On the circuit of hangouts, watering holes, taverns, gin joints (of all the gin joints in all the world . . .), eateries, saloons, grilles, speakeasies, et al, that are frequented by every conceivable member of the big town’s performing-arts community, the above quotes sum it up. It’s the fantastic range of choice–first, of where to go, and second, of what to choose once you get there–that really stands up under scrutiny (and a few cocktails). Surprised? Would this be the Big Apple otherwise?

From lush dining extravaganzas to down-and-dirty drinking/carousing, exquisite Old European decor to sawdust and smoke-filled “dart pubs,’ we went “on tour’ to track down the hot spots and cool jewels that among stage and screen folks are where it’s at these days.

Approximately 25 joints were chosen and visited, primarily on the basis of tradition and word-of-mouth from those who know–a “straw poll,’ if you will. There was an amazing litany of responses from various personnel on the trail–after they got over the initial fear that they were under Board of Health investigation or something–and, …