Drinking in Manhattan: The Blind Barber

“That’s a pretty nice haircut…” Oh, come on, cut us (haha?) some slack for the Pavement reference.  We’re just getting nostalgic ’cause we’re old enough to remember when this joint was Drinkland – and if you remember that too, we’ll buy you a beer.  By day, you can get an old-fashioned shave, haircut (ask for Gogy), or beard trim complete with free cocktail. By night, head straight for the “secret” back room full of gin, Depeche Mode, low lighting, and lots of dancing.

The Blind Barber

339 E. 10th St. (between Ave. A and Ave. B), East Village

212-228-2123

Drinking in Manhattan: Death & Co.

Ready for some civilized drinking?  You’ve come to the right place.  A strict door policy (first-come, first-served; no parties over 7; no standing; “We’ll call you on your cell when your table is available”) might put some people off, but don’t let it faze you. The cocktails can’t be beat, and the atmosphere is reminiscent of a bygone era when men wore fedoras and said things like, “Wiseguy, eh?”, and ladies could throw drinks in their faces with grace.

Death & Co

433 E. 6th St., NY NY (East Village)

212-388-0882

Drinking in Manhattan: Mother’s Ruin

New Nolita spot Mother’s Ruin makes you feel comfortable the second you get there: no attitude, no door policy, no door-that’s-impossible-to-find, and a crowd of friendly, good-looking neighborhood locals.  Owner TJ is usually behind the bar, mixing up tasty cocktails (tip: tell him your poison and let him decide how you’ll drink it), and there’s a great people-watching table positioned right at the large windows that open up onto Spring Street.

Mother’s Ruin

18 Spring St., NY (Nolita)

Local tips: Drinking in NYC

No matter what your vibe, there’s a place in NYC that can match it.  Punk fan?  Check.  Heavy metal karaoke?  You bet.  Regular karaoke? That too.  Dancing until 6am?  Uh-huh.  Mellow spot for afternoon whisky drinking?  Yup.  Motorcycle garage that serves beer? Okay.  You get the picture.

Honestly, we don’t have many local tips for drinking in NYC.  You’re a pro – no, we didn’t mean it that way, ok? – so you know what to do. Here are a few that might come in handy:

• Many places get either super crowded/really good (depending on your definition of “really good”) after midnight, since last call for alcohol often doesn’t happen until 4am.
• Smoking in bars and restaurants is against the law in NYC, but there are still a few that will allow it very late at night.  You’ll know them by the lack of smokers standing outside the front door.
• Drinks can be expensive at certain spots, to the tune of $7 for a beer or $15 for a cocktail.
• NYCer’s love their happy hours – bars are usually packed after work.

And remember, everything in moderation, okay?  Just because you don’t have to drive home doesn’t mean you should be this guy:

(image via FAIL blog)

Drinking in Manhattan: The Box

Wow.  That’s all we can say about The Box.  Actually, we can say more, so here goes: this is NYC decadence at its utmost.  Prepare to be shocked, titillated, scandalized, and quite broke by the time you roll out the door at 6am.  Tip: reserving a table can run you up to four figures, and this isn’t the place for a first date.

The Box

189 Chrystie Street (Lower East Side)

212-982-9301

 

 

Drinking in Manhattan: PDT

“PDT” stands for “Please Don’t Tell”, so…we can’t tell you anything.  Nah, we’re teasing.  PDT is the speakeasy cocktail-lounge annex of Crif Dogs, the East Village hot dog joint.  You can even order food from Crif’s kitchen.  Just enter through the phone booth at Crif”s (you’ll get it when you see it) and, um, “pdt” that we told you.

PDT

113 St. Marks Place (btwn 1^st Ave & Avenue A) (East Village)

Drinking in Manhattan: Réunion

Named after a small volcanic island off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, Réunion calls itself a “French surf bar” and the description is pretty spot on, minus the French.  Owner, surfer, and resterauneur Thomas Wilson (of Mas (farmhouse) fame) reunited with some old buddies to bring you things like the Dodo dog and the Shark Fry tacos, along with slushy frozen drinks that’ll have you singing “Tiny Bubbles” in no time.

(image via alwayshungry)

Réunion

630 9^th Avenue (Hell’s Kitchen)

212-582-3200

Drinking in Manhattan: Campbell Apartment

Formerly the private office and saloon of ‘20s tycoon John Campbell, this very classy lounge at Grand Central Station is awe-inspiring.  They’ve recently opened an outdoor addition, the Campbell Terrace, where you can sip your Manhattan and talk out the corner of your mouth in style.  Tip: weekdays the commuter crowd flocks here for happy hour.

Campbell Apartment

Grand Central Terminal, 15 Vanderbilt Avenue (Grand Central Station, Midtown)

Drinking in Manhattan: Lani Kai

There’s a tiki bar craze going on here in the city (sort of like the speakeasy craze of the early ’00s) and it’s quite interesting, but we’re not complaining.  Lani Kai is the latest addition, inspired by the two places owner Julie Reiner calls home: NYC and Hawaii.  Get old-school with a Mai Tai or new-jack with an E Kipa Mai.

Lani Kai 

525 Broome Street (Soho)

646-596-8778

 

Drinking in Manhattan: Tiny’s & The Bar Upstairs

Matt Abramcyk has become a well-known name in the city as owner of the (sadly now-defunct) anything-goes Beatrice Inn, West Village speakeasy eatery Employees Only, Smith & Mills, and upscale sports bar Warren 77 (Sean Avery is a co-owner).  He’s expanded his empire with Tiny’s and the Bar Upstairs, housed in a Tribeca townhouse.  Go for dinner, stay for many, many drinks.

(image via T Magazine)

Tiny’s & The Bar Upstairs

135 W. Broadway (Tribeca)

212-374-1135