Hi all,
We'll be in NYC the week after Thanksgiving and would like to hear about any really fun or unique restaurants/nightspots/pubs where we can get in without ties, heels or reservations made last spring. Ethnic is good, prefer zany over Zagat.

For great advice/opinions on the ethnic food scene, check out chowhound.com. You might also see what Time Out N.Y. & the Village Voice's websites have to offer.
I hesitate to give you specific picks. Who's "we"? What's "fun" for you? (I mean, Hard Rock is eternally popular, people used to flock to Planet Hollywood, I guess that's someone's, lots of people's, definition of fun. What's yours? How does slurping the soup out of a Shanghai dumpling in Chinatown or Queens tickle your fancy? (Now, that's what I call fun!) Or do you want ethnic but fancy? Post again, & I'll put on my thinking cap.

When we were there in October, we tried Xunta, a Spanish tapas bar in the East Village. A good portion of the patrons were there to socialize and drink sangria, but we got a table, actually a barrel, after we waited for about 20-30 minutes (on a Friday night,after the theater). The tapas were probably the best I've had outside Spain, definitely casual, no reservations needed. For a review, go to www.nytoday.com and search under Spanish restaurants if you're interested.

Try Mary's in a century old townhouse in the west village - bar is crowded and smoky - dining room upstairs is shabby chic - food is good. Check out the Angie Dickinson room too.

try Asti's in the Village, great italian and the waiters all sing opera. very fun.

John,

There are so many great places in Manhattan...and I think you're correct, i.e., not wanting to dress up or make reservations months in advance. There are some great places in SoHo...but recently found a site that meets your criteria. I am uncertain of address, but do a search for foodline.com and see if you can access. It lists not only restaurants, but also suggests 'what to wear', lists the nightspots and even gives one directions!
Hope this helps.