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    Big Bar

    4.0 (95 reviews)
    ModerateBars
    Fri 5:00 pm - 4:00 am (Next day)
    Sat 5:00 pm - 4:00 am (Next day)

    Big Bar Photos

    Business Info

    BIG BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Intimate
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Big Bar

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    Mens bathroom
    Near M.

    Yay! I've been to this place quite a few times but went on an unintentional hiatus from the place for about 2 and a half years. I finally went some time last week (from the time this is being written/typed) and things are still as cool as ever. Despite its name, its actually not big and its quite small, dimly lit, divey and at the same time intimate. You come here if you want to be able to drink and have conversations with your friends and/or the always friendly bartenders. There's always interesting characters and interesting people to encounter and like an another yelper has mentioned, some of the most intriguing, thought provoking and entertaining conversations I ever had have occurred here. The music is always groovy, "alternative/not mainstream" (for lack of a better word)--and not to sound pretentious or like a music snob--but the bartenders here play some good fucking music. Its totally NOT your typical top 40 bullshit you'll hear blasting at a deafening level at many other typical NYC bars. The drinks for happy hour are standard NYC happy hour (4-5 dollars for beer) and after happy hour are pretty much standard NYC prices (I believe). The beer and alcohol selection is good for its size. All-in-All, if you're looking for a bar where you can meet interesting personas, be able to actually hear yourself talk with your friends and/or new friends you may meet and bartender, not have to scream at the bartender for a drink, not have to squeeze your way through a legion of drunk ugly fucks, than this is the spot to go to. If you want your mindless, spineless, soulless, ugly top 40 blaring music type of bar and crowd: go else where. This is where the COOL people play. Big Bar is a small bar with a big personality. BY THE WAY: Shout out to one of the coolest bartenders in town, Brian Richgruber. If you have the honor of meeting him and having him as your bartender, tip him real good. HEY, tip him monetary wise, I mean of course, unless there's a mutual agreement than you can do the other tipping if you know what I mean *wink wink*. ANYWAY, Big Bar is not that type of environment or maybe it is! See for yourself. Yay! I'm a fan.

    Chill lighting

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    I've never gotten better service anywhere else. I'd recommend this bar to anyone and their mom

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Big Bar

    Review Highlights - Big Bar

    The not so big Big Bar is one of my favorite spots to go with friends in the East Village when out for a drink.

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    The Spaniard - The Spaniard front bar

    The Spaniard

    3.7(439 reviews)
    0.9 miWest Village
    $$

    The Spaniard is a spot for a real drink if you're in the mood…read more I've been here a few times. The last time was a couple of weeks ago, were in town for the weekend. After a nice stop and a secret garden in west Greenwich, I decided to use the points I had racked up and suggested a beverage at the Spaniard. It was agreed upon, in part as i suggested "they probably have a nice bathroom". Of which they did. It helped they had a nice house drink menu too. My gal found something she would like, and she did. After a fun drink off their menu I got a scotch. Old Putney 12 year. Actually the bartender came up and said they were out, would I want a 18 year or 20 year, something like that. it was a bit more money but it was he last beverage of the weekend trip so I got it. My Lourd it was good. If we had time I would have gotten an Oban they had, but we were off. But we will be back, maybe this year. And if I have racked up enough points in the area, I will suggest this excellent whisky bar.

    Well if this isn't a perfect late night destination in NYC, I don't know what is! A last minute…read morewhim landed me in NYC on Holiday Eve 2024 and I needed a meal. Walking through the cold streets, I stumbled upon The Spaniard which has quickly become one of my favorite NY destinations! We were there for a quick 30 hour trip to experience the "Holiday Magic". After a long day of travel, we just needed something good. We arrived and they accommodated us in a back booth tucked behind the bar, perfect! Our waiter was a delight and very responsive. The martini was kick-ass and our waiter was kind enough to offer us many recommendations. We landed on Charbroiled Oysters, Steak Tartare, and French Onion Dip. Someone slap me, I'm drooling while I write this review over a year later. Seriously, phenomenal. Every bite was amazing! We cleared the table and manged a few cocktails during our time with The Spaniard. If you are ever in the West Village, stop by, you won't be sorry! Thanks me later, actually!

    Photos
    The Spaniard - Back bar at The Spaniard

    Back bar at The Spaniard

    The Spaniard
    The Spaniard

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    Dear Strangers - Such a nice cute bar!

    Dear Strangers

    4.3(28 reviews)
    0.8 miGreenwich Village

    Dear Strangers is a wonderful hidden gem! We celebrated Valentine's Day there last night and while…read morethe restaurant was incredibly busy, we never felt overlooked or underserved. The owners were milling around making sure everyone was well taken care of and the wait staff were kind and personable. Now the food...AMAZING!!! Every bite we took was wonderful and so surprising with creative combinations and gorgeously presented. The restaurant itself was hip and refined and seemed to be the happening spot of the night. We will certainly be back!

    Met up with friends here for dinner before a show near Washington square. It wasn't super crowded…read morewhen we arrived around 6pm (maybe due to the extreme cold that day) but started filling up gradually. I loved the ambiance and decor, very cozy. As for food, there were some true hits but most of the food was good but basic. The highlights for me were the wild mushrooms & rice cakes as well as the Caesar salad - loved the use of nori in the salad and would definitely come back for the mushrooms. The chicken cutlet and chicken dumplings were fine but I probably wouldn't order them again. The wait staff weren't super attentive nor super warm, but they were efficient when we asked for water refills, etc. There was ample standing room at the bar while we waited for our friends, but the table/booth that we sat at was super narrow, I was knocking knees with my friend all night and generally felt squished.

