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In this summery weather, I met up with some friends at a Manhattan beer garden for a change: DBA. Located in the East Village, this spot has a large beer selection and a laid-back atmosphere. While it can’t compete with the Bohemian Beer Garden in Astoria for space, it serves as an enjoyable Manhattan alternative.

The bar consists of one completely outdoor section, which, during our visit, was frequented by at least two cats who appeared to be regulars at the establishment. They hopped on top of tables and slinked through customers’ legs with no one seeming to mind. Then there’s a covered area, which offers a little more shelter and comfortable seating. Lastly there’s the interior, which I found a little crowded and noisy for my taste. At 11 pm or so, the outdoor areas shut down due to an unfortunate noise ordinance. Rather than squeeze into the stuffy interior, that’s when we left.