Theater stars’ favorite bars: Hair

Get political

Old Town Bar & Restaurant
Since 1892, this tin-ceilinged tavern with a 55-foot mahogany bar has specialized in cold beer, bulging burgers and backdoor political pacts. During Prohibition, the corrupt Tammany Hall machine allowed Old Town to operate as a speakeasy, where politicians sealed deals with handshakes and whiskey. 45 E 18th St between Broadway and Park Ave South (212-529-6732). Average drink: $6.

Stonewall Inn
The queer revolution started the summer of 1969, when cops raided gay bar the Stonewall Inn. Tensions flared at the Mafia-owned joint, leading to billy-club-bashing anarchy and the rise of the gay-rights movement. Nowadays, there’s far more dancing than fisticuffs, and all are welcome—gay, straight and everyone in between. 53 Christopher St between Seventh Ave South and Waverly Pl (212-488-2705). Average drink: $6.

The Distinguished Wakamba Cocktail Lounge
In 2000, this nautically themed Port Authority dive ignited a political firestorm when cops took security guard Patrick Dorismond for a drug dealer, mistakenly shooting and killing him. Mayor Giuliani made matters worse, releasing Dorismond’s juvenile records and saying he was no altar boy—when, in fact, he once had been, at Rudy’s very own Catholic alma mater. 543 Eighth Ave between 37th St and 38th Sts (212-564-2042). Average drink: $7.

Freddy’s BAR & BACKROOM
As Bruce Ratner’s Atlantic Yards project dies a painful, protracted death, Freddy’s regulars have reason to hoist inky pints of Guinness and cheer. Since the developer’s Brooklyn Nets plans were first announced, this eclectic bar, where bands strum nightly, has served as a nerve center for community opposition. 485 Dean St at Sixth Ave, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (718-622-7035). Average drink: $5

Bridge Café
Standing since 1794, this wood-framed longtimer (which once housed a brothel) is currently a cozy tavern slinging icy beers, stellar American wines and elevated pub grub. Former New York mayor Ed Koch was such a fan, he swung by twice a week—turning a blind eye to the beer-guzzling bookie regulars. 279 Water St at Dover St (212-227-3344). Average drink: $6.

Beast
Long before Beast served tasty tapas, marvelous local microbrews (discounted during late-night happy hour) and quartinos of European varietals, legend has it that the bar was a circa-’70s clubhouse for rifle-wielding Black Panther revolutionaries. During renovations, old shell casings were uncovered in a dusty cash register. 638 Bergen St at Vanderbilt Ave, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (718-399-6855). Average drink: $6.

Vox Pop
Swap ideologies with like-minded agitators at this bright-yellow radical refuge. The coffee-slurping, keyboard-clacking writers (who can insta-publish their tomes at Vox Pop—it’s like an anarchist Kinko’s) give way to after-dark imbibers who sip Dogfish Head and Sixpoint pints and organic wines while listening to open-mike poets and scheming the coming revolution. 1022 Cortelyou Rd at Stratford Rd, Ditmas Park, Brooklyn (718-940-2084). Average drink: $5.

View Larger Map

Hair is now in previews; it opens Mar 31 (hairbroadway.com).

Hair: Will Swenson, Kacie Sheik, Allison Guinn, Megan Lawrence, Darius Nichols, Allison Case, Ato Blankson-Wood, Steel Burkhardt, Kaitlin Kiyan, Megan Reinking, Bryce Ryness

Relax! Drink! >>
Winter—and everything—gettin’ to you? Party at our favorite bars, just like the casts of this season’s Broadway hits.