One of life’s greatest pleasures is…a drink. An evening cocktail, a glass of wine while watching the sunset, an ice-cold beer on a summer day. Here are our three favorite places to kick back…

The Rusty Knot (West Village). This hip nautical-themed bar feels like your grandfather’s basement, with fish tanks, ship paintings, wooden walls and red armchairs. Choose songs on the (free!) jukebox, and order a pretzel dog with can of Tecate–the bartender will splash salt water and lime juice on the top, so you feel like you’re at the beach! The vibe is suuuuuuper chill.  The bar’s across the street from the Hudson River, so, afterward, take a beautiful, if wobbly, walk along the water and see the Statue of Liberty in the distance.

Weather Up (Tribeca). This cocktail lounge nails it on all counts: the vibe is warm and welcoming, the cocktails are creative (and stiff!), and the room is swanky and elegant. Check out the gleaming subway tiles on the walls. New York Magazine calls it a “downtown-cool-kid hang-out,” which sounds about right. (Tip: Weather Up would be a great place for a first date. Also, the yellow lighting makes everyone look smokin’:)

Radegast Hall & Biergarten (Williamsburg). Picture: A gray, cold Saturday afternoon in November. Stepping into a Brooklyn beer hall, music playing, a bustling room that feels straight out of Germany. Grabbing a seat at a wooden picnic table, and ordering bratwursts with sauerkraut and a pitcher of beer. Yup, a perfect afternoon. Babies are warmly welcome here, which I love. Head’s up: They might want a sip, like Toby did:)

What about you? What bars do you love in New York? Any favorite places to grab a drink?

(Top image layout by HipHipGinGin for Cup of Jo. Top photo by Jennifer Causey from the The Makers Project. Photos by Melissa Horn, Eater, Time Out, New York Magazine and the bars themselves.)