    Photos
    Dear Strangers
    Dear Strangers
    Dear Strangers - Smoked chicken croquettes

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    Smoked chicken croquettes

    Sip & Guzzle - Soft serve kumquat

    Sip & Guzzle

    4.1(271 reviews)
    0.9 miWest Village

    Date: Wednesday, March 4th, 2026 Time: 5pm…read moreParty of: 6 Reservation Made Thru: Resy Accolades: No. 39 in The World's 50 Best Bars 2025, No.5 North America's 50 Best Bars 2025 *Chinatown No.5 ($31) *Satsuma Creamsicle ($28) *Tomato Tree ($24) *Yakitini ($28) *Jamon & Cheese ($31) x2 *Whisky Nigiri ($29) *Addictive Cabbage ($8) *Doctor Green ($26) *Strawberry HotPot ($26) *Dirty Mango ($27) *Plantain Colada ($26) x2 *Espresso Matahini ($28) *Southeast Gimlet ($25) *Espresso Martini - Classic ($25) *Large Party - 20% ($83.80) *Tax ($37.19) My group was on a mission to get bar reservations. We ended up booking a party of four initially when rezzies were released. Later, we made a separate rez for a party of two as we had two more people join and there weren't any openings for a party of six. They were nice enough to combined the two bookings and give us one table when we checked in. I got the chinatown no 5. I was born in sf chinatown and my last name in chinese is the number 5, so I figured it was meant to be. Very cute presentation. The cocktail is in a bottle, so you end up with more than one pour. Nice since the rest of my party could try. I did have another cocktail afterwards, but I cannot remember what it was for the life of me. I enjoyed sipping on it tho. Our server was sooo sweet. Friendly, attentive, and informative. The cocktails here are definitely creative, so she was very helpful in guiding us towards what we may like and describing the different drinks. Inventive cocktails. Had a great time here. REVIEW #4012

    Sip&Guzzle was recently made #1 bar on the list of Top 50 in North America in April 2026, and I…read moreknew I had to make my way here! We were not able to make a resy, so we had standing room at the bar area. 5/5 Rum&Coke - truly such a standout drink due to their secret house blend of spices for their Coke! This such a light and refreshing drink, and woud be very appropriate for the friend who says they do not like spirit forward drinks. 4/5 Super Lychee Martini 4/5 Coffee Martini

    Photos
    Sip & Guzzle - Bar Area by the entrance

    Bar Area by the entrance

    Sip & Guzzle - Hand rolls $

    Hand rolls $

    Sip & Guzzle - Wagyu old fashioned

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    Wagyu old fashioned

    Serpentine - Espresso Martinis

    Serpentine

    4.5(24 reviews)
    1.0 miWest Village

    We got here early before it started hopping and boy did it hop. The service was friendly and fast…read more The drinks great. The food (only one of our friends ate) looked pretty good, but not exceptional. I'd come back again. A fun, nice, clean bar with a great crowd and staff.

    We had a great time at Serpentine for post-dinner drinks recently. I already had it mind when we…read morewalked by on our way to dinner and even at around 8:30 (on a Saturday) it was already busy. Not surprising, then, that it was pretty packed by the time we finished dinner, at 10:30ish. Serptentine has a solid cocktail list, one that definitely reflects the West Village sensibility. The drinks are all clear variations of classics (ie., martini, negroni, espresso martini, margarita, old fashioned, etc.) but with some added intrigue. All well-executed and made efficiently, which is very impressive during weekend primetime. If you're not nearby I wouldn't make a trip to the area just for Serpentine, but it's a fantastic option if you live/work in the neighborhood and/or are getting a meal in the area and are looking for a bar to start or end at. As I mentioned, it was relatively busy when we arrived here. There weren't any open seats initially but the host said we could hang around the bar for a bit, as he expected a table to open soon. It was probably 10 minutes before we were sat which is basically like being sat immediately in New York time. And generally, the staff here were great -- very personable and accommodating, quick service, only praise in that area. The vibes here are cozy but lively, giving more of a friend hangout than a date (it's also relatively loud so not ideal for conversation if you're sitting across from someone at a table, versus standing and mingling or sitting on bar stools). If you're a dirty martini person you are in luck here, because the Serpentini (grey goose vodka, dry vermouth, olive brine, pepperocini liqueur) is unlike any other. And I get dirty martinis pretty much everywhere I go, so that's saying something. Why is it so unique, you may ask? Well, the pepperocini liqueur is a nice touch and props to whoever decided it was necessary to make such a thing. But the real game changer is the sidecar. You may be thinking -- how is a sidecar unique? Well, it's not just any sidecar...it is not filled with more martini but simply PURE FILTHY BRINE. I mean, if you're ordering a dirty martini, you probably would take a bath in olive brine, brush your teeth with olive brine -- hell, maybe even your contact solution is just olive brine. Want to make your martini dirtier as you drink it? Serpentine has you covered. It is so simple and obvious yet I've never experienced it before. And, because I've never met someone who loves dirty martinis who doesn't also drool over blue cheese-stuff olives, the Serpentini's got that too. Though less exciting and groundbreaking, Mezcal Negroni (ilegal mezcal, campari, averna amaro, lo-fi gentian amaro) is also solid. I love a mezcal negroni and this one is relatively straightforward, just a subtle variation with a few different amaros to add some complexity and herbal notes. A fun and versatile neighborhood spot. It's in prime location so I imagine to rent is absurd, so fingers crossed that it sticks around!

    Photos
    Serpentine
    Serpentine - Espresso martini

    Espresso martini

    Serpentine

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    Big Bar - bars - Updated May 2026

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