Weeknights are the time to go, I'll second that. The area was better when the Stone, the Mab, On Broadway etc... were open. Not as many out of towners just looking to get as drunk as possible and start fights after being thrown out of every Deja-Vu joint.
I still like having a drink at Gino & Carlos, the Columbus, Specs and Tony Niks. Then some Golden Boy to cap off the night!