Friday night, I want to eat a real dinner at a bar by myself without feeling like I'm taking up real estate. Lower Manhattan is easiest for me, but I'll go up to HK or UWS if it's worth it. Not looking for a tasting menu or a scene. Just a spot where the bartender doesn't act annoyed that I want food and maybe a second drink. Burger, pasta, good raw bar—whatever. Where are you guys going solo?

Bar at Joe Allen is my go-to for exactly this. Not fancy but the bartenders are pros and the burger is solid. I go solo after work sometimes and they never rush you. If you want pasta, walk a couple blocks to Briciola but sit at the back bar; the front gets nuts. For a more old-school move, the bar at PJ Clarke's on the Hudson is lower-key than the one by Lincoln Center.

I've never done solo dinner at a real restaurant bar, only takeout. Is it weird if I bring a book? I feel like I'd be in the way. Also do I have to drink? I don't mind a soda but I always think the bartender hates that.

Work travel taught me the solo bar move. My rules: sit at the bar, order real food, don't camp after paying, and be direct. Places I've had good solo experiences recently:

• The Odeon in Tribeca: long bar, good light, full menu at the bar. Arrive before 6:30 or after 9.
• Raoul's in Soho: not the dining room, but the bar room. Small and can get loud, but the au poivre burger at the bar is a known solo move. Weeknights only.
• King in the West Village: more of an early dinner, but they don't blink at a single bar seat.
• Café Luxembourg on the UWS: civilized, full bistro menu at the bar, better after 8:30. Caveat: if you order only fries at 8pm and sip water for two hours, many bartenders do mind. Use the same courtesy you'd want.

co-op_carol is right about Raoul's bar. Go at 5:45 and you're fine; after 7 on Thursday it's a zoo. I'll add Minetta Tavern bar. It's still my favorite solo steak frites move, and the bartenders are mostly old school. If you don't drink, DykerNewbie, order soda and a real entree—nobody cares as long as you're eating. HellsKitchen_H, Joe Allen is good but I've had a couple rushed seatings at the bar during theater rush. Not a dealbreaker.

I tried a bar seat for the first time last week because of this board. Went to Briciola in the West Village? I think I ordered wrong because the bartender seemed confused when I asked for a table menu. He handed me the drinks card and then I didn't know if the full menu was allowed. Ended up getting a small plate and leaving hungry. Do you just ask for the dinner menu at the bar? Is that normal?

first_subway_ride, yeah you just ask for the dinner menu. That's normal. Some places want you to order food at the bar, some only serve a limited bar menu—if they hand you the drinks card, just say 'can I get the dinner menu too?' Don't overthink it. And thanks HellsKitchen_H, PJ Clarke's on the Hudson is a good call. I forget that room exists. Odeon might be the winner for Friday though.

If you ever want a change of pace, Joe & Pat's in Staten Island is worth the ferry ride. The bar is tiny but they do full pies and pasta. Never got side-eye there. But it's a schlep, so only if you're near Whitehall or have time. In Manhattan, I'd also say the bar at Grand Central Oyster Bar is underrated for solo—sit in the back room, get six oysters and a bowl of chowder, nobody bothers you.

first_subway_ride, that's common. Some restaurants keep the dinner menu at the host stand and the bartender only has the bar card. Always ask for the dinner menu if you want full food. If they say limited, ask what from the dining room can go to the bar; some kitchens will run it anyway. Staten_Steve, Grand Central Oyster Bar is a great call for solo. The marble counters help—you don't feel like you're in the service lane. For UWS, the bar at Café Luxembourg is also civilized for a solo weeknight dinner. Not a secret, but the full bistro menu goes to the bar, and they don't rush you if it's after 8:30.

Thanks co-op_carol. I went to The Odeon last night! Got there at 6:15, sat at the bar, and asked for the dinner menu. The bartender was super nice and I had the chicken paillard? I think that's how you say it. I had a soda only and nobody cared. I brought a paperback but ended up talking to the guy next to me about the Knicks. Now I get why people do this. I'll try Raoul's next but I'm nervous about the crowd.

DykerNewbie, if you do Raoul's, go on a Tuesday, not Thursday. Tuesday 6pm bar seat is actually not insane. Also, don't sleep on the burger. It's massive and messy and worth it. central_park_cam, if you go to Odeon Friday, get there before 6:30 or be ready to wait a bit. The bar turns over but it's not fast.

Ha, DykerNewbie this is exactly the pipeline. Once you do Odeon solo, you start keeping a list. I did PJ Clarke's on the Hudson Friday around 9 and grabbed the last corner seat in maybe ten minutes. Had a burger, a beer, watched the crowd, no drama. central_park_cam, if you want another one for the list, the bar at Le Rock in midtown is loud but the food is serious. Not a quiet read, but solo okay.