Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    HiLot

    4.0 (31 reviews)
    Thu 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)
    Fri 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)

    HiLot Photos

    HILOT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - HiLot

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Jennifer L.

    Cute place but never coming back. We had a reservation for a party of 5. Got a teeny tiny little table and had to beg them to let us add a chair or else we literally couldn't fit. And then!!! At exactly 1 hour in we wanted to see the menu for another drink. When we asked they said they actually had to kick us out for another reservation coming in. Im so confused by this cause I've only had to leave if I didn't have a reservation... and there were parties around us that I knew were there before we got there. It sounds a lot more like poor planning on their part..

    Can't remember the drink names but they were both good!
    Sydney H.

    This place has a super fun vibe and decor! Great for a date or friend catch up. I met a friend there at 7:30 on a Friday without a reservation knowing we might not get in, but the host was super nice and let us have a table that wasn't booked until 8:15 so we could squeeze in a drink - really appreciated that! The cocktail list is large and creative so you'll definitely find something you like. Obviously on the pricey side but no more than any other Manhattan cocktail bar. Drinks are well made and service is great. Worth checking out!

    Robyn S.

    We stopped in here for after work drinks and it was a dream. A pseudo speakeasy, you step through an unsuspecting door into a gorgeous old hollywood style bar in the middle of New York. The glassware has a vintage vibe but the cocktails are modern and fresh. The waitress was knowledgeable of various cocktail options and bartenders get to be creative with a rotating menu. The Kaluga caviar service at $115 is a steal for NYC and the grilled cheese was a guilty pleasure. The bathtub in the bathroom is a fun twist. We can't wait to come back.

    Updated hiLot menu
    Jackson A.

    Loved the bar and host was able to seat us pretty quick with just 2 even tho they were a little busy. We were waiting to get into Joyface and this was the perfect pre game spot. Love the drinks & seating arrangements perfect for chatting with your date.

    a lion toilet paper holder with a roll of toilet paper
    Olivia N.

    Overall rating: 4.9 I am absolutely obsessed with this place, even though it was soo expensive. Come when you have money. For 4 cocktails with tip, it was ~$110. ‍‍ That said, this is my vibe. This is Brooklyn, in Manhattan the staff was soo friendly, so accommodating & just so cool! And not the cool in an annoying, condescending way, but rather quirky cool. I liked how it wasn't too crowded and it was very chill. Granted I went on a Wednesday. The lighting is very sultry, manageable and a great spot for catching up with friends, going on a date or chilling solo. Will definitely be back & highly recommend! But! if you're looking for a "bumping, social party scene", this isn't it. Please don't ruin our chill vibe here & take the party/ very loud talking elsewhere.

    Melanie C.

    I made a reservation at HiLot on Saturday night and was promptly seated when I arrived at 10:45 pm. The menus is filled with delicious drink options that priced at normal NYC rates from $18-$25. While the drinks on the menu looked delicious both my friend and I decided to get espresso martinis, which weren't on the menu but they were happy to make for us. Our drinks were delicious and had a peppermint flavor to them, which was a fun twist on a classic drink. HiLot is going for living room vibes with fun decor, and menus that double as photo albums. The service was a bit slow but we enjoyed our time and were glad not to feel rushed out. Overall, great vibes, and a good place to start off the night.

    Food Menu
    Wanjiku K.

    Updated May 2023: came back to check out their new food menu, picture attached. I am an Oyster Lover and it's rare to not find me at an Oyster Bar. These Oysters will have you smiling from ear to ear, they are delicious. In addition to the Oysters, had to try the Scampi and Chips, and yes British chips aka fries. These are chips you can't have Just One! It's impossible. The scampi is delicious too and you will not be disappointed. Beware the mushy peas has horseradish, I refrained from trying that but my friend loved it. If you have been hesitant to check out this gem, GO, and try the food.

    Dining area
    Janet L.

    Went here for a special event. Enjoyed the setup of place had great ambience and service was overall good. Enjoyed the fries, grilled cheese. They also had deviled eggs and salad!

