A stop in at The Stoned Crow is anything but ordinary. This Washington Place watering hole is popular with the locals and the NYU crowd. Famous for their cheap drinks, billiards and “stoned crows” (the stuffed birds that adorn the walls of the back room), this is a great place to go with a group. “I always come here with my friends,” says Francine Cameron, a bar regular. “We all live uptown but we love this place so much, it’s worth the train ride.” The jukebox plays some great rock and funk classics. The décor is all about the movies. The walls are covered in old movie posters and the women’s bathroom in a shrine to teen celebs.

The Stoned Crow
85 Washington Place
6th Avenue / Washington Sq. West
www.thestonedcrownyc.com

McSorley’s Old Ale House has been serving up it’s own home brew since 1854. The drink menu consists of light or dark McSorley ale and is complimented by classic pub fare, including burgers and liverwurst sandwiches. This once men’s only bar is still popular with guys and draws a robust weekend crowd.

15 East 7th Street, 10003

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If you want to be an Allstar behind the bar, you gotta start at Allstar Bartender’s Training. Great bartending begins with great teachers, and owner/founder Gregg Lewis has been in the hospitality industry for nearly three decades. His academy is the largest training center for bartending in New York, with locations in both Kew Gardens, Queens and Suffolk County, Long Island. Once you’ve completed the curriculum Allstar also offers job placement assistance at restaurants, hotels, nightclubs and bars throughout the U.S. As Lewis likes to put it, why “barspend” when you can bartend? Thousands of students from all backgrounds and all ages have learned the art of the pour inside the classrooms, which are set up as “mocktail” lounges right down to the shot glasses and jukeboxes. The program also offers a wine seminar and a Flair Program where the more advanced can learn how to throw a bottle and charm a crowd just like Tom Cruise.

80-02 Kew Gardens Rd., 11415
www.allstarbartending.com

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The name is Italian for “grape”, which is quite fitting for this chic yet unassuming 10021 wine bar. Known for it’s extensive selection (there are over forty wines available by the glass and over 200 available by the bottle), the wine list is accompanied by a mouth-watering range of moderately priced appetizers, hearty Tuscan dishes and rich desserts.

The selection of cheeses at Uva is as impressive as the wine. There are fourteen imported varieties from which to choose including Montasio Friulano, a semi-aged cow’s milk cheese from the Friuli region and Caciotta Al Tartufo, a Tuscan cheese infused with truffle oil. Order a mixed platter, (presented on a cheese board for sharing) and enjoy the grapes and candied fruits which accompany it.

Paired with the fine fare is rustic Tuscan décor. Jeweled chandeliers, velvet drapes and wooden furnishings accentuated by an eclectic music selection create a sultry, yet spirited atmosphere, drawing patrons of a similar distinction. The rear exterior space is a garden respite complete with a vine- covered trellis and candlelit tables.

Reflections of Italy are also seen in the owners and staff members at Uva, many of whom are native Italians and all of whom are knowledgeable and gracious. At this establishment, la dolce vita is a reality, therefore the patrons, like the wine, are given time to breathe and absorb their surroundings. Keep in mind that reservations are only taken for large parties, so you may have to wait at the bar for a while. But when it comes to Uva, time at the bar is definitely time well spent.

Uva Wine Bar and Restaurant
1486 Second Avenue, 10021
www.uvawinebarnewyork.com

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Making mixing look easy is the goal at Allstar Bartenders Training in 11415. The center was founded in 1989 with the simple mission to “make better bartenders.” Thousands have learned Mixology 101 in Allstar’s classrooms, all of which are set up like actual cocktail lounges – with full bars, ice machines, jukeboxes, and everything else a student of bartending could need. Mixologist Michael Massino brings more than 20 years of experience to his students. Nicknamed “Mix Master Mike,” he describes the art of bartending as being a conductor. “You take several different pieces of produce, juices, and purees,” he explains, “mix them in with different beverages and liquor, and you get a fantastic result.” This love of the process has taken Massino all the way to the farm where he grows organic produce that he provides to restaurants, and, of course, incorporates into his cocktails. His creations include the “Basilico,” which infuses Bianco vermouth and vodka and is garnished with a basil leaf. The recipe for this tasty concoction can be found in his new book, The New Martinis… Made Easy. “I love infusing different liquors and am constantly searching for new fruit to experiment with, such as Mangosteen,” says Massino. With a school on Long Island as well as in Kew Gardens, the hope is that the academy’s success will ultimately translate into a consistency in the bartending world. As Massino explains, “I wrote the book in an attempt to get as many bartenders using the same recipes for the same drinks as possible.” Here’s to a future with uniformly delicious mixed drinks.

