"There are dive bars, and there are cocktail bars. Sometimes, it's hard to find the in-between: a normal bar. Maiden Lane is one of these places. This spot—just north of Tompkins Square Park—is where you can get a beer/shot combo or a cocktail that won’t cost $22. The setting is nice without feeling overly fancy, and you could easily have a first date or a friend group hang here. Even better news? They serve a bunch of tinned fish that you can snack on." - bryan kim, kenny yang, neha talreja, will hartman