The 50 Coolest Places in New York City Right Now

Image via Complex Original

Neighborhood: East Village
Address: 207 Second Ave.
Website: momofuku.com

Is it one of those too-tired Manhattan cocktail bars you've heard far too much about, that makes too far a fuss over their mixology standards? Sure, yeah, it's one of those. But it's also the kind of place that can make you leave your cynicism about institutions like these behind, as it's operated by David Chang and Co, the reigning kings of taking ostensibly stupid ideas and turning them into brilliant Manhattan institutions that have yet to lose their luster. Yes, master bartender Dave Arnold is clarifying liquids and using liquid nitrogen and doing all kinds of wacky shit with his booze. But at the end of the day, it's a great space to grab a solid-if not downright incredible-drink, and the snacks are halfway decent, too. Avoid at your own peril. -Foster Kamer

Neighborhood: Long Island City
Address: 22-25 Jackson Ave.
Website: momaps1.org/exhibitions

This ongoing installation on the third floor of MoMA PS1 never ceases to surprise. After experiencing Cyprien Gaillard's The Crystal World, which just opened a few days ago, you'll need Meeting; it's the ideal way to calm your stimulated brain. Gaillard's Polaroid grids and politically-pointed short films will have you reeling, at which point you walk into Turrell's installation and, well, it would be a shame to spoil the surprise. Just keep in mind that the piece is only open when weather permits, and that it opens daily at 3 p.m. -Ross Scarano

Neighborhood: East Village
Address: 32 Second Ave.
Website: anthologyfilmarchives.org

The unassuming brick building on the corner of Second and 2nd houses what some would deem a church of cinema, a reverential two screen hideaway for the most independent, transgressive, innovative and retrospective screenings New York has ever seen. With a completely unpredictable lineup and an unpretentious interior, AFA is also dedicated to the preservation of the works of the obscure, classic and hard to find cinema oddities and experiments of some of the most talented and challenging filmmakers of our time. Anthology is a crucial part of NYC's exhibition scene. One that hopefully never goes away but, for sure, could never be replaced. -Jonathan Lees

Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Address: 32 Withers St.
Website: N/A

Over 100 years old, Bamonte's is a classic old-school Italian restaurant. The bartender's been working there for over 50 years, and the place is filled with loyal patrons and old decor that hasn't been altered for decades. It's a fixed place in time, and that goes without mentioning the fact that mobsters do, in fact, hang out there. Write it off as ambiance. People-watching aside, the dishes at Bamonte's are amazing, from pasta to eggplant Rollatini, to classic antipasti platters. It's impossible to go wrong. -Liz Barclay

Neighborhood: SoHo
Address: 126 Crosby St.
Website: housingworks.org/bookstore

Bookstores generally tend to attract thoughtful people, but in a used bookstore where you can buy a Proust paperback for 50 cents (the proceeds of which go towards homelessness and AIDS issues funding) the crowd is more or less enlightened. Lingering over your latte in the literary fiction section, conversations quickly escalate into heated discussions about social issues. Maybe it's the smell of old books in the dusty air, but something about this coffee shop gets people talkin' 'bout a revolution. -Shanté Cosme

Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Address: 120 Essex St.
Website: shopsins.com

Brunch in New York can get pretty monotonous. Omelette, mimosa, arugala salad, repeat. But when you stumble into Shopsin's, hung over and cranky, you'll be met with what feels ike a truck stop breakfast joint tucked inside Essex Market. Shopsin's can claim none of the fuss or interior decor cool points of other NY spots, nor will your server, a hostile dude in a metal T, babysit you through your menu options or even smile. But that's his shtick, and he's great at it. Which brings us to the menu: if you're an indecisive person, walk away now. Shopsin's menu includes hundreds of options, and every single option looks so damn good. If the odds are in your favor, sit at the countertop facing the kitchen. You get to watch the equally hostile cooks prepare your meal, and maybe even get the server to chat you up. But once your food arrives, you'll want to do away with the dialogue and faceplant whatever delicious meal you were just gifted with. —Brianne Garcia

