The Lions Bar & Grill

"Imitation is the finest form of flattery at this East Village spot with a dry-aged, cheese-topped burger that looks a lot like the one at Red Hook Tavern, and tastes somewhat like it too. We even saw RHT’s owner there once, possibly checking out the competition. Lions is busy during the weekend, but on weeknights it's a calm watering hole, where Jack White and The Black Keys are the soundtrack for rounds of $5 lagers." - will hartman, willa moore, molly fitzpatrick, bryan kim, sonal shah

"The Lions Bar is one of those bars that's about one menu item away from being a full-fledged restaurant. But as it stands now, it's a great place in the East Village to drop in for a martini, or a burger that's pretty close to the one at Red Hook Tavern without a trip to Red Hook. We also like the ultra-rich baked potato topped with an egg yolk, and the fact that you can get a $5 beer." - willa moore, molly fitzpatrick, sonal shah

"The team behind the Lions knows what they’re doing: They’re behind cocktail bar and tavern, Goodnight Sonny; music venue the Wayland; and Madeline’s Martini, all in the East Village. The Lions has ambitions to be more than just a hangout for drinks, with a standout menu outfitted with magnificent mortadella sandwiches, burgers, triangular mozzarella sticks, and more. It’s a really solid after-work option." - Eater Staff

"When: Mon-Fri, 4pm-6pm The Deal: $14 Martini; $18 Martini & Fries; $8 Margarita; $5 Select Beer; $7 Guinness; $2 Off Well Drinks & Wine East Village bar The Lions is mostly known for its burger: a Red Hook Tavern dupe with a thick slice of onion and puck-sized patty sitting under a shiny blanket of melted american cheese. That burger is worth a visit, preferably during Happy Hour, when you can claim a wooden booth and drink whatever $8 margarita they have on special." - neha talreja, bryan kim

"Generally, we don’t go to St. Marks in the East Village for a calm night out. But The Lions Bar & Grill—from the team behind The Wayland, Madeline’s Martini, and Bar Lula, which formerly occupied this corner—is neither a neon-filled collegiate hotspot, nor a dive that’s been there for a million years and has the graffiti to prove it. People sit in worn wooden booths, chatting loudly or playing cards, but no matter how many $5 beers or $18 martinis they consume, you can always clearly hear Jack White and other 2000s alt rock legends playing in the background. The relaxed atmosphere is probably due to cheeseburger-induced bliss: with its chopped-thick slice of steamed white onion, and peppery, pink-inside patty, Lions’ burger is worth becoming a regular here. photo credit: Will Hartman" - Will Hartman