If you are a longtime NYC resident, and live music lover, a visit to Arlene's Grocery is a must at least once. Cool venue which has been here for decades. Still offering up cheap drinks by NYC standards for happy hour, and not too expensive for a beer during shows. Bartenders are hit or miss depending on who is working that night, and their mood. Decent selection of brews in can and bottles or on draft. Fun spot to see a variety of bands. Even a comedy show. Two levels and an intimate space to see a show. Divey vibe. Can get crowded and you might have a drink spilled on you but that's rock n roll! read more

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First off the band venue is great and the atmosphere is what you'd expect of a dive bar. But the service and rudeness of the bartenders brings a sour note to the venue. My friends and I went there for a friends concert, when getting drinks they double charged our bill. And when pressed about it was very rude and hostile. Now I get being in the service industry is tough, but there's no reason to be aggressive to the customers. Reading the reviews, this seems to be a common issue. Would probably only go here for shows when necessary, but would avoid just getting drinks there. Never had a such a bad experience with the customer service to warrant a review before but this one definitely irked. read more

Exclusively writing to shoutout KARL THE BARTENDER !!! Without exaggeration that was thee best service I have had from a bartender in a long time. Karl was attentive with perfect timing. Also so charming with historical facts and valuable info about Arlene's (like that there's live karaoke at the last Tuesday of every month and you gotta sign up quick since slots fill up fast!!). Karl had witty banter and a beautiful voice (yes singing along to the playlist was a quick special treat we got - I'm not sure singing is part of every shift hehe). Highly recommend coming on Sunday - the only day Karl works! Come before Broadway scoops him up ;) (Cherry on top : there's a photo booth!!!!) Oh and btw the live music is downstairs hahaha...learned that very late in the evening :) read more

Arlene's Grocery has been here for decades at this point, and I can't even remember the first time I came in. Both because it was many years ago, and also because I was surely inebriated. There are two sides to this former bodega: 1. The bar upstairs. A calm, quiet (relatively) place with comfortable seats, friendly bartenders, and decently priced beer. I like it here, and it's often a welcome respite from... 2. The venue downstairs. This is the reason most people are here, and how good a time you have is entirely dependent on what's going on. Live band karaoke? It can get wild, and if it's your scene then get ready to rock out (and get spilled on). If you're there to see your friend's band/hip hop group (most of my nights here in the aughts), it really depends on how popular they are. But it's an intimate space to see a show, and can be amazing. The last time I came in was to see a comedy showcase (I had a friend representing one of the acts) and it was definitely composed of hits and misses. Basically, your mileage may vary. But overall, I've had mostly good times at Arlene's. read more

I had heard of Arlene's Grocery for years from friends. Whether they were just there for cheap drinks or live shows. If you've ever had a friend in a band, they probably have played here. For some reason, I don't think I have ever been here until recently. Unless there was a moment in my 20's where I was dragged here and had no recollection of it or the bar name (which is very likely). Anyway, I came for one of my boyfriend's friends birthdays during the holiday season. It's been a minute since I went to the LE side. We came later at night but it seems they still have a solid happy hour that runs until 8pm with $5 drafts, $7 combos, $6 wells, $7 wine. Beers late night are priced around $8, which I guess is average these days. Lots of disco ball action, separate rooms for shows. A little private room for bands to put their gear. There were a ton of people here and most of them were really into the photo booth. I have a feeling half of them were taking selfies with their phones in it. It's a new generation. Bathrooms are down in the basement. Beware. In the sense that I think one of the toilets in the ladies room was covered in vomit. It's a fun spot! read more

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The female bartender downstairs was super rude which really harshed the mellow of an otherwise cool bar.

Classic dive bar/live music venue. The bartenders are good. Drinks are cheap. The place is pretty spacious upstairs. I haven't attended a show downstairs but they seem good and well attended. The music can get too loud at times, and this def turns into one of those shouting over the music places. The bathrooms are downstairs and pretty clean, all things considered. The entrance to the venue is ADA compliant however the bathrooms are not ADA compliant. read more

Great venue; excellent a acoustics. Friendly.accomodating staff. Fun place, good vibe. read more

Stumbled across this spot during their happy hour. $5 draft beers. They have fun cocktail concoctions that looked promising, but I went with a pickle martini. Definitely a divey bar with fun lights & a live band was warming up. read more

pretty fun spot! i was alittle nervous after reading all the negative reviews of the bouncer at this place but maybe they replaced the guy since but my friend and i had no trouble getting in with security dj was surprisingly good and people were pretty lively as well the drinks were reasonably priced and bartenders were pretty attentive considering how people were bombarding them the live music area is def more packed than the actual bar itself but good vibe. it felt like a mini club read more

