"Porchlight is a big bar on 28th Street near the Hudson River, and it’s run by the same people behind Union Square Cafe and Maialino. It has some great cocktails divided into categories like “Sippers” and “Guzzlers,” as well as sandwiches and salads to snack on, and with its brick walls and hardwood floors, it feels like an upscale tavern that isn’t full of undergrads playing various drinking games. All the tables are first-come-first-served at night, but it doesn’t get insanely busy, and you should be able to find some seats." - bryan kim