Midtown. It's the worst. Here's why. You've got Penn Station, the armpit of New York City. You've got Times Square, the butthole of NYC. 

You've got droves of Jersey and Long Island commuters who storm NYC daily by the hundreds. You've got hundreds more picture-taking tourists clogging up the sidewalk. You've got flashing advertisements, smelly homeless people, and smog.

Plus, there's an excess of trash lining the streets. Did we mention there are a lot of people? Well, there are. It's difficult to get anywhere in midtown. 

So if we haven't made our point yet, midtown is not our favorite part of the city. Yet, most of us work here. Most of us who work here want to get drunk after work. Surprise, we don't want to do it at Applebees.

Even further surprising is the fact that not all bars in midtown are terrible. I know, we're shocked too. Read on to discover 7 bars in midtown that don't totally suck.

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1. Lillie's (various locations)

So, here it is on the real. Lillie's is the best restaurant in Times Square. In our opinions, it's the only restaurant in Times Square that's actually worth visiting.

Sure, they've got a Flatiron location, but you'd expect excellent Victorian restaurants filled to the brim with incredible artwork and delicious food to be in Flatiron. You would not expect such a perfect vibe to exist in Times Square and yet, Lillie's does.

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Walking through the door of Lillie's is like stepping through a time machine. They've got beautiful stained glass, cascaded mirrors and painted, high ceilings. 

They're also known for stocking drinks from all around the world, so you'll get to try something you've never tried. Also, the buffalo meatballs though. We dream about them.

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2. Tuttles (735 2nd Avenue)

Tuttles is a diamond in the rough. Or, it's an actually decent, down to earth bar trapped in a sea of 7-Elevens, Bank of Americas, and other soulless chains.

They've got happy hour until 7 p.m., which consists of $5 beers and $6 well drinks. Good luck finding a deal like that anywhere else in the area. Plus, they've got dollar oysters and some pretty top notch nachos.

They've also got a lovely back garden loaded with picnic tables if it's nice enough to be outside. They've also got pretty dope appetizers. We'd especially recommend the shared platter, which comes with calamari, guacamole, hummus and skewers. Yum!

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3. Brother Jimmy's BBQ (various locations)

Brother Jimmy's BBQ is killing it on both sides of midtown. They've got one spot at 8th Avenue and 31st Street, one spot at Lexington Avenue and 31st Street, and if you need to branch out down towards 14th Street, well, there's one on East 16th, too. 

Mad props to Brother Jimmy's for killing it in both East and West Midtown. Their pulled pork sandwich isn't nearly as good as the pulled pork sandwiches in North Carolina, but it comes respectably close. 

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They've also got a giant plastic fish bowl filled with booze and plastic alligators. This will make you dizzy in six or seven sips. Or, you could just play it cool and order the simple, humble, Pabst Blue Ribbon.

We also wouldn't shake a stick at Brother Jimmy's margaritas, nor their burgers and wings. Mmm... we're hungry now, too.

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4. Stout (various locations)

Whoomp, there it is. Stout kills it on the east side and the west side as well. They've also got an excellent Financial District location, but that's not what we're here to discuss. 

Stout's got one location on 41st Street and Madison, and another on 33rd Street and 7th Avenue. Both have slammin' personal pizzas, sweet potato fries with blue cheese, and a midtown bar vibe that doesn't suck.

Its west side location is super close to Madison Square Garden also, so if you're in the market for a bar that doesn't suck pre-or-post a show, we're pretty sure you just found it. This is also true if you're for some reason required to descend into the abysmal depths of Penn Station.

It's also the official home of the Texas Horns' football team, if you're into munching on delicious food and throwing back a cold beer while watching football. Which, let's be real, who isn't?

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5. Pig 'N' Whistle (various locations)

Another gem near Penn Station! We wouldn't believe it if we hadn't seen it with our own eyes. 

Once again, Pig 'N' Whistle's got multiple locations: one in Murray Hill, one in Midtown East, and one in Midtown West. 

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It's a comfortable bar with excellent service. Plus, they've got an open-faced mahi mahi sandwhich that you've just got to try. In general, they've got great bar food and a rowdy atmosphere that's perfect for watching football. 

If you love chicken pot pie, you've got to try the kind they've got here. They've also got happy hour every day from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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6. Cask Bar & Kitchen (167 East 33rd Street)

Cask Bar & Kitchen is a Murray Hill treasure. It's what Murray Hill's citizens have been patiently waiting for.

They've got amazing service, delicious food, and a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Their lamb nachos are like no nachos you've ever tried before. They never get mushy and have delicious goat cheese and jalapeños. They might just wind up being the best nachos you've ever had.

They've also got some truffle mac and cheese that is absolutely worth writing home about. We would also have to recommend the blood orange jalapeño margarita.

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7. The Junction (329 Lexington Avenue)

Are you surprised that there's such a lovely sport bar walking distance from Grand Central? Yeah, we are too.

They've got a great happy hour, and an even better taco Tuesday. They've also got a beer pong table in the back for all of you competitive drinkers out there.

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You also never know what kind of people you'll meet at The Junction, but you are guaranteed to make new friends with every visit. They've also got an extensive beer list, with a lot of variety in bottled beer.

Their nachos, wings, and chicken fingers are all pretty excellent.

Check out 9 Best Bars in Manhattan By Neighborhood. 

[Feature Image Courtesy Sport Chaser]