...for a late night drink with that cute coworker.

The Campbell Apartment

Grand Central Station (Southwest Corner)

It's late and you've been pretending to work on a "big project" when really you've been surfing the net waiting for 9:30 to roll around so you can walk by the only cubicle still lit up, where the that smoking-hot workaholic sits, and you can say "Come on, let's take a break and grab a drink. We deserve it."

Well, now that you've worked up the courage to ask them out, now you need the perfect place to go. You could go to the Irish pub across the street - but if you want to make an impression, you need to take them somewhere memorable, somewhere that'll be "your place." And who knew the perfect place would just be a few blocks away in Grand Central Station? The Campbell Apartment is an elegant and intimate bar that's the best spot in midtown to get someone to relax, stop talking about work, and start to open up. You can both order your favorite drinks, sit at the beautiful bar, and maybe after a few, move to the comfortable couches at the far walls. Just try to hold back smiling when other coworkers hear about it and ask if it was a date, and you say "A date? Pshh...no. Come on. Grow up."

Tip: The bar requires proper attire (No hats, t-shirts or sneakers) and wait until 8pm, after the huge crowd of commuters leave to come by.

Fun Fact: The Campbell Apartment was never an actual apartment, but a private office of tycoon John Campbell. After falling into disrepair, the room served many different purposes, including a jail.

Website

Map

Yelp

...for when you're sick and tired of vodka tonics.

Flatiron Lounge

37 West 19th (Between 5th and 6th)

It doesn't matter if your drink of choice is an Amstel Light, Jack and Coke or a spiked Shirley Temple - isn't it time to try something new? Flatiron Lounge in Union Square strives to bring back the golden age of the cocktail, and with their intimate art-deco atmosphere, jazz music and skilled bar staff, they more than succeed. But what makes the Flatiron Lounge stand out is their nightly "Flights". Each evening they create three signature cocktails that feature a similar theme and serve them to you all at once. The night's theme can be around a specific liquor or a topic like "Rat Pack Favorites". It's the best way to try 3 new mixed drinks without being worried you'll be sick in the morning.

Tip: With three drinks in front of you, it's hard to pace yourself. Try.

Website

Map

Yelp

...when you wish your were getting drunk in Tokyo.

Decibel

240 East 9th Street (At 2nd Avenue)

Although it's name makes it sound like a filthy dance club in 1982 south Jersey, Decibel is actually one of the city's best casual sake bars. Walk down the stairs and into a dark and dank entry way where a rope hangs down blocking your way into the main bar area. Tell the grumpy hostess how many people are in your party and prepare to wait between 5 and 30 minutes for a table. The simple decor, the red hue from lamps, and the exotic smell of Japanese snacks being microwaved all transport you to a dive sake bar somewhere very far away. Service is quick to recommend a sake for you, and it's best to trust their judgment unless you already know what brand sake you like. A small serving of warm sake is perfect for one person (about 4 shot glass size servings).

Tip: Cold Sake at Decibel is served with a glass filled to the brim inside a wood box. The first thing you'll ask yourself, is "what do I do with this?" Well, it's simple: Pick up the box and sip the glass until you can take it out of the box without spilling, then drink any spillage in the box from the corner.

Tip 2: Food-wise...stick to the edamame.

Website

Map

Yelp

...for when you need to impress your dissapointed father / boss / parole officer / spouse

Bar Bao
100 West 82nd (And Columbus)

You've let a lot of people down in your life, admit it. I know I have. And sometimes the only way to make it up to them is to take them out for a great meal. A delicious dinner with exotic food cancels out at least 3 big let downs. So for all you deadbeat girlfriends, slacker employees, and sons who quit the boyscouts...Bar Bao is here for you.

This exciting and fashionable Upper West Side Vietnamese-fusion spot is all about quality preparation of quality ingredients. Simply: They cook food real good. The menu may be intimidating and you may be tempted to order the familiar, but don't. Nothing shows how much you've grown as a person, then to eat something out of your comfort zone. Here's the must haves: The sweet breads (deep fried glands that taste like chicken nuggets), the pork bellies (thick cuts of Bacon, perfectly cooked), and the Duck Hash (duck meat, daikon, and a fried egg).

Tip: This place is a duck lover's paradise, with 4 amazing duck-centric dishes (The duck fried rice is most popular)

Map
Yelp
Open Table

...for the best hangover cure in the city.

Resto
111 East 29th Street (Between Park and Lex)

Resto is an amazing Belgian bistro that aside from a great beer list, has one of the most perfect hangover cures known to man: The Hangover Pasta. Available for lunch and brunch, this "carbonara" spin consists of perfectly cooked spaghetti, delicious pieces of Vermont ham, a handful of shredded Gruyere cheese, a generous amount of black pepper, and topped with a fried egg. You heard me. With a spicy bloody Mary and pub style frites, any ills from partying the night before is quickly sent packing.

Tip: Some of the Belgian beers hit the 8% alcohol mark, which means:
1 beer = 2 beers.

Website
Map
Yelp
Open Table

...for when it's 4 in the morning and you want something more than a diner.

Cafeteria
119 7th Avenue (At 17th Street)

Tyler Florence is a douchebag. Let me put that right out there. He's part of the cabal of shilling Food Network chefs who are hell bent on making us think that Applebees, TGI Friday's, Chilli's and any other food trough at the far corner of the mall is an actual restaurant. They're not. Trust me, I worked at Pizzeria Uno's. They're food processing plants with oars on the wall, and they're putting real restaurants out of business.

BUT...if there's one thing that Tyler Florence did right, it was way back when he was executive chef at the incredible Chelsea eatery, Cafeteria. Open 24/7, they serve elegant diner food in a casual, sophisticated lounge atmosphere. Cafeteria is great anytime of day, but it is a late night oasis when you are in the mood for Mac and Cheese, Meatloaf, BLTs, and cocktails.

Tip: Cafeteria has amazing biscuits, perfectly light and

fluffy - so get everyone at the beginning of the meal to ask for more so you have plenty on hand.

Website
Map
Yelp