Let's get real

Scratcher, at 209 E. 5th St (at the corner of Bowery) is a solid choice when you want a drink without the fuss.


It's an Irish pub, but without the green decorations. Unlike so many of the Irish pubs in the Murray Hill vicinity, you won't find the cheesy teeny-bopper crowd here. No top 40 hits blasting.


No fancy cocktails, no hipsters either. Just a bar with beer on tap, free wi-fi and decent prices.


Let's face it. Sometimes the EV can start to wear on you. All the trendy people. The doormen with 'tudes. You certainly couldn't find anyplace cooler. But sometimes you don't want to go someplace uber cool. Sometimes you just want a good old-fashioned relaxing place to chill. Nothing wrong with giving the fedora a night off. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.