New York

Colloquially billed as "the new Cake Shop," Bruar Falls could have been another harbinger of hipsterfication, further concentrating the disaffected-and-well-funded in the frustrating Bedford nabe. But like it's daddy's LES hood, Bruar's Grand Street location has managed to maintain some of its grittiness despite several boutiques and 'nice' restaurants cropping up like mouth-sores among certain hipster circles. This said, Bruar Falls is A-Okay! Cafe-by-day, venue-by-night, it has the same baked goods and bumping sound system as CS, just on a smaller scale. De rigueur dark n' shabby chic decor and retro video games at the front give way to the small stage and standing area at the back, where live music can nodded to for free or cheap every night. Understated without and within, populated by a smattering of off-Bedford archetypes, Bruar Falls will be a great hang-out spot...until the 21-year-olds catch on.

Photo:  Molly Riordan