Make Destination Bar Your Destination

Destination Bar, East Village, NYC (photo source)

It's an East Village bar that hasn't been overrun by the gentrifiers or the Bridge and Tunnel crew. That right there scored it tons of points.

More points for the signature drinks at less than the $15 to $22 cocktail-standard that plagues New York at the moment. 

Want cocktails for $5? Head to Destination Bar during their happy hour (corner of Avenue A and 13th). All drinks are half off. That was a major reason I decided to have my birthday happy hour there this year.

La Marina - Bar, Lounge, Beach

The view of the George Washington Bridge from La Marina in NYC

New York City has 538 miles of coastline. La Marina is an option to soak some of it in... drink in hand.


La Marina is an outdoor bar, restaurant and lounge on the Hudson River. Cross street: Dyckman. I was there recently for drinks to celebrate a near and dear friend's birthday. I was in my usual "observer mode" and would describe La Marina as a beach lounge exuding the energy of the Meatpacking District with a tropical vibe. No cobblestones made for a safer stride for the women in stilettos. Many of them pulled up in cars and handed over the keys for valet parking. I took the A train to Dyckman-200th Street and hoofed it over.