Profile

Because it was once marked only by a standard-issue illuminated Guinness sign, this East Village tavern is known simply as 11th Street Bar. The handsome brick-walled establishment doesn't hit you over the head with ostensible Paddy tradition. The place serves the full alcoholic complement, but really you come here to drink that chocolate-cake-in-a-pint-glass mentioned above. Surprisingly, weekend nights often find the back room less than crowded—making it easy for you and fifteen of your pals to have the run of the place for a birthday or some such. — Ron Kemp

Sun-Thu, 9pm-11pm; Sun, traditional acoustic Irish music; Mon, jazz.