    Reshard R.

    Amazing decor, service, and slightly pricey drinks of good portion. The menus come with some tongue in cheek flair but have extensive options to try. Worth it for the area, especially as you wait on late friends. Make a reservation in advance if it isn't early afternoon to ensure you get a table or access.

    Food menu (as of 04/2024)

    Loved this place! Posting the menu because I always look at menus before I go places so I figured I would pay it forward haha :) Ps. We had great service and I loved my drink, the And Wanda! Beautiful place.

    The coveted tub
    Melissa A.

    One of the coolest bars I've been to in a minute! Fantastic interior, very cool vibe. We love a good speakeasy. The drinks are fantastic-- I had their version of a Paloma, which is lit on fire! Right next to joyface, shares the same owner. We will be back!

    Jefe D.

    A really fun addition to the cocktail scene! Definitely worth stopping by and checking it out! They have a fun menu with cocktails and champagne list. They also have a pdr in the back as well. Staff was great and hospitable!

    a glass of water on a table in a dimly lit room
    Dustin C.

    Aesthetically beautiful. I love NY and this place is one of the reasons why. Drinks were great.

    See all

    9 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jefe D.
    252
    542
    1152

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    For the price of $20 per drink, I was expecting a fun yummy drink....but it tasted like a something I would make my freshman year of college

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    I was nervous going out my first time in NYC - the people that work here are super nice and the atmosphere is really pretty inside

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Really wonderful experience. Truly a considerate staff, attentive, hard working and understanding. I cannot recommend enough.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    This is NYC at its best. Ben & Co are exceptional hosts. Drinks were unique and delicious. Atmosphere was perfection. An East Village gem.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Eric C.
    16
    18
    0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    Ask the Community - HiLot

    Review Highlights - HiLot

    Our drinks were delicious and had a peppermint flavor to them, which was a fun twist on a classic drink.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Cocktail Bars 21,953 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Dear Irving on Broadway - Josephine Room

    Dear Irving on Broadway

    (34 reviews)

    Midtown West

    Finding a good cocktail bar in NYC is not that difficult for most, but I find that my friend and I…read morehave become a bit of cocktail snobs lately, as we always look for something specific during our travels. We are tequila and mezcal drinkers so a lot of places, we've found lately, so not have as big of mezcal selections. This was the exception. We wanted to go to the location that wasn't in such a touristy area, but it was so cold that we didn't wanna walk so we just did this location. The aesthetic is super warm and takes you to somewhere luxurious and almost even tropical with the light shades and all. The bartenders are actual mixologists so if you tell them what you're thinking of, they'll likely be able to execute. Our bartenders were very attentive and enthusiastic in creating the drinks we had in mind. All we had to do was give them a brief idea and we got these wonderful drinks back. I wish I had pictures, but the drinks were flowing and the conversation was so good. We were thoroughly impressed. Great program they're running here, their mixologists know what they're doing!

    We've been trying to get a reservation at Dear Irving on Broadway for a while, and it was totally…read moreworth the wait! The location is great and easy to get to. We sat both inside and outside -- both areas have their own charm. We came with friends visiting from out of town, and everything started off perfectly. I had some non-alcoholic drinks that were actually amazing (which isn't always the case at bars!). After our friends left, we decided to stay longer for some bites, and the food did not disappoint. The pastrami, hummus, buffalo cauliflower, and sliders were all excellent. The service was on another level -- every staff member we interacted with was friendly, attentive, and just really professional. Our food and drinks came out smoothly the whole night, and everyone seemed to genuinely enjoy what they were doing. The place itself is beautiful -- stylish but still cozy and comfortable. You can tell a lot of thought went into the design. Highly recommend for a date night, a celebration, or just catching up with friends. Can't wait to go back!

