http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18258 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18258 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17902 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17902 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17312 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17312 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17310 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17310 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17291 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17291 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16974
You board at Chelsea Piers (on the Hudson near West 23rd). The two-hour cruise goes to the Statue of Liberty and returns, with champagne served by the crew.

The sunset cruise is particularly beautiful because you see the sunset to the west over New Jersey and to the east looms the skyline of lower Manhattan which is lit up brilliantly by the time you turn around and head back.

Unfortunately the cruise only runs from the end of April through the end of October. Cost is around $50, champagne included. We will never forget it!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16974 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15759 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15759 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15683
Bleecker Street seems to cater for every type of drinker so if you can't find a decent boozer there, something is wrong with you. Blind Tiger very popular and my sort of place with good range of ales.
The pace here is more laid back than midtown.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15683 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15682
Try Perfect Pint or O Lunneys. Beer served in those not-quite-pint glasses. Adequate, but don't expect to sample the essence of NY as they're in the heart of Tourist Central.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15682 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15681
Good pub grub and found both the lager and wheat beer very appealing. Good choice of ales and plenty of seasonal brews. Probably equated to about 3.50-4 quid a pint but hey, good quality microbrews in the middle of NY; you'd pay the same for cooking lager in a generic fun pub, anytown, UK.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15681 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14820
A great place for brunch, lunch or dinner, traditional dishes like stewed lamb meatballs and Schiller's steak frites hit the right notes.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14820 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10556 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10556 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10395
They're lethal. The music gets going a little later, and an upstairs level opens up, doubling the capacity. It's dark, loud and full of gorgeous boys and girls - many still in their work suits, others out for the evening. I was out on the town on my own, and I really liked it there - the people were friendly and were happy to chat. I left, several hours later, staggering, but smiling.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10395 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10221
Frequented by many (it gets busy) but mainly by locals and workers around Grammercy and Union Square.

A very long zinc bar, an amazing tin ceiling, some of the best burgers in town and just a great place to hang out and feel as if you are a part of New York. As with most things in New York, this bar just 'works'...it's a great place.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10221 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10185
But when in New York, and when with a mate-who’s-mate’s-mate-knows-a-mate-of owner Amy Sacco, then why not.

Is it worth the effort? Well, the pretentious git in me did feel kind of smug at leaving the mere mortals behind on the sidewalk, but the place certainly didn’t blow me away.

Inside was “Beverly Hills themed” whatever that means. It was much smaller than expected, music was identikit hip-hop and R&B and there wasn’t a single celebrity du jour to gawp at. The only thing that blew me away was checking my Amex receipts in my wallet the following morning.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10185 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9440 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9440 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7368 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7368 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4010
Walk down Water Street to get there - it's one of the city's last remaining cobble stoned streets and is a small shout away from the touristy South Street Seaport. Have a pint of Brooklyn Brewery white beer - made just across the East River - and then wobble up to the bridge, walk halfway across, turn around and take in Manhattan- it's just like the movies.

You'll never forget the view and to reacquaint yourself with the Bridge Cafe - right down below- totter back to the long bar for another Brooklyn.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4010 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3531
They have quite a schedule. Tuesday's is an anti-Bush satire night of stand-up comedians; Wednesday is a literary reading night; Thursday is a pub quiz and Friday and Saturday are hip hop nights. Pretty eclectic.
Rocky's is a real no nonsense New York bar with cheap booze and bar tenders with an attitude. It also has the cosy atmosphere Dublin bars used to have before that city's yuppification.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3531 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2725 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2725