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Categories: Eat & Drink; Local & Entertainment
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Fear, Loathing, and Barhopping in Downtown New York
Downtown is where all the cool kids hang out. Unfortunately, at one point a real estate developer showed up, and now the boring kids think they're just as interesting. I hate the yuppie scum as much as anyone else, but it's a given fact that they're everywhere nowadays. Even worse: they started dating hipsters in hopes the irony would rub off on them. I guess every junior investment banker wants to impress his colleagues with a good Pavement reference. Anyway, never fear humble alcoholic - I now present to you the places to go and be seen when you just want to chill out.
Cafe Vivaldi
32 JONES ST NEW YORK, NY 10014
I once went to Cafe Vivaldi to hear a folk singer I was crushing on play. In my younger, hornier days, I had tried to pick up the entire female bar staff… twice. That all said, there’s no better place to get a glass of Merlot and listen to the next French Tori Amos. If you can grab a seat at the bar, that’s your best bet. Any place else requires a background in mountain-climbing.
The Otheroom
143 PERRY ST NEW YORK, NY 10014
Deep into The West Village, tucked away like a neighborhood hub, The Otheroom is three things: dark, romantic, and uber chic. Hipsters dare not tread here, though don’t mess around either: know your drink and your indie rock at this bar. What makes this place so great is its microbrews on tap and the staff-made mix tapes that get played. Otherwise, you’ll make a fool of yourself by asking whose playing on the stereo and if they have Bud Light.
119 Bar
17 Irving Pl Frnt, New York, NY 10003
My first dive bar. 119 Bar is the mecca: broken furniture, an awesome pool table, and an even better drink menu. Just avoid the place on a Saturday night: due to its location, 119 goes from low-key dive bar to yuppie roach motel quick. Other than that, you can’t beat it.
My first dive bar. 119 Bar is the mecca: broken furniture, an awesome pool table, and an even better drink menu. Just avoid the place on a Saturday night: due to its location, 119 goes from low-key dive bar to yuppie roach motel quick. Other than that, you can’t beat it.
Lit Lounge
93 2nd Ave Frnt, New York, NY 10003
After the passing of CBGBs, Lit Lounge and Mars Bar have been duking it out ever since to be the new iconic hang in The East Village. What Mars Bar has in true grit, Lit Lounge boasts in rockability. On Saturday nights, get down to the DJ spinning The Cure Remixes and Massive Attack, or descend into its subterranean club to catch a live set. On any given night, I’ve made out, gotten drunk, or wallflowered at this bar. My point: you can go wrong any way.
After the passing of CBGBs, Lit Lounge and Mars Bar have been duking it out ever since to be the new iconic hang in The East Village. What Mars Bar has in true grit, Lit Lounge boasts in rockability. On Saturday nights, get down to the DJ spinning The Cure Remixes and Massive Attack, or descend into its subterranean club to catch a live set. On any given night, I’ve made out, gotten drunk, or wallflowered at this bar. My point: you can go wrong any way.
Rififi
332 E 11TH ST NEW YORK, NY 10003
A spartan hang-out, Rififi is more like a clubhouse than a bar. In a back lounge, some of New York’s best alternative entertainment happens. In the past, Patton Oswalt and David Cross have been know to do drop-in sets, or you can catch a classic Eastern European film. If Pianos were the Peyton Manning of downtown bars, Rififi is Eli.
Pianos
158 LUDLOW ST NEW YORK, NY 10002
Pianos is a great multi-task bar. One night, it’s a bar. The next night, a lounge. Maybe a band is playing there. Maybe a burlesque show, or a comedy web series is getting screened. Either way, for all of it’s sheen, Pianos is very low-key and very down-to-earth.
Rivington 151
151 Rivington St Bsmt, New York, NY 10002
Yes, it’s crawling with hipster scum here. But it’s also the one of the few hipster bars I’ve been to where people mind their business. Don’t get me wrong: I love being social. I just don’t want to hear about the new Cat Power album while you’re iChatting with your cousin on your iPhone. That’s called iPathetic.
Yes, it’s crawling with hipster scum here. But it’s also the one of the few hipster bars I’ve been to where people mind their business. Don’t get me wrong: I love being social. I just don’t want to hear about the new Cat Power album while you’re iChatting with your cousin on your iPhone. That’s called iPathetic.
Pommes Frites Authentic Belgian Fries
123 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
Speaking of heavy carbs, do yourself a favor and pick up a cone of America’s favorite side order at this eatery in the East Village. Pommes Frites not only makes a few different types of fries available to its customers, but you can dip them into such unconventional sides like Parmesan Peppercorn or Mexican Ketchup. Just try to be sharp, you won’t be the only ornery half-drunk there trying to keep it going til four a.m.
Speaking of heavy carbs, do yourself a favor and pick up a cone of America’s favorite side order at this eatery in the East Village. Pommes Frites not only makes a few different types of fries available to its customers, but you can dip them into such unconventional sides like Parmesan Peppercorn or Mexican Ketchup. Just try to be sharp, you won’t be the only ornery half-drunk there trying to keep it going til four a.m.
Dumpling Man
100 ST MARKS PL NEW YORK, NY 10009
Think of Benihana, except all Benihana makes is dumplings. Barely five dollars gets you six: chicken, pork, or vegetable – steamed or seared. They are made on the premises, so be careful on your first bite or the burned roof of your mouth will only be tasting metal for the rest of the night.
Paul's Place
131 2ND AVE NEW YORK, NY 10003
Ah, Paul’s – best burger joint in New York, hands down. Paul’s has been a mainstay in the East Village for years. For good reason, everyone grabs a pre-drink bite there: their burgers are huge. 8 oz beef patties ensure a full stomach, just go don’t rush your meal. Remember, any good bar in New York will be open until daybreak.
Katz's Delicatessen Inc
205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
Grab a corned beef sandwich and a root beer on Houston whenever you feel like it, Katz’s is open all night long.
Grab a corned beef sandwich and a root beer on Houston whenever you feel like it, Katz’s is open all night long.
Bleecker Street Pizza
69 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Forget Ray’s: Bleecker Street Pizza and Joe’s Pizza are the new places to get a late night slice. Your location obviously makes a difference. If you’re a little deeper into the neighborhood, hit up Bleecker. The pizza is great and the price won’t kill you later that night.
Forget Ray’s: Bleecker Street Pizza and Joe’s Pizza are the new places to get a late night slice. Your location obviously makes a difference. If you’re a little deeper into the neighborhood, hit up Bleecker. The pizza is great and the price won’t kill you later that night.
Brought to you by Guidespot.com
Copyright 2008 - Local Matters Inc.
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