Arlene's Grocery - Karaoke Near Me - New York, New York

This is a great place to go for post-dinner drinks. The music is good and there is nice seating and the vibe is nice. They have a downstairs with live music for a very reasonable price! read more

While in NYC my wife's cousin wanted to go to a bar, so we stopped at this location. I thought it was a grocery store but it turns out it was not. They had security and carded us, although we were the only people there! I did not drink any alcohol but they did. No one seemed displeased, nor did they seem blown out of the water from the drinks they ordered. I did want to go get a drink eventually but I didn't. Not sure why. Otherwise, a nice place to chill while we waited for our next adventure. read more

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Forgot all about Arlene's Grocery until a Yelp Friend checked in tonight. I'm a huge fan of live music and this venue gives bands the opportunity to play. What more can you ask for. Location is in a neighborhood with lots of food and activity for before or after the show. I'm also a fan of dive bars. Give me a place with history and it adds to my enjoyment. I soak up the vibe from not only other patrons but from the environment. Let's just say when your friends play you travel this way and that way. Any venue is okay. You don't have to drink to stay. If you're in Manhattan, mosey over this way! read more

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My boyfriend was rejected due to wearing a sleeveless shirt with pants, despite many other women being allowed in with more revealing clothes. Coded homophobic language. read more

I'm at a loss of words with this place. My friends and I came here on a Saturday night because we had been here before and knew it was a fun spot. This experience, however, was just the opposite. The bouncers manning the door to get into the dance floor area were screaming at us to coat check our jackets (and pay for it) when they were part of our outfits!! It's 50 degrees outside and we are being screamed at to take our leather jackets off, fully exposing ourselves. Not only were the bouncers rude, but the bartenders were yelling at us to leave too since we were outwardly complaining in front of them. No woman should EVER be forced to take off part of her outfit and pay for it to be stowed. The bouncers were also cursing at my friends which is absolutely no way to treat paying customers. If I wanted to take off my jacket I would. Never coming back here. read more

Went to Arlene's Grocery for Karoke Night with the Leslie Goshko Band on Tuesday Aug. 24th! Smokin' Stompin'...everyone sang SO GOOD!! Went over time & they got their residency extended till the end of the year!! That's what I'm talkin about!! I was in NY on vacation from the Midwest, St. Louis!! Everybody made me feel welcome & this place is the one to hit for Karoke with a LIVE BAND!! Can't wait to go back again & sing again! Loved all the peeps I met & Leslie is funny & talented!! Check it out..Arlene's Grocery..where the good times (and tunes) roll!! Love, TJ from St. Louis...Dock-of-the-Bay girl read more

It's pretty deep into LES so quite annoying to reach when it's freezing outside. There was a line outside late Friday night that didn't take too long to get through. We waited maybe around 20-30 minutes to get in. We didn't have any issues with bouncers as the other reviews suggested. Inside, they do make you check in your coat. It's about $3 but they also take Venmo (not sure if it's a different price for that). Drinks are a little inconsistent - got one vodka cran with mostly cran, little vodka and then another one that was almost all vodka, little cran. The place itself is pretty crowded inside. The music is slightly hit or miss - mostly pop but I only recognized maybe about 50% of it. But it was fun and has a cute vibe being a "grocery store". read more

Rented out the back area of the bar for my birthday party and it was perfect!! Had such a lovely time, drinks were great, and everyone working there was very nice. Would totally recommend renting out this space for an event. read more

This place is awesome! George is the bomb! I loved his vibe, energy, and delicious drinks! So much fun! read more

George is the absolute best! so happytp be in this spot with such a kind bartender! I haven't been to a bar that had been this fun in the Lowe east side in. while . george made me so happy read more

Arlene must be one cool lady to have a grocery store that's this much fun. The overall atmosphere was young, fresh, and had an air of exclusivity & mystique. My friends and I went on a Saturday night, so there was a line as expected. The line did move pretty quickly and was tolerable despite an angry bouncer who yelled at me for sharing a beer in line (we are from Florida, Ron DeSantis encourages sloppy behavior on the street so we were unfamiliar with rules like this). When we walked in, I thought the entirety of the bar was in the first room which was VERY disappointing. This is not the case. Walk down just a few steps and go through the door and feast your eyes on the coldest, literally nice fresh cold air, dance party. Reading the other reviews it seems they usually have some sort of live music? When I went, there was a DJ who played absolute bangers. A great mix of older music, current popular rap/hip-hop songs, and edm. I wish I could directly praise the DJ, but I am sure enough girls tried to get into the DJ booth to do the same thing. The drinks were relatively cheap when compared to other bars we went to; $9 for a beer and a shot! The bartender Alice was an angel not only for making us drinks quickly, but she also asked the DJ to play Pitbull for me without even making fun of my request. The COLD air that prevented me from looking like a drowned, sweaty rat and the fantastic music that kept me and all of my friends dancing our hearts out until close will be truly missed. read more