Neighborhood: East Village
Address: 43 3rd Ave.
Website: metropolisvintageonline.com

From the outside, Metropolis looks like any other New York City thrift store, but the difference quickly becomes apparent when you start sifting through the racks. The selection's hand-picked and carefully curated, and on the top floor you can find anything from old Harley Davidson tees and leather motorcycle jackets, to vintage Prince shirts from the '80s. Downstairs you'll find unlimited combat boots and army gear, and although the items aren't cheap, Metropolis offers the authentic, original style that stores like Urban Outfitters try to replicate and label as vintage. Go here: All killer, no filler, the Real McCoy. -Jacob Moore

Neighborhood: Flatiron
Address: 37 West 26th St.
Website: hogpit.com/home/

There is something beautiful about drinking a 40 oz. of Colt 45 in a bar instead of, you know, in bed, at home, or in your backyard. The Hog Pit is nothing special; it's decorated like a townie bar which makes it not a townie bar at all...because it is decorated. It has pretty decent barbecue food, but who are we kidding? It's all about the 40 oz. and the buckets of PBR. -Lauren Nostro

Neighborhood: Prospect Heights
Address: 200 Eastern Parkway
Website: brooklynmuseum.org

Unlike many of Manhattan's museums, which tend to be stuffy and full of old people, the Brooklyn Museum stands out in its ability to keep its finger on what's relevant right now. Their current exhibit Raw/Cooked, a showcase of undiscovered Brooklyn-based artists, is telling of the museum's ability to curate exhibits that resonate. Inspired rotating exhibitions compliment the museums charming permanent collection, including an extensive Egyptian display that includes a full mummy chamber and an outdoor sculpture garden. And, thanks to recent extensive renovations, the museum is only getting better. -Shanté Cosme

Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Address: 90 Wythe Ave.
Website: kinfolklife.com

The block of North 11th and Wythe offers a few of Williamsburg's mainstays: Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn Brewery, and the newer Wythe Hotel. But the spot you should really be at is Kinfolk Studios. The bar is so much more than a watering hole. It also serves as a cafe and gallery space during the day, and is home to modern Scandinavian restaurant, Aska. The front seating area serves killer cocktails all week long, and on Friday and Saturday nights, DJs play funk and soul. Order off the unique cocktail menu, drink the Asahi on tap, or try Aska's incredible 6-course tasting menu, available Sunday through Thursday. -Soo-Young Kim

Neighborhood: Upper West Side

Address: 94th to 95th Street, btwn. Broadway and West End Ave.

Website: N/A

New York City's coolest architectural gems often go unnoticed. Hidden between Broadway and West End, this cooperative apartment complex resembles a Tudoresque London street. In fact, the name draws from an early 20th century romantic comedy by Louis N. Parker and near enough mirrors a stage set of miniature Queen Anne mansions. It is as surprising as it is magical, and even if you can't step inside, peering through the gates grants just enough of a glimpse to remind of the restorative power of architecture. Pomander Walk is truly an escape from New York's regularly towering streets. -Nick Schonberger

Neighborhood: NoMad/Flatiron
Address: 1170 Broadway
Website: thenomadhotel.com

It may not have the draw of the younger, tech-scene crowd and media scene hangout that populates the lobby of the Ace Hotel right up the street, but all the more reason to take refuge in the NoMad's dark hallways and various bars instead. The NoMad has a more international crowd attending to it, and its celebrity draw has proven pretty powerful lately. Having a Maison Kitsune boutique for a "hotel store" doesn't hurt, and neither does a choice of six different spots within the hotel to grab a bite or a drink, all drawing from the same critically acclaimed menu, though with occasional distinctions. We say hit the atrium during the day, one of the greatest naturally-lit spaces in New York to grab a drink or a cup of coffee right now. Expensive as hell? Yes. But if you've got it, and got it to spend? Spend it here. -Foster Kamer

