Lower Manhattan Nightlife: 5 Places to Practice English on a Friday Night February 5, 2015

Learning English doesn’t have to stay in the classroom. After class is over, it’s time to head out and put what you’ve studied into practice. With that said, to put your studies into practice means going somewhere where you can actually hold a conversation with someone whether it be old friends or new acquaintances. So, meet up with classmates at one of our five picks below for best low-key bars in Lower Manhattan and be treated to an evening of relaxing atmosphere, great discussion, and lots of fun!

• The Third Man
• Attaboy
• The Dead Rabbit
• Clandestino
• Vintry Wine and Whiskey

What to Tip Your Bartender

Before you head off to one of the bars listed in this article, it’s important to understand America’s love of tipping. As a general rule, bartenders make a large amount of their income based on the generosity of customers leaving a tip. This means if you don’t leave a tip, they are not happy. The general agreement in Manhattan for tipping the bartender is $1–2 for the first drink you order if you are not starting a tab at the bar (this is when the bartender will keep track of your drinks until the end of the night). After the first drink it’s your choice if you want to keep tipping after each drink though the bartender may “show” his thanks when you tip more often. If you decide to keep a tab at the bar, you can choose to pay your tip when you get your bill. The best way to decide how much to pay is to add an additional 15–20% of the bill’s total before tax is added.

Now that you have a basic idea of what you should tip, check out our 5 picks below!

The Third Man

Nestled in the East Village, this little cocktail bar is trendy in all the right ways. The Third Man, on Avenue C between 7th and 8th Street in Alphabet City, features a symmetrical U-shaped bar with plenty of seating and some cushy booths up front with big windows peering out into the street—perfect for people watching. It’s the best kind of cozy you can find when it comes to bar atmosphere, and there are an array of drinks with fun names (like Happy Lime or Fool of Berries) to please all tastes. Skip the beer and try one of the many creative cocktails that are easy on the eyes and even better tasting. Take a friend or two, and your night will start out alright.

Attaboy

Attaboy is a reboot of a well-reputed former New York mecca for fancy cocktails called Milk & Honey on the Lower East Side. And, like the classic movie The Godfather, the sequel won’t fail to please you. Two of the previous bartenders, Sam Ross & Michael McIlroy, launched under a new name in the same location as the old; an intimate (though not claustrophobic) space with one long bar, only a few booths, and mixologists in suspenders. Just be prepared, there is no drink menu! Of course this is not a problem but an opportunity to practice your English as you talk with the friendly bartenders about what you would like for your first beverage. Find Attaboy at 134 Eldridge Street.

The Dead Rabbit

The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog, as this taproom, cocktail lounge, and grocery is officially known, takes its name from a gang of rowdy Irish-American New Yorkers of the mid 1800s and embodies all the liveliness and hospitality of the Irish-American tradition. (If you have ever watched the movie Gangs of New York with Leonardo DiCaprio, you may recognize this name.)

Offering a fine collection of craft beers, whiskeys, cocktails, and bottled punch, you’re certain to find something to your taste among the many selections available. And, if you get hungry, head over to the grocery, grab some of their well-chosen snacks, and then settle in at the bar to continue your conversation. Live music from various artists is often to be found so check their calendar before you arrive to make sure you aren’t surprised by a burst of an Irish jig if you’re hoping to find a quiet pint with a friend. The Dead Rabbit is at 30 Water Street, not far from Broad.

Clandestino

If you’re looking for something a little more down-market, check out Clandestino. It feels like a neighborhood pub anywhere in the world. The bartenders are friendly, the prices are good, and it never gets too crowded. Their drink menu isn’t the most complicated in the world, but you won’t be disappointed by the selection of wines from Europe and South America. And if you’re lucky, you can grab a spot in the small garden out back (at least once summer rolls around again). Find it at 35 Canal Street between Essex and Ludlow.

Vintry Wine and Whiskey

Located in the Financial District about six blocks from New York English Academy, Vintry Wine and Whiskey is a great place for a happy hour with friends. The drink menu is a language lesson in itself though note that most of the cocktails are whisky based. Presumably this shouldn’t come as a surprise, given the name of the establishment, but just be prepared if you were hankering for something with rum. Also, note the food menu is relatively limited, with a selection of small plates large enough to satisfy the late afternoon munchies, but maybe not quite enough to count as a dinner. The ambiance of this bar is dark and intimate, with servers dressed in clothing looking back to the Prohibition era. All in all, you can be sure your conversation will flow freely between you and your companions with no concern of being drowned out by the pounding bass of a jukebox blaring in your ear. Find this lovely spot at 57 Stone Street close to the intersection with Mill Lane.

If evening drinks and discussion aren’t your thing, check out our other articles on how to practice English outside the classroom here.