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The Times Square dive is a thing of the past, but walk a few blocks west, past the porn shops, and you’ll find a spot where beers cost almost as little as they would at a bodega and the bathroom plumbing may or may not work. Despite a vaguely Mexican theme care of the mariachi hats on the wall, the clientele at this narrow spot is a motley crew of street hustlers, the occasional misplaced Port Authority bus bum, local Latinos who come after the factory whistle blows to enjoy the salsa on the jukebox, and the flaming freaks who commute to and from La Nueva Escuelita across the street to take advantage of the cheaper beers. Past the narrow, hallway-like barroom is a back room no larger than a Starbucks restroom. You’ll find no glitz or glamour here, but introduce yourself to one of the old hands and they might just share memories of ye olde Times Square, which’ll make you realize you’re not in such a seedy place after all. — Daniel Maurer