1. Relax alfresco in the West Village: Due West

West Village, New York

Due West, nestled in the West Village, is where elevated cocktails meet the laid-back vibe of a neighborhood bar with a cute outdoor seating area. It's the kind of place where 'upscale bar food' is a thing, but you won't need a dictionary to understand the menu. The décor, featuring navy crushed velvet banquettes, screams "fancy," but the big screen TVs tuned to the big game scream "but not too fancy."


This cozy gastro pub is a small oasis in the concrete jungle, offering well-crafted cocktails that might make you forget you're in a city where space is more valuable than gold. The rotating selection of artwork gives it a touch of Chelsea gallery sophistication, minus the pretension.


And if you're really into it, or just want to impress a bunch of friends (or friendly strangers), you can hire out the whole venue. Imagine, an entire West Village bar to yourself, where the only battle for bar space is with your own party. Due West hits the 'cozy neighborhood bar' concept, in the most charmingly New York way possible.