After dinner, I decided to finally make my way over to Hard to Explain, the bar I discovered by…read moreaccident on maps while looking for a completely different venue. You just couldn't ignore a place with this kind of name. Door (and window) was shut, so upon walking in, it was dimly lit and a little too warm but it cooled off some once we settled in. Seating by the window was taken by a couple, but the bar had some empty seating. It took a moment for the lone bartender to greet us, then she went back to talking to a guy in the middle of the bar. When I was finally able to get her attention again, I went with the Carlifree, which is hibiscus tea, mint, yuzu juice, and club soda. I don't think I ever had anything yuzu-based before in my life, but it works here. The hibiscus visually dominates in a pretty shade of red, while the mint is the alternative refresher. I probably drank this a little too quickly, but I enjoyed what I had. Restroom in the very back is similar to being on an airplane. Even I felt it was a tight fit, and I'm small. Service could have been a little more attentive, especially for one person behind the bar, but she was friendly when you had her attention. Drink selection seemed decent by the crowds they seem to get, and I'm glad they offer zero-proof options. Unique find here that I'm happy I was able to try.

This speakeasy has a very cozy, intimate atmosphere with Japanese-inspired decor. Agree with the…read moreother reviewers about the extended hours. One of the only speakeasies that's open during the day so it is a great place to spend time if the weather is not agreeable - which can happen frequently in a city like NYC. The bartender was sweet, menu was limited. We got a drink each before heading out to other nearby bars on a night of bar hopping. I would recommend getting the Empress X which is what I got. I love it is located in East Village because there are so many cool thrift stores, bars and restaurants in close proximity.

We came across this bar as they were doing an event with some visiting bartenders. Menu was on the…read moresmaller side (likely due to the event) but the drinks were pretty good! Had depths of flavor. The place is a decent size with some high tops, bar seats, booths. Would recommend!

Would never return here. This place was a safety hazard with the amount of people they were letting…read morein. Thinking there was more space in the back I led my group of four to the back of the bar and one of my friends was told by the bartender he wouldn't serve her because there was a "private party" going on. There was no indication of it being a private space, merely tiny illegible signs on one table. If they wanted to exclude others from "trespassing" they should think about putting some barricades to avoid confusion. As we attempted to move from this so called private party to a diff bartender, the same bartender came up to us and told us he wouldn't serve us again because we were rude.. save yourself the headache and don't come here

TLDR: AMAZING food, service, and vibes. My go-to bar whenever I'm in New York! ‍…read more Let me paint you a picture... It's past midnight on a Sunday in July. I allegedly had one too many before heading to The Headless Widow where I was finishing the night with a Botanical Disco (delicious, no notes). I have one (1) AirPod in my left ear because I 1. have to be listening to something at all times to make my Spotify Wrapped minutes even more egregious each year and 2. was just gifted them for my birthday three days earlier. Now some background...I notoriously end up losing every AirPod I've ever had (the longest retention streak was two years, the shortest...three days (you see where this is going)). Eventually, I head to the bathroom, where I take out said left AirPod lest something happen to it and I drop it in the toilet or sink. In trying to be proactive, however, my clumsy fat fingers dropped the AirPod on the Headless Widow's pristinely white bathroom floor. I know they clean around the clock because it was so spotless I could not for the life of me find my white AirPod among all the white tiles. I searched for what must have been 15 minutes before giving up and heading back out (should I have asked for help? YES! Was I too embarrassed to do so? Also yes). I eventually DM The Headless Widow to ask if they've seen one (1) left AirPod. Expecting to be left on delivered or to get a message saying no, I was surprised when they said "Yes! We do have one (1) left AirPod, you can pick it up at any time!" The problem? I live in D.C. and had already left NYC. I beg them to hold onto it until I can catch a train to get there, and ask whether they can mail it to me. The precious social media manager said don't sweat it! We will mail it to you :). My left AirPod arrived via carrier pidgin (USPS) all in one piece and now I finally can listen in surround sound. I begged them for their venmo or Zelle, but they wouldn't take my money, so here I am writing a very silly, very long review! Seriously, the best bar in NYC if you're looking for witchy, whimsical vibes and delicious drinks (plus the best pretzel in the city)...or if you are a silly girl who lost her AirPod. A million stars, if technology allowed, but I'll settle for five .

I went twice the first time was a really good experience the server was a Spanish guy who was…read morefriendly and checked on me. The second time I went the guy at the door was aggressive and trying to seat me at the bar since I was alone but I wanted a table and inside was very empty the server also tried to seat me at the bar because the bald man at the door this experience wasnt great. The service wasnt great I got a dirty cup for water i didnt get utensils even though I ordered food and I don't see myself going back which is a shame since ive been staying in the area. The oysters were good the calamari was ok small portion and not much zucchini and the truffle fries weren't great. I got the time traveler drink which was good but the happy hour doesnt have many drinks and is pricey compared to other spots in the area.

