Standard Grill - 846 Washington St., b/tw LW 12th & 13th

A grown up Bar Martignetti and likely to give Pastis, Balthazar and Morandi a run for their money, the Standard Grill is one of the better bar/restaurant scenes seen in a while. I didn't think the Standard could pull it off (and in 2004 I didn't think the Meatpacking District could pull it off either) but the massive west side highway structure, which reminds me of my elementary school, a hospital and the Seattle Space Needle all wrapped into one, has added the final touch of revitalization to the MPD (do they actually pack meat there anymore, anywhere?). Check it out. Architecturally interesting, big open spaces, lively, stylish bar with adequate Euro to NY ratio, tasty enough food and enough bartenders to actually get you a drink when you belly up, not to mention the outstanding, outdoor beer garden. Didn't stay long, only had a drink or two and a few nibbles, but liked what I saw, just because there was life, vibe and an interesting crowd. Who wants to go back?

675 Bar - 675 Hudson St., b/tw Hudson and 9th Ave

Show up before 11pm and 675 Bar is a great spot to hang out and have a few drinks with friends or a few drinks to meet new friends. A warren of small rooms on your way-in leads you to the main room, which is a vague reminder of the frat section (where I went to school, there were no houses, only sections) but clearly NY, and clearly trying to provide a little ambience/environment. There's even the requisite pool and foos (foose?) ball tables, but no one's really playing as there's a DJ and real cocktails and a good-looking, well-balanced crowd. After 11pm, I fear there are a few people who still think this is the velvet rope club, that I never had a desire to check out: Level V. Kudos to BR Guest for acknowledging the operating environment and cutting their losses on a circa-early-naughties (that's 00s) club and creating a den/diningroom/frat-section/all around comfortable/appealing bar to hang out and have a few cocktails. Just depart before the clubbies start showing up.