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[title]All hail bad decisions, drama queenery and uncomfortable confrontations! HBO’s Girls returns this week, to the delight of many adults on the brink (and parents wanting to understand their kids). Lena Dunham’s buzzworthy comedy launches into its ten-episode second season on January 13, and we’ve rounded up some NYC bars where you can get reacquainted with Hannah, Jessa, Shoshanna and Marnie. Plus, check out a bunch of other cool TV screening parties and viewing events to get you out of the house during the dark winter months.
Girls
Beginning with this week’s premiere, stop by hybrid rental store, screening room and bar Videology (308 Bedford Ave between South 1st and 2nd Sts, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-782-3468, videology.info) for a weekly viewing party. Drink your quarter-life crises and adulthood neuroses away with the Porch Climber ($6), an anxiety-relieving blend of Budweiser, whiskey, vodka and lemonade. East Village saloon Professor Thom’s (219 Second Ave between 13th and 14th Sts; 212-260-9480, professorthoms.com) will also be showing Girls on its 150-inch projection screen and three LCD TVs. Take advantage of free jello shots any time Lena Dunham gets naked or you’re able to identify an NYC hang on the show. Sun 9pm. Sun 13–Mar 17; free.
Downton Abbey
If you prefer period pieces to existential hand-wringing, you’ve probably already begun watching the British show’s third season, which premiered January 6. Videology will broadcast the post-Edwardian drama after Girls, on Sundays at 9:30pm; sip a Lady Mary ($8), a concoction of Lillet, champagne, lemon juice and basil, named after the feisty Crawley damsel. Break out your sumptuous ’20s garb for the showing at Brit-inspired gastropub Gordon Bennett (109 South 6th St between Bedford Ave and Berry St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-599-9109, gordonbennettbar.com), and you’ll be rewarded with a boozy treat of the bartender’s choice. Sun 9pm (Gordon Bennett), 9:30pm (Videology). Through Feb 17; free.
Peep Show
Anglophiles can catch season nine of the U.K. sitcom Peep Show, which is also playing at Gordon Bennett starting Tuesday 15. As you follow the romantic and professional misadventures of Mark and Jez, cultivate a buzz with $4 pours of Old Speckled Hen, a creamy English ale. Tue 10pm. Tue 15–Feb 19; free.
The Walking Dead
Zombie lovers are amped for February 10, when season three of the apocalyptic production returns from hiatus. The bloody AMC drama goes down well with a glass of vino at Brooklyn Winery (213 North 8th St between Driggs Ave and Roebling St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 347-763-1506, bkwinery.com), which shows the gory horror series on a 116-inch projector. Find out if Daryl and Merle will have their brains eaten at cozy bar t.b.d. (224 Franklin St at Green St, Greenpoint, Brooklyn; 718-349-6727, tbdbrooklyn.com), which has comfy couches, four high-def displays and 12 beers on tap—way better than your living room. Sun 9pm. Feb 10–Mar 31; free.
The X-Files
Revisit a ’90s cult favorite at no-frills dive the Abbey (536 Driggs Ave between North 7th and 8th Sts, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-599-4400), which hosts marathons of The X-Files every Tuesday on its three TVs. Catch up on the spooky, influential series while you nosh on complimentary popcorn and ponder David Duchovny’s journey from UFO-chasing FBI special agent to skirt-chasing boozehound in Californication. Tue 4–7pm. End date TBA, call for complete schedule; free.
Doctor Who
Steampunk music venue and watering hole the Way Station (683 Washington Ave between Prospect Pl and St. Marks Ave, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn; 347-627-4949, waystationbk.com) is no stranger to nerdy programming on the tube. The bar previously presented Buffy the Vampire Slayer viewings in its 60-seat screening room, but this winter the cultish show of choice is sci-fi favorite Doctor Who. Stop by on January 20 for an array of classic and recent episodes from the Whovian universe, as well as spin-off shows such as Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures. (Be sure to check out the bathroom, disguised as the Doctor’s time-traveling vehicle, the TARDIS.) On February 10, meet a fellow sci-fi geek just in time for Valentine’s Day at the Doctor Who: Heartbreakers event, featuring three of the long-running show’s most eerily romantic episodes. Sun 5pm. Dates vary, check website for complete schedule; free.
Midcentury TV dramas
For even more vintage small-screen offerings, check out the upcoming series “The Golden Age of Television Drama” at 92YTribeca (200 Hudson St at Canal St; 212-601-1000, 92ytribeca.org). Film historian Philip Harwood has chosen eight ’50s and ’60s television films and specials, highlighting a particularly fertile period of creative output and critical acclaim for the box. Each screening will be followed by a discussion of production (the selected dramas were all performed live on national television) and social issues of the time. The series kicks off on January 29 with 1953 teleplay Marty starring Rod Steiger; visit 92YTribeca’s website for the full schedule. Tue 2pm. Jan 29–Mar 19; $28, all eight screenings $218.