80-02 Kew Gardens Road, 11415
www.allstarbartending.com
www.organicstodayfarms.com

The following drink recipes are created by mixologist Michael Massino using Tava sparkling beverage flavors:

The Brazilian Samba
1.5 oz of Cachaca
1 oz Mangosteen juice
1 oz Pineapple juice
Top with Tava Brazilian Samba Sparkling Beverage

Mediterranean Fiesta
Pour the following into a shaker glass filled with ice:
2 oz Vodka
1 oz Hypnotic
1 oz Raspberry Liqueur
Top with Tava Mediterranean Fiesta Sparkling Beverage

The Tahitian Tamure
Pour the following into a shaker glass filled with ice:
3 oz Rum infused with vanilla bean and orange zest
1 oz of Pineapple juice
Shake well and pour into a rocks glass
Top with 2 oz of Tava Tahitian Tamure Sparkling Beverage
Garnish with a flamed orange peel

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What better place to sip a beer in New York City than Chelsea Brewing Company, the largest microbrewery in all of Manhattan. The spacious 12,000 square foot space is richly constructed in mahogany wood and boasts 24ft ceilings. It has a wall of floor to ceiling windows allowing a spectacular view of the marina on the Hudson River and, of course, the multi-barrel brewhouse behind the bar. The restaurant offers a selection of 20 hand-crafted premium beers, and the brewhouse is capable of producing 100,000 cases annually. They also serve a fine selection of wines and a bevy of tasty treats to accompany your malty brew. Beer aficionados, curious customers and thirsty New Yorkers take note!

Hop on over to www.chelseabrewingco.com

Chelsea Piers, Pier 59, 10011

Step inside Park Slope’s cavernous Union Hall and you find yourself transported to another era. The bar top sits nestled in a stately library and a collection of armchairs and settees invite you to pull down a volume and settle in for a beer and a bite. “People read the books,” bartender Michelle reports, “and sometimes they walk out with them. That’s a drag.” The library is one feature of the old-school social-club feel, which also boasts two bocce ball courts in the back. The clientele, thankfully, are not as snooty as a real social-club might indicate. While weekends draw a crowd from all over New York, especially for the music shows, weeknights are usually full of Park Slopers sipping ales and enjoying the Hall’s various events such as science night. Whether you stroll in for a Sunday afternoon read or bop by for a Wednesday evening spelling bee, Union Hall doesn’t disappoint.

702 Union Street @ 5th Ave., 11215

www.unionhallny.com

Long Island City nightlife is as vibrant and diverse as the artists who live there. Follow Shirley and Brandon as they sip drinks at two 11101 locales, the swanky Lounge 47 and laid-back The Creek and the Cave.

The Creek and the Cave, 11101

The Creek and the Cave, an “ultra-chill Mexican grill, bar, lounge, patio, and pool hall” is the whole enchilada of nightlife needs. A favorite for artists and frat boys alike, The Creek and the Cave offers foosball and beers downstairs and a theater for open-mics and indie movie nights upstairs. They also showcase local bands and feature all-night DJs on the weekends. “Every night is margarita night,” co-owner Jay Chambers informs us. And the full Mexican grill serves lunch and dinner daily. Some of their must-try dishes include the black bean quesadilla and the chicken flautas. The Creek and the Cave “has something cool going on all year long,” says Chambers. Where else can you get cool eats, sweet tunes, and a healthy dose of foosball competition all in one night?

10-93 Jackson Avenue between 48th and 49th/ Hunters Point Avenues, Queens
(718) 706-8783
www.thecreekandthecave.com

Lounge 47, 11101

From the dim lighting to the low couches and the ever-present hum of jazz music, Lounge 47 offers a low-key comfortable atmosphere. When things heat up in the summer, take refuge out back on the large patio while you sip one of their delectable drink specials. Don’t miss their unique version of a Long Island Iced Tea that has a twist of peach, or their Kiss-Me-Tini made with vodka, Crème de Cacao and a chocolate kiss. Equally impressive is their extensive and reasonably-priced menu, which offers a mix of bar fare and tapas. Try an appetizer of spiced olives or the wasabi deviled eggs. But be careful; some find the comfort of Lounge 47 irresistible. “I love coming here after work,” says patron Ginny Peete. “My living room isn’t as relaxing as this place.”

47-10 Vernon Boulevard at 47th Avenue, Queens
(718) 937-2044

The sign over Zipper Factory reads “Eat, Drink, and Be Merry,” and that’s exactly what chef Larry Kolar wants you to do. This tavern was once, you guessed it, a zipper factory on the edge of the garment district. Today it serves up an eclectic mix of homemade food from around the world, including bratwurst, chorizo and kielbasa sausages. The sausages are smoked to perfection right in Kolar’s Long Island backyard. It’s rare to get such an authentic, down-home taste in New York City. One bite and you’ll feel like you’re in the Adirondacks.

336 West 37th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues), Manhattan
(212) 695-4600

“Our show is the anti-every-other-karaoke show,” said Matt Coats, who co-stars in Karaoke Killed The Cat alongside buddy Chris Ehrmann every Monday night. The duo riles up a downtown crowd with raucous singing, thrashing dance moves, and stage antics that rival Johnny Rotten. They even spawned the word “Partyoke” to describe their event. “It’s like a dance party where everyone gets to be the star,” said Coats. Last week the hosts kicked off the night by belting out Bonnie Tyler’s “I Need A Hero” in falsetto while pumping their fists in the air and leaping into the growing audience. When another singer took the stage, Ehrmann and Coats provided back up vocals and on-the-fly dance moves. Pretty soon, the floor was shaking from the dancing crowd. “We can start a show from nothing,” said Ehrmann. “If people are sober at 4 pm, we can get it going.” KKTC knows no boundaries. Past shows included an 8-foot-wide swimming pool, a stripper pole, and Coats’ wedding ceremony to manager, Kate. “It’s not your typical karaoke,” said Ehrmann. “If it ever approaches typical, I’m quitting the show.”

Piano’s, 158 Ludlow Street at Stanton Street, Manhattan
www.karaokekilledthecat.com
www.pianosnyc.com