Taylor's Rooftop Bar -- Sydney, NSW

You like this place.  It never gets all that busy, and you can ignore the crass business types if you just relax.  The heat lamps glow enthusiastically -- as in, you'll be loosening your scarf even in the winter.

Ship Inn -- Sydney, NSW

Why do you keep coming to this place?  It's easy, always has a table available, the beer is fine, but it's boring!  Try something interesting before giving up.  Go!

Small Bar Erskine Street -- Sydney, NSW

You like this place.  It's never all that busy, despite its proximity to the CBD.  It's narrow, but spans three floors.  Good beer, and there's usually a cozy corner you can grab.  And there's the name, of course.

Courthouse Hotel -- Sydney, NSW

Kind of like if Zeitgeist came to Newtown.  Lots of local beer, a whole kitchen, and tons of outdoor seating.  There's a patio just for the smokers.  Also, they have a half dozen pinball machines, all rock band themes, and when a bunch of people are playing, the cacophony is fantastic.

Frankie's Pizza by the Slice -- Sydney, NSW

Sure, you were the only person over thirty, but the pizza was great and the pinball machines are fun.  Happy hour -- four to six -- brings three dollar slices and three dollar craft beer schooners.  Go back here!

Alexandria Laundrette -- Sydney, NSW

Wild.  These antique machines run on some sort of asian currency, as tokens.  No kidding.  And the washers, the coins are sheared off on two sides, to fit.  The lady running it was nice.  Might as well go back.

Lord Raglan Hotel -- Sydney, NSW

What a great place!  Craft beer -- especially Rocks Brewery.  A great vibe.  A half dozen pinball machines in the back.  A bit of a hike from Redfern station, but worth it -- or catch a cab if you have company.

Pod 51 -- New York, NY

Cheap.  Tiny.  Works fine, but don't book it for two people.

Nancy Whiskey Bar -- New York, NY

You love this place!  The trick, it turns out, was to search for articles on "the best Old-Man Bars in Manhattan.  Who knew?  Get off my lawn!

Located right next to a police station, it avoids being a cop bar, though some folks seem like they are the law enforcement types.  This is nicely balanced by local artist types that bring a vibe of a side-street bar in North Beach.

Right next door to the subway -- like, five feet to the left and the stairway would come up in the bar's basement -- makes it perfect for grabbing a Fernet and a beer right before heading out to the airport.

Hyatt Place -- Princeton, NJ

Probably the winner, though unremarkable.  Located by a mall, so lots of fast casual chains for a quick beer and a predictably middle-of-the-road salad.  Conveniently located down the street from the Delaware and Raritan Canal trail.

Courtyard by Marriott -- Princeton, NJ

You liked this spot well enough.  T.G.I.AppleWings next door, if you're lazy -- or just got cleaned up after a run along the conveniently located Deleware & Raritan Canal trail.  Turn right, not left, when commuting in the mornings.

Royal Albert Hotel -- Sydney, NSW

You love this place.  It's only a couple train stops and a quick walk from whatever hotel you're staying at.  Craft beers, nice people, and you can just sort of do your quiet thing if you like.  Go back!

Tavern on the Lake -- Hightstown, NJ

Best bar within thirty miles.  Honest folks, local craft beers, and great bartenders.  (Say hi to Jocelyn!)  Also, Wednesday is karaoke night.

Four Pines Brewery -- Manly, NSW

Worth the thirty minute ferry ride -- which is actually kind of cool by itself.  At some times it's empty, then suddenly it's full.  So if you can't find a table, wait twenty minutes.  Get the Manly Burger.  It's enormous, has some weird condiments, and is way overcooked ... but somehow this perfectly complements the experience.

Three Wise Monkeys -- Sydney, NSW

Nice pub on a corner on George street, where you can duck out of the crush of people rushing through the CBD, grab a beer, and just watch the world go by.

Chinatown Noodle King -- Sydney, NSW

While the main drag is "safe" Chinese, this place actually has Chinese people in it.  The handmade noodles are great.  You will have to ask for chopsticks, white boy.  Go early; it's a popular place for dates and drunks.

Novotel Sydney Darling Square -- Sydney, NSW

This place worked out very nicely.  Grab coffee downstairs and walk to work or Central for the train.

If you ask to be on a higher floor, do not stay on the top floor, as it's weirdly set back from the others with an ugly rooftop there.  Also, you want a "garden view" room, as they look frontwards to the Chinese Friendship garden thing.

For laundry, they are affiliated with the Holiday Inn across the street somehow, and if you ask the Novotel front desk folks, they'll call over and get you access to the Holiday Inn guest laundry room.