If what you’re looking for when drinking in New York is a good flirt, a strong drink, and an eclectic mix of creative professionals in their mid-20s and 30s, this amber-lit canteen fits the bill nicely. Enter down a few steps off a quiet East Village block (beneath a striped awning where the smokers huddle), and try to score a stool at the far end of the bar to survey the crowd, or pour into a plush banquette with your buddies. It is not the most spacious spot in town, but that adds to the appeal, as you’re bound to rub up against someone eye-catching. The bartenders know what they’re doing, so order with confidence.