Black and White

With an entrance that’s just a few steps down from a street that’s slightly removed from the East Village scene, Johnny T (Niagara)’s sophomore effort is an oasis of laid-back cool. Early arrivals conduct after-work happy hours or covert assignations in the roomy, black-leather booths, enjoying the warmth of the the red and orange walls and the votives scattered on the bar. Adorably disheveled bartenders will begrudgingly pour a Cosmo, and a good one, instead of the usual bourbon or beer — just don’t go asking for Smirnoff Ice. The intimate, low-ceilinged space accommodates everyone from skunk-striped punkettes to NYU spillover to buttoned-down 30-somethings.