Artichoke Basille's Pizza, on East 14th Street

Serious pizza aficionados and ardent gay-nightlife goers both join the long lines throughout the day and late night at Artichoke Pizza (328 E. 14th St., 212-228-2004) a simple-looking storefront at the north edge of the East Village that turns out simply outstanding, thin-crust pies. It's a simple concept, and just four types of slices (you can also order whole pies) are available: artichoke (with spinach), regular (margarita), Sicilian, and crab. There's also beer, canned sodas, and bottles of Boylan soda.