If you haven't been there yet, I highly recommend you check out Arlo and Esme, a coffee shop by day, swanky bar by night located in the deceptively large space formerly occupied by the East Village Yacht Club.

Hits: Come during the day and you'll savor strong coffee and plenty of space to sprawl out; after dark, you'll sip expertly prepared classic cocktails and dance until the wee hours.

Misses: Though some nights are crazy packed, other evenings are so quiet and slow you'll often wonder if you've wandered into a bona fide ghost town.

Read our full editorial review of Arlo and Esme, then peruse other New & Notable bar reviews or check out our list of spots that are too new to review (but not too new to get you hammered).

Photo by Peter Cuce

'Twas a year ago that we created this absurd video about outdoor bars in Williamsburg. Good times.

Undercover New York: Lumberjacks in Williamsburg from Citysearch on Vimeo.

Above: A painting by Shawn Gilheeney entitled "To Undergo Damage"

Brothers John J. and Whitney McGurk have assembled an exhibition featuring various emerging artists--entitled Use It Up--at Rabbit Hole Studio in DUMBO (at 33 Washington Street, between Water and Plymouth Streets). The show is on view through June 30th (Wed-Fri from 6pm-8pm or by appointment) and its tail end coincides perfectly with the debut of The New York City Waterfalls, a summer-long public art project by the internationally acclaimed Danish artist, Olafur Eliasson. Starting Thursday you can swing by Rabbit Hole for an optimal view of one of the four citywide waterfall installations that will tumble off the Brooklyn Bridge. Then check out the gallery, where you’ll find pieces by artists whose work, though varied in style and medium, all reflects the language of Providence, Rhode Island, where each of them are from.

For more information, visit Elwa Productions.

Last night I sampled what seemed like every single cocktail at the new Williamsburg spot Bedford and Berry. The restaurant has a beautiful, worn-in feel thanks to antique touches like Edison light bulbs, large photos created from negatives found in antique stores, and vintage armchairs. All the decor was picked out by chef/owner Coby Farrow, who has created an eclectic menu featuring everything from frog legs to prawn ravioli.

The space also has a small stage where the restaurant plans to feature live acoustic performances, and a table in back that can be removed to set up a DJ booth.

What sets Bedford and Berry apart from other restaurants in the neighborhood is its late-night offerings, especially its fresh homemade cookies and rum-spiked milk. The bar stays open after the dinner service stops, so Williamsburg partiers can munch on cookies or sip on a Sixto (French press coffee, Baileys, Kahlua and Drambuie) until 4am.

Now if you'll excuse me I need to go find some Advil ...

Hair care is crucial, especially during the mercilessly humid summer months when typically obedient strands give way to unwanted poof and frizz. But who wants to forgo a portion of their summer cocktail fund for a pricey salon blowout? Nobody. The solution? A free professional blowout, of course. 

And you can get one today, June 24, starting at noon on Military Island (7th Avenue between 43rd Street and 44th Street), thanks to the good people over at Bravo at an event being held in conjunction with the season two premiere of the network's popular reality show, "Shear Genius" (which airs tomorrow night at 10pm EST). If you get there early enough, in addition to having your tresses tamed, you’ll get the chance to scope out the new cast before the premiere, and gawk at the celeb host--none other than Charlie’s Angels alum Jaclyn Smith. And don't forget to grab a Nexxus gift bag before you leave.

If you're like me, your salary isn't high enough to dine regularly at restaurants like Bar Boulud (pictured above) or Del Posto (if it is, then we should be best friends). Luckily for not-so-rich types like myself, there is NYC Restaurant Week. This summer, more than 200 restaurants are offering three-course, prix fixe meals for $24.07 (lunch) or $35 (dinner). The actual event takes place from July 21–July 25 and July 28–August 1, with general reservations starting June 26. The good restaurants are always booked super-fast, so don't procrastinate. As for me, I'm looking forward to getting around to some notable restaurants I haven't visited yet, like Rayuela and Aquavit. Yum.

This week we review Chelsea's Bar Baresco, yet another spot to hop on the wine bar bandwagon. No big surprises here, but that doesn't mean it's not worth a visit.

Hits: The gleaming high-tech cruvinet (a wine preservation system) behind the bar keeps uncorked bottles fresh, allowing by-the-glass drinkers an opportunity to explore higher-end wines without shelling out the extra cash for a bottle.

Misses: With less than expert advise like, "the older one is probably better," some of the waitstaff could use more wine training, the lack of which only compounds the difficulty of trying to navigate the menu's tiny font in the dimly lit room.

Read our full editorial review of Bar Baresco, then peruse other New & Notable bar reviews or check out our list of spots that are too new to review (but not too new to get you hammered).

In January, we got word of a new neighborhood cafe coming to 182 Avenue B at 11th Street, in the space formerly occupied by the Furniture Place. At the time, we were told that the owners expected to open "in February." Then in April, we reported that the cafe appeared to be on the verge of opening--there were flower-filled vases in the window, stacks of glasses behind the counter, all the equipment seemed to be in place, and to my knowledge, the place never even sought a liquor license, so they weren't waiting on that.  So for reasons I cannot explain, two more months passed without a bagel sold or cup of coffee poured.

But as of yesterday, De Nova cafe officially opened its doors, and today I took the opportunity to check it out. The menu is a bit strange for a place that looks and feels like a coffee shop. At the counter they offer the usual--pastries, bagels, coffee, various other drinks like raspberry iced tea. But the sit-down menu is a cross between random American pub-grub (like nachos) and small plates with a decidely Greek flavor (grape leaves served with yogurt salad; a feta cheese and olives small plate). There are also five or six different salads and several larger plates.

Whether or not the menu will work remains to be seen, but I will say that the prices can't be beat. My enormous iced coffee was just $1.50 (compared to $2.45 for a small at my usual place, just two blocks north), and the salads are all between $5 and $6.50. It's probably not a destination unto itself, but for the locals chances are it'll be a welcome addition to the 'hood.

This week we review Thunder Jackson's--better known for the fact that it sells 40-oz bottles of High Life (complete with brown bag) than the fact that the bartenders are apparently fire monsters.

Hits: While your favorite game flashes across the flat-screen TVs, you'll chomp some of the finest bar food this side of Washington Square Park.

Misses: Novelty aside, do you really want to pay $12 for a 40-ounce of Miller High Life served in a brown paper bag? You're better off heading to a bodega and sitting on someone's stoop.

Read our full editorial review of Thunder Jackson's, then peruse other New & Notable bar reviews or check out our list of spots that are too new to review (but not too new to get you hammered).

We first reported back in March that Luca Lounge was closed for renovations, only to follow-up recently with the unfortunate news that as per the signage outside, the space was evidently for rent.

Well, yesterday we received an email from Vito DiTomaso, who identified himself as Luca's "co-founder, co-chef, member of Luca family, and all around cool dude," so, at long last, here is the official lowdown on the popular Avenue B bar's future ...

In regards to your May 20th article: we must correct you and inform you that Luca Lounge is by no means a goner ... Unfortunately, in the midst of renovations leading into a typically busy and fun summer season, and following months of negotiating, we quite suddenly and unfairly did lose our lease due to an unexpected and outrageous rent increase. However, we fully intend to stay in this community and are planning to move the restaurant to 222 Avenue B--this location is just next door to our original space. So do plan to see a new, improved, and definitely alive and kicking Luca Lounge by the end of July, next door to our former location. Our sister spots, Luca Bar on St. Marks Place and Masso in Long Island City are also open for those who need their Luca fix immediately!

And there you have it.