Cozy bars

Hotel Delmano
Romance is in the air at the multiroomed Delmano, which is candlelit and decorated like a French bistro. Share elegant cocktails and a cheese plate while sitting in the plush leather booths and alcoves…and the deal will be sealed. 82 Berry St at North 9th St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-387-1945)
Number of people in a three-foot radius: Four—Europeans and locals in knit beanies and bangs.

Penthouse 808
This spankin’-new spot atop the Ravel Hotel has a retractable glass roof, several wood-burning fireplaces (both inside and out) and the kind of drinks (try the Liquid Tiramisu) that will make you want to cuddle up to whoever’s at hand. Ravel Hotel, 8-08 Queens Plaza South at Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, Queens (718-289-6101, ravelhotel.com)
Number of people in a three-foot radius: TBD—808 is too new to tell.

Superdive
The frat vibe and keg reservation system have patrons partying like it’s freshman year. Offering to help your neighbor do a keg stand is the only icebreaker you’ll need. Keep it classy on ChamPAIN Tuesdays (7–10pm, unlimited champagne $25). Champ-pong encouraged. 200 Ave A between 12th and 13th Sts (646-448-4854, superdivebar.com)
Number of people in a three-foot radius: Six—a mix of Stuy Town yuppies and Village hipsters.

Whiskey Town
Here, sweaty midtwenties folks will be dancing on the four wooden tables while passing around beers served in coolers ($25–$30 for six cans on ice). If you make a new friend, there are plenty of snogworthy spots, including a photo booth and four private bathrooms (wink wink). 29 E 3rd St between Bowery and Second Ave (212-505-7344, whiskeytownbar.com)
Number of people in a three-foot radius: Eight—half will be boozy birthday-partygoers.

Ace Hotel Lobby Bar
This bumpin’ bar looks like a naughty library, with a diverse crowd (thirties, not twenties) sprawled out on vintage couches or sitting at the long reading tables sipping haute mixed drinks and beers. The small bar area is also swarming with singles. 20 W 29th St between Fifth Ave and Broadway (212-679-2222, acehotel.com)
Number of people in a three-foot radius: Four—outfitted with anything from T-shirts to Chanel bags.

Downtown Galway Hooker
Couples (and triples!) have been spotted making out by the floor-to-ceiling windows or getting scandalous in the screened-off “confessional room,” complete with a fireplace and leather seating. Friendly bartenders and three floors of nooks make debauchery all the more attainable. 133 Seventh Ave South at Charles St (212-675-6220, downtowngalwayhooker.com)Number of people in a three-foot radius: Six—an attractive, laid-back clientele of dudes in button-downs and blonds in minidresses.

Prohibition
Whether you’re rocking out with the crowd in front of the nightly band (Mon–Wed, Sun 9pm; Thu 10pm; Fri, Sat 10:30pm) or sneaking off to canoodle in the second-level back room (where there’s another bar), the high-energy crowd here is wild and rebellious, as if it actually were the 1920s. 503 Columbus Ave between 84th and 85th Sts (212-579-3100, prohibition.net)
Number of people in a three-foot radius: Eight—funky folks, and many will be sporting nerd glasses.

675 Bar
As you watch trendy young things downing extra-large shots, starting impromptu dance parties and playing games (like foosball), you may think you’re in Murray Hill. Seek refuge in the small brick nooks, especially the sexy “library room,” where the staff once found an unidentified pair of panties. 675 Hudson St between 13th and 14th Sts (212-699-2410, brguestrestaurants.com)
Number of people in a three-foot radius: Seven—the mostly under-25 crowd will be outfitted to impress in booby dresses and scruffy plaid shirts straight out of Gossip Girl.

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Winter drinking guide
It's getting darker and chillier outside by the minute. Just thinking about it makes us want to toss one back.