Neighborhood: Upper East Side
Address: 865 First Ave.
Website: chouxfactory.com

If your ever find yourself on the Upper East Side and you're craving something sweet, make your way to Choux Factory. Choux is known for their delicious cream puffs, filled fresh to order. You'll find flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, green tea and strawberry to name just a few. If custard isn't your thing, they also have a variety of pastries, kona coffee, and macaroons. #fatbastardcrew -Patrick Judabong

Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Address: 10 Columbus Circle
Website: wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/columbuscircle

A cozy bar where you'd least expect it—yes, in a grocery store. On Tap offers up 100s of beers and a solid line-up of BBQ fare. Plus, there is also free popcorn, big screen TVs, and absolutely no claim of alumni-bar status. In summation, On Tap is cool because it provides everything you want in a normal bar without the overt frat boy douchery that sadly weasels its way into almost every other normal bar in Manhattan. -Nick Schonberger

Neighborhood: Lincoln Center
Address: 70 Lincoln Square #4
Website: filmlinc.com

Casual moviegoers looking to enjoy the latest big studio production can always head to the nearest AMC or Regal location, but what about the much more hardcore, Béla Tarr-loving cinema enthusiasts? It's all about Lincoln Center's Film Society theaters, a passionate, adventurous cinephile's one-stop shop for the latest American-made independent films, critics' favorites from all around the world, and repertory screenings of undisputed classics and obscure, unearthed treasures.

The best bet: Become an official Film Society member (for anywhere between $35 to $610 per year, depending on your desired package and perks). That way, you'll receive discounts and gain early access to purchase opportunities for the Film Society's seemingly endless string of festivals (i.e., the prestigious New York Film Festival). Many of the various festivals focus on specific countries (next week kicks off the "Celebrating the Australian Film Revival" lineup), acclaimed filmmakers (such as Stanley Kubrick), or certain genres (October's annual Scary Movies series is a must-attend event).

Not to mention, Film Society also offers events like last year's "An Evening with Christopher Nolan," during which the Dark Knight franchise overseer sat down for a live Q&A covering the inner workings of his beloved Batman series. You won't get that kind of intimacy at the local overpriced multiplex. -Matt Barone

Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Address: 205 Grand St.
Website: samuraimama.com

This Japanese restaurant specializes in udon, but everything on the menu, from the pan-fried gyoza, to the curry rice, is super delicious. The food is authentic, the service is awesome, and the patrons are stylish and surprisingly unpretentious. The small booths and long communal wooden table makes Samurai Mama the perfect spot for a casual dinner with friends or a lady. -Soo-Young Kim

Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Address: 214 Bedford Ave.
Website: N/A

Stepping into Ugly Luggage means embarking on a treasure hunt. This tiny antique furniture shop is filled with quirky, reasonably priced finds and a staff who is well-versed and, most importantly, willing to negotiate. The store's stock is eclectic, and rotated frequently, which means that on any given Sunday afternoon, the small space could hold several vintage typewriters, wooden desks of all sizes, and strange gadgets with questionable functions. During a recent visit, the shelf held a compact machine with many knobs and dials. The tag whimsically read, "Mad scientist style. Not tested. Do not try here." Was it a flux capacitor, in the flesh? We may never know. -Shanté Cosme

Neighborhood: East Village
Address: 422 East 9th St.
Website: goodbeernyc.com 

The problem with a lot of cool places in New York City is the overwhelming feeling that everyone inside knows how cool they are and how cool the places are. It can be stressful. When you walk into Good Beer NYC, a craft beer store in the East Village (where you can drink the beer you buy), it feels like you're being transported to Raleigh, North Carolina. The setting is rustic, subdued, and unpretentious, the music selection is on point, and the atmosphere is more like a coffee shop than a bar. Except there's beer. Lots of beer. -Jacob Moore

