Ear Inn

This bar used to sit right at the river's edge, until the riverbank was filled in. As such it was a serious sailors' bar, built in 1817. It has the decor (and many say the ghosts) to prove it. A very mellow place to have a drink, with nice staff eager to talk about their ghostly encounters, decent prices and a great late-night menu. If you're stranded in SoHo... this is the place. Best late at night or at sunset. Caveat: sometimes poetry readings, sometimes folky music for a few hours in the evenings.

Commentary by Mikaela Pearson, Thursday, February 5, 1998.