If you're into small-scale concerts performed by up-and-coming bands in a super chill setting, you will have a good time at this bodega-turned-basement bar. Came here to see the Four-Eyes Horsemen and really enjoyed my experience! $20 cover and easy reentry. The venue is on the smaller side but luckily wasn't too crowded when we were there 10PM on a Saturday night. We didn't drink here so can't comment on the bartending/service, but they have a water cooler so that's cool. I just wish these places would crack up the AC, for the sake of both the performers and audience. read more

Yeah, it's quite old old old venue in LES. However, you can feel the traditional vibe of 20th Century!! read more

Arlene's Grocery - a pint of beer on a bar - Karaoke Near Me - New York, New York

This place yanks the hair of women. Nothing but unnecessary force from the bouncer standing in front of the dance floor If you hire people stupid enough not to give people stamps, fine. But to AGGRESSIVELY PUT YOUR HANDS on me and then gaslight my friends about it and say you it didn't happen and that you "yanked my bag".  Check the tapes from 11:45 / 12:15 on 7/9 to 7/10 2022. Made one wrong turn, never received a stamp, and was berated when I couldn't hear properly,  then assaulted by the bouncer - could have easily grabbed my arm or bag but instead scalped me. A joke. To all women - if you care about yourselves, stay far far away. They will gladly use their power to grab  you and get away with it Read a bunch of other reviews and you'll see the same thing. Ugly people and ugly staff. Go elsewhere read more

Why Arlene did you take away the live bad karaoke That was a staple of the LES and I, as well as many others I'm sure, miss it! Regardless, this is still a cool bar of if you are looking for a different vibe from some of the other places in the area. Part hipster, part rocker, part charming old man type of vibe? I know that doesn't sound appealing but it is in an odd sort of way- just trust me on this one. Drinks moderately priced, carry cash or wop out $20 on that credit card tab. I enjoy this place and will be back. 4/5 read more

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Unfortunately the bouncer took my REAL (22 y/o) ID after waiting in an extremely long line, put it in his pocket and refused to give it back to me without any reason. He also refused to look at my vaccine card or photos of my passport, and made me call the police to get it back, being persistent that it's a fake ID. (Not sure why I would wait for the police to arrive if my ID wasn't real??) He did this to multiple other people (ages 25+) while I waited to get it back, and the other woman checking bags at the door was extremely rude to my friends. Really unfortunate that I had to wait for police to arrive to get it back and ruined my friend's birthday. After the police told him it was indeed real, I didn't even get any sort of apology. I will absolutely never be back and would rate it 0 stars if I could- avoid this place like the plague, not worth your time or money. read more

I've been to this place a few times and mostly had a good time, except for the last time which was a few weeks ago. Not only did the place REEK of mold, but they didn't have a stamp or paper bracelet system so that when my friend went to get a drink at the front bar (her tab was open there) and she headed back, they wouldn't let her back into the dance area. They treated her like a criminal, shining lights in her face, etc. and the bouncer put his hands all over her and made her feel very uncomfortable. She was just asking to get her stuff back from the dance area. They treated her terribly even though she did nothing wrong and they eventually "86ed" her. She wasn't the one who escalated the whole thing, it was all the bartender and the bouncers. I am NEVER going back there! read more

First and last visit. The bouncer was incredibly rude and unprofessional. He falsely accused the group I was with of cutting the line after we waited over 40 minutes to get in. He insisted that we go to the back of the line or leave even after other people not in our group vouched that we hadn't cut anyone. This was the most disrespected I've ever felt at any establishment. We were all really excited to visit Arlene's, but given our experience, I'd never come back again. read more

