The One Trick Pony

Bars like this keep the West Village alive. The One Trick Pony sits where 14th Street begins to shed its big-box skin, offering a mix of cocktails, beer, and hard liquor without the pretense. Fast service means you can grab a drink and still catch the last downtown F train, while the food at the bar keeps things simple—no white-tablecloth expectations here.

The address is 234 W 14th St New York, NY 10011, a stretch where the Meatpacking District’s polish rubs up against the old-school grit of Chelsea. Happy hour drinks tend to draw a crowd that’s equal parts freelancers and folks who just walked over from the High Line. Takeout is an option if you’d rather sip on something stronger than bodega beer at home.

Call (646) 422-7140 if you need to confirm they’re still pouring. For directions, check the map. It’s the kind of place you stumble into after realizing every other spot is either too loud or too quiet.