My friends like this place, and I'm not sure why. Apparently the bar has some image they like to protect so they always hire crappy DJs. My friend asked them to play a song and the DJ said that's not bedlam so naturally he didn't play it... Well you might wanna reconsider because none of the music you can really dance to, and he plays a lot of early 2000s songs that were mediocre. Drinks are not cheap for what the place is and there's a 24$ card minimum which is just annoying. Just don't go... ever... read more

Another reviewer this dive seemed sketchy. Well, I've been here twice in the past few months for birthday parties - and both times my phone was stolen. AVOID this haven for criminals. There are lots of other places to dance. read more

I found myself at Bedlam after hearing that my beloved Andy Cohen of Bravo TV was making his DJ debut there. While meeting Andy is probably (make that definitely) influencing this review, I must say Bedlam was a great time. Since it's a new spot I took the liberty of researching beforehand, so wasn't surprised to see the mental-institution reference reflected in the decor (some anatomy posters, skulls, taxidermy, etc displayed as if in an elegant library). Drinks were good and reasonably priced from what I remember. Crowd was noticeably good looking, the music was fun and upbeat. Need to go back on a night without purpose (other than to drink and dance) and see if this review still sticks. read more

For the most part, I really dug this bar. You didn't have your typical, annoying, frat boy crowd being loud and obnoxious and bothering everybody in sight. For the most part, you had a bunch of cooler-than-thou folks keeping to themselves and talking amongst their own group. The music was awesome. The bartender was friendly enough. I'd totally go back. read more

I really do like Bedlam. But this place is totally my scene (can be low key, can be a dance party, LGBT friendly, highly attractive/trendy/hipstery crowd) and I actually dig their decor. Came here a few times on the weekend and a couple times on a weeknight--I had a great time every time. The dance floor sometimes takes a while to get crowded, but why not jump in and start it up?? Fun place. read more

We came Wednesday night 9-10-14 and gates were down. I think they're permanently closed.

Stopped here tonight and asked for the drink menu. The Bartender told us that he doesn't usually work there and can't really make any drinks. Seriously. After that, he said that they all were happy shiny people. Next, we left. read more

So Bedlam after 10 PM on a weekend night: great. Bedlam at 8:30 on a Monday night: dead. Had a pretty awkward first date here, we were the only ones in the bar! Maybe it just needs a few more weeks to catch on... but this is not a good sign. read more

Not really my scene. Went there with my sister the other night and quickly realized this place was swarming with a lot of LGBT-friendly night lifers. While it's great for that crowd, this place for me was just okay. The place is very much a typical dark, vintage grunge (a lot of human anatomy posters and decorational props everywhere) LES/E. Village type of place and bartenders can occasionally be a little aloof when taking orders (+ drinks were not strong at all). But overall, it's alright. I wouldn't choose to go back, given I'm not going to be dancing on top of couches with the other guys to Vogue...but if you are into that, this place does have a lively LGBT crowd. read more

Pretty average east village nightclub. The crowd was average and the drink prices were average. The only thing that was not average? The DJ. Horrible. No sense of transition or desire to please the crowd. He played Katy Perry and then Twist and Shout and then some techno song...just inexperienced and/or lacking a decent music library. I probably wouldn't go back, considering there are so many better dance parties in the neighborhood. read more

My friends and I have been to Bedlam several times. The bar does have an overall divey feel and dark ambiance, although the DJ tends to spin the classic top 40s. In terms of space, it's a bit cozy (although there is a sizeable dance floor and a lounge in the far back which is sometimes open). I am a fan of the decor which, along with the notorious moose head, features some pretty cool anatomical images. Despite many of the reviews, I don't think Bedlam can be technically classified as a gay bar. In fact, the beauty of the venue is that it attracts a really mixed and accepting crowd, which is extremely hard to find. That being said, it is entertaining to watch confused straight people wander in unknowingly and eventually freak out when they see guys making out. Obviously if you're not ok with that, you probably should meander on west to one of the more prototypical grungy bars in the LES. The one down side - the liveliness is truly a hit or miss. There have been times when the crowd never picked up the entire night, and other times when it was too packed to breathe. But eh, who can predict such things? Alls I know is I love Bedlam and will continue to venture to Alphabet city to get caught up in it. :) read more

Ugh - what a dump - the people that go here are a bunch of wanna-be's, anywhere around the LES is better than this stupid place. Save your money and go somewhere that's going to be worth your weekend. The place smells like garbage and the bathrooms are small and disgusting! It took us over an hour to even get a drink and when we finally got it, - it tasted like rat feces! Ugh! Obviously these reviews were written by one of the co-owners and or their friends just so they can get business. read more

