Restaurant/Bar: Moto

Moto
394 Broadway, at Hooper St.
Williamsburg
Mon-Fri, 6pm-1am; Sat, 11am-2am; Sun, 11am-1am
Subway: G at Broadway; J, M at Hewes St.



I always called this "the bicycle restaurant" because there's an old bike frame over the door, but in fact it has nothing to do with bikes and only a little to do with motorcycles and a lot to do with a sepia-toned, atmospheric, Francophile bar with good live music most nights. "Chill" is a word I don't often use, but it generally applies here, not least because it's a bit off the beaten path (albeit right on the subway line.) There's classic French "fare," but it's a great place to go just for some good beer, music and an intimate, low-key hang. NY Mag calls it "Kafkaesque," so make of this what you will. Extra-appealing on a rainy night!

Bar: Bohemian Hall

Bohemian Hall Beer Garden
ASTORIA, QUEENS
2919 24th Avenue, Astoria, Queens
Open Mon-Wed 5pm-2am; Thu-Fri 5pm-3am; Weekends 12pm-3am


If you have a car, go to Queens. And if the weather's nice, and you're in Queens, go to the odd, venerable Bohemian Beer Hall in Astoria. There's food, but come with friends and for beer. There used to be a lot of these beer gardens, so this is a real taste of the past.