for the 2 or 3 people that actually read this blog, please hear my cry: stay away from the magician on the lower east side.

review from citysearch:
Thick blinds filter film-noir bars of light through the glass facade, but the vibe inside is anything but pretentious. Servers and patrons are as pleasant as the jukebox selections, ranging from Duke Ellington to Pearl Jam to Tom Waits. Whether you set up camp at the bar, grab a street-side table or pull up a chair in the back room, you'll be feeling at home in a flash.

my review:
after fighting the bitter cold and nasty wind gusts, i find the bar on the corner of essex and rivington and meet my friends. within 3 minutes of my arrival, i make my way to the bar to order a drink. a bartender wearing a hustler t-shirt (i.e., thinks he's way cooler than he actually is) asks what i want and i reply back with amstel light. he says $6. i give him two $5 bills. he gives me back no change. i wait for my change and he says he owes me nothing. i say i gave him ten dollars, two fives to be exact. he says, no. after a heated argument, he gives me back my 4 bucks and slams them on the bar. i still leave a dollar tip. he says he doesn't want my money. i say despite his poor attitude, i'm still gonna leave him a tip. later on, i find out he was a jerk to two other people at the bar (that i know of). so despite the cool atmosphere of the place, the bartender killed all good vibes.

bottom line: i can find beers and drinks much cheaper and in a much better atmosphere than this les dump.