WXOU Bar

Manhattan south of Fourteenth Street has a contingent that likes to keep things quick but strong behind its bar rail. WXOU Bar sits squarely in that lane, surrounded by blocks where offices empty into sidewalks hungry for fast bites and faster drinks. Doors on Hudson Street have always hosted bars that double as neighborhood pit stops, and this spot fits the script with several services crammed into one room. Head to 558 Hudson Street (212) 206-0381 if the goal is a shot of liquor, a draft pint, or dinner plus a beer without crossing the block twice. Persistent drinkers can chase bottles down the bar or flag someone over as happy hour barrels ahead. There’s no mystery once you see the place on the map ahead of time, a habit that saves a few minutes on nights when the sidewalk becomes a queue.