I have been getting burgers here since I first moved to NYC. I think it is 1000 years old or something like that. Only two types of burgers, with or without bacon. I like easy decisions and this place is full of them. There is usually a line to be seated, but it always seems to go fast with $2.50 mugs of McSorley's. It's also at this strange vortex in the west village where 4th street and 12th street cross. Maybe that's why the line never takes too long and everything is so cheap.

A street party/DJ sound system built out of a shipping container. A little slab of hungover berlin/pregaming Berlin in Brooklyn. Whomever the great DJs in town are you will find them playing a low-key set here for a crowd of less than 50 people. Sunset is magic as there's a straight shot through to Manhattan and the light is perfection.

Books are Magic is a great local spot for bookworms. The staff is warm and friendly with regular events happening monthly. 

Fav art bookstore in the city (and the world?). Great place for inspiration and reference art, both new and vintage finds. Not very cheap but mostly quite worth it.

I love this excellent independent arthouse theater in the Lower East side. Metrograph projects archive quality 35mm and independent films. Tastefully decorated, there is also a candy store, bookstore and restaurant.