By all accounts,  Keith's McNally's meticulously restored Minetta Tavern is a home run. The West Village classic is getting rave reviews for its menu and cocktail program, and non VIP's have been relegated to the dreaded 5:00 PM or 11:30 PM reservation options. Recently, we decided to pop in there on an off night to check the space out and sit at the bar to enjoy its cocktail program. Upon entering, we got what everyone was talking about. The Minetta's updating was indeed perfection, creating an authentic vibe that screams Manhattan. While every table was packed, the bar area had just enough space to sip a drink or two. But while we had already seen the cocktail menu, trying to choose from it brought on a wave of disgust. Did we really want to spend $14 on an Old Tom Collins or a Ginger In the Rye (a modified Dark and Stormy)? The answer was simply "no". Perhaps the re-design harkened us back to the now gone boom time, when clamoring for the right to overpay for drinks delivered some kind of payoff. But like Grant Achatz's belief that molecular gastronomy's time may be gone, so too may be the time of the $14 drink. $2.50 a sip ain't what it used to be.

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After taking down a few overpriced Sixpoint pints in DBA's backyard, we came across this sign outside the still open Holiday Cocktail Lounge. It looks like the new management has instituted the Attitude Adjustment Hour, offering a 12 oz. of domestic brew and some hot wings for $5.00. Not too shabby! And they got themselves a new chalkboard taboot, replacing the previous method of taping some paper to the pole. It's no McSorley's TV, but it is a step in the right direction.

One positive trend since January has been the steady drop in airline prices and luxury hotel rooms. Naturally, if people lose their jobs or think a layoff is coming, the travel budget is a natural choice to chop. As the economy has continued to worsen, businesses have also cut their travel budget, which means there is plenty of room in first and business class on prime flights (NYC>London, NYC>LAX). As a result, airlines have restarted their upgrade programs, allowing coach customers to pay extra cash or trade in frequent flier miles to move on up to the front of the plane. This is in stark contrast to 2007-08, when fuel prices were high and planes were so packed that the chance to upgrade was virtually nil. If you have managed to squeeze in a trip or two, keep your ears open at the gate and you may just score some additional comfort and service on the cheap. [WSJ]

Whie the debate over how best to spend the $780 billion in Federal stimulus money, Nassau Bar in the Financial District has been quietly implementing their own stimulus package on a daily basis. Patrons are served their domestic brews with whiskey backs by bikini-clad female bartenders, a real stimulating experience.

Following the Back 40 and Allen Delancey's lead, many new restaurants have announced sales on their cocktail programs. Spots like Little Giant (buy 1 get 1 free), Elletaria (half price from 5-7) have joined the fun, and we can't say we are upset by it. But, in these tough times, folks are always looking for ways to stretch a dollar. So before letting your minds become convinced that $6 for a Manhattan Flip is a steal, may we remind of you of the best booze deal in town. The Continental on 3rd Avenue is still slinging any 5 Shots for $10, which after figuring for tips, means you are walking out of there more drunk with more cash left in your wallet. Drink smart Birdys.

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Foreclosed houses are everywhere! Everywhere! What good is an empty home that is owned by a heartless bank conglomerate? Well, some kids in Florida came up with at least one reason, when they decided to throw "a raucous bash that caused about $75,000 in damage and resulted in the arrest of 17 partygoers." Besides broken windows and wall damage, officers shockingly found Bud Lite on the inside the 4,000 SF home, which is currently owned by Wells Fargo. The room above was converted into the "Sex Room" and the "Gettin' Booty Room", a real double threat. Hopefully, some kick ass lofts will be seized here soon, so our disaffected youths can go all foreclosured on them. [TSG]

Eater's Twitter feed reports a "Street brawl in front of 10 person line (and gathering passersby) at Bowery Electric at 2:30 last night." Is this a result of the economic downturn causing people to turn violent, or just some d bags with nothing better to do with their time? We vote for the latter.

There are lots of deals popping up in various NYC joints. What about people who have been laid off and want to start drinking when they get out of bed? Head down to the Blarney Stone on Fulton, where they start slinging discount domestics at 11:00 AM. The deal only runs on Thursdays and Fridays - so you are on your own the rest of the week.