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The East Village has more bars than Sing Sing, so any joint that's lasted over a decade must be doing something right. In the case of Bar on A (also known as BOA or Barona), the key to success has been its casual yet sexy atmosphere. Multiple ceiling fans and snakeskin barstools (honoring owner Bob Scarrano's live boa constrictors) lend a Southeast Asian feel, especially in hotter months while the beer selection extends beyond the usual to Schneider Weiss and Duvel (both served in chilled, label glasses). The bar menu is similarly diverse with shumai making an appearance as well as nachos. As to the crowd, they're mainly local, college-educated types ("No he didn’t go to Wesleyan, he went to Trinity") who aren't looking to get too crazy. Since annexing the café next door, Bar on A also hosts the occasional acoustic or rock act. — Andrew Paine Bradbury

The kitchen serves up bar snacks from the Pacific Rim from 5 p.m.—midnight every night.