Commodore II

If The Commodore in Williamsburg is best described as a Florida Keys dive, frequented by leathery-skinned fishermen in board shorts, their second spot in the East Village takes a slightly different “inspired-by-Florida” approach. Complete with a DJ booth, the Commodore II is more like a below-decks party on a Miami yacht, where you might find a guy in a turtleneck and a white suit with the sleeves rolled up. Both places have far better fried chicken than you’d expect at a bar, and we’d also recommend diving into the juicy shrimp po’boy, or a fresh green salad with parsley and dill pickles here.

Come with a couple of friends—or with a date who appreciates campy touches, like portholes for windows and plastic fish on the wood-paneled walls. While you’re there, drink a Commodore, a frozen piña colada with an amaretto float, or their other frozen cocktails. The kitchen is open until 2am on weekends, and their fried chicken platter, served with biscuits, honey butter and two types of hot sauce, should help stave off a pounding head in the morning.

photo credit: Will Hartman