Boogie bars

BRONX

Cafe Sueno
If you like your dance floors small, crowded and do-rag—free (headgear’s verboten, just like in high school), hit up the deejayed parties Thursdays through Saturdays at this diminutive, mostly Latino lounge. Those who prefer solitary barside daydreaming should try Sueno on a weekday, when the bar is both cap- and patron-free. 1178 Havemeyer Ave at Gleason Ave (718-239-4440)

BROOKLYN

BED-STUY/CLINTON HILL

Sputnik
This out-of-the-way Soviet-themed haunt attracts a very specific crowd: The majority of patrons on an average night have wandered in from the numerous loft buildings in the area (the ladies from the neighboring Sisters of Mercy convent rarely stop by). But even if you don’t live across the street, the high-ceilinged room—filled with Communist propaganda murals and ’60s-style furniture—is worth checking out, as are the wide variety of events, which range from hip-hop shows and book-release parties to a monthly queer bash. 262 Taaffe Pl between DeKalb and Willoughby Aves, Bedford-Stuyvesant (718-398-6666, barsputnik.com)

Sweet Revenge
This onetime gym has been transformed into a lounge with a Formica-clad bar, wood-grain wallpaper and spacious vinyl booths. Despite the throwback feel, the drinks follow a modern script. Caribbean locals sip Red Stripe, while gabby Pratt students glug Miller High Life and Wildwoods (spiced rum and orange soda) before dancing to hip-hop or puffing a cig in the cozy backyard. 348 Franklin Ave between Greene and Lexington Aves, Bedford-Stuyvesant (718-398-2472)

CARROLL GARDENS

Brooklyn Social
If you’ve always dreamed of being a member of the Sicilian social elite (who hasn’t?), hit up Brooklyn Social, a bar that has snarkily preserved the snootiness of the 1930s men’s club it once was. The space is stacked with legit artifacts: Owner Matt Dawson preserved as much as possible from the men’s club, from framed photos to the fridge. Now that it’s oh-so-contemporarily coed, it’s a great place to mingle—and its sophisticated menu (and house-made eggnog come Christmastime) is sure to keep out the riffraff. 335 Smith St between President and Carroll Sts (718-858-7758)

COBBLE HILL

Last Exit
Don’t let the divey facade of this spot fool you; just beyond the black curtain lies a low-key room that brings to mind coffeeshop jam sessions, complete with red leather couches, exposed brick and rotating installations by local painters. Happy-hour specials throughout the week and the “cheap date” deal ($15 for six bottles of Miller High Life) keep the eclectic crowd of artists and local Brooklyn Law students nice and lubricated. 136 Atlantic Ave between Clinton and Henry Sts (718-222-9198, lastexitbar.com)

DUMBO

Superfine
Two words: hot lesbos. “We nicknamed the place ‘Lesbian Island’ because most of the staff here are gay,” says Superfine bartender Lola RocknRolla (who also reminds us that drinkers of all feathers are welcome here). That—along with the orange-felted pool table, a constantly rotating drinks menu and straw-umbrella cocktails—is reason enough for us to label this swanky but unpretentious Dumbo go-to super-duper-fine. 126 Front St at Pearl St (718-243-9005)

GOWANUS

The Bell House
From the owners of Union Hall and Floyd comes this mammoth bar and music venue, converted from its former life as a printing press and fly-by-night shipping company. Outfitted in deep reds and rich golds, it coos warm holiday cheer year-round, making it the perfect place for couples, singles and Manhattanites looking to spend some time in Gowanus. 149 7th St between Second and Third Aves (718-643-6510, thebellhouseny.com)

WILLIAMSBURG

Huckleberry Bar
This cavernous space is painted a fugly taupe and filled with dorm-grade furnishings, but damn if you won’t get wasted on $10 cocktails. Harvey Wallbangers and Pisco Sours complement seasonal favorites like hot buttered rum and spiked hot chocolate, all expertly shaken by funereal bartenders (though the sober shtick clashes with the hand-clapping hip-hop DJs and funksters breaking it down in the enclosed backyard). Delish sandwiches are prepared right behind the bar—good luck resisting the scent of bacon when you’re tossin’ back the Beefeater—and brunch lasts till 6pm on Sundays. 588 Grand St at Lorimer St (718-218-8555, huckleberrybar.com)

