(Photo: Courtesy of the vendor)

1. BXL East
(210 E. 51st St.; 212-888-7782)
The Times Square Belgian beer bar’s East Side location has the same great beer list but no tourists.

(Photo: Courtesy of the vendor)

2. Okeanos Club Spa
(211 E. 51st St.; 212-223-6773)
Specializes in traditional Russian treatments involving birch branches and lots of vodka.

3. Greenacre Park
(217 E. 51st St.; 212-838-0528)
Yep, that’s a 25-foot waterfall.

(Photo: Courtesy of the vendor)

4. Thai 51
(224 E. 51st St.; 212-888-8894)
A tiny eatery for above-average Thai takeout and exotic sweets (jasmine pudding, fried bananas with honey).

5. East Side Social Club
(230 E. 51st St.; 212-355-9442)
A total throwback: checkered tablecloths, dim lighting, Sinatra soundtrack, rich ricotta gnocchi.

(Photo: Courtesy of the vendor)

6. The Pod Hotel
(230 E. 51st St.; 212-355-0300)
The lobby is often filled with hot, young visitors from Europe, if that’s your thing.

7. Le Bateau Ivre
(230 E. 51st St.; 212-583-0579)
Post-shift bartenders gather here for 3 a.m. French standards (moules marinières, Loire Valley Sancerre).

8. Haven
(244 E. 51st St.; 212-906-9066)
A bi-level, parlorlike lounge with serious gin cocktails and meatpacking-esque weekend crowds.

(Photo: Courtesy of the vendor)

9. The Stag Head
(252 E. 51st St.; 212-888-2453)
An American-microbrews- only policy elevates this log-cabin pub.

Related:

• Articles by Rachel Wolff
• Table of Contents: Feb 8, 2010 issue of New York | Subscribe!