So cozy and vibey on a rainy sunday night. My husband and I wondered in here for drinks before our…read moreanniversary dinner. The drinks were exceptional. It was clear Paulo (the bartender) put a lot of care into each drink he made.

This place was on my to visit list for a friend and was one of the few places I was able to get a…read morereservation. The day arrived and we were seated quickly at the time of our reservations. We had two rounds consisting of: Shiso Nice, Downtown Lassi, Soft Launch and speciality OF. Everything was delicious, unique, balanced and very much a delight. The staff was helpful with their recommendations, tending to the table, etc. The kitchen was closed so I have nothing additional to add there. It was a very lovely time and an enjoyable space. Highly recommend!

I'd rate Grove Street Social three and a half stars…read more Cozy bar in the West Village. Few beers on draft. Handful of wines. Pretty decent whiskey selection, but they were pricey. One of the prices that came to mind was Redbreast 12 for $20 for a pour. I settled on Bitburger which was $10. Service was quick. You're certainly paying for the location as the bar situated amongst many clubs and events spaces.

We met up for happy hour at Grove Street Social with friends--one who has lived in the West Village…read morefor over a decade and another visiting from Pennsylvania. It ended up being a nice spot for a casual catch-up, though with a few mixed impressions. The space itself is cute and very much feels like a neighborhood bar. One of the things we liked most was that they have games available--we ended up playing Scrabble while waiting for our friend to arrive, which made the time go by quickly and added to the relaxed vibe. Happy hour prices are solid, and the fried pickles we shared were decent. I also had a watermelon cocktail that was refreshing and perfectly fine, if not particularly memorable. Service was a bit inconsistent. The bartender wasn't very warm or welcoming to us initially, though that changed once our friend--who is a regular--arrived. Overall, it's a comfortable spot to meet friends and hang out for a few hours, especially on a weekday like Thursday. That said, I probably wouldn't go out of my way to return, but I can see why it works well as a local neighborhood hang.

This place was pretty decent. They have some interesting cocktails with unique names. The service…read morewas fast, it was not too busy. Very chill vibes, the bathroom was quite nice.

Orient Express is an intimate cocktail bar kind of tucked away on a side street in the West…read moreVillage. We walked in on a quiet Thursday night and snagged seats at the bar, which is pretty tiny. There's some table seating available as well. My friend originally just wanted a soft drink but they have this rule where if you don't order anything or don't want alcohol, they charge you a $20 cover. I can understand having that on busy weekends but for that to be an all the time policy feels unreasonable. And it's also insensitive to people who are sober or who just don't feel like drinking that evening. They have a small menu of light bites. The cheese plate looked good but it's expensive at $35. We didn't order any food. We each had a glass of wine and the wine was pretty expensive too. $20 a glass, which is more than some of the cocktails. Service was decent. Despite the bar being slow, and sitting right at the bar, the bartender was not as attentive as he could have been. This could also be bc I saw him making drinks for the neighboring bar, Turks and Frogs and sliding them through an open slot that connects both bars. Overall I think Orient Express is a nice bar to have an intimate date or a lowkey night with a friend, as long as you manage expectations for their policies and prices.

What a cute hidden bar. Very small bar that gives speakeasy with the wooden bar top and little…read morecouches. Their cocktail not you was amazing. I went just before happy hour. It was nice and quiet and then did fill up for happy hour so I took my drink to my room. The bartenders were super attentive. My water was always full and they were able to give me a plastic cup for the elevator ride. It was the perfect after work pit stop

I love the second floor lounge area of Freehand, and since we didn't make reservations for the bar,…read moreit was busy so we had to sit in the lounge area which I didn't mind, because it's quieter and easier to have a conversation. However, I did have to go to the bar to order, and the ambience in there was nice too -- it's darker and louder. The bartender was really nice and even brought one drink out to the lounge for my friend who had ordered later than us. I had the "By the Campfire" which was strong but great.

A decent spot for some drinks in the neighborhood. They close pretty early and stop making…read morecocktails after a certain time.

SO FUN for a birthday party!! I had a great time here for my 26th, it was super smooth to reserve,…read morethe bartenders and the bouncer are all so nice. Also the music is amazing and the DJ takes a ton of requests which made it feel really personalized! A ton of seating and standing room, it never felt too cramped. Literally cannot recommend this place enough it was great 10/10.