and song list;  Pricy on drinks - $18 pitchers; Can sing at bar too.

 
Tribe: Lounge/ DJ. 132 1st Av @ St Marks; Hip-hop & funk spinning at night;  Smallish place for genre; Cozy and well laid out scene; Can get crowded; Best late at night; Good alternative to the dive bars in area.


Blue & Gold Tavern: Dive Bar. 79 E. 7th @ 2nd; Can’t get kicked out here. Saloon feel. Dirt cheap drinks. Fairly young crowd. Juke has songs from 60s-80s; Pool table; Booth seating; All beer & drinks $3-$4 or so. Beloved by regulars.  

McSorley’s: Saloon. 15 E. 7th @ 2nd & 3rd; Oldest bar in Manhattan; Classic NY institution; 2 for 1 always- light or dark beer – only thing they serve; Good bar food; Always crowded; History on the walls;  Pure drinking bar. Founded 1854.  


Standings (fka Brewski’s): Sports Bar. 43 East 7th @ 2nd & 3rd;; Microbrewer; New drinking selection & drink specials every day; Great for Sports w/ 15 large TVs; Can bring food from next door; Dark, cool setting.  Red Sox bar. Beers $5 or $6.


Burp Castle:  Lounge / Dive Bar. 41 E. 7th @ 2nd & 3rd;; Monk-themed- bartenders dressed as them;  Pretty much a beer only place w/ beers from around the world. Theme bar w/ outdoor seating;  Free pomme frites; Belgium, German beers.


Scratcher: Irish Pub. 209 E. Fifth @ 2nd-3rd; Hidden Irish Classic! Dive bar, top service. Weekend brunch is traditional Irish meal; Extremely friendly staff; $3 PBR; Happy Hr 4-8pm, $4 drafts; Always a good time- basement level.   


Swift: Irish Pub. 34 E 4th @ Layfayette-3rd; Cooper Square; Puck Fair group. Awesome Irish pub. Fun place. Top After work place; Large space with good singles scene & huge beer selection. Friendly staff.  20 OZ pints - $6. This bar is just cool.

 
Whiskey Town: Pub. 29 E 3rd St @ 2nd Av; Owned by George & Justin Ruotolo- they personalize service; 6-9pm Happy hour; Very inexpensive and friendly; Great DJ- 80s/ 90s;  More of a real/ service first American Pub.


Dempsey’s: Irish Pub/ Sports Bar. 61 2nd Av @ 3rd St; Gaelic Pub. Interactive drinking. Social place. Trivia games.  Just a fun friendly pub that offers reliable beer and pub grub. $4 pints, $12 pitchers. Fries with 3 different dipping sauces.


dba: Beer Pub. 41 1st Av @ 2nd & 3rd; 150+ kinds of beer here; Beer drinkers heaven; 130+ Scotches; Bourbons, Whiskeys;  Oh yes, drink your butt off here; Large outdoor patio. Early night starter bar. Beer warehouse. Singles scene; Drafts are all $6 & $7 after. See website for list of drinks.



FIRST AVE & AVENUE A-B (Houston-13th St)
 
Luca Lounge: Lounge. 220 Av B @ 13-14th; 

 

Drop Off Service: Pub. Beer Bar.  211 Av A @ 13-14th St; Formerly a Laundromat, now a pub that focuses on excellent draughts and bottled beer; Also a great European wine list;  Happy hour- opening until 8pm; 

 
KeyBar: Lounge. 432 E 13th @ 1st-Av A; This is a must for the East Village. Chelsea meets Village. Large place with singles galore; Great signature drinks – shots, martinis; Happy Hour , 2 for 1 on all. Attentive staff/ friendly.

 
Heathers: Lounge. 506 E 13th St @ Ave A;  Pleasant neighborhood bar with tasty bar snacks and a friendly owner – named Heather; Open 6pm Sun-Wed,
 
Common Ground: Pub. 206 Av A @ 12-13th;  The feel of a speakeasy; Living room, warm setting; Comfortable neighborhood spot; Cheapo happy hour specials Great bar snacks. Truly a neighborhood classic.

 

B-side: Watering Hole. 204 Av B @ 12-13th;  Extremely small neighborhood spot; Two small dimly lit rooms; $5 PBR with Whiskey; Happy Hour ;  No pretension – just booze.

 

Bar on A: Lounge/ Dive Bar. 170 Av A @ 11th; a/k/a BOA; Very cool décor; Good prices; Great beer on tap & selection; Casual yet sexy atmosphere; Burlesque Sundays;   Good mix of different vibes; DJ at night; Happy Hour specials.


Hi Fi: College/ Neighborhood Bar. 169 Av A @ 10th – 11th; Large space; Good bar scene; Popular; Not a dive bar, but a bar. Great singles scene. Classic Rock music & Amazing Jukebox; Daily drink Specials- $4 smth; happy hour.  DJ later at night.   


Lakeside Lounge: Dive Lounge. 162 Av B @10th Live music local bands; Photo booth- a classic; Pac Man; Two rooms; Cheap beer; Village crowd; 20s mostly; Low key drinking hole. Very well reviewed.  Incredible jukebox.

