More sidewalk cafés

Chinatown Brasserie

Photo: Imogen Brown

K&M Bar

You don’t need many props here: A cigarette will help you get a convo going, or try talking about the La Chouffe on tap (if you can do it without sounding pretentious; instead of talking about its provenance, bring up the brew’s mascots, drunken garden gnomes).
Perfect for: Twentysomethings who really don’t need this piece-of-shit advice because they’re just trying to keep it real. Now pass me that fancy Belgian beer!

225 North 8th St at Roebling St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-388-3088)

Doc Watsons

Sure this place has burgers ($9), a dozen TVs and even live Irish music (Sundays at 8:30pm), but most Upper East Siders come here for two things: to drink a well-poured Guinness ($6) and to talk to people after they’ve drunk their well-poured Guinness. It’s simple to meet singles outside. The sidewalk space is small—you’ll find only six tables—so it’s that much easier to talk to others.
Perfect for: Singles into plaid shorts on men, pink Yankees jerseys on women and dock shoes for all.
1490 Second Ave between 77th and 78th Sts (212-988-5300)

Chinatown Brasserie

This restaurant-bar is more upmarket than the others: A crispy orange beef runs you $19. Still, the sidewalk seats bring everyone close together, regardless of their bank-account size. Try that napkin trick.
Perfect for: On the other hand, don’t try that napkin trick; you’ll feel like you belong at the kids’ table. Like the food, folks here are refined.
380 Lafayette St at Great Jones St (212-533-7000)

Gin Lane

A perfect people-watching spot—you get Meatpacking District shoppers and boozers—Gin Lane is hip without being too pretentious. The cocktail list is long and not too cutsey: The Grapefruit Julep ($14)—a Grey Goose, POM, Velvet Falernum and citrus combo—will have you nicely buzzed.
Perfect for: Anyone still watching Sex and the City on TBS.
355 W 14th St at Ninth Ave (212-691-0555)