West Village

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he city has a place for everyone, and it all starts in the West Village. Start off with a packed happy hour at The Monster (80 Grove Street), where just about every night of the week there is a crowd around the huge bar and the piano in the back, or at the Stonewall Inn (53 Christopher Street) where you can unwind with some pool, and that’s before their dance floors heat up! If you want entertainment every night of the week, check out Boots & Saddle (76 Christopher Street). Don’t let the name fool you – it’s not a country bar, but once you are inside you will see the city’s most promoted drag performers (including Victoria Chase’s unbeatable karaoke twice a week) and sexy go-go boys nightly. If you’re looking for a little neighborhood bar known globally for its Levis, leather and bear clientele (and chasers too), Ty’s (114 Christopher Street) has been a West Village staple for 40 years. Across the street is The Hangar (115 Christopher Street), where they pack them in every night of the week. At the end of the street sits Rockbar (185 Christopher Street), which fills up on weekends and often has the grill cooking some munchies with live shows and bands. Don’t miss the great view of the Hudson River while you’re there. On the other end of Christopher Street is Pieces (8 Christopher Street), which has an excellent happy hour and a packed Tuesday night karaoke. The Duplex (61 Christopher Street) has live singers every night of the week. Another West Village staple is Julius Bar (159 West 10th Street), which has the best burger and fries cooked to order with a packed crowd every night. Cubby Hole (281 West 12th Street), a favorite bar of the ladies and their guy friends, is around the corner from Philip Marie (569 Hudson Street), a hot spot for weekend brunch and unrivaled Sunday evening barbecue, in addition to fabulous dinners all week long. Marie’s Crisis (59 Grove Street) is another local spot, always busy with singers and piano, along with Henrietta Hudson(438 Hudson Street), a hot spot for the ladies. The West Village is where it all started, and these days it just keeps on going. There haven’t been too many changes over the years, not like Chelsea or Hell’s Kitchen, just good, reliable hot spots that you won’t want to miss.