NYC While we're discussing negative reviews, I might as well say that the latest establishment to make itself dead to me is the bar HiFi, on Avenue A. Went there with friends recently during Happy Hour and the charmless bartender served me the absolute worst pint of Guinness ever—so flat and nasty that it made people wince to taste it, so awful that it made the most disgusting beer I'd had previous (a Rheingold) seem drinkable in comparison. It was so bad it put me off of drinking for the night. A friend took it back to the bar to swap it for a Coke and the bartender didn't taste it to check what was wrong or even try to apologize. Nice booths, a pool table, and the best jukebox in the East Village? Whatever. HiFi, you are dead to me.
update: Kathryn tells us that HiFi's regular Happy Hour bartender is a) probably away on tour and b) a total doll. I will give him the benefit of the doubt—but stay clear of the bar till he get back!