New York City Upper West Side

The Dead Poet, 450 Amsterdam Ave. (www.thedeadpoet.com), On a wall toward the back of the bar among a group of quotations from other deceased literary figures is a sign that reads, “Man, being reasonable, gets drunk. The best of life is but intoxication—Lord Byron.” It seems Byron would have approved of The Dead Poet, where the beer is plentiful and you drink for free on your birthday if you share the day with a featured literary figure. Drink 100 pints, and you get a plaque on the “Guinness Wall of Fame,” which carries with it special discounts and privileges. Membership is free. Beer $5-10. Mixed drinks $8-10. Irish whiskey up to $14. Bar menu $7-12. Open M-F 9am-4am, Sa 10am-4am, Su noon-4am. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Has outdoor seating.
The Underground Lounge, 955 West End Ave., at 107th St. (www.theundergroundnyc.com), Buried beneath West End Ave. is the funky, fun Underground Lounge. The small stage housed within this bar is constantly commanded by live bands, stand-up comedians, and open mic participants. A recent event featured a game of Beirut between audience members and stand-up comics. If the audience won, the show was free. The kitchen closes at 1am every night, so you can enjoy delicious appetizers ($6-9), entrees ($9-14), and pizzas ($10-12) late. Beer $4-6. Mixed drinks $7-12. Wine $8. Appetizers $6-9. Sandwiches $10-19. Pizzas $10-12. Entrees $9-14. Open daily 4pm-4am. Happy hour 4pm-8pm. Kitchen open until around 1am. Takes credit cards.
Broadway Dive Bar, 2662 Broadway (www.divebarnyc.com), Happy “hour” is every day from noon to 7pm at this small and friendly bar. You can get beer for $4 and wine for $5, but what makes Broadway Dive Bar's Happy Hour really happy are the free hot dogs and candy. As if that weren't enough, they have Pac Man, Big Buck Hunter, and about 15 different board games all day, every day. Beer $5-6, mixed drinks $6-7, wine $7-8. Open daily 11:30am-4am. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Blue Donkey Bar, 487 Amsterdam Ave. (www.thebluedonkeybar.com), With pool and foosball tables and an assortment of video games, The Blue Donkey is a sort of playground for grown-ups. If you'd rather just chill out, couches in the front room and a patio with seating in the back make this bar a great place to relax with friends. Beer $2.50-$7. Mixed drinks $4-8. Appetizers $3.50-$8.50. Open M-Th 2pm-4am, F-Su noon-4am. Kitchen open until around 11pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has outdoor seating.
Dive 75, 101 W. 75th St. (www.divebarnyc.com), Board games, six TVs, a jukebox, bowls of candy, and even a tank full of fish make this the perfect bar for travelers with a short attention span. Famous for a wide variety of microbrews. Beer $4-8. Mixed drinks from $9. Wine by the 1/2 bottle $10-32. Tequila $7-15. Margaritas $8. Open M-Th 5pm-2am, F 3pm-4am, Sa noon-4am. Happy Hour M-Th 5pm-7pm, and F 3pm-7pm. Takes credit cards.
The Abbey Pub, 237 W. 105th St. The people at The Abbey Pub do not take their name lightly. Booth benches are modeled after church pews and several stained glass windows are in the dining area. Guests can tone their hymn-singing voices on the fourth Su of every month at Karaoke Night. Be sure to stop in after Sunday Mass for the “Sports Brunch” menu ($2.75-$9.50). Beer $4.50-14 (Belgian Ales), mixed drinks $6.50-8. Appetizers $3.75-13. Burgers and sandwiches $8-9. Entrees $7-15.50. Open M-Sa 4pm-4am, Su noon-4am. Kitchen open M-Th until 11:30pm, F-Sa until 1:30am, Su until 11:30pm. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access.
Amsterdam 106, 938 Amsterdam Ave. (www.amsterdam196.com), With a daily happy hour (4-7pm) where you can find $3 pints and a kitchen open until 2am, this is the perfect bar to visit any time of day. Want to drink a fine craft beer while you send some emails? You're in luck, because they have free Wi-Fi here. They also offer over 24 constantly-changing beers on tap, so you'll always have new options for great beer choices. Draft beer $6-7. Mixed drinks $6. Appetizers $5-12. Sandwiches and burgers $9-12. Salads $4-12. Breakfast $6-10. Open daily noon-4am. Happy Hour daily 4-7pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has internet.
Jake's Dilemma, 430 Amsterdam Ave., at 81st St. (www.nycbestbar.com), Hang out in the front of the bar for loud music and cheap booze. Toward the middle, watch sports or nurture your inner athlete with a pick-up game of Beirut. In the back behind velvet curtains, there is a library and lounge area where friends schmooze and couples smooch. Mixed drinks $5-11. Appetizers $4-$14. Salads, sandwiches, and burgers $6-11. Deep-fried Oreos $5. Open M-Th 4pm-4am, F 3pm-4am, Sa-Su noon-4am. Kitchen open until around 2am. Happy hour M-Th 4-8pm, F 3-8pm, and Sa-Su noon-8pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has outdoor seating.
Shalel Lounge, 65 W. 70th St. Search far and wide; you will not find a swankier spot. Lounge with your posse in one of the many stone alcoves, sipping wine ($10-12) and grazing a cheese plate ($15) or an order of vegetable cigars. The lights are low, the candles are lit, and the exotic beats are fresh. Appetizers $6-12. Entrees $15-19. Dessert $4-7. Wine $10-12. Mixed drinks $10-18. Open M-Th 5pm-1:30am, F-Sa 5pm-3am, Su 5pm-1:30am. Takes credit cards.
Sugar Bar, 254 W. 72nd St., (www.sugarbarnyc.com), Thanks to Sugar Bar, you can jam to Afro-Caribbean beats and sip cocktails under a straw roof without ever leaving the Upper West Side. With live R and B, jazz, Caribbean, or African music every night, a full bar, and a menu of scrumptious soul food, this lounge is a hot place to be at night. It is even hotter on open mike nights (Tu and Th). Reservations recommended up to two weeks in advance. Bar prices $8-13. Appetizers $10-14. Entrees $18-26. Cover charge $10. Open Tu-W 5-11pm, Th-Sa 5pm-1am. Happy hour (2-for-1 at the bar) Tu-F 5-7:30pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.