New York

There was some worry a while back when Pat O'Connor passed away and the bar changed owners. This longtime Park Slope staple on 5th still opens early (10:30am) and now has a back yard with picnic tables (what, it only took them 50 years to get around to it) and occasional free hot dogs. Prices have gone up on bottles of beer (50 cents) and some of the Prohibition-era charm has been whitewashed. The dilapidated tin ceiling has been paved over and there are plans for a women's room which will make it better to bring a lady in for happy hour... but seriously, this bar used to be a litmus test. Any chick cool enough to tough it out here was definitely cool enough to hang out with. Sadly with the new owner, gone is the grandfather clause that allowed them to sell 6 packs of Bud over the counter to take home with you. For that kind of late night service, you'll have to head over to 4th Ave and grab a growler from Pacific Standard.

Photo:  Andy Heidel