KGB Bar
This red-walled, charmingly dingy Soviet-themed space features a fully stocked bar and hosts a number of excellent reading series that run the genre gamut: sci-fi, literary fiction, nonfiction and poetry. 85 E 4th St between Bowery and Second Ave (212-505-3360, kgbbar.com/bar)
Pete’s Candy Store
The front room serves beer, specialty drinks and good music. The back room is, frequently, the site of Pete’s Reading Series, a prime destination for young and talented fiction writers and poets. 709 Lorimer St between Frost and Richardson Sts, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, (718-302-3770, petescandystore.com/reading/index.html). Every other Thursday at 7:30pm. FREE
Cake Shop
This Lower East Side hot spot is more than just a music club. Watch their schedule for young and vital literary talent. 152 Ludlow St between Rivington and Stanton Sts (212-253-0036, cake-shop.com)
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