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BROOKLYN

CARROLL GARDENS

Black Mountain Wine House
More French château than Brooklyn bar, the Black Mountain Wine House melds rustic charm with sophisticated taste. The intimate tables reek of romance; singles are better off slugging at the front bar—and come holiday season, sampling winter-weather wines and cheeses by the crackling fireplace. 415 Union St at Hoyt St (718-522-4340)

COBBLE HILL

Clover Club
A madhouse since its June opening (imagine, a bouncer on Smith Street!), this luxe throwback to the days of speakeasy charm earns its rep with expertly prepared drinks. Bartenders break out the swizzle sticks and homemade bitters for on-the-mark juleps, old-fashioneds, highballs and whiskey sours. The interior is retro: pressed-tin ceiling, dark mahogany bar, rich leather booths. Finally—a club worth joining. 210 Smith St between Baltic and Butler Sts (718-855-7939 cloverclubny.com)

PARK SLOPE

Sheep Station
Hit up this rustic expat bar for some authentic Aussie charm. Covered in corrugated iron, it features aboriginal art, a gas fireplace and eats from Down Under, like lamb sandies, homemade meat pies, and a traditional burger topped with pineapple and fried egg. Locals go for a beer from the vast and varied selections on tap, but the wine list—including local, Australian and international choices—shouldn’t be discounted. 149 Fourth Ave at Douglass St (718-857-4337, sheepstation.net)

Union Hall
Though bocce courts attract feverish competitors, bargoers need not toss a ball to have one. In the upstairs library, which is bedecked with vintage globes and tomes, a roaring fireplace and leather couches provide perches to drink Captain Lawrence pints and Bloody Pickles (tequila and Bloody Mary shots, with pickle chasers). Downstairs, taxidermy dioramas set the mood for acts ranging from indie rockers to science lecturers. 702 Union St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (718-638-4400, unionhallny.com)

MANHATTAN

CHINATOWN–LITTLE ITALY

Good World Bar & Grill
This rustic spot plays to a Scandinavian theme (yes, in Chinatown) with rough-hewn wooden tables and a menu that offers meatballs and pickled herring. A giant stuffed caribou presides over the bar, but this place is chic; Miranda ate here in the Sex and the City movie. The ample selection of suds includes Swedish Pripps Carnegie, a bitter, chocolaty porter, along with a couple bubbly Belgians on tap. 3 Orchard St between Canal and Division Sts (212-925-9975, goodworldbar.com)

GREENWICH AND WEST VILLAGE

Blind Tiger Ale House
This welcome break from the ice-cream, smoke and T-shirt shops lining Bleecker Street is a beer drinker’s heaven—there are more than 100 either on tap or bottled. Connoisseurs can pick a specialty brew from any number of countries, or stick with a domestic like Sixpoint or Sierra Nevada, all of which nicely wash down the kitchen’s small plates, such as deviled eggs, seven-pepper chili, or a toasted cheddar melt with roasted bacon, apple, onion and cheddar cheese. 281 Bleecker St at Jones St (212-462-4682, blindtigeralehouse.com)

MIDTOWN

Haven
This 4,000-square-foot bi-level space straddles the line between food and drink destination, but the thoughtful cocktail program tilts the scales toward the latter. High-end tipples include the Jezebel (rose-infused gin with strawberries, basil and Meyer lemon) and Pears and Herbs (cognac, lemon, and pear puree with sage and thyme). For the holidays, try the peppermint truffle: organic Rain vodka infused with mint and bittersweet chocolate. 244 E 51st St between Second and Third Aves (212-906-9066, havennewyork.com)

MURRAY HILL

Black Bear Lodge
Once it starts snowing outside, head for this mock ski lodge, with antique decorations from Rocky Mountain states. For added authenticity, the fratty bar boasts Western saloon prices ($10 buckets of six beers till 7pm) and Big Buck Hunter tournaments, in which the prized trophy goes to best costume—think camo-and-orange hunter garb. Beware: The bartenders don’t like to hear repeat songs from the jukebox and will dole out “punishment” shots to the offending parties…as well as to those who are caught dancing with the wooden black bear in the corner of the bar. 274 Third Ave between 21st and 22nd Sts (212-253-2178, bblnyc.com)

TRIBECA

Brandy Library
Labels are the primary reading material at this candlelit library, where shelves (complete with those old-fashioned wooden ladders on wheels) are stocked with bottles, not books. Lifelong learners can enroll in “spirit school” seminars that explore the history and production of particular boozes, or just study the hefty, leather-bound volume (complete with glossary) that passes for a drink menu. 25 North Moore St at Varick St (212-226-5545, brandylibrary.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)

QUEENS

LONG ISLAND CITY

LIC Bar
LIC has that old New York feel: exposed brick walls, antique wooden furniture and a fireplace, all dating back more than a century. Battle it out with fellow Gothamites at Thursday trivia nights, or simply stuff your face with house panini. 45-58 Vernon Blvd between 45th and 46th Aves (718-786-5400, longislandcitybar.com)

WOODSIDE

Donovan’s Pub
The Tudor-style facade tucked right under the 7 train is hard to miss, and you wouldn’t want to—the quintessential Irish pub inside draws its charm from an Emerald Isle staff, multiple roaring fireplaces and a labyrinthine, wood-paneled interior. A lineup of regular locals and one damn good burger seal the deal. 57-24 Roosevelt Ave at 58th St (718-429-9339)

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)

STATEN ISLAND

Adobe Blues
Owner Jim Stayoch, a former set designer, has re-created a bit of the Southwest in Staten Island: Look for faux-adobe walls, a kiva fireplace, live music, the famous margaritas, a long list of tequilas, 200 beers and the signature snack—beer-soaked “drunken shrimp.” 63 Lafayette Ave between Fillmore and West Buchanan Sts (718-720-2583)

BRONX | BROOKLYN | MANHATTAN | QUEENS | STATEN ISLAND

They need a drink!
From Cosmo girls to finance guys, these recent victims of cutbacks share their picks for where to buy yourself (or them) a cocktail (or two).

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