Peter McManus Cafe

The city is full of pubs and faux-dives that want you to think that they’re older than they are. But Peter McManus is the real deal. At this Chelsea institution—which isn’t a cafe, even by the most charitable definition—you can drink a cold-ish beer underneath an ancient fluorescent light fixture and watch sports on a TV that’s almost a century younger than the bar itself. The vinyl stools are peeling, and the floor needs a good scrubbing, but the tater tots are crispier than ever. Get them as a side when you order a burger, and feel free to make small talk with the bartender. The service is very friendly. If you need to rent out space for a party, inquire about the back room.