Boilermaker

Even in the nightlife-heavy East Village, New Yorkers still need a neighborhood bar. Boilermaker, named after the classic beer-and-shot combo, offers populist offerings and gentle pricing. Expect well-made drinks like the Conquistador, with tequila, lemon, ginger, and a float of red wine, plus Zombies on tap and a bottled cocktail option. This isn’t a precious bar for cocktail geeks, though. The beer and bourbon lists are solid, with the boilermaker combos ranging from the straightforward All American (Narragansett with Ancient Age Bourbon) to the more esoteric Grapefruit, Oh My! (Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin IPA and Plantation Pineapple Rum). Early in the evening, the bar is low key, with tables ordering the better-than-they-need-to-be burgers, wings, and fries. As the beer and shots flow, the rock music gets louder and the bar fills up with a younger crowd.