The best thing about Bedlam is that it attracts a diverse and attractive crowd, which is a rare quality to have in Manhattan. It's easy to meet someone you're in to. That's why you are going out in the first place, right? I've been there on Friday and Saturday nights. The dance area always gets going eventually, and although the place does get crowded, if you come a little early (11ish) you shouldn't have to wait to get in. There isn't a strict dress code, but the crowd is still trendy looking. Definitely a solid choice for a night out. read more

Well this is a funny little place. Great music and drinks at a fair price, but the layout it confusing and there are dead animals hanging everywhere. Also, this isn't exactly the best place for straight chicks to get some male loving, unless you want gay loving, which is fine if that's what you're into. I guess what i'm saying is it's a cool spot, but it's pretty much an unofficial gay bar. read more

Very cool place. Love how it can be a casual place to get a drink or a fun dance party. Also love the moose on the wall. Would definitely be a regular if I lived in the area. read more

If you're in the East Village and you feel like shaking a leg, this place is reliable, and it is always wall-to-wall pulchritude. The only problem is the music is some of the worst imaginable. C'mon, we're in NYC with some of the best DJ's around, but all they seem to play here is typical Gaga/Spears bullshit. Might as well just put it on the Sirius channel for Philistines. I'm sure I'll end back up here some day though, drunk, just to look at the eye candy :) read more

I came here to dance and dance and dance and while the DJ was a shameless Beyoncé stan it was pretty great.

The music is good. But on Friday night the bartenders are subpar. Well, one of them is. The guy who is here on Saturday's too is awesome. But. The other guy isn't the best. read more

I've only been here once, but I had a good time. The decor is both victorian and eclectic at the same time. I love the huge moose head on the wall. They have fairly priced drinks here and some comfy couches and chairs if you must sit, but this is definitely a place to go if you want to dance your pants off. While I was there, I was brought back to my childhood with a bit of old school backstreet boys thrown into the dj set. Everyone there was dancing and seemed to be enjoying themselves. I'm a fan. read more

Like the vibe and atmosphere and decor. The music - on the night I was there - really sucked (3/11/11). I like the space, not too small, but has ample seating...although plenty of space for standing/dancing. I wouldn't necessarily classify it as a dance club though. It is more like a bar that has room enough for a dance space and a DJ. Music got better or the drinks kicked in. The crowd was a little on the younger side, but I guess that's par for the East Village. read more

How did this place get such reviews, and these comments? I swear I must've been there on a night with a totally different crowd. I was there on a Friday night and yeah it was pretty busy inside, but trendy and beautiful crowd inside? Maybe trendy and beautiful for Avenue C. In terms of music and dancing, the music was so quiet, I seriously thought the DJ hadn't even come on stage yet and that it was soon going to be going full throttle when he started, I was wrong, he was up there performing already. Dancing? Not at all, this is more like your standard college bar at whatever big university you attended. read more

Eh...it's alright. A typical gentrified bar. Got your craft draft beers, whatever. The decor was the best part.

Stopped by on a Saturday night after going to nearby Yerba Buena and heading over to ABC lounge. This bar is spacious, which is great for a big group. We bought 11 shots, a few cocktails (which were decent, but nothing to write home *or to yelp* about). The décor is funky and cool and the music was fun. It was early and rather empty but would consider giving it another shot while walking by, but probably wouldn't use it as the main place to go to. read more

Worst night ever! Horrible music, terrible attitude from the Dj, I'll NEVER come back

Great music and atmosphere. No fuss at the door. Strong drinks. Fun place overall.

I LOVE this place only because I love damask wallpaper and taxidermy. I lived right around the corner so I loved how it was only a hop skip and jump away. It can get really crowded on weekends and if you're late, you will be doomed to wait in line, so come early and grab a seat. Sometimes they are open during the evening when its empty but sometimes I catch it when its closed. I haven't figured out the hours. This is one of my favourite bars in the e.vil. read more

Need an air conditioner. Needs more bartenders. The sexual ambiguity of all of the guys is awesome.

I would've NEVER mistaken this bar for a gay hipster joint! I came during Psychobilly Luau and the third night of the event was held here at Bedlam. The atmosphere was really chill, and the drinks were nice and strong! The bartender was a friend of someone we attended with, so after hours she kept the place open for us out of towners! It was a really sweet gesture considering I was on Cali time and wasn't ready to go to sleep! I would most definitely come back and have a few cocktails here if I'm ever back in town. read more

Lived around the corner from this place for 7 months before realizing it existed. From that point I have been coming here between the pregame and the club as a middle ground to dance and have a couple more drinks that are strong and cheap. The music is on point and is a mix of danceable hip hop and 90's hits remixes. The place is great on a Friday or Saturday night (pretty dead on Thursdays) and always a fun spot to bust some moves on the dance floor. Definitely not a goal destination but a perfect spot on the voyage to it. read more

