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Located in the shadow of Penn Plaza, Local West is a true Manhattan rarity—a ground-floor, single-story bar with an accessible roof. If not for the close-up views of office towers and the Penn Station taxi queue, the upstairs patio could pass for a neighborly suburban deck. A graceful curved red awning keeps the sun off the horseshoe-shaped bar and its denizens, while fifteen rooftop tables are available for those wanting sun with their suds. The drink selection sticks to the basics: six commonplace beers on tap and a bevy of flavored Absoluts and Stolis. Downstairs in the small main space, tiled walls and dim blue lighting create a cooler feel with big wrap-around windows affording a lively view. The tall, cushy barstools and communal tables are typically crammed with convivial commuters drinking off workaday stress or Garden patrons enjoying a pre- or post-game plate of calamari from the tiny menu of staples. — Paul Adams