I've been coming here for years and it's always a fun time, but this past Saturday I saw a situation being handled really poorly by the staff. I saw a girl get a drink from the front bar and try to go to the back area where they had dancing and the bouncer at the doorway put his hands on her waist and motioned for her to go back to the end of the line. She told him she had already been in the back area for hours with her friends and had only come to the bar to order a drink since she had a tab open there. He again put his hands on her waist and pointed to the line. She told him her friends and her phone, etc were all in the back so she needed to be able to get in touch with them to let them know and he just kept pointing to the line silently. At this point, things got heated and she began arguing with him because first of all, he should not have laid a finger on her and second of all, it's wrong that there was no system in place like stamps or bracelets to allow the people who had already been in the back area to return there. At this point, another bouncer and a female bartender came over and were shining a light in her face yelling at her to get out and that she was 86'ed. She told them repeatedly that she would gladly leave but her credit card and ID were at the bar and her friends were in the back with all her stuff so she needs some way to get that back. They finally returned her card and ID and I saw her friends come out from the back so I guess she got that across somehow but there was honestly no need for them to escalate it to this point. This girl was tiny and they really needed 3 people to intervene? If you want to crowd control, that's fine, but have some system in place like bracelets or stamps so that people can get in and out of the dance area without this kind of thing happening. Also, whoever they hired as a bouncer is really creepy because why does he need to repeatedly place his hands on a girl who was not doing anything to him other than explaining the situation?? The whole thing was so bizarre and I've never seen this happen anywhere else. Really sloppy handling by the staff and sadly, it makes me hesitant to return here. read more

Let me just tell you. If you have a disability they don't care you can't come in with your service dog. They won't ask you what her/his task in, you are just not welcome. That's what the door guy said repeatedly read more

George is the nicest, most fun bartender ever! Def recommend coming here for a good time! King is the GoAT

George is the best bartender ever! Go there for him! he was so accommodating and gracious!

5 stars for George the bartender. Always a fun time at Arlene's especially with a big group. Drinks not crazy expensive. They're very stingy with ID's if you have a fake guaranteed they will confiscate it but if you're over 21 enjoy some fun live music downstairs and more chill vibes upstairs. And don't forget to take a mirror selfie in the girl's bathroom!! read more

Thank you Arlene's for taking care of my friend's and I! George you have been the best bartender, so attentive and kind!

Tbh I love to go dancing at arlene's. The room off to the left has good djs and a fun crowd if you just wanna go with a group and dance. Just go a bit early if you can. read more

Shout out to George and Casey for making a party we were having for our friend extra fun and special!

Just out of the way enough to keep the non locals from wandering in without a reason. It's friendly, warm, cozy, and friendly. The bar is a nice size and has a lounge area with comfy couches and tables. Downstairs is the bar with the stage. Mostly local live acts and live band karaoke. It embodies the very essence of the Lower East Side, as CBGB's once did. read more

Absolutely unprofessional employees. Ruined everyone's night from the disrespect. Every single friend that attended the show mentioned how awful their experience was. As a gigging musician, this venue is not even worth your time, they give you such a hard time and for what? The place isn't even good. I even told the worker "there's a way to talk to people and that's not it, very disrespectful" and they said "I don't care" lollll go get a life... miserable people over there, truly read more

Came here on a Saturday night to support my friends band! Glass Tactics/ Jarflower/ Every Flavor Machine I arrived around 7pm and found out my friends were playing at 9pm. There is a ramp to the entrance and a bouncer in front who checks your ID. Once you enter you will see a bar. To go to the music venue area you make a sharp right turn when you enter and the door is right there. Once you enter there is a booth where you can pay for entrance (10 dollars for the whole night in and out) and you get a stamp on wrist. The ladies bathroom is downstairs and then down the hall on the left. I loved the art on the walls on my way down there! Once you enter the music venue, there is a bar on the right side of the room and tables yea the left and right by the front. They have lots of draft beer and wines. 20 dollar limit for credit cards. The music venue itself is very small but the sound is awesome! Everyone was in a very positive mood and lots of fun. I really enjoyed all the bands and had a great night! Definitely recommend this place for local bands and just stopping by if you want some live music! read more

I have been coming to Arlene's for years. I love the divey ambiance, loud music and the constantly rotating artwork. I've never seen a bar with so many personalities. Some days you walk in to be one of only a few groups of people. Very laid back, you grab your can and shot combo and relax at the bar or at the back tables. The bartenders are friendly and willing to chat with you. Other times you walk into a madhouse with people crowded upstairs and down. And still, there are times you walk in to find that they set up a 15$ tattoo table and people are waiting in line, pouring over the few options that evening. No matter, it is enjoyable and a fun experience. The lower east side has been such a phenomenal place to experience. Between Arlene's, Iggy's and Local, I feel like I have been able to appreciate the city for what it is, not what it is becoming. I will always love a dive bar over a fancy cocktail joint and Arlene's helps round out my list. read more

Arlene's Grocery - Beer shot combo! (Shot already done....) - Karaoke Near Me - New York, New York