The city’s best photo booths

Otto’s Shrunken Head
“There are always people going to the photo booth looking for a good time and cramming in,” says bartender Laney Ford. Besides their popular Tiki Drinks—pay an extra $5 and you can keep the campy mug—try the happy-hour specials weekdays from 2 to 8pm when you can snag two-for-one Buds and well drinks, plus everything else is a dollar off. 538 E 14th St at Ave A (212-228-2240, ottosshrunkenhead.com). $4 for four pictures.

Bubby’s
With marathon weekday specials for beer, well liquor and cheap bites like 50-cent wings or $2 nachos, you’ll be setting up camp for a long night out (specials are 4–7pm and midnight–4am, giving you seven hours of cheap drinks!). That means you’ll have plenty of time to snap your black-and-whites in the busy photo booth. “When I work nights, I see a lot of craziness going on back there,” server Tanya admits. 120 Hudson St at North Moore St (212-219-0666, bubbys.com). $3 for four pictures.

Lakeside Lounge
“Nothing too crazy goes on back here,” bartender Alex Feldesman says—to our disappointment. “You know, besides your typical drunken idiocy. But that’s always encouraged.” Need some more encouragement to get in the booth? After 8pm, you can get a well shot and a pint of PBR for just seven bucks. When you get home, be sure to e-mail your snaps to the bar and they’ll post ’em on their website for all to see. Though we’re not sure if that’s good or bad news. 162 Ave B at 10th St (212-529-8463, lakesidelounge.com). $4 for four pictures.

Gallery Bar
This is no kitschy dive bar. Whip out your blazer, round up your entourage and head to Gallery Bar—gallery by day, trendy lounge by night—but be prepared to throw down on bottle service. While waiting in line for your shot at six photos (they come in color, too), sip on a Zito ($12), made with ginger vodka, lime juice, fresh ginger puree and white cranberry juice. “I’ve seen people come out without a shirt,” owner Josh Boyd says of his in-demand booth. “You really don’t know what’s going on behind the curtain.” 120 Orchard St between Delancey and Rivington Sts (212-529-2266, gallerybarnyc.com). $5 for six pictures.

Crash Mansion
This concert venue has hosted the likes of Norah Jones, Joss Stone and Alicia Keys. Catch a show, and if you’re lucky enough to meet the performer later, a camera is always conveniently nearby to provide evidence for bragging fodder to your friends. If the celebrities don’t impress you, maybe the free open bar on Fridays from 9 to 10pm will. 199 Bowery between Delancey and Rivington Sts (212-982-7767, crashmansion.com). $4 for six pictures.

Union Pool
After sipping (or perhaps downing) this ’Burg hot spot’s popular weekend special ($4 margaritas from 1 to 5pm) it won’t be long before you’ll be tempted to pose inside their photo booth. 484 Union Ave at Meeker Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-609-0484). $3 for four pictures.

Bushwick Country Club
“You’ll see a lot of couples making out. Even new couples,” says bar manager Heather Barnard of this venue’s romantic photo booth. Why are people getting so frisky? Maybe it has to do with the two-for-one happy-hour tap beers, well drinks and wine on weekdays (5–8pm) and weekends (4–8pm). 618 Grand St at Leonard St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-388-2114, bushwickcountryclub.com). $3 for four pictures.

Niagara
If you’re itching to see a little nudity keep your eyes peeled on the floors of Niagara for discarded or lost photo strips. “There’s always a nipple shot,” the manager says. “There’s probably a nipple shot taken every twenty minutes—men and women.” Hmm, maybe that’s because the crowd is made up college-age kids and young-ish professionals who come to schmooze and imbibe —$3 beer and well drinks are slung from 4pm to 8pm every day. 112 Ave A at St. Marks Pl (212-420-9517, niagarabar.com). $4 for four pictures.

The Smith Restaurant
Grab your closest friends (or strangers), and squeeze into the traditional photo booth that lies just beyond the communal coed bathroom. “People try and set the record for how many can fit into a booth,” manager Adam Burke says. “The most I’ve seen is about seven people, but who knows how many have actually been in there.” While the drinks are a bit pricey ($10 cocktails and $6 draft beers), you’ll enjoy the friendly atmosphere and photo reminders the morning after. 55 Third Ave between 10th and 11th Sts (212-420-9800, thesmithnyc.com). $3 for four pictures.

Crocodile Lounge
This subterranean space is a bargain basement of bars: Not only do you get free pizza with your drinks, but happy-hour specials include $3 Yuengling and $4 well drinks every day until 6pm. The back room is a fun house with games and, of course, a photo booth. “People have gotten engaged back there,” says bartender Josh Rush. Nothing screams romance more than a proposal atop a Skee-Ball machine. 325 E 14th St between First and Second Aves (212-477-7747). $3 for four pictures.

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