I really, really like SideBar. Perched above a Pei Wei/Starbucks duplex behind an odd neighborhood, this place has an excellent beer selection and is small enough to be intimate yet still packs in a crowd. SideBar is dressed in modern and upscale furnishings but still maintains its neighborhood lounge identity.
Every time I come here with friends, it seems like we always get pleasantly toasted. I'm not sure if it's the overflowing glasses of Unibroue or the creative house cocktails, but there's just something about the vibe of SideBar that works with me.
Two minor notes: first, the music can be a little weird. I think they were playing Sublime at one point? Secondly, an outdoor patio would round this place out to five stars. But, given the architecture of the building I don't think this is possible. I suppose for now, we smokers will happily crowd on the landing and entertain ourselves with the colorful characters that hang out at that bus stop on 7th Ave.