The Lower East Side--Also consider Suba, 109 Ludlow St., north of Delancey Street (tel. 212/982-5714), for its creative cocktails like the blood-orange margarita; sublime tapas; and its late-night deejay spinning world and Latin. Also, the first Tuesday of each month is Spanish movie night.

The East Villiage & Noho--Also consider the magical Fez, 380 Lafayette St., at Great Jones St. (tel. 212/533-2680; www.feznyc.com), a dimly lit Moroccan-themed bar and lounge that I much prefer to the downstairs performance space.

Times Square & Midtown West--Joe Allen, the legendary Broadway pub on Restaurant Row, 326 W. 46th St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues (tel. 212/581-6464), is an excellent choice for an after-theater beer or cocktail even if you don't dine here. And don't forget those dives -- you can find Jimmy's Corner and Rudy's Bar in the neighborhood.

Midtown East & Murray Hill--Cozying up to the long bar at Guastavino's, 409 E. 59th St., between First and York avenues (tel. 212/980-2455), makes a great way to admire this under-the-59th Street-bridge restaurant's soaring architecture for the mere price of a drink.

The Upper East Side--There's also an outpost of the Meat-Packing District Coyote Ugly roadhouse Hogs & Heifers at 1843 First Ave., between 95th and 96th streets (tel. 212/722-8635; subway: 6 to 96th St.). Despite its offshoot status, this one's slightly more laidback and boasts more genuine saloon style than the original.