In the space formerly occupied by Prey, a new 1940s-themed bar and lounge called Catch-22 is the latest venue aiming to attract the Flatiron crowd.

Hits: Hungry drinkers can sample goods from behind enemy lines--like spiced ricotta-stuffed squash blossoms (Italy)--or re-ally themselves with lobster and crab cakes from the good ol' U.S. of A.

Misses: Despite the be-vested barstaff, drink-appropriate glassware and swaths of seating, historical purists won't find themselves in a 1940's looking glass, nor, perhaps, will they be inclined to linger amid the hopped-up decor.

Check out our full editorial review of Catch-22, then peruse other new and notable bar reviews, nightlife news, recent closings and our list of spots that are too new to review (but not too new to get you bombed).

Next week, we'll take you inside the latest Chinatown cocktail spot that causing a stir, Apotheke.

Photo of White Star borrowed from Yelp

Another day, another drink ... This time, though, the drinks are made of absinthe, and they come courtesy of cocktail impresario Sasha Petraske's new Chinatown drinking den, White Star.

Hits: The refined, relaxing environment in which to relish old-school absinthe service and a sweet selection of herbaceous spirits.

Misses: After the novelty of the green fairy wears off, slow bartenders backlogged by time-consuming absinthe orders may become frustrating. Also, who knew so many bankers hung out below Delancey Street?

Check out our full editorial review of White Star, then peruse other new and notable bar reviews, nightlife news, recent closings and our list of spots that are too new to review (but not too new to get you bombed).

Next week, we'll take you inside Catch-22, the Flatiron District's latest attempt at coolness.

Don't let a little rain scare you from heading out tonight--why stay home when there are so many new places to drink the pain away? This week we review Public Assembly the new (but mostly unchanged) incarnation of the old Galapagos in Williamsburg.

Hits: If you liked Galapagos, you'll love Public Assembly's full slate of weird and wonderful acts, as well as the affordable beers.

Misses: Arrive early in the eve or on an off night, and Public Assembly can feel oppressively huge and intimidating. It's a venue best patronized on packed nights.

Check out our full editorial review of Public Assembly, then peruse other new and notable bar reviews, nightlife news, recent closings and our list of spots that are too new to review (but not too new to get you bombed).

Next week, we'll take you inside Sasha Petraske's new absinthe den, White Star.

The longest short week of all time is finally over, which means it's time for another installment of New Review Fridays. This week we review Whiskey Tavern, the latest endeavor from the dudes behind boozy East Village bar Whiskey Town.

Hits: After a hard day of work downtown, you'll thank the heavens that this bar serves stiff bolts of bourbon and hunger-killing burgers both veggie and meaty.

Misses: The area is still a nightlife no man's land, and Whiskey Tavern tends to be populated by too-drunk dudes, screaming to be heard over ear-splitting rock songs.

Check out our full editorial review of Whiskey Tavern, then peruse other new and notable bar reviews, nightlife news, recent closings and our list of spots that are too new to review (but not too new to get you wasted).

Next week, we'll take you inside Public Assembly (aka, the "new" Galapagos).

It's the Friday before Labor Day, and we're still chained to our desks. We're hoping they'll let us go soon, but in the meantime here's a taste of this week's featured new review, (Le) Poisson Rouge.

Hits: (L)PR is all about accessibility. Concerts cost, but there's no cover to get into the side carriage bar, which is also uber-cool, pumping out eclectic jams from Manu Chao to Nirvana.

Misses: Seating arrangements vary in the listening room; sometimes 200 chairs are set up in rows, at other times it's standing-room only, causing some patrons to awkwardly squat on the floor pre-show.

Check out our full editorial review of (Le) Poisson Rouge, then peruse other New & Notable bar reviews, nightlife news, recent closings and our list of spots that are too new to review (but not too new to get you hammered).

And be sure to enjoy the long weekend--unless your employer observes Columbus Day, it's the last one 'til Thanksgiving.

We took a few weeks off, but "New Review Fridays" are back and they're here to stay. This week we review Macondo, the street eats and cocktails spot that recently opened in the space formerly occupied by the LoSide Diner.

Hits: In a festive setting, you'll snack on tasty small plates and sip affordable and insanely inventive cocktails that push the boundaries of beverages.

Misses: The design feels a bit gimmicky--think Disneyland meets a Latin republic--and if you're not taking advantage of the drinks then paying top dollar for tacos may disagree with you.

Read our full editorial review of Macondo and 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).

It's Friday again, and this week we review Carroll Gardens' swanky new cocktail den, Clover Club.

Hits: Though cocktail hounds may sneer, the menu graciously explains the distinctions between cobblers and highballs, bucks and mules, and swizzles versus royales, introducing the uninitiated to the nuances of high-class cocktails.

Misses: Those left without a table or a seat in the back room are forced to precariously clutch precious stemware at the main bar, amid the at-times ferocious weekend crowds.

Read our full editorial review of Clover Club 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).

Coming next week: The fancy new Pool Deck at the Empire Hotel.

Behold Inc Lounge, the new cocktail lounge and party spot nestled within the Time Hotel in midtown. So, what's the verdict? If you should you find yourself in midtown in need of a drink--and let's be honest, finding yourself in midtown is probably reason enough to start drinking--then it's as good a bar as any.

Hits: The mod decor makes the place feel chic, an abundance of couches make it feel comfortable, and the fact that it's nestled inside a hotel makes it feel like a hidden gem.

Misses: The cocktail menu is a bit uninspired, with most standard bar drinks (like apple martinis and cosmopolitans) going for $13-$14.

Read our complete editorial review of Inc. Lounge, 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).

There's been a lot of talk about Andrew W.K.'s Soho dance club, Santos' Party House, since the bloggers first got wind of it late last year. So, does it deliver the goods?

Hits: In a New York club scene overrun with exclusive bottle-service boites where no one dare boogie, Santos' serves as a dancing nirvana with sweet DJs spinning on a thumptastic sound system.

Misses: You better like dancing, because seats are scarce as snowflakes in summer. And after all that construction, it'd be nice to have more creative decor than disco balls.

Read our full editorial review of Santos' Party House 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 courtesy of The Randolph

As we reported back in May, The Randolph at Broome (formerly M Bar) recently closed for a makeover, and planned to reopen with a few changes--most notably, the addition of mixologist Matty Gee (of Milk & Honey and East Side Company fame), and a piano churning out ragtime hits. Well, given that we've always liked the bar (and even included it on our list of the Best New Bars of 2007), we sent one of our ace reporters to check out how The Randolph is faring as a piano bar / hot spot hybrid.

Hits: The crowd is a good mix of creative hipster and young urbanite, with minimal bankers tossed in for good measure.

Misses: Although the lower level is supposedly where "anything goes," the decor is a throwback to the days of partying in your parents' unfinished basement.

Read our full editorial review of The Randolph at Broome, 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). And since we skipped work last Friday to get drunk and watch the fireworks, check out our review of last week's hot spot, Highbar.

NOTE: At long last, we've decided to combine our list of new bars with our list of openings and closings, so you can get all your New York nightlife news in one place. Same goes for restaurants - have a look.