New York, Hopped Up

With warm wood tones and dark green accents, Luke's is the ideal place to enjoy a laid-back, but well-prepared meal with friends or even a date. The menu includes standard pub grub—the burger is fantastic and cooked to perfection—but also offers more refined dishes such as chicken paillard, fish, and stir-fry; just don't overlook the Mike Wallace meatloaf, the beer-battered fish and chips, or the Buffalo wings. If you need something lighter, there are plenty of salads and appetizer options.

Service is prompt and courteous but if you can, ask for Johnny, he's the man. Luigi, the manager, is almost always around and runs a tight ship to make sure that the needs of the patrons are met. One can eat at the bar as well as at the tables at the back and there is virtually always a ball game on the screens up front. While there is a bar crowd, they are kept in the front and one does not feel intruded upon while eating. The bar is fully stocked and has six beers on tap, including some of the freshest Sierra Nevada Pale Ale in town.

Whether you want a friendly local watering hole or a place to catch a predictably good meal, Luke's is ideal. Beers are $4 for drafts and $4-$5 for bottles. Drinks range from $5-$8, and the wine list offers bottles or glasses. Just be aware Luke's is cash only!

The grill is also well-known for its brunch, so be sure to stop by. As a neighborhood haunt, it is frequented by celebrities who live nearby, including the aforementioned Mike Wallace, as well as the occasional Yankee, such as Jason Giambi. Luke's will stay open as late as there are people to serve. Of course, NYC law means last call is at 4am, but you never know what can happen. Find a place at the bar, introduce yourself, and enjoy.

This is a great little place to get a drink or a good pub meal. One of the oldest bars in New York, it really gives the feel of a dusty Irish pub. You can sit outside in the summer which is cool, but be aware that motorcyclists frequent this place, at least on Thursdays. It's cool if you like bikes since they park them right out front, but it gets a bit crowded.
It is also sometimes referred to as Anchor Bar as it used to be big with sailors and stevedores way back when. The enormous mooring cleats outside are testament to that. Don't be confused, it's still the same great place.
The food is good, and perhaps a bit underrated, too. Great burgers and sandwiches, but don't hesitate to order something slightly less run-of-the-mill. Anything that seems distinctly Irish or English--like Shepherd's Pie--is bound to be good. Speaking of pie, the apple pie looks awesome. I've never had it here, but the very sight of one of them sitting on the shelf near our table almost tempted me to steal it, risking banishment from this very cool place. I refrained from thievery. This time.
Great beers on tap like Sierra and Boddington's and the taps are kept pretty clean. It's reasonably priced, but not necessarily cheap. Definitely worth the stop if you're in the area.

We went to Back Forty on the Fourth of July since the restaurant is close to the East River (for the fireworks) and because they had advertised a sort of summer grill menu for the weekend. The restaurant is situated in the ever-gentrifying Lower East Side and, if you’re not a local, you’d probably wonder just where you were heading while walking around the neighborhood. The Lower East Side, all but unreachable by most subway lines in Manhattan, is not overrun with tourists but don’t worry, you’re safe.
Entering the establishment through its large, contemporary-styled wood door, you are welcome by an overall feeling of clean and relative calm. High ceilings, white walls that are mostly unadorned, and simple, angular tables and chairs create an open feel despite a packed house. The waitstaff is friendly, the bar is large, and there is outdoor seating in back as well. As it was raining on and off, our party of six sat just inside near the back garden, the open door creating a nice breeze through the whole place.
The drinks selection is great, with plenty of beers (mostly local), some original cocktails, and some quartinos of wine. The beer is mostly local breweries: Chelsea Brewing Company (Oatmeal Stout, Checker Cab Blond) , Schmaltz Brewing (Coney Island Lager), Captain Lawrence, Six Point, Ommegang, Victory (an outstanding brewery, try the Prima Pils, or the Hop Devil or Golden Monkey if they have them), Two Brothers (try the Red Rye Ale), and of course, they had a Brooklyn beer which I believe was a wheat beer. I tried one of their cocktails, the Penn 75. Having been introduced to a French 75 (gin, lemon juice, champagne) at a wedding, the thought of substituting pilsner for champagne made me happy. It was a delicious drink, though a bit sweet for me. If I’m going to drink something other than beer, it’ll probably be a gin martini or some whiskey. Regardless, the thought behind the drinks and their variation is very cool.
The menu is contemporary American, offering some standard fare done up nicely, as well as some really cool alternatives to the typical eats. It is a constantly changing menu and, on the Fourth, the menu had a few changes, like a pork t-bone (which was delicious, though my cut was a bit fatty), as well as the staples. If you are a devoted carnivore or don’t care about calories, let me suggest the pork jowl nuggets as an appetizer. If you are a vegetarian, this isn’t going to sound very appetizing at all. The jowl is perfect for this dish as it is pure fat. The fat is deep fried into crispy cubes which, upon biting, reveal the jellified gold inside. Seriously, they are indulgent and delectable, but could easily turn off the squeamish eater. They are served with a jalapeno salsa/confit which gives just the right amount of kick. We also tried the onion rings which were huge and covered in a thick batter with some serious crunch, and the bean salad which was a perfect summer dish and complement to the fried firsts. The corn on the cob was not sampled, but everyone in the restaurant seemed to be eating it and it looked awesome. The "grass-fed" burger was good, cooked well and served with a great spicy ketchup that added a lot of flavor. The desserts we tried were the pecan brownie with ice cream and the seasonal pie, which I think was apple (again, for the Fourth). The stout float sounded good, but I’d already had too much to eat and drink, so maybe next time.
I don’t know whether I’d tell you to trek all the way down to the L.E.S. just for Back Forty, but it you’re going to be nearby, or you’re going out down there after, it’s definitely worth it.

