Bars have become the meeting places of choice now that libraries, public parks, and desolate midnight crossroads are all under Prohibition. Enjoy a legal and delicious dalliance with today's Groupon: for $7, you get $15 worth of cocktails and gourmet sandwiches, plus half off an additional sandwich if redeemed Sunday–Thursday or before 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, at Pete's Candy Store, located on Lorimer Street in Williamsburg. This Groupon’s mouth and sandwich uniting abilities expire in three months.

Inhabiting a former sweet shop, Pete's Candy Store unveils a whimsical seasonal menu of eclectic cocktails and gourmet sandwiches amid free nightly live music and other bustling bar activities. On Sundays, revelers can gobble up a roasted turkey, cheddar, and spicy aioli sandwich ($8) during open-mic (5 p.m.–8 p.m.), and then enjoy the indie-folk sounds of The Go Round (8:30 p.m. in March) while trying to keep the Dragonfly Punch cocktail ($10) from winging around the heads of other bar patrons. On any day of the week, an artichoke heart, brie, and onion-relish ciabatta sandwich ($8) pairs well with a Bleeding Heart cocktail, made with Akvavit, Cherry Heering, and lyrics from Celine Dion ballads ($10).

Nighttime culture addicts can soak in a jam-packed schedule of other assorted events such as Quiz-Off (Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.) and a free reading series (every other Thursday at 7:30 p.m.), showcasing literary virtuosos and fresh-faced scribes alike. The gorgeous year-round garden allows diners to marvel at the flourishing outdoor ground not covered by cement or fire-breathing sewer grates.

Reviews

Pete’s Candy Store is a Critics' Pick in Time Out New York and a Top Pick in BlackBook. It comes recommended by the Village Voice and New York magazine, and highly recommended by Frommer’s. More than 110 Yelpers give it a four-star average:

• Between the spacious outdoor garden, free live music, and Wednesday night trivia nights reminiscent of Grandma's house, Pete's has something for everyone in Williamsburg. The tattooed bartending staff is generally friendly, and wallets sigh with relief at the easy prices for such specialty cocktails as the Pomegranate Margarita. The warm, wooden interior expands into a long, narrow room, where bands play an old-fashioned stage to mellow crowds. – Village Voice
• Number one for quality live music, number one for fun in Williamsburg. A classic space in vintage browns, straight out of The Sting, with a gleaming wood bar and a sexy side make out hallway. Artistic, talented, alcohol-dependent cuties abound, retro shoes everywhere you look. – BlackBook