Holiday cocktail lounge

We sipped cocktails, shot bourbon and chugged beers—all in the name of journalism—and have determined the best of the city's new bars that opened this year.

While a can of Coors suits for casual drinking, sometimes you just want a thoughtfully blended glass of spirits to give you that special buzz.

The neon signs advertising bargain beers and cigarette brands have been replaced with tasteful sconces and the vinyl seats are no longer held together by tape.

Once upon a time, the East Village dive served the likes of Leon Trotsky and Allen Ginsburg.

Quintessential St. Mark's Place dive bar Holiday Cocktail Lounge has reopened