Brass Monkey

A decent pint of Guinness was hard to come by in the Meatpacking District until Brass Monkey opened in summer 2004. Though this wood-paneled hop-head’s haven offers dozens of draft and bottled beers — including inspired basics (Lagunitas, Goose Island IPA) and harder-to-find selections like Victory Golden Monkey, a delicately spiced, punch-packing Pennsylvanian brew — it’s the smooth Guinness pour that the Irish bar staff will sing the praises of every chance they get. Gastropub comfort fare like baked macaroni, bangers and mash, and burgers are served seven nights a week. Though spacious, the two rooms, upstairs area, and roof deck fill wall-to-wall with revelers on weekends; on weeknights, there’s room to tuck into a handcrafted wooden nook and get chummy with the expats scattered throughout the crowd.