30 to Midnight

Otto, Greenwich Village

Saturday, 4pm

Otto
One Fifth Ave. (8th St.), Manhattan

Holy Batali fest here at 30toMidnight. After seeing that new TV show recently while in the dentist's chair (the episode in which the not-Top-Chef-loser girl says she's never heard of bratwurst and never had a hot dog), we were not sure we were still fans, but nearly every recent outing has had Mario's hand in it. What does that mean? Consistency. We like it. Or, we like the expectation of. Did we have good waiter service in the Otto bar? Nope. Did we have good wine? Yup. Was the crowd Age Appropriate? Mostly. Does that change as day becomes night? Totally. Is it a complete write-off? Of course not, unless you don't like standing, which we do.

Bar Carrera, Greenwich Village

Tuesday, 8pm

Bar Carrera
146 West Houston St. (MacDougal St.), Manhattan

Is this our worst picture yet? We're seriously considering a photography class, but that means seriously considering a new camera, which we'd like to do after said class, which is the dilemma we find ourselves in every few months for the last few years. Which should come first - the camera or the class? Anyway, this location of Bar Carrera is dang close to the Holland TUNNEL. Get it? Particularly if it's a weekend. It's pretty well AA in here, which bartender says is usual, but your new relationship might take place across the Hudson, which means really great views of Manhattan. Really. Did you ever see how amazing midtown looks from, say, Weehawken?

The Back Fence, Greenwich Village

Wednesday, 11:00pm

The Back Fence
155 Bleecker St. (Thompson St.), Manhattan

You're expecting us to tell you The Back Fence is Age InAppropriate, but we've been there many times to see bands and maybe it's just our friends and musical tastes but we find the bar to be surprisingly, well, not terrible. We're going AABM because of weekends. 

They have poetry readings every Sunday afternoon. Anyone who isn't stoned can participate. Sara's grandmother calls drunk 'stoned' but these guys are talking about medical marijuana. Really. 

Lupa, Greenwich Village

Sunday-Thursday, Ten 30toMidnight

Lupa Osteria Romana
170 Thompson St. (Houston St.), Manhattan

Though it can be AA, we've never mentioned the bar at Lupa to you because it's crowded with to-be-diners and though you can meet and hang with peers, it's not an ideal set up. Long sentence not intended to deter you from sitting in the restaurant. We like Lupa for lunch, not on weekends, and lateish weeknight dinners. 

Which is one reason the Late Night Roman Menu must be mentioned. Lupa launched this amazing deal a couple of months ago, and it pretty much confirms our thinking that the bar there is packed until about 10pm on weeknights and later on weekends. Another long sentence. Sheesh. Can we go short? Awesomeness approaching. $26 gets you one glass of wine (each night there's a choice of a red or a white), antipasti (one of four), pasta (one of three), and a dessert. Don't think you'll be the only one milling around out front at 10:15pm, and don't think you'll be the only AA. Yea! 

The Half Pint, Greenwich Village

Friday, 9:30pm

The Half Pint
76 W. 3rd St. (Thompson), Manhattan

Sara: Are you carding everyone who comes in here because we're in NYU territory?
Bouncer: Yup.
Sara: Doesn't look that young in here.
Bouncer: Not yet.
Sara: When does it change?
Bouncer: 'Bout Midnight.

Not surprisingly, midnight comes early 'round here. By 10pm, Michael Collins Irish WHiskey promoters were passing out green, white and black leis, and AI's were wearing them like capes. On the other side of the bar (table area) there were salt&pepper-haired men speaking in lovely accents, ignoring the children. We like them; they smile at us; we discuss the 200ish beer menu with them; it's all good, but we know summer is more tolerable than schoolyear in these parts. August 23 begins New Student Orientation.

Indochine, Greenwich Village

Tuesday, 8pm

Indochine
430 Lafayette St. (Astor Pl.), Manhattan

You know you are in an Age Appropriate bar when the flower arrangements cost well over $1,000 and the bartender manages to make a boob job look…classy? Yep, Indochine still has that thing, attracting AA folks of all shapes and sizes—median age is...41, if we had to guess— while the tourists and youngsters are kept away by the high prices and elegant atmosphere. Artfully lit and with a varied bar menu available at your fingertips, the bar keeps the music at a low volume, so if you are looking to, you know, have a conversation, Indochine certainly fits that bill. With expertly made mojitos for four and a couple of apps hovering around $120, perhaps you can discuss how, still in all, it was worth the price.
-Tony G.

Bar 108, Greenwich Village

Thursday, 9pm

Bar 108
108 West Houston (Thompson St.)

Age Appropriate? Yes. But Bar 108 doesn't know what it is, or where it is (note the "Soho" designation on their sign. Um...NOrth side of HOuston in that neck of the woods is still the Village, peeps). Sports Bar? Sort of. Lounge? Sort of. Across the street from really good pizza? Yes (Arturo's).

They have Anchor Steam in bottles here, and good wine by the glass, but their identity crisis makes for no identity, and makes Starbucks more inviting. Really. We seriously don't know how to categorize this bar.

8th Street Wine Cellar, Greenwich Village

Thursday, 6:30pm

8th Street Wine Cellar
28 West 8th St. (5th Ave.), Manhattan

NYU territory is risky, but 8th Street Wine Cellar is an oasis for anyone over-30.

70-percent girls here, in groups of two, three and maybe one four. Diverse couples (from First Date to Foreign Tourists to NotForeign Tourists who make our country look scary). Wine list is also diverse and impressive. Five Cheese platter is a treat, but Bacon and Figs is what we'll order every time we go back. The mascarpone in the middle makes the dish more delicious, and less kosher. (Is that possible? We don't know because it was the second night of Passover when we made our first visit). Friends of 30toMidnight love this place; you will too.