Week of October 22 - 28

Bunga’s Den

Photograph: Jolie Ruben

Bunga’s Den
The owners of the West Village dive Johnny’s Bar step it up a notch with this retro-kitsch watering hole. Cushioned booths and a handmade wooden bar make for comfortable environs to enjoy the vast beer selection (14 on tap and roughly 20 by the bottle), including a number of craft brews. Another sign that this place is different from its hole-in-the-wall sibling: Three flat-screen TVs will show local student films. 137 W 14th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves (212-242-1040)

The Sackett
Antiques, exposed brick walls and gold-print wallpaper aim to give this neighborhood watering hole an intimate, bygone feel. Four taps dispense quality suds like Troegs and Sixpoint, while cocktails include lesser-known classics such as the Income Tax (Hendricks gin, vermouth, orange juice and bitters) and new creations like the Sackett (Johnny Walker Red, Cointreau, amaretto and orange bitters). 661 Sackett St between Fourth and Fifth Aves, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-622-0437)

The Vanderbilt
Saul Bolton, chef-owner of Smith Street pioneer Saul Restaurant, has teamed up with Num Pang’s Ben Daitz to open this spacious bar and restaurant featuring reclaimed wood, an open kitchen and Carrera marble–topped bars. Original cocktails, such as the Glyda Rose (gin, campari, blood orange and champagne) and the Chase and Shade (apple brandy, apple-cider molasses, black tea, lemon, and bitters), have been designed to showcase clean flavors. A lengthy beer selection includes eight regional draughts (Peak Organic, Dogfish Head) along with an international list by the bottle. Creative small plates, meanwhile, range from homemade beef jerky to razor clams. 570 Vanderbilt Ave at Bergen St, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (718-623-0570)

Compiled by Daniel Gritzer and Kate Wertheimer

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