Mona's ★ 4.5
$$$$
East VillageDaily 15:00-04:00.
Mona's on Avenue B runs the city's best free live music in a dive bar: Monday bluegrass jam, Tuesday jazz with Jon Weber at midnight, every week, no cover.
TipMondays for bluegrass, Tuesdays for jazz (10 piano starts at midnight). Cheap Guinness Thursday, no cover any night.
Rudy's Bar & Grill ★ 4.4
$$$$
Hell's KitchenMon-Sat 08:00-04:00, Sun 12:00-04:00.
Rudy's on Ninth Avenue has poured cheap beer since 1933, with a free hot dog when you order. Red leather booths, a pig sculpture out front, the same crowd.
TipFree hot dog with any drink, all hours. Opens 08:00 Mon-Sat for cheap pints, runs through to 04:00 every night.
Botanica Bar ★ 4.0
$$$$
NolitaMon-Fri 17:00-04:00, Sat-Sun 18:00-04:00.
Botanica on East Houston is the basement bar with $3 to $5 drinks, a tiny DJ booth and the rare Houston Street happy hour that runs until 19:00 every day.
TipHappy hour from open to 19:00, Sunday karaoke is the regulars' tradition. Cash-friendly, no cover.
House of Yes ★ 4.6
$$$$
BushwickWed occasional, Thu 20:00-04:00, Fri-Sat 21:00-04:00, Sun 20:00-02:00. Closed Mon-Tue.
House of Yes in Bushwick is the multi-room performance club that pairs DJ sets with circus, drag and burlesque on the same Wyckoff Avenue stage Thursday.
TipBuy tickets online before 22:00; costume-themed nights enforce a dress code at the door and walk-ups without it get turned away.
Nowadays ★ 4.7
$$$$
RidgewoodThu varies by event, Fri 22:00-06:00, Sat 22:00 onward, Sun until 22:00. Closed Mon-Wed. Saturday night runs continuously into Sunday daytime.
Nowadays in Ridgewood, Queens is the indoor-outdoor dance bar with a Funktion-One rig and a backyard the size of a small park. Friday through Sunday.
TipSaturday's Mister Saturday Night runs straight through Sunday's Mister Sunday daytime party. Cover hovers around $25; cash and card both work.
Public Records ★ 4.6
$$$$
GowanusWed-Thu 18:00-22:00, Fri 18:00-04:00, Sat 10:00-04:00, Sun 10:00-21:00. Closed Mon-Tue.
Public Records in Gowanus pairs a Sound Room dancefloor with an upstairs listening lounge, kitchen and natural-wine bar inside an old social services.
TipFriday and Saturday push to 04:00 in the Sound Room; the upstairs lounge is the easier walk-in for cocktails and listening on weeknights.