Birthday dinner suggestions

Hello. I'm new to the forum. Am looking for a suggestion for a group birthday dinner - good food, fun atosmphere, option of staying afterwards for more drinks and not too pricey. Neighborhood is flexible. Does anyone have any great suggestions?

We preferably want to go somewhere most people probably haven't been yet. Some we are considering are:

Baccala
The Bluebird Bistro and Winebar
Otom
Chalkboard
Tanoshi
Vice
Anteprima - not sure if we can get a reservation
Caoba
Alhambra Palace
Sepia

sflinn, Welcome to LTH! I'd love to be helpful, but maybe you could give us more information about the group, such as age, hipness level, food preferences/aversions. What are some places that you have been that you like, but would not want for this occasion since you have already been there? Is it a festive brasserie atmosphere you want or are you looking for something more intimate where conversation with the whole group is possible? Is BYOB a plus for you? Is it important that the place be new and cutting edge--Otom's presence on the list might suggest that. There are so many good places it's hard to help without more information.

Thanks for the guidance! It's a 31st birthday, so the age of the group is late 20s early 30s. We are "foodies" but not rich, so we enjoy moderately priced restaurants. Goal would be kind of a fun, jovial atmosphere with a bar to meet others at after dinner or other choices to go out later.

Past birthday dinners have been at Hot Chocolate and Bob San most recently.

BYO is attractive, but not first priority.

Bluebird is lots of fun, and you definitely can do a group in the back room. I am not sure if they take reservations, you should call them. In addition to the wine and beer they do have a full bar, if you have someone not so into the fermented stuff.