Alphabet City Nightlife Written by John V. Curtin Photographed by Ramon Estavanell
	Mercadito

By all accounts, Alphabet City has changed a lot. Not long ago, if you were a young, preppy kid like me, you didn’t go there. It was dangerous, dirty, and - unless you were looking to score drugs - not really worth the trip. That’s all changed. What was once a forlorn and feared part of the city is now a haven for cool bars and restaurants, often just-under-the-radar enough that they tend to stay cool. Below are my picks if you’re in Alphabet City and are looking for a New York Cool evening.

Mercadito

Best Bar If You Can’t Afford a Trip to Central or South America:
Mercadito, 179 Ave. B (btwn 11th & 12th St.)

OK. It’s really more of a restaurant than a bar, but that’s not a bad thing. Most New York restaurants, bars, and clubs aspire (to at least some degree) to transport you from a mundane, average city street, to a place wholly unique and distant. I don’t think any establishment is quite as successful as Mercadito. Moments after stepping through the front door, one is immediately struck by the scene – couples huddled over fresh margaritas and mojitos, soft and energizing amber light, wooden tables and walls that look as though they were imported from Mexico, bossa nova-ish house music playing overhead (I think they even turn up the heat to make the experience that much more authentic). Walking by the open-air kitchen to our table, I felt as though I really were at some neighborhood restaurant in South or Central America. Never mind that Naomi Campbell has been known to grace these shores, enjoying the excellent tacos and ceviches of the kitchen – such notions, while important in New York, don’t really matter in a place this far from the frenzy of the outside world. Of course, both the kitchen and bar turn out fare that rivals any of the best restaurants in the city (try the regular margarita and the chicken tacos – sounds ordinary I know, it’s anything but). Of course, occasionally spotty service may be the one thing that doesn’t translate very well, but it’s a small price to pay for the privilege of unwinding in a space this remarkable. Mercadito isn’t cheap either, but again, it’s cheaper than paying for a plane ticket to Costa Rica, and you don’t have to worry about getting shots or catching some food-born illness.

Sunburnt Cow

Best DJ Bar Disguised As An Authentic Australian Bar:
The Sunburnt Cow, 137 Ave. C (btwn 8th & 9th St.)

Push your way past the bar and the several groups of frat-guys cluttering the thoroughfare, and hiding in the back is a small DJ booth churning out real, amazing deep house music. The sound system is excellent, and the loungers in this section are clearly there for the excellent tunes – it’s what you think a bar in Alphabet City should be (in a good way). Of course, authentic Aussie staples can be found here as well: start with a Cooper’s Ale (a delicious light beer straight from the outback), and if you’re still feeling frisky, wash it down with a ‘Sunburnt’ – passion fruit infused tequila, fresh strawberries, and orange juice – it’s truly a delicious little bugger, and packs enough of a punch to have you dancing like Mick Dundee.

Lava Gina

Best Bar to Show Your Girlfriend You’re In Touch With Your Feminine Side: Lava Gina, 116 Ave. C (btwn 7th & 8th St.)

Say it fast three times. Get it? A pioneer of Alphabet City nightlife (and oozing more estrogen than you can shake your stick at) Lava Gina is a true original. The space is dominated by a large ‘V’-shaped bar in the center of the room, which also happens to turn out some of the best mixed drinks in the city. The eponymous drink – hibiscus, Barcardi Limon, and ginger extract – is highly recommended. But even though it’s not on the menu, order the key lime martini. It’s my girlfriend’s favorite drink (ever) and is strong enough to have her convinced she’s still in love with you. A truly diverse crowd grooves to a mix of hip-hop and world music, while there’s plenty of space for less-active types to relax and take in the scene.

The Porch

Best Bar to Pretend It’s Still Summer or You’re a Smoker:
The Porch, 115 Ave. C (btwn 7th & 8th St.)

While the front section of this bar is will keep you in the mood with plenty of drinks and house music, the real prize is out back, where a large outdoor area allows for plenty of relaxing and a backyard bar-b-que feel extremely rare for New York. While the benches and fresh air might have you thinking suburbia, the twinkling Christmas lights and trendy clientele reminds you of exactly what island you’re on. One note: the outdoor area closes earlier than the rest of the bar, so don’t show up too late.

One post-script: Across the street from Lava Gina is Zum Schneider, one of the best bars in the city. I would’ve included it here, but as I covered it last month in my review of Oktoberfest in New York, chose not to. However, if you missed that review and are looking for a true Teutonic experience, don’t pass this one up.