Neighborhood: Prospect Heights
Address: 600 Vanderbilt Av.
Website: unnameablebooks.blogspot.com

On January 26, 2013, a special event at one of the city's best indy bookstores will feature readings from many talented poets, including Kimberly Lyons. Her latest book is Rouge, released through Instance Press. For those that don't know, cool events showcasing small publishers are a regular occurrence at Unnameable, located on Vanderbilt Ave. in Prospect Heights. If you can't make it to this reading, there will be others; just check their website. And even if there isn't a reading, stop in and peruse the most impeccably curated selection of fiction in NYC. -Ross Scarano

Neighborhood: Greenpoint
Address: 120 Manhattan Ave.
Website: saintvitusbar.com

It may at first seem like an ordinary dive bar with live music, but take a look at the food and drink menu, and you'll realize that Saint Vitus is special. Not only is this the venue to see the best hardcore, punk and metal shows in the city, it's also an excellent place to have delicious and affordable refreshments (it's hard to beat $8 for a Bud bottle and a shot of Jameson) and surprisingly good food (the bun bar has a variety of $3 buns, from cheese steak, to BBQ tofu). -Noah Johnson

Neighborhood: Chelsea
Address: 75 9th Ave.
Website: artistsandfleas.com/chelsea-market

After eating your weight in dulce de leche crepes and Fat Witch brownies in Chelsea Market, ambling to the end of the corridor might be an effort, but it's a worthwhile one thanks to Artists & Fleas. The large marketplace has a well-curated selection of vintage and handmade goods where artists and independent designers hawk their unique wares. Browse the 4,000-square-foot and expect to find anything from quirky home goods like clocks made from old books, to a t-shirt made with superhero bedsheets. Leave with something one of a kind, knowing your purchase supported a budding local proprietor. It's only a pop-up offshoot of the original in Williamsburg, so support the cause while you can. -Shanté Cosme

Neighborhood: East Vilage
Address: 102 1st Ave.
Website: coalyardbar.com

The "dive bar" is often talked about, or sought out, yet frequently inauthentic. For all still pining the loss of Mars Bar, here's the real thing. The second you pass through the basic black door, Jello Biafra might be screaming at you from the jukebox ("It's the suede/denim secret police/They have come for your uncool niece!") and the bartender is pouring some brown for prices that even a starving freelancer could afford...a lot of. The back deck is still swarming with skulking smokers and the interior contains nothing to distract you from what you're there for— a damned good time. -Jonathan Lees

Neighborhood: Park Slope
Address: 261 North 6th St.
Website: skatebrooklynny.com

Skatingboarding is part of the DNA of NYC's street culture, but somehow in most of the city it's either illegal or impossible. On top of that, half the year it's too damn cold or the weather is too shitty to skate at all. Enter Skate Brooklyn, an excellent new skateshop in BK that also houses that rare and coveted chance to skate indoors on a just-the-right-size mini ramp. Hit them up to see about open skate nights and ramp jams. -Noah Johnson

Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Address: 111 North Third St.
Website: mastbrothers.com

As a child, we dreamt of encountering a chocolate factory like the one Ronald Dahl wrote of, and as an adult, Mast Brothers fulfills that long-held fantasy. The handsome shop has glass cases that hold artisanal chocolate that will make your eyes water with joy. Inventive varieties of bitter dark chocolate are in small piles around the store, and you're invited to taste each one. You might be tempted to just go H.A.M. on the samples and leave empty-handed if the bars weren't so beautifully wrapped. And because, unlike Willy Wonka's wares, these cacao-treats are handmade by actual Brooklynites. Brothers Rick and Michael Mast, to be exact. Oompa Loompas, be damned. -Shanté Cosme

Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Address: 205 Chrystie St.
Website: cocktailbodega.com

