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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 over 75  draft and bottled beers—including inspired basics (Chimay, Magic Hat #9, Boddingtons Ale) 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 barstaff will sing the praises of every chance they get. Gastropub comfort fare like shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, ribs and smoked salmon 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 ex-pats scattered throughout the crowd. — Veronica Cooper