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Consistently Great NYC Bars
Prime places with great libations
- 503
- 775
11 Places
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Nick’s 5-star review: I would like to start by saying that I was severely disappointed to search Yelp and not find this Papaya Dog listed. It is located in Penn Station in proximity to the LIRR. It is by far the best 'Ya in the city for a variety of reasons. First, the food is dirt cheap. Second, it serves absurdly cheap brew in plastic 32 oz. cups with a lid and straw. Third, it has plentiful backroom seating and several televisions (but no bathroom). But be warned: those who occupy the gritty backroom are almost always homeless or approaching homelessness. However, I've held numerous conversations with these gentlemen and not experience one act of peddling. So, if you decide to spend an evening in the 'Ya, expect to make a few new friends in this very depressing atmosphere. With that said, if you are looking for cheap eats/drinks, questionable clientele, and surprisingly friendly service, check out the Papaya Dog in Penn Station. You will not be disappointed. -
Nick’s 5-star review: Pros: - A real bar on 36th Ave! - 14 constantly evolving taps for all your draft pleasures (including Genny Cream for $3) - Free peanuts! Fill a bowl from the giant barrel and toss shells on the ground - "Donkey Bowl": a spring break-style fish bowl mixed drink for $13 (economical) - Happy Hour till 7 PM - $1 off all drafts - HD TVs (is this a sports bar?) - Super friendly bartenders and owners - Darts in the backroom Cons: - Silly name (but supposedly in reference to one of the owner's mom) - Mafia owned? This could also be a Pro Verdict: Sure, it has a goofy name, but it's exactly what 36th Avenue needed: A fun bar for the young people of the neighborhood. My last excursion to Mad Donkey was on a Tuesday night at midnight where, surprisingly, it was quite crowded and lively. The service is top notch and the prices are decent and the selection is great. This has potential. Free peanuts! I like it a lot. -
Nick’s 5-star review: The good stuff: - The perfect summer spot that is unlike anywhere else in Manhattan - The boat is essentially an adult jungle gym. Explore all you want without any supervision. - Sunset on the Hudson River - Old Bay fries! The annoying stuff: - Expensive drinks - Closes around 1 AM - Far away from civilization This is by far the most unique and best outdoor drinking spot in New York City. Let's hope that the health department doesn't shut it down again. -
Nick’s 5-star review: I found Black Betty on the Sunday before MLK day after barhopping in the area. Accompanied by two party-willing friends, we walked straight to the bar and were immediately thrown into Brooklyn Brazilian Beat, a weekly dance party unlike anything I have ever experienced in New York. The drinks were cheap, the space was small, the air was hot and sweaty and, most importantly, the music was phenomenal. I'm not usually the dancing type but the vibe in Black Betty (on a Sunday night!) was enough to make anyone groove to the Brazilian beat. At one point, my friend danced with a sixty year-old Brazilian woman while I move rhythmically with her aging daughter (her husband was yet to arrive). If you are down for getting dirty on the dance floor on a Sunday night, Black Betty is truly the only place you need to be. -
Nick’s 4-star review: I can't think of a better/worse location for this bar. It's near fancy fancy town and 14th Avenue, but it's neither stuck up or deserted. In theory, this is quite puzzling. However, upon entering the bar, things become a lot clearer, before becoming hazy again (this time from imbibing). The name is great and the drinks are even better. Busch regular/normal on tap, picklebacks (spicy if you choose) and a slew of signature bevvies, including a Dark & Stormy that's for ginger lovers only. It looks like your grandmother's basement, sans musty smell, avec wood paneling and pool table. And then there's the fish tank - you gotta love bars with fish tanks. Not only does it help the decor, but it says something about the clientele: Sophisticated enough not to break (or steal fish from) a 100 gallon aquatic tank. Pretzels dogs! There isn't much else to say about the food, other than the fact that the pretzel dog is pretty darn good. Saturday night barkeep extraordinaire "Ryan" is the best. After several picklebacks, he gave us samplings of the cleverly named mixed beverages while explaining each drink's ingredients, history and whatnot. It was quite a treat. If for some reason I'm displaced to this part of town again, I'm avoiding all things $$$$ and heading straight for the 'Knot. -
Nick’s 4-star review: We decided to grab a brew before a show at Webster Hall on Wednesday night. I've never noticed this place while walking down St. Mark's but I'm very glad that I did. The location is ideal, the happy hour specials are excellent, the music is at an appropriate volume, the popcorn is delicious, they sell ten dollar t-shirts, the bartender is a grumpy old man, and the TVs are broadcasting horse-racing. What more could you want?! Yes, the bartender was very rude. But he was super old and doesn't have much time left so I'll let him be as rude as he wants. With that said, I will most definitely return to this gritty establishment sometime soon. -
Nick’s 4-star review: Rudy's is the most authentic dive bar in Manhattan. I have no clue how they stay in business. - Drink prices are unbeatable - Free hot dog with drink purchase - Bouncer is hilarious and mingles with clientele - Elderly daytime female bartenders - Giant ceramic pig - Proximity to Terminal 5 - And to top it all off... free wi-fi Rudy's can get a little too cozy at times, the backyard is often closed, Rudy's Blonde taste terrible and the location is too close to Times Square, but hey, it's still a great dive bar. -
Nick’s 4-star review: This was my go-to spot on those quiet weeknights when I wanted to get out of my apartment but not go very far. It is essential that you come with a few friends, since the atmosphere reminds me more of a living room than a bar. However, it is not difficult to start up conversation with those on the couch or recliner next to you. Ignore the $$ pricing above if you enjoy that cheap beer with a deer on the label because yes, they happily serve it for two dollars a can. -
Nick’s 4-star review: Brandy's is a mini piano bar on the Upper East Side. It is a hidden gem. It is some of the most fun I've had on a Sunday night in New York. A few great things about this place: - Intimate live music. The pianist, bartenders and even you sing - A nice break from the fist-pumping Journey/Bon Jovi scene on the UES - Pianist takes requests, even odd ones like some obscure David Bowie songs - Friendly barkeeps and nice, mixed, albeit older clientele - Stiff drinks and semi-reasonable prices The only real downside to Brandy's is that it is miniature. Good luck getting a seat at prime time on a Friday or Saturday night. Otherwise you can stand at the bar or squeeze into a corner. But the coziness is what makes it great. Wherever you are in the bar, you are an arm's reach from the pianist. Very fun. -
Nick’s 4-star review: I went to Home Sweet Home last Thursday to participate in the Human Petting Zoo. I was dressed in a lizard costume. I have to preface my review with this information because it may have skewed my experience a bit. We arrived at 10 PM and the whole place was bumping. The DJ was spinning some great tunes and the dance floor was packed and sweaty. The crowd was a strange mix but managed to encompass all stereotypes: hipster, ghetto, preppy, gay, sketchy - you name, you could find it here. For a Lower East Side bar, the service was exceptional. I was granted free beverages until 11 PM (an agreement made between the bar and the man in the dolphin costume) and the tender continued to feed me brews past this hour. Strange animal costume activities aside, if I'm looking to get spiced on a Thursday night, this may be my new hot spot. -
Nick’s 4-star review: If you're poor and available on Monday/Wednesday nights, there might not be a better place in the city to grab a plate of wings. Sure, they encourage you to buy a beverage with every order, but one or two McSorely's ales (which always seems to be the weekly special for $4) won't hurt your wallet too much. Just sip slowly. The bar itself is somewhat lame for the area (more of a sports bar than anything else), but the service is exceptional (look for the female bartender with the black hair). The most important thing to note is that the bar tends to be most crowded from 6 to 8 PM, so a late meal is strongly advised.
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