Besides the fact that this is a Chef Roble joint, Cocktail Bodega is the most versatile spot to eat and hang out at. The food is fantastic. Although the portions are relatively small, the prices are low enough to allow you to order four entrees, or more. The kimchee Reuben is on point, the waffle fries are addicting, and a Cuban Sandwich quesadilla is an all-around A+ idea. Saying the service is friendly doesn't cover the half of it. You'll do shots with your server, and he'll tolerate you asking a million questions about their alcoholic smoothies. After dark, the basement turns into a trap rap heaven with a plethora of poles to dance on and an engaging bar staff. Cockail Bodega is the best of all worlds. -Lauren Nostro

Neighborhood: Sheepshead Bay

Address: 2901 Emmons Ave.

Website: rollnroaster.com



At Roll n' Roaster they've been making "simply delicious" food for over 40 years. The menu focuses on roast beef sandwiches, but extends to fried shrimp and a pizza. What makes it cool? In a time when "throw back" to "old" New York often requires navigating hipster pretense, Roll n' Roaster is nothing more than it purports to be. And, being situated in the neighborhood of Sheepshead Bay, is deep in traditional New York City values. -Nick Schonberger

Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Address: 103 North 3rd St.
Website: sketchbookproject.com

Brooklyn Art Library is a place where you take someone special to you, whether it be a dear friend, or someone you love (or, are working towards it with). The gorgeous space is lined with shelves sighing under the weight of many books. But not just any books. This is the home to The Sketchbook Project, where people are given empty books to fill with anything their tiny hearts desire.

The project travels the world with the many volumes submitted to the project, and here in Brooklyn, you can browse many of these volumes in a charming setting. Create a custom library card, and choose a topic, and one of the library employee's will pluck the books from the shelves and bring them to your table. Many are funny, some personal, but each one is creative and surprisingly poignant. You will laugh, be moved, and leave inspired to create something of your own.  -Shanté Cosme 

Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Address: 131 Chrystie St.
Website: figurenineteen.com

Based on its location and expected coterie, most would think that Fig. 19 (short for Figure 19) is another pretentious hipster spot in the Lower East Side. Thankfully, it's a hidden gem for those wanting a clean, dimly lit spot with excellent cocktails and a Depeche Mode soundtrack. It has a speakeasy vibe (it's also located in the back of an art gallery) and while it may be difficult to get in (there are often events and private parties) it's hard to deny such a laid back place with sage candles all around. -Cedar Pasori

Neighborhood: Chelsea
Address: 20 West 20th St.
Website: westsidepistolrange.com

Living in a city that churns, churns, churns means needing a way to unwind. A stroll in Central Park is one way to achieve solace, but West Side Pistol Range is a more exciting solution to your stress. Unwinding is easy with a pistol in your hand, believe that. For $65, and your participation in a short safety tutorial, you will be handed a 22-caliber rifle and 50 rounds for your firing pleasure. In this concrete jungle, hunting may not be a possibility, but sharpening your instincts? You can certainly accomplish that mission here. - Shanté Cosme

Neighborhood: Flatiron
Address: 200 5th Ave.
Website: eataly.com/index.cfm

Eataly is right across the street from the Plex offices, but the sheer size of the place can be so overwhelming I seldom go there. Mario Batali's Italian mega market-chock full of amazing meats, breads, pastas, pesce, wine, and produce occupies much of a Manhattan city block, and yet it's almost always jam-packed with people.

