There are 600 bottles of wine here, many available by the glass. And as if that were't enough of an incentive, there's the authentic 1920s interior that harkens back to its olden days as a shoe factory. The food ain't too shabby either. Catering to a slightly older, more upscale crowd, this has been a popular downtown haunt for years.
Jeremy's Ale House
Address: 254 Front Street (at Dover Street)
Phone: 212-964-3537
Website: jeremysalehouse.com
Jeremy's laid back atmosphere, cheap beer and "tasty but really bad for you" bar food continue to draw in a steady crowd. Beware of weekends. Depending on the day, you might feel like you stumbled into a frat house. But more often than not, it's a good place to get a heady pitcher and some honest grub.
Les Halles Downtown
Address: 15 John Street (at Broadway)
Phone: 212-285-8585
Website: www.leshalles.net
This is the same great French Bistro fare as its uptown sibling on Park and 28th. The Steak Fritte is particularly outstanding. The other dishes are not quite extraordinary, but still way above average. The crowd gets pretty lively, especially after work hours are through.
Moran's
Address: 103 Washington Street (at Rector Place)
Phone: 212-732-2020
Website: moransnyc.com
This classy, traditional Irish bar and restaurant has been delivering the goods since 1897. Basic Irish eats like shepherd's pie with Guinness to wash it down. There's also a good selection of whiskeys and very friendly staff of bartenders and waitresses.
This atmospheric two-story bar does its best to encourage its very mixed crowd of financial folks (from traders to data entry clerks) to hit the dance floor. No, it's not quite a club, but it's certainly clubbier than most bars in the area. With a strong local following, Remy's music ranges from Latin to hip-hop to 80s disco. A great date spot or a nice place to find one, it's a fun spot for a lot of flirting and a little dancing.
Swan's Bar And Grill
Address: 213 Pearl Street (at John Street)
Phone: 212-952-0266
A dive bar that pretends to be nothing else. The regulars look like they haven't left their stools in ten years. There's also a fair sprinkling of Wall Streeters looking for a cheap beer without the attitude and suits. No pretense, just your run-of-the-mill semi-seedy beer joint.