Maison Premiere

Were Toulouse-Lautrec alive today and living in New York City, he'd likely spend hours at this Williamsburg oyster house, consuming its spirited atmosphere, bivalves and—of course—absinthe in copious quantities. Though you wouldn't know it from the humble façade, the interior of Maison Premiere is nothing short of lovely; a modern homage to Parisian and New Orleans oyster bars of yesteryear. The emphasis here is on old-world elegance, from the grand marble horseshoe bar at the heart of the space to the carefully considered details throughout. There is much else worth noting—namely the menu, which boasts 30 different oyster varieties, top-notch cocktails and the "largest premium absinthe collection in New York City." Happy hour, from 4–7pm on weekdays and 11am–1pm on weekends, is particularly busy (you can hear the crowd even as you approach), thanks to oysters priced at just $1 each.