MANHATTAN BARS

Ella

Blind Pig
Hello, sports fanatic. We know you’re all, “Oh my God, I just need to watch the game.” Blind Pig relieves your plight with six flat-screen HD TVs and three megascreens. If you’ve got a group, snag one of the wooden booths, or if you’re flying solo, pull up a barstool next to your fellow desperate Brett Favre fan. A healthy selection of beers on tap and a list of cocktail classics (mint juleps, manhattans) aid in the celebration (or mourning), and the menu, jam-slammed with staple bar fare, means you won’t have to run out between games to get food. 233 E 14th St between Second and Third Aves (212-209-1573, blindpigbar.com)

Bourgeois Pig
Plush, mismatched chairs surround tiny tables, and the red walls are lowly lit by a Chihuly-esque chandelier. Various sweet and savory fondues are served on plates full of sliced breads, vegetables and fruits, and go well with a bottle of wine (half priced on Monday and Tuesday nights) from the short but thorough list. 111 E 7th St between First Ave and Ave A (212-475-2246, thepigny.com)

Ella
From the wallpaper that mimics red-velvet drapery to the floppy flapper hats displayed behind the bar, Ella makes you feel as though you’ve stepped into a 1920s starlet’s boudoir. Order the Joan Crawford–inspired Mommie Dearest (Milagro tequila, lime juice, orange bitters), and try not to squirm under the gaze of her oversize photo. Continuing the movie-star theme, the two red oval couches in the back are from the green room at last year’s Oscar venue. 9 Ave A between 1st and 2nd Sts (212-777-2230, ellalounge.com)

Grape and Grain
Nestled next to the beautiful 6th Street Garden, this small but sweet wine bar has an incredibly friendly neighborhood feel. Brick walls are lined with black-and-white paintings of the city, and the tiny tables are perfect for groups of two or three to casually sip on glasses from the bar’s international wine list. Light appetizers—such as a tangy, cool white-bean dip with seasoned pita chips, or a small artichoke-and-shaved-Romano pizza—are perfect for those looking to nosh while imbibing (i.e., everyone). 620 E 6th St between Aves B and C (212-420-0002)

Section 8
Yes, the East Village is currently saturated with gay bars, but there’s no shortage of queer boys to fill them—even the skanky old Boiler Room is SRO on Saturday nights. So it’s a pleasant surprise that this cute little newcomer has managed not to be overrun. It’s probably a temporary phenomenon, but for now, visitors have plenty of space to stretch out and enjoy the awesome jukebox (indie rock and classic pop) and shoot the breeze over a game of pool. 218 Ave A at 13th St (no phone)

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