Bua

This East Village lounge’s name may be Gaelic for “victory,” but that’s where the Irish influence ends. Formerly Sin-e, the venue where Jeff Buckley played every Monday for tips, the abundance of red exposed brick, tall votive candles and covert nooks make this more of a romantic date spot than a local watering hole. A big glass jug of house-made Sangria sits at the end of the blonde-wood bar, which also doles out reasonably-priced Caipirinhas, Pomegranate Cosmos and Gin Fizzes—most notably during the weekday happy hour from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., when cocktails cost $5 and beers like Hefeweisen go for $4. Come summer, the garage doors swing open to create a continuum between the outdoor sidewalk patio, whose rattan couches are perfect for people watching in bustling Tompkins Square Park.

See more: East Village bars