I've been looking to buy a bike for a while now and I'm getting one very soon. After all the this time looking for a bike I never really found something that I was looking for. I have a budget around 500 that i can stretch if its really worth it.

I'm looking for something that's fast but with tires that will stand up against NYC potholes, if I actually do accidentally hit one
Is there anything you guys would recommend? Some have recommended the Sirrus but I'm not sure if i want to go for drop bars or flat bars. I want the speed of drop bars but all the bikes I've seen in my price range that arent cyclocross bikes, with these thin tires which i feel wouldnt survive one of these bumps in NYC. Any help is appreciated. thaaanks