http://www.backfortynyc.com/
Ave B and 12th St.

Whether you are a local, a frequent visitor, or are just passing through the 5 boroughs, the nightlife is one of the biggest draws of the city. Of course, there are thousands of bars, pubs, clubs, and even speakeasies in The City, so which to choose?

Each and every native tippler will surely have a local favorite. However, if you are into a pub vibe or a more casual night out, the Brooklyn Brewery might be just what you are looking for. Easily accessible by subway, The Brewery is a relatively young brewhouse (just over a decade in its current location) and creates some of America's best reviewed beers. The doors are closed to the public except for special events (check their calendar at www.brooklynbrewery.com/events). Saturday afternoons are reserved for tours while Fridays welcome visitors for Happy Hour. It's really several hours (6pm - 11pm), but it's also really happy. The space is ample, though recently decreased as a result of some new bottling equipment. The main room is a large open space, furnished with an assortment of tables and chairs, including picnic-style tables. Exposed brick and large windows dominate the walls, and restrooms are nearby.

The main hall is accessed via one of the Brewery's storage rooms. Upon entry, visitors are greeted by large sacks of malt and barley stacked next to some of the functional kettles and pipes, hard at work fermenting the savory suds.
Beers are all on tap, including some seasonal cask beers, and vary from week to week. Brooklyn's IPA's are sharply bitter and floral. The brown ale is sweet and roasty but not heavy , while the Light Dinner Ale and Pennant Ale '55 (a nod to the Brooklyn Dodgers) are easy-drinking, golden ales. The staff will also let you sample before you finally make your decision. Chances are, whatever you pick, you won't be disappointed.

Money is no good at the Brooklyn Brewery--sort of. Patrons must buy Brewery tokens, small wooden coins ($3 each), which are then exchanged for any of the beers available. This saves time at the tap, and adds to the familial feel of the place. Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks are available for cash purchase, as is Brewery paraphernalia.
If pretzels won't cut it when you're imbibing, the Brewery allows all manner of food to be delivered to its doors, though the local pizza and subs are the most common arrivals.

All in all, the Brewery presents a friendly and affordable option to pub-goers on a Friday evening. While live music and even local art shows are common at Happy Hour, I'd recommend bringing some playing cards or a handful of quarters to help pass the time with friends. The Brooklyn Brewery wants you to enjoy its beer and gives you an easy way to do while also experiencing the rare opportunity to see the inside of a working Brewery.

The beer garden is a little slice of Europe plopped into the middle of Astoria. A three-minute walk from the second to last stop on the N train, the beer garden is a walled wonderland of lagers, weissbocks, ales, and other brews to wet your whistle. The garden itself is very simple, dotted with picnic tables, benches, and a central stage where the occasional oompah band might belt out some polka classics. Beer is served in pitchers for around $15 each and can be bought from either the bar in the garden, or the bar inside Bohemian Hall. The line can get long outside but the inside bar is a little more every-man-for-himself. Waitresses also tend to tables, bringing the ewers of elixir straight to patrons. The food is also regional; schnitzel, sausage, and bratwurst are staples and a plate is served with fresh bread, mustard, sauerkraut, fries, and an assortment of your choice of extra sides. Prices range from $5 to $10. Save your appetite before you go, the grilled kielbasa with mustard is excellent. The crowd is eclectic and vibrant—bordering on raucous at times—but there are kids running around, and people chatting. Drinking games are played at some of the tables, but beware playing flip-cup with wheat ale, you'll find yourself in rough shape with the possibility of a long subway ride ahead of you. On a beautiful day, the garden gets crowded, particularly after work, but enjoy yourself, sample some different brews, and imagine you're on vacation in the Czech Republic. As you're in New York, chances are that you'll hear different languages floating through the air, mixing with the laughter, and the aroma of the grill.

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.