A Soho landmark from long before the bouji boutiques of Prince Street threw open their doors, Fanelli Cafe screams "old New York." The historic building housing the long time pub dates back to 1847, but it was in 1922 when the Fanelli family bought the property and started serving booze, operating the saloon as a speakeasy during Prohibition. Though the Fanelli's sold the spot in 1982, the new and current owner thankfully left the name, and pretty much everything else, intact.

Inside, blanched photos of bygone boxers hang above tables with red and white checkered tablecloths, set across from the century old dark wood bar. Like Walker's, another classic downtown institution just a half-mile down the street, Fanelli has a back dining room for those seeking solace from the bustle of the front bar. But, the barroom is really where you want to be to admire the old time character and long time characters that continue to make Fanelli Cafe an enduring Soho establishment. For a solid saloon supper, get the chicken club or burger with a beer.

STOP 2: BOTANICA

If you grew up downtown and drank alcohol in high school, at one point you probably used your fake I.D. from Ohio to try to get past the bouncer at Botanica, and were probably successful. That's because, since the mid-nineties, Botanica has been a dependable dive for anyone looking for cheap drinks and good cheer. With lots of space to sit and dance, Botanica continues to be a great spot for both low-key hangs and full-on festivities.

While advances in driver's license technologies and more stringent door policies have largely put an end to underage imbibers lounging about on the mismatched furniture and formica tables, the young at heart can still party like it's 1996, when DJ Mr. Fine Wine began his almost 20 year residency spinning 7" records at Botanica, something he continues to do every Wednesday night at 10:00pm.

Mr. Fine Wine's sets of funk, soul and R&B draw from a deep collection of over 15,000 45's, which he also uses for his legendary weekly radio show on WFMU, on the air since 1994 (the same year the original Knitting Factory moved from the space that would soon become Botanica).

While most Wednesday nights are laid back listening sessions, drinkers do become dancers from time to time. Regardless of the energy in the room, Mr. Fine Wine's midweek sets make Botanica a perfect place to spend an evening.

RECAP:

Fanelli Cafe: Historic saloon with tons of character and good burgers.
DJ Mr. Fine Wine at Botanica: A dependable dive with cheap drinks and where resident DJ Mr. Fine Wine has been spinning funk and soul 45's since 1996.

ESSENTIAL INFO:

-Total Cost: About $40 per person for dinner and drinks at Fanelli Cafe and beverages at Botanica. Tax and Tip included.

-Catch Mr. Fine Wine's Friday night radio show on WFMU from 8:00-9:00pm.