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After-work drinks:

6:07 PM EST, March 4, 2004

The perfec t thirst quencher

After a long day slaving over a terminal screen, you deserve a drink. Here are 10 of our favorite places to find a cocktail.

MANHATTAN

Bubble Lounge. Even if it's just an ordinary Tuesday evening, a glass of bubbly can take an edge off the day and make it feel like a holiday. It doesn't come cheap, but you didn't expect that. The bar menu, with smoked salmon and foie gras, can also make you feel pretty special. (228 West Broadway; 212-431-3433)

Old Town Bar. There are reasons places like this have been around as long as they have. The Old Town is a great old-fashioned bar with good bartenders and not a lot of nonsense. The crowd is friendly and the burgers will help sop up some of that alcohol you've been imbibing. (45 East 18th Street; 212-529-6732)

Plant Bar. Time was when the place was known for dancing. But that's over, courtesy of the city's dance patrol. Now, the plant has morphed into a mellow place that's the perfect antidote to daily stress. So, call up a friend or two and mosey along downtown for a drink when the day is done -- or when you're just looking to get an evening started. (217 East Third Street; 212-375-9066)

Cibar. This well-bred bar in the basement of the Inn at Irving Place draws a stylish crowd of 30-somethings who wind the day down over perfect martinis in the glow of a working fireplace. When the weather warms up, the garden is a nice place for a drink. (56 Irving Place; 212-460-5656)

Temple Bar. A dark, romantic bar that's been in the neighborhood for years, Temple Bar is still going strong. Premium cocktails don't come cheap, but the bar snacks -- individual pizzas, steak skewers, crabcakes -- are tasty, and the atmosphere is worth every penny. (332 Lafayette Street; 212-925-4242)

BROOKLYN

Pete's Candy Store. Just like the name says, the place used to be a candy store, and this Williamsburg spot still provides plenty of diversion besides the drinks. There's live music, as well as Bingo nights and trivia quizzes, plus some tasty house cocktails. (709 Lorimer Street; 718-302-3770)

B61 Bar. With its big windows overlooking the skyline, the B61 -- named for the Brooklyn bus -- has an atmospheric Brooklyn romance. There are special house cocktails, the bartenders are friendly, and the neighborhood crowd always has something to say. (187 Columbia Street; 718-643-5400)

Quench. One of Smith Street's favorite hangouts, it draws young trendies from the neighborhood as well as old-timers who remember when the place was a topless bar. They're serious about the drinks, though, and the interior is very cool. Friendly, too. (282 Smith Street; 718-875-1500)

QUEENS

Tupelo Popular with the neighborhood types, Tupelo has a DJ upstairs and a busy bar, not to mention a vibe that would make it comfortable in the East Village. Nothing fancy, but if you're looking for a place to meet after work for a brew or two, this is a good place to hang. (34-18 34th Avenue, Astoria; 718- 707-9588)

STATEN ISLAND

Cargo. The view of the Verrazano alone is worth a visit, but there's also live music during the week (Sundays, too), and a facade that gets re-painted every couple of months, so you always have something to talk about. If you get hungry, the burgers are just fine. (120 Bay Street; 718-876-0539).