Tropical 128 - Escape sub-zero temperatures at this kitschy Polynesian tiki lounge, whose faux rock walls, burbling waterfalls, and plastic indoor trees make you feel as if you've stumbled into a tropical rainforest (or a really bad impersonation of the Rainforest Café). Popular among Chinatown pool sharks ever since its former days as 128 Billiards, the recently installed yakitori grill—serving up chicken, duck, and pork skewers—has renewed attention to this obscure spot. Otherwise, nothing much has changed: citrusy sweet cocktails made with sake, wine, and shochu (not a drop of hard liquor's to be found) are still served in tall, vase-like glasses; thrill seekers get their kicks shooting either deer on the Big Buck Hunter Pro machine or billiards in the back at eight regulation tables, plus one of the only snooker tables in the city; and beer drinkers find favor in the bar's selection of twenty brews, all available for the daily two-for-one happy hour. Plus, where else in Manhattan can you enjoy such high school classics as wine coolers, Smirnoff Ice, and Mike's Hard Lemonade? Some things really do never change.
