Though the Blind Tiger has moved, it has maintained its dedication to all things beer and also retains the wood-paneled pub/cafe vibe that makes it such a cool place. Now located at 281 Bleecker Street, just east of 7th Ave, the Blind Tiger is a far cry from some of the NYU-student-laden establishments farther east down Bleecker. True, it smells of beer, but that beer is delicious, varied, and constantly changing. On Wednesdays, the Tiger usually has a beer tasting for a different brewery, bringing in up to 30 different kegs and casks for beernuts to sample. Of course, the tasting is "free," but the beer is not. There is no admission, which leads to a packed house, but it's worth the jostling if you're a beer freak. Get there early on a nice day and sit by the large swing-door windows looking out onto Bleecker and people-watch with pint in hand. Food is served and while I've not indulged, it looks like more than standard pub fare. Supposedly the banh mi are outstanding. Wash down that spicy sandwich with a cold IPA while looking out on a sweltering New York evening and you won't be disappointed.

Blind Tiger Ale House 212 675-3848 Blind Tiger is the consummate New York neighborhood pub. The name comes from a Prohibition era trick of displaying a stuffed tiger to alert potential patrons to the availability of bootlegged alcohol. Much of the pub’s well-deserved acclaim is due to its compelling choice of draft beers including relatively obscure brews such as Hoegaarden and Leffe Blonde. Blind Tiger is a great locale for an informal gathering among friends, but—be warned—the place really starts hopping after 8:00 PM on the weekend. The pub’s location is relatively convenient since it is but a stone’s throw from the Christopher Street/Sheridan Square stop of the 1 & 9 (Red Lines). Blind Tiger is on Hudson Street in the heart of a shopping and dining strip that runs north and south, so finding something to eat after a few pints in not a problem.