Perched atop the Eataly megaplex, this rooftop restaurant and brewery is an oasis of calm and only-in-Manhattan cool. Open and bright even in winter months thanks to the retractable glassed-in roof, Birreria is a great place to enjoy some grilled meats or a tasty cheese plate washed down with the flavorful craft ales that they concoct just a few feet away. And it's nowhere near as crowded as the rest of Eataly. Just don't tell anybody, okay? -Rob Kenner

Neighborhood: West Village
Address: 254 Bleecker St.
Website: murrayscheese.com

Cheese caves are the type of awesome thing you expect to find in the countryside of the south of France, not below a busy street in the West Village. But if you look on the ground outside Murray's Cheese you'll see a see-through window offering a peak down below ground to the rooms where the shop's expert cheesemongers aged more than 100 varieties of curds. Pretty fucking awesome. Even more awesome is that you can set up a subterranean tour and see them yourself. -Chris Schonberger

Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Address: 9 Clinton St.
Website: culturefixny.com

If you're constantly torn between noble cultural pursuits and carnal pleasures like eating and drinking, you can settle the debate within you at Culture Fix. This subterranean bar has a carefully curated selection of craft beer, and also happens to house a small art gallery in the back room. On any given night, you can sip a potent cocktail among the laid-back crowd while mulling over experimental art. Someone will inevitably be tinkering on the piano. The friendly bartenders will be having thoughtful conversations (sometimes about good books) with the patrons sitting on the stools at the small bar. Even the bathroom walls, which can be marked up with pastel chalk, invite you to create something. -Shanté Cosme

Neighborhood: East Harlem

Address: 2145 2nd Ave.

Website: ricardosteakhouse.com

Part steak house, part party, Ricardo's in East Harlem boasts one of New York's most vibrant dining rooms. Where else can you get a mixed grill and watch a 65-year-old woman dance to 50 Cent songs in celebration of her birthday? The buzzing bar is great for people watching and the regular live music sets the vibe. -Nick Schonberger

Neighborhood: Midtown East

Address: 5 East 48th St.

Website: svenskakyrkan.se

You don't have to love God to love good coffee and fresh made cinnamon buns. This church is a pretty amazing date spot—they serve tasty Swedish sandwiches (some, like fish and egg on brown bread, may be only for more adventurous eaters), and the buns are made fresh daily, and they cost just $2. Nothing shows you have unique knowledge of the city like ducking down a midtown side street to find refuge in a beautiful church that servers delicious snacks and coffee. Go to the back to order your grub, then enjoy it in the spacious and comfortable library. Staying for the service is optional. -Noah Johnson

Neighborhood: East Village
Address: 43 East 7th St..
Website: jimmysno43.com

Jimmy's No. 43 is the unofficial clubhouse of craft beer and sustainable food in Manhattan, minus any of the pretentiousness and tweeness that distinction might suggest. It's actually full of the people who are on the front lines of these movements, making things happen because of their passion rather than any hope for financial gain. That same spirit extends to the artistic life of the intimate back room, which bar owner Jimmy Carbone opens up to all sorts of small theater groups, musical acts, and so on. The whole bar used to be a Polish social club, and it's got an awesome cavernous feel to it. That back room is a rare incubator of interesting creativity and community in a city that needs it more than ever. Jimmy makes that happen, and for that reason I think the back room is one of the coolest places in New York. You can find out about events going on back there on the bar's website, and learn more about it from the Kickstarter campaign to improve the facilities. -Chris Schonberger

Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Address: 54 Orchard St.
Website: missionchinesefood.com

There is your neighborhood Chinese take-out joint, and then, in another realm entirely, there is Mission Chinese. By now, you've undoubtedly heard the whispers around town. They speak of Americanized Chinese food, waits upwards of an hour, and, inexplicably, free beer. From a keg. Danny Bowiens take on Chinese food (more inspired by the latter than interpreting it) is the stuff hype is made of. It is also, as it happens, really fucking good. Whimsically decorated, Mission's menu mirrors its decor. Big, exciting flavors dominate the menu, from thrice cooked bacon rife with Sichuan pepper and paired with soft Shanghai-style rice cakes, to tender Chongqing chicken wings fit only for heat-seeking masochists. Get your mouth here before your tastebuds revolt. -Shanté Cosme

Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Address: 667 Lorimer St.
Website: nightofjoybar.com

Sick of the crowd across the way at Union Pool? Ditch the loud and blacked-out scene and go to Night of Joy instead. The bar downstairs is decorated like an old living room, and the rooftop serves frozen drinks in the summer amid string lights and rap music. -Soo-Young Kim

Neighborhood: East Village
Address: 201 1st Ave.
Website: jeepneynyc.com

Filipino food is really hard to explain. Especially to my white friends. They just know "balut," which is essentially aborted duck fetus-in a shell. Now I can just take them here, and be like: "This right here is sisig. This will change your life." It also doesn't hurt that the clientele consists of a steady rotation of the freshest-looking Filipinos in New York. -Jian DeLeon

Neighborhood: Nolita
Address: 52 Prince St.
Website: mcnallyjackson.com

There are a handful of independent bookstores in NYC, but McNally Jackson still manages to set itself apart. The shop's selection is extensive, yet easy to navigate, making it one of those rare places where hours seem to slip away in minutes. The cozy room downstairs is frequently used to hold engaging talks, like Joyce Johnson's upcoming look into how Jack Kerouac's work is interpreted "Whose On The Road is it anyway?" Their cafe, which is plastered with old book pages, serves a serious cafe au lait, and is a great way to kill time while you're waiting for your book to print. Yes, they print public domain books on demand while you wait with their shiny Espresso Book Machine. We told you this was the best bookstore in the city, didn't we? -Shanté Cosme

Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Address: 35 Orchard St.
Website: cheeky-sandwiches.com

The small space just east of Chinatown is unlabeled and unnumbered. In truth, it's difficult to even find the place unless you know what you're looking for. And once inside, you'll find more of the same rough-around-the-edges aesthetic. But even with uneven floorboards, chipped paint, and scarce seating, Cheeky Sandwiches charms. The fare channels New Orleans, offering up lovely and legit NOLA sandwiches and munchables, all under $10: One of the only places in New York City one can get a certifiably decent Po Boy. A braised short rib sandwich comes on the softest bread you've known, a fresh, challah carb-pillow filled with tender beef and finished with a horesradish zing. The half-shrimp, half-oyster 'Boy is a winner too, with bread imported straight from New Orleans and a generous heap of heavily-dressed, freshly-fried sea fare. Come here, and leave Crescent City-Content. -Shanté Cosme

Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Address: 49 Essex St.
Website: pk-ny.com

Not just another NYC tiki bar, PKNY defies cheesiness with the sole fact that they have bartenders who actually know what they're doing. The pina coladas, daiquiris, and mai tais are all made with fresh juice, and are slightly transportive, in that they can make you forget how cold the East Coast is with just one sip, or just make you forget where you are with a few rounds. -Soo-Young Kim

Neighborhood: Astoria
Address: 25-27 Broadway
Website: N/A

Broadway in Astoria is a fantastic place to go out and grab food or drinks. The area's known for its Greek food, but recently started stacking up its restaurant game cred against the rest of the city. Strand, for example, opened just a couple months ago, and has already become a go-to casual spot for groups of all sizes. The large space is a quasi-indoor-beer-garden (though they have an outdoor area as well) and they occasionally offer live folk/indie music as background noise, good for swilling any of their large selection of beers or whiskeys to. It's perfect for starting the night with the boys, getting a huge group together for a celebration, or date night. -Tony Markovich

Neighborhood: Financial District
Address: 30 Water St.
Website: deadrabbitnyc.com

This pub and cocktail bar hasn't even officially opened to the public yet (keep an eye on its Twitter stream for the green light), but it's already the coolest thing in the Financial District by miles. The guys behind the place, Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry, made a name for themselves at the Merchant Hotel bar in Belfast, and they're promising to show New Yorkers a new side to Irish boozing, beyond Guinness and Jameson. Downstairs is a working-man's taproom, ideal for setting the world to right's over a pint after work, while upstairs you'll find an immaculately staged cocktail den that resurrects obscure old drinks like flips, cobblers and bishops. Check out photos of the space here. -Chris Schonberger