 
Company: Neighborhood Bar. 242 E 10th @ 1st Av; 20s-30s crowd; Multiple TVs; Ultra friendly atmosphere & bartenders; Clean, well designed bar; Great drinks & excellent reviews.  Happy Hour: 2 for 1 noon-8pm on all drinks;   


Coyote Ugly Saloon: Dive Bar. 141 Av A @ 8th-9th; Red Neck saloon feel. Ultra Dive Bar; Dirt cheap beer; Scantily clad female bar staff with Coyote –like attitudes; Frequented by locals;  Country Juke; Buck Hunter;  Cheapo PBR.
 
Doc Holliday’s: Dive Bar. 141 Av A @ 8th-9th; Red Neck saloon feel. Ultra Dive Bar; Dirt cheap beer; Scantily clad female bar staff with Coyote –like attitudes; Frequented by locals;  Country Juke; Buck Hunter;  Cheapo PBR.


Holiday Cocktail Lounge: Dive Bar. 75 St. Mark’s @ 1st-2nd;  An East Village institution. Like being in movie. Eclectic; Known for very cheap straight liquor in a glass; Neighborhood locals; True Dive.  Insanely popular and respected; See hyperlink of reviews. 89 year old owner, Stefan, recently passed.

 

Hop Devil Grill: Beer Pub/ Dive Bar. 129 St Marks @ Av A- 1st Av; Specializes in a large assortment of micro brews – particularly on draught.  Kill the keg Wednesdays. $1 Taco Tuesdays; Laid back scene; Extensive menu.

 

Lunasa: Irish Pub. 126 1st Av @ 7th-St Mark’s; Top Irish Pub; Beer garden; Celtic Pub. Large dinner and brunch menu;  HDTVs for the game; Ultra friendly crowd/ staff; Pure Irish pub.

 
Bourgeois Pig: Lounge. 111 E 7th St @ 1st Av – Av A; Fondue- perfect gastropub; Sleek new design – velvet couches and comfortable seating; Pricy - $10 sangria, $12 wine and champagne cocktails. Fondues are $25 but it is classy here.


Niagara: Tiki Bar/ Lounge. 112 Av A @ 7th; Bar upstairs, Lounge-Tiki Bar downstairs; Private nooks; Has great music. Fun place that gets packed; Singles scene;  DJ or live music; 20s-early 30s; Private Parties; Happy Hour. Photo Booth.

 
7B / Horseshoe Bar: Dive Bar. 108 Av A @ 7th; Dive Bar; Reliable Dump. Cheap thrills. Jukebox is awesome- metal, alternative. U shaped Bar; Surprisingly good singles scene & upbeat feel;  Great mix of all types of people.  Noon-


Zum Schneider: German Bar. 107 Av C @ 7th: Large Beer Garden. Huge Steins. Great German food- massive selection.  German beer at its best; Outdoors seating.  Theme parties & a great Oktoberfest bash; $12 for 1 liter stein;


Manitoba’s: Dive Bar. 99 Av B @ 6-7th St; Happy Hour- Daily 2-8pm, $3 well, draft, wine;  Cool owner- former punk band front man, and a great, laid back after work scene;  Great Juke; Absolutely dirt cheap; Hang and chill place.


Ace Bar: Dive Bar. 531 E 5th @ Av A-B; Spacious. Pinball, vintage lunchboxes for décor; Very cheap- specials all week; Really a beautiful interior – old wood floors;  Sundays- Bloody Mary Day;  Darts, Skee, Pool leagues. Laid back.

 
In Vino Winebar: Wine Bar. 215 E 4th St @ Ave A-B;  Beautiful date scene; Wine cellar environment; Full menu for dining; Most wines $9-$14 a glass- they do offer tastings; Top shelf service. Italian wines.  Best of its genre in the city.


Karma: Eastern lounge. 51 1st Av @ 3rd-4th; Sexy feel; Two levels – downstairs with sofas & room to dance; Booths & couches upstairs for Hooka smoking; Happy Hour; Artsy crowd. $4 drink specials most days.   


No Malice Palace: Dive Lounge. 197 E 3rd @ Av A-B; Cavernous interior; Good social scene;  DJ spins Hip Hop later; Earlier, great for couples; Good beer selection; Great furniture; Outdoor space. Private Parties.
 
Croxley Ales: Sports Bar. 28 Av B @ 2nd-3rd St;  Mostly microbrews on tap;  Tons of bottled beer; 10 cent wings Mon/ Wed; Happy Hour ; Lots of TVs; Great for European Soccer games; Fun, down to earth pub.


Nice Guy Eddie’s: Dive Sports Bar. 5 Av A @ Houston; Down and dirty bar. After Work chill spot; Hottie bartenders; Chill and cool. Village feel. Game Nights, Great beer selection; Great pub Grub (wings, burgers) & Brunch – dirt cheap; Website cool; Excellent Juke.  Monday is Bingo for Booze;


Library: Dive Bar. 7 Av A @ Houston; Very laid back with amazing cheap drinks and friendly staff; PacMan, 80s-90s Juke; Buy backs; True Village feel; Mixed crowd; Classic dive been around for years; Very cool scene…eclectic.

 

Parkside Lounge: Dive Bar. 317 E Houston @ Ave B;  Happy Hour 2-8pm, $3 beers;  Back room with Live bands most nights; Front room has pool, Ms. Pacman; friendly bartenders; Buy backs frequent; Great Juke; Foosball.