It’s the Southwest by way of midtown at Johnny Utah’s, where a rough-riding mechanical bull is the main attraction. A cowboy-inspired menu and ice cold draft beer make Utah’s a great post-work saloon to blow off some steam or a hilarious late night destination when your inhibitions are a distant memory. The man in the kitchen is Blue Smoke alum, Marlon Manty, who creates stick-to your-ribs favorites like hickory-smoked chicken wings with blue-cheese dip, flank steak tostada salad, and the decadent three-cheese Enchilada pie. In the main dining room, tables are arranged around the mechanical bull and three additional parlor rooms are decorated in Wild West saloon decor. Don’t worry, you don’t have to ride the bull to get in on the fun!

Johnny Utah’s
25 West 51st Street / between Fifth and Sixth avenues
Midtown West / New York
212.265.8824 / website / menu / map / hopstop

If your regular gym routine has become a bore—check out Church Street Boxing in Tribeca where an old school atmosphere and tough-as-nails instructors make this Rocky-style work out one of the most intense in town. Every Friday night Church Street Boxing hosts an amateur night uptown where cold beer is served and a lineup of boxing matches draws a crowd of nearly 1200 every week. It’s their version of Fight Club meets night club. In this video, one of Church Street’s top instructors, Angel (a.k.a “Chapo”) shows George Oliphant the five basic techniques involved in a hard core boxing workout.

Church St. Boxing
25 Park Place / between Church Street and Broadway
Financial District / New York
212.571.1333 / website / map / hopstop