Cheers Joe,
I would highly recommend The Gingerman. The other bars I mentiond are worth a visit if you're nearby but I wouldn't go out of my way to find them if you have better alternatives.
One place I hoped to get to but didn't have time is the Blind Tiger Alehouse[/url:1vuxjpbj] on Bleecker St. in the West Village. It's supposed to be excellent.