I was over in April for a first time visit, five days of either walking the streets of the Big Apple and hiring a car to drive out to each of the five Boroughs plus New Jersey.
I cant stress enough to get some decent trainers because after a few days my feet were literally on fire. You don't realise how much you actually walk but you end up paying for it big time.
We stayed near the Port Authority Bus Terminal and one of the more decent boozers we found was Lansdowne Road in the Hells Kitchen area. It gets packed but its worth a few hours in there.
If you have a travel card for the Subway - which is well worth investing in - then head down to O'Hara's on Cedar Street. Its by the WTC Memorial site and round the corner from the firehouse known as 'Ten House' (this was the firehouse which was directly opposite the WTC).
My pal is a Captain in the FDNY and took me into here for a few pints. The pub was actually damaged on 9/11 and re-built and now is like a hang out for off duty firefighters and cops. The walls and interior are decorated with patches from fire departments and police departments all over the world.
They have a huge photo album/scrapbook behind the bar which has photographs and letters from post 9/11, its quite an emotional read to be honest but well worth it.
The Guinness in here was by far the best I tasted during our stay and they do good food too.
If you are travelling out or have time on your hands, I really, really recommend Joyce's Tavern out on Staten Island. Its on Richmond Avenue and shows the game but the ale and food in there is top draw, plus we found the locals and staff genuinely nice people.
New York is boss, I love it.
