Bar, with some food, good for conversation, good beer or liquor selection, not too pubby, by Union Square?

[adam]

This may be a long shot, but maybe someone's got a good idea.

I'm meeting up tonight with about half a dozen old friends. Some folks might want some food, but there's a good chance we're going to have a couple of drinks and maybe order snacks, but nothing more. Because people are coming from all over the city (UWS, UES, FiDi, Brooklyn), and then going back to various far-flung locales, the Union Square area seems like a decent centrally located area to meet up. Good beer and/or liquor selections are a plus (American craft beers, Belgians, whiskey, etc), and I'm hoping to avoid too much of a pubby atmosphere.

Anyone have any ideas? Any help is much appreciated.

[adam]

Thanks to everyone. Coordinating these people can be like herding cats sometimes. I ended up picking Jimmy's No. 43, which I think fits the bill well, people can snack or get meals if they want, we'll drink some good beer, and my guess is on a Wednesday night it shouldn't be too loud or crowded. And I'm certainly looking forward to checking out Rattle n' Hum on another night.

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Jimmy's No. 43
43 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

[glutton08]

Rattle n Hum has a great American craft beer selection. It's not Union Square, but still pretty centrally located on 33rd between 5th and Madison. I can't speak for the food except to say that they have a pretty typical bar food menu.

[egit]

I'm a fan of R-n-H. I just didn't suggest it because it's not close to Union Square. To the OP (adam), you should definitely go there if you're a fan of craft beers!

[egit]

I went to Irving Mill with the same criteria you specify. Nice place for a few drinks, probably some snacks. I was a little disappointed in the beer selection, but for the life of me, at this point, I can't remember what I was drinking that night (only had 2-3, but it was 6 weeks ago).

It worked out perfectly for us, because some wanted wine, some beer, and we had maybe 2-3 apps to go with the drinks. The room was quiet enough for talking and (sadly for them) there was plenty of room at the bar.

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Irving Mill
116 East 16th Street, New York, NY 10003

[mch]

i feel like maxies is more of a restaurant then a bar. lillies might work or the coffee shop. depending what time it is but pipa could be good. they have big high tables in the bar area but it can get loud.

[smokeandapancake]

you can go to maxie's grill (attached to angelo and maxies).