Birthday bars

Alligator Lounge
If you hanker for your college days, spend a night with beer, free pizza, a killer jukebox and Big Buck Hunter. The pizza is authentically cooked in a wood-burning oven for a deliciously crispy base, and you get a personal-sized pizza with every drink. Though with pitchers of Rheingold only $10, your stomach will soon be begging you to stop. 600 Metropolitan Ave between Leonard and Lorimer Sts, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-599-4440). Daily 3pm-4am.

Barcade
Boasting more than 20 classic arcade machines, like Ms. Pac-Man, Frogger, Tapper and Robotron:2084, at old-school prices (just a quarter), you can finally try to beat your '80s high score, except this time you'll be contending with the effects of 25 microbrews. 388 Union Ave at Ainslie St (718-302-6464, barcadebrooklyn.com). Mon--Fri 5pm--4am; Sat, Sun 2pm--4am.

Beauty Bar
If you haven't got time for pampering and boozing on your big day, combine the two at this salon-turned-saloon, where a martini and a manicure cost a mere $10. (Manhattan: Mon--Fri 6--11pm; Sat, Sun 7--11pm. Brooklyn: Wed-Fri 7-11pm, Sat 9pm-midnight. Call ahead for parties of six or more.) Now that you're looking fresh, roll back the years dancing to the nightly Djs, or chuckle with a regular comedy night on Sundays at the East Village location. Beauty Bar New York: 231 E 14th St between Second and Third Aves (212-539-1389, beautybar.com). Mon--Fri 5pm--4am; Sat, Sun 7pm--4am; Beauty Bar Brooklyn: 921 Broadway at Melrose St, Bushwick, Brooklyn (347-529-0370). Daily 6pm--4am.

Blue Owl
The lights are low, the patrons well-heeled and the drinks properly stiff. Stake out one of the stylish pressed-tin tables and sip a proprietary Blue Owl—a sultry mix of Miller's gin, maraschino liqueur and fresh lemon juice. During cocktail hour between 5 and 8pm Monday through Friday, many drink selections are only $6, while early birds on Wednesdays are treated to free libations between 5 and 6pm. 196 Second Ave between 12th and 13th Sts (212-505-2583, blueowlnyc.com). Mon, Tue, Sun 5pm--2am; Wed--Sat 5pm--4am.

Brooklyn Bowl
Round up your posse and put your name down for a lane. While you wait, sink into the luxe Chesterfield sofas, down Brooklyn brews like Sixpoint and chow down on Blue Ribbon's scrumptious stoner food. It won't matter if the booze has made your group rowdy by the time you bowl—no one will be able to notice over the deafening hipster-rock soundtrack. 61 Wythe Ave between North 11th and 12th Sts, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-963-3369, brooklynbowl.com). Mon--Thu 6pm--2am, Fri 6pm--4am, Sat noon--4am, Sun noon--2am.