The Throwback

With its steady rotation of live performances, big-game screens, and rotating trivia nights, The Throwback stays a dependable pick when the Upper West Side feels overwhelming. Solo diners find a quiet corner while groups slide in for bar games and rapid cocktails. Behind the stools, the beer taps deliver plenty of options without fanfare, and karaoke night keeps the back corner lively without turning the place into a late-night circus.

You can find them tucked inside the same block where locals duck in for a post-work bite, just west of Morningside Park at 710 Amsterdam Ave in New York, NY 10025. Slide in for fast service or settle in for the full dine-in routine, then swing by their map for directions to skip the walk up Columbus: see the route here. Just ring (646) 988-6203 if you want to check seat availability before you head out.