Neighborhood: Upper East Side
Address: 47 East 60th St.
Website: grolierclub.org

Founded in 1884, the Grolier Club is America's oldest society for bibliophiles and enthusiasts of graphic arts. While the Club's exhibition spaces and library are open to the public, the exceptional bar is limited to use by members and special guests. Membership is on a nomination basis, so if you ever want to sip whisky in the paneled rooms you may want to consider getting your book lovers resume filled soon. -Nick Schonberger

Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Address: 124 Ludlow St.
Website: caffevita.com

A favorite place to get coffee in Seattle, far more of a coffee-oriented city than New York (despite what some Brooklynites might argue to the contrary). When Vita opened as a Seattle import in the LES, it was a dream come true for this former Seattle resident.  -Jian DeLeon

Neighborhood: Chelsea
Address: 530 W 27th St.
Website: mckittrickhotel.com/gallowgreen

Sleep No More is the interactive theater project that has taken the city by storm, causing people to go back time and again in a way they never would with a traditional performance—you walk through five floors of the "McKittrick Hotel" (a warehouse space) however you see fit, interacting with live actors and wandering into everything from an old-fashioned insane asylum to an ornate ballroom. It's crazy, weird, but mostly: awesome. Of note: The rooftop bar connected to the production, with fittingly elaborate stage-setting and archaic punches created by cocktail historian David Wondrich. Your favorite speakeasy just got sonned. -Chris Schonberger

Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Address: 54 Clinton St.
Website: essexstreetmarket.com

The historic Essex Street Market on Essex and Delancey in the Lower East Side is still a happening place to get groceries, snack, or just browse the eclectic bodegas within. Home to the Saxelby Cheesemongers, Brooklyn Taco, Tra La La Juice Bar, Shopsin's General Store, Roni-Sue's Chocolates, and other speciality shops, one could easily discover a new item or meal after hundreds of visits. It's not a particularly shiny establishment, but if you're willing to do a little bit of exploring, it'll be a rewarding experience every time. -Cedar Pasori

Neighborhood: Greenpoint

Address: 113 Franklin St.

Website: eastrivertattoo.com

In a city full of great tattoo shops, none is cooler than East River. Owned by contemporary artist Duke Riley and designed by tattooer Sue Jeiven, the shop has a quirky old-school maritime vibe fitting of the type of tattoos they needle into skin. Walk-ins are welcome, and even if you aren't looking for any body modification, its worth a visit for inspiration alone. -Nick Schonberger

Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Address: 245 South 1st St.
Website: tendertrapbk.com

Go to the Tender Trap (aka The Trap House) on a Saturday night and experience the best of what The Burg has to offer. Pay no mind to the cynics (read: haters), because even in the face of lurching gentrification on the Northside, the Tender Trap preserves all that is beloved about the Southside: an utter lack of downtown pretense and an enduring community spirit (read: crew love). Saturday nights feature a mix of consummate hip-hop jams and nostalgic 90s R&B. But be forewarned: What happens at the Tender Trap stays at the Tender Trap. -Jason Parham

Neighborhood: Long Island City
Address: 22-25 Jackson Ave.
Website: momaps1.org/about/mwells

The original M. Wells diner in Long Island City was easily one of New York's most exciting restaurants, dishing up lusty, over-the-top Quebecois food out of a beat-up old diner. Sadly, it lost the space within a year, but now chef Hugue Dufour has popped back up in what may be even cooler digs: A casual cafe inside MoMA PS1, which pays homage to the modern art museum's former life as a public school with rows of desks that serve as communal tables, and the menu written on a classroom-style chalkboard. In terms of museum restaurants that don't suck, this one is tops. -Chris Schonberger