MANHATTAN

CHINATOWN–LITTLE ITALY

Apothéke
Bartenders—or are they druggists?—in white coats pour unusual potions (many of which are distilled in-house) from corked beakers in this former opium den, which now resembles a cross between a luxurious parlor and an old-fashioned pharmacy. Pretentious? A little. But popular too. Those in pursuit of such pleasurable alternative medicine are advised to make an appointment. 9 Doyers St between Bowery and Pell St (212-406-0400, apothekebar.com)

The Randolph
A 1,500-square-foot booze destination with a fairly low attitude quotient (if you look past the velvet rope, that is), the Randolph features classic cocktails (Pimm’s cups) mingled with signature drinks like the Michael Derry (pilsner, vodka and lemon juice). Crowds pack the bar and the downstairs lounge for sweaty deejayed dance parties that blend hip-hop, punk, soul and ’80s pop into a mix of boogieworthy beats. 349 Broome St between Elizabeth St and Bowery (212-274-0667, randolphnyc.com)

GREENWICH AND WEST VILLAGE

The Duplex
This West Village staple is known as much for its talented bar staff as for its wide array of cabaret shows. The downstairs piano room boasts an open mike every night beginning at 9pm, when patrons are welcome to take a turn in the spotlight. Upstairs, the game room’s leather banquettes, small cocktail tables and low stools give the feeling of a pool hall circa 1902. 61 Christopher St at Seventh Ave (212-255-5438, theduplex.com)

MURRAY HILL

Fáilte Irish Whiskey Bar
This large (possibly haunted, just ask a bartender) pub distinguishes itself despite its seen-it-before “old country” decorations with a large selection of Irish whiskeys (24 on a recent trip) and specials like a noon–6pm happy hour, featuring plenty of drinks under $4 and free food during Monday Night Football games. There’s also trivia on Thursday nights, when the most important question and answer goes something like this: How much are your Bud Lights? One dollar. 531 Second Ave between 29th and 30th Sts (212-725-9440, failtenyc.com)

UNION SQUARE AREA

The Beauty Bar
This nearly 14-year-old salon-cum-bar still does what it does best: $10 manicures with a drink (Mon–Fri 6–11pm; Sat, Sun 7–11pm) in front of chrome hair dryers, a buck off beverages from 5 to 9pm, nightly DJs and holiday-themed beauty pageants (including a Christmas one). When it was still a functioning hair salon—the Thomas Beauty Salon—indie gods Pavement shot the video for “Cut Your Hair” inside. 231 E 14th St between Second and Third Aves (212-539-1389, beautybar.com/ny/home.html)

UPPER WEST SIDE

Shrine
Go to Shrine if for no other reason than to order a Muslim Jew, a cocktail of vodka, Baileys, and chocolate and coffee liqueurs. But really, the bar’s rep as a music venue provides incentive enough; bands often play jazz or blues, with some gospel and reggae thrown in for good measure. Happy hour comes seven days a week, and lasts four hours: Just the way we like it. 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd (Seventh Ave) between 133rd and 134th Sts (212 690 7807, shrinenyc.com)

QUEENS

JACKSON HEIGHTS

The Music Box
One of the more welcoming gay bars (and one of the oldest in the area—the Music Box has been around for 18 years), this primarily Latino spot houses a pool table and five televisions. Drinks are cheap, and Thursday is drag night, with performances from local queens to knock your panty hose off. Here’s a piece of trivia: Though the clientele is largely Latino, the bar’s owner has a rule that all employees must speak both Spanish and English, sending those who need help for language classes. 40-08 74th St at Roosevelt Ave (718-457-5306)

LONG ISLAND CITY

Lounge 47
Just one subway stop into Queens is a bar decked out in ’60s and ’70s furniture and vintage wallpaper from Holland. Reasonably priced cocktails include the LIC Long Island iced tea, spruced up with a hit of peach schnapps, and a full bar menu (shepherd’s pie, spinach and ricotta lasagna) pulls in folks from the neighborhood’s Silvercup Studios and P.S.1. Before you take off, guard against the winter chills with the Long Way Home: a warming dose of Captain Morgan and Frangelico swirled into coffee and topped with whipped cream and cinnamon. 47-10 Vernon Blvd between 47th Ave and 47th Rd (718-937-2044)

WOODSIDE

Saints & Sinners
There’s plenty of space for penitents of all persuasions at this expansive spot. Locals are drawn in by Irish bands on weekend evenings, and every other Wednesday is the pub’s quiz night. The menu features organic specials including a moist, delicious roasted chicken—but after a few lethal apple martinis, you won’t be feeling virtuous for very long. 59-21 Roosevelt Ave at 60th St (718-396-3268)

BRONX | BROOKLYN | MANHATTAN | QUEENS | STATEN ISLAND

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