Blue & Gold Tavern

Everybody’s favorite East Village dive pulls in a regular crowd of college kids, bikers, local senior citizens, and random eccentrics — like the long-haired guy whose only sound is a high-pitched shriek. Mixed drinks run for as little as four dollars, but that means the bartender will have to head to the fridge in the back room for juice, and you might be out of luck with ice. Stay long enough to play pool on the ratty table and mine the juke’s selection of hits from the ‘60s to the ‘80s. But if at all possible, use the bathroom elsewhere — don’t say we didn’t warn you.