Iona

Contributor

Citysearch

This pub--named for a Celtic island between Ireland and Scotland--proves a worthy complement to the 'hood. Wood-toned and gently lit, Iona reverberates with the Pogues and other alt-rockers as it fills up with conversational folk on the weekends. The beer selection--largely Irish, Scottish and Belgian--is top-notch. Twenty-odd varieties are on tap, including Guinness, Stella Artois and Fuller's London Pride, with an additional 30 in the bottle, such as Hoegaarden, Duvel and Schneiderweisse. In addition to beer, ale and bitters, there is liquor and a chalkboard menu offering several wines by the glass and snacks like potato chips and Mars bars. In warmer weather, a charming outdoor garden in back draws a crowd of locals and city folk, who enjoy ping-pong, chess, and barbecue beneath a flurry of tree branches.

Hits: The prices are unusually low, even for Billyburg--think $4 mixed drinks.

Misses: The bar is cash only, though there is an ATM machine on the premises.