New York Magazine

East Village Irish pub (good for groups) that doesn't beat you over the head with all the usual Paddy signifiers.

A neighborhood joint from the owners of the Magician and Tile Bar.

This icon of East Village boozemanship has been a pioneer since the '80s.

The former home of both Mannahatta and Crime Scene contains a bit of both the former’s glitz and the latter’s grit.

Brings in a number of avant-jazz's hottest players, including Charles Gayle, Andrew Bemkey, and Evans Thompson.

A vast East Village drinking arcade with an array of eBay-worthy collectibles.

A classic East Village rock ’n roll club, upgraded for today’s single-malt scotch drinkers.

A beer hall that’s pretty much the size of a hallway.

Low-maintenance lounging with a bit of a dark side.

The Upper West Side billiards institution makes a $2 million move downtown.

Eastern-influenced cocktail den with strict code of conduct remains an EV oasis of civility.

A cozy dive from Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy.

A serviceable after-spot for those who want to keep drinking in a retro setting during the nights when the Bowery Hotel’s lobby bar closes at 2am.

A coffee-shop/wine-bar/lounge combo from Bar Six managers Harry Joannides and Gage Pray.

This subterranean saloon (formerly The Rook) has nightly DJs and assorted international brews.

Nightclubby East Village sushi restaurant for fueling up before going out.

The bold-faced names and the beautiful people still crowd this gas station reborn as a trendy bar, at least on certain nights.

A run-of-the-mill East Village dive bar that actually takes pride in its plainness.

A slice of Appalachia on Loisaida.

This congenial lounge nails all the basics and goes a step further offering a generous five-hour happy hour everyday.

Basque tapas and Iberian wine flavor this simple, sexy bar.

A red state bar in a predominantly blue East Village neighborhood.

A "living room without a fireplace" for East Villagers looking for chill conversation.

NYC's best bar to get taken hostage in.

Bigger than your studio apartment (though not much)—and with better drinks too.