Stories from the most Mana-ful bars in America

I popped into The Perch to grab a drink and a snack after a work meeting. A couple sat next to me and placed their order. The man asked me if the sliders were good and I insisted he take my last one. He happily obliged. The bartender, who witnessed the whole thing, comped my drink and gave me a discount. It was a kind and human moment that made me realize the power of paying it forward, no matter how big or small and the friendly feel of the restaurant and brewery inspired it. With a wood-fired grill and comfort food like cornbread and house-brewed craft beer on the menu, the inviting atmosphere immediately made me feel like part of the neighborhood.
— Morgan, Chicago, Illinois

This neighborhood-bolstering haunt is spearheaded by an incredibly kind and compassionate woman, Antonia, who really gets to know her patrons (she even went on vacation with someone she met there!), and regularly plays “Friend Cupid” to help regulars get to know each other. The night that my partner and I got engaged, we went there to celebrate. Antonia, ecstatic to hear our news, offered us a free round of drinks. Half-joking but half-serious, we said that we should get married there. Without hesitation, she replied “Let’s do it!” We tied the knot in the middle of her bar in the summer of 2022. It was the most beautiful day, filled with love—and very welcome wedding crashers.
— Jen, Astoria, New York

Is there a better New Jersey hero than Tony Clause? Back when Ale ‘n’ Wich was the only bar open on Christmas Day, the Tony tradition began. He brings a giant sack of wacky wrapped gag gifts and hands them out to revelers (he’s a generous guy, but the bar now takes donations to support his gift-giving!). Everyone spends the night laughing, trading gifts and merrily enjoying the season—in fact, Christmas is now the bar’s biggest night of the year. 
— Jeff, New Brunswick, New Jersey

I brought my Irish-born friend to Molly’s Shebeen for a taste of home, because she wouldn't be visiting her family again for a while. The bartender was planning a trip back the following week and the next time we came in, he produced a bag of snacks and candies that you can only get in Ireland to help her homesickness. This level of authenticity and thoughtfulness is present throughout the bar, from the leprechaun and old-school newspaper decorations to the Irish bears and the full Irish breakfast on the brunch menu. Whenever I’m in Molly’s Shebeen, I feel like I’m visiting Ireland for the first time with my friend.
— Amy, New York City, New York

I go here all the time for four reasons: Great cocktails, great bartenders, the chance to have actual conversations with my friends and the community. They run these Vinyl Wednesdays, where you can bring in an LP and they’ll play it (and you get a buck off a drink). Athens is also known as a music town, so there’s often some really talented musician playing on the porch, but never too loud where you can’t hear someone next to you. When I enter, I feel like Norm on Cheers with people saying hi to me by name. It’s special, which is why I like doing it to other people when they come in. I’ve made friends there, brought friends there, and have found a place where I feel comfortable all the time.
— Paige, Athens, Georgia

This amazing local bar has earned its “Old” moniker: it’s been serving downtown Lincoln for over 37 years, standing strong through multiple moves and ownership changes. In fact, Danny, one of the original bartenders, still mixes up their famous Bloody Marys. (They’re made with a secret blend of spices, and then served with a beer back.) On any given day, I find old timers sitting shoulder to shoulder with folks who are brand-new to the city—and of course, Danny can greet us all by name.

— Erynn, Lincoln, Nebraska

When our kids were small, my wife and I moved to Austin at Christmastime. We were far from our families for the first time, feeling homesick and looking to find the warm, joyful feeling of the holidays. Lala’s year-round Christmas decor called to us, and as soon as we stepped inside, we felt welcomed home. With Santa and his reindeer on the roof, boughs of holly strung through the bar and lit-up Christmas trees, we knew we had found a new holiday tradition. Now that we’re a part of the Austin community, we still return every year to say hello to old friends and feel the warm nostalgia of that first holiday season, no matter what time of year it is.
— Sarah, Austin, TX

I never, ever miss Wednesday night trivia! There are five rounds, and you can feel the heat of the competition rising with every question. (It’s all fun and games until someone forgets where gunpowder was invented!) I used to go to trivia with a friend or two, but I’ve made so many new friends here that now we roll with a whole team. Seeing my crew—plus the bartenders and the amazing trivia host—is my favorite part of the week. Once, after a tough day at work, my team surprised me with a round and a cheer as soon as I walked in the door. Even though we lost that night, I still felt like a winner.
— Ida, Walnut Creek, California

I always go here when I'm with my boyfriend in Cape Cod! The staff is so fun, kind, and welcoming, and we always love to be there and hangout and chat with the bartenders. It’s open every day, all year long, and they have regularly scheduled trivia nights, karaoke nights and musicians from local bands to a DJ to an Irish fiddle player (who is amazing). But here’s the thing, if I’m being honest, we love being there in the off-season. Yes, it’s a blast during the summer, but in the fall, winter and spring, it feels like a secret shared by locals. And that makes us feel like we’re local and part of the community.
— Rachel, Chatham, Massachusetts

The first time I went to Ajax Tavern, I met with my best friend for après cocktails at their outdoor patio bar. It was a day I’ll never forget—catching up on each other’s lives as if no time had gone by, surrounded by stunning views of the mountain and the warmth of each other, the place, and the day. We shared truffle fries and a wagyu double cheeseburger, and watched skiers from the base of the slopes. We even swore we’d both become pro-skiers. While our skiing abilities are still a work in progress, we’ve come back to Ajax Tavern often for lunch, birthday sorbet, spiked hot chocolates, or lavender martinis—whatever the day dictates.
— Christy, Aspen, Colorado