I am appalled and have never been so poorly treated by ANYONE in my life! I walked in, on NYE, about 20 minutes til midnight to meet some friends, who had walked in about 5 minutes prior to me. When the owner stops us at the door and tells us to pay a $10 cover. Meanwhile, I had received a text from my friend saying that there was someone at the door demanding cover from some people and not others and that they had not paid. When we told him the situation, he started cursing at me and my other friends. We asked him who he was, he claimed to be the owner and I told him "You're being really rude for an owner" and that's when he grabbed my waist and told me to "Get the fuck out." WOW! We refused. It's a few minutes to midnight, all of our friends are inside, we had every intention to throw money at the bar and have some drinks. What's the problem? A few minutes later, he comes back to me and my friends, gives us drink tickets and said "No disrespect." Yea... The damage was already done. I'm a NYer, born and raised... And I've never been spoken to by anyone like that. Not family or friends, much less a business owner. I think I would have had a great NYE at Bedlam had it not been for that. I won't be going back. I doubt my friends will too... read more

DO NOT GO HERE!!! Seriously like the reviewer Eileen below me, 5 of my friends and I got our phones stolen. Mine was in my tiny purse which was zipped up and in front of me and next thing I knew I found my purse was open. Not worth $800 and the headache of replacing a new phone read more

The bartender and I agreed that the decor of Bedlam is like a giant diorama. There are scientific instruments and displays from the turn of the (last) century, mounted animals, beautiful bottles, all backed by pages out of an old encyclopedia. It's like a Joseph Cornell piece in human scale. Also house wine was $5 which is groovy for someone who is lacking funds but sick of beer. I would definitely host a meeting/birthday party/ still-life drawing session here. read more

When the DJ is good, it's a legit awesome dance party. The crowd is open and friendly like the kind of people who like to chat up strangers, not snobby and came to drink and get down. Everyone is there to let loose. I'll be honest, if you get an off night where the DJ isn't that hot, it'll be strangely empty and you might want to keep it moving but when it's on it's ON. Also, the door guys are like basically amazing. You'll want to keep coming back just to chat them up. read more

This is the worst bar i've been in ny. Period. And i've been living in NY for the last 11 years. The waiter/bartender is an asshole. The biggest one i've met so far. The service is horrible. Do not go there! There are plenty of much better bars around where you are not treated like shit. read more

Favorite bar in NY, best Saturday night in the city - Bedlam is more gay-friendly than an actual gay, bar, providing a safe zone for all types looking to have a blast and dance with their friends. I've slowly but surely turned my eclectic friend group to Team Bedlam, and now everyone can agree that a good weekend out always involves a stop at 40 Ave C. Loud top 40-esque music (big 90's pop anthems are a staple, especially as the night gets closer to 3:00am), creepy-cool taxidermy decor, amble seating space, no cover at the door and consistently crowded until last call. Service is top-notch and drinks are solid; Anna (the token female on the Saturday staff) is our go-to as she's always quick, funny, sweet - I could't ask for more from a bartender, especially when the long bar is consistently slammed throughout the night. The bar will occasionally/randomly become overrun by the rude NYU set or a crew heading downtown from Murray Hill, which usually results in weird hijinks; no night at Bedlam ends on a sour note, because Bedlam is the greatest. THE END. read more

I had my wallet stolen here. I would be very careful at this bar. It looks like several others (posted below) also had their belongings stolen here too. read more

This is my favorite place to go on weekends. The music is really good and it's easy to dance there. It's mixed but I'm always surprised when I hear straight people say it's a gay bar. It seems like if you have a crowd of 100 people and 10 of them are gay men straight people think that's a gay bar. If you want a real gay bar I can show you a real gay bar. read more

Cool venue with great potential.. My biggest issue (aside from overpriced drinks) is the fact that the music is terrible. Think one of those "Now That's What I Call Music" CDs on repeat. Yes, on *repeat.* read more

Expect a lack of toilet paper in the bathrooms after 12:30am. Then get creative.

I'd heard good things about this place and was interested in seeing this mighty moose head for myself, so after a late night start, a party of 3 arrived around 1am to check it out. It was all we wanted from our Friday night and then some! The moose head was just as amazing as one would think, only bigger. The anatomical posters adorning the walls were amusing and made for interesting conversation. More than all this, we were happy to see that the dance floor was hopping. An ecletic group of folks were shakin' it to an odd mix of music. I really don't know what the DJ had in mind, or maybe he just couldn't make up his mind. It was mostly songs you knew, but it ranged from 90s to R&B classics, some Motown, some 80s, some hip-hop...I stopped trying to guess what was coming next and just enjoyed the fact that it was all quite danceable. The drinks were a bit on the weak side but at least the bartenders were attentive. There was still a decent crowd when we headed out at nearly 4am, a little tipsy and glad we came! read more