Time Out New York 2003 Bar and Club Guide

Delia's Lounge | 9224 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Flourishing in the shadow of the Verrazano Bridge, Delia's is a little like Saturday Night Fever's Tony Manero: cocky, but likeably earnest. Nine-dollar specialty martinis scream "big city," while Brooklyn accents, such as valet parking and a larger-than-life Mona Lisa over the bar, remind you that you're in Bay Ridge. Godiva chocolate liqueur, Stoli Vanil and heavy cream flow freely, but don't worry about looking effete. In these parts, even the young Travoltas grooving on Eminem sip key lime martinis and share plates of chocolate-covered strawberries.

Peggy O'Neill's | 8123 Fifth Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Pink Houses, Bad Medicine, the Unforgettable Fire…It sounds like the makings of an '80s jukebox, but these are just a few of the cover bands that perform most Saturday nights. Despite wind machines and echo effects, the bar is unlikely to draw a crowd beyond the usual Bay Ridge singles, but you get the feeling that's fine with them. The music tributes aren't only for the pros--during Monday-night karaoke, anyone can belt out bygone Top 40 tunes. The rest of the week, this Irish pub feels more like a typical sports bar: TVs are blared, beer is swilled, and darts and pool are de rigeur.

Sunny's Bar | 253 Conover St, Brooklyn, NY
Lore-choked McSorley's and the White Horse Tavern may get the attention, but an evening at Sonny's feels like history in the making. On weekends, this unassuming wharf-side tavern buzzes with intrepid curiosity seekers, a mix of middle-aged and new-generation bohemians (the latter distinguished by their cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon), and the odd salty dog (canines, not sailors). Despite the nautical feel, you're more likely to hear bossa nova or bluegrass than sea chanteys. This is the East River, after all.
Rising Cafe | 188 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY
On some nights men nearly outnumber the gals at this easygoing lesbian bar. Folk and bluegrass lovers show up for the live music, while neighborhood families fill up on ribs and fried chicken. The Southern cooking is complemented by down-home touches such as 1940s farmhouse furniture and a big metal tub filled with Red Stripe and Brooklyn Lager. Lest you forget this a women's meeting place, Tilt-a-Girl mixers are held on Tuesdays.