Favorite Bars

In the winter it's always a good idea to find a cozy bar where the music will be, hopefully, not too loud and there will be a place to sit. In the summer you really don't want to be indoors...

Domaine*** [wine] (50-04 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City)
Why: cozy, great wines and food
Fresh Salt*** (146 Beekman St., near Front St.)
Why: small, cozy and tasty appetizers
Jimmy's # 43 (43 East 7th St., East Village)
Why: basement bar with great food
Karma (51 First Ave., near 3rd St.)
Why: for the hooka aficcionados
O'Flaherty's*** (334 West 46th St.)
Why: cozy Irish pub with fireplaces, sofas and stools, and bookshelves
Oyster Bar (Grand Central Terminal)
Why: a NY classic with affordable seafood
P.J. Clarke's (915 Third Ave. at 55th St.)
Why: 125-years old, a classic NY bar
Puck Fair*** (298 Lafayette St., Nolita)
Why: rustic feel, great list of beers
The Dove*** [wine] (228 Thompson St., Greenwich Village)
Why: bar and lounge, very pleasant
Tom & Jerry's 288 Bar*** (288 Elizabeth St. at Houston St.)
Why: spacious and fun

In the summer, because they have outdoor seating:

Croxley Ales (28 Avenue B, near 3rd St.)
The Park (118 Tenth Ave., bet. 17th and 18th Sts., Chelsea)
Ulysses (95 Pearl St., Financial District)

***Absolute favorites.

(Photo: Happy Hour at Ulysses)