    Sunken Harbor Club - Shallows drinks

    Sunken Harbor Club

    (115 reviews)

    $$$

    Downtown Brooklyn

    I've been trying to go to Sunken Harbor for over a year now. I don't know how it's possible but…read moredespite being local it always seems to have a private event whenever we have plans to go. The stars finally aligned this winter and I had the opportunity to try it out. The vibes are perfect. Fog and bubbles, sea noises and all of the art go together seemlessly. Drinks were great. We had three and left suitably sloshed for the night with no aftereffects. We didn't have too many bites but the food was very good for a bar. I'm excited to go back and I hope we have just as much luck getting in next time.

    This is a "speakeasy" above Gage and Tollner. An undersea Tiki style adventure with a sexy mermaid…read moreheading up the bar. Nautical theme throughout with weathered leather, ropes, fish. Cocktails are made with various types of rum and ingredients like grapefruit, maraschino, wormwood amaro, falernum, thyme, Assam tea, spiced lime, allspice, coconut, cucumber, nutmeg, sour orange. All the drinks keep with the tropical, fruity taste with a hint of spice. They are also broken up into categories (dry land = no alcohol, shallows = average amount of alcohol, and abyss (larger amounts of alcohol). The abyss section has some cocktails that are limited to two per customer. They have some bar bites like fried green tomatoes, shrimp toast, broiled oysters, ricotta, dumplings, sliders. I had the French fries with kimchi ranch, which were underwhelming. Bartenders were cool and kept the drinks coming. I got in immediately without an issue or a wait, but it was right after a snowstorm. I've seen some people struggle to get in or have a long wait.

    Dear Strangers - Such a nice cute bar!

    Dear Strangers

    (28 reviews)

    Greenwich 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.

    Attaboy - Tiny bar which is why the long waits to get in but cozy and cool vibe

    Attaboy

    (869 reviews)

    $$

    Lower East Side

    Attaboy has my heart and soul, especially after crafting, curating and creating my dream drink that…read morewill live forever in the memory of my taste buds unable to be erased from my brain's footprints. Our friends raved about this place and we of course were excited (and a bit skeptical at first) to try it. The concept: no menu + no lights + a few questions = the ultimate cocktail experience. The speakeasy vibe and the dark ambiance really makes this place feel even more exclusive. With just a few tables and the bar setting, you're in for an experience you won't forget (unless you answer the wrong questions and really end up with a drink you don't like HA). This wasn't my case. Of course I described my two favorite things: Negroni + mezcal. The obvious answer would be a mezcal Negroni, but that's not why one comes to a place like Attaboy. Our amazing curator came by to ask us all a few questions, write down a few words in the napkins, and mix up the perfect drink that our master bartender crafts, curates and creates. My drink came as I couldn't possibly imagine. It looked like a Negroni smelled like Oaxaca, with all the smoke simmering up and preparing my sensory experience, leading to the best first sip. Ladies and gentleman, I introduce you to The Devil's Backbone. A perfectly balanced drink I'll never forget, one that is sipped slowly and enjoyed thoroughly. It's sexy, it's smoky it's sipped. Attaboy gave the best mixology experience and we can't wait to be back. Pro tip: be sure to be as vocal as possible, even with ice, so you don't end up with a tiki drink if that's not your vibe.

    This is one of the must-try bars in NY. You describe the flavor profile of the drink you want and…read morethe bartender whips up something for you. I only said I wanted something "floral" and I got the best water lily drink curated for me - never had anything like it. Others in my group asked for "something spicy", "something smoky, nutty, and creamy" and something "refreshing". We were all extremely impressed. Our bartender was Steven and he was awesome! He even chatted with us for a bit after to tell us more about attaboy. I'm rounding up to 5 stars but I will say our experience with the "bouncer" was a bit unpleasant. He called us to let us know our table was ready but we missed the call (our fault). We returned the call immediately and got there within a couple minutes anyway. We were ready to patiently wait for the next availability but were met with some attitude and unnecessary comments from him during the waiting experience. Regardless, we had a great time inside to make up for this. Highly recommend, but just be sure to make a reservation or be on alert and on time when getting off the waitlist.

    The Dead Rabbit - Scotch eggs

    The Dead Rabbit

    (2.1k reviews)

    $$

    Financial District

    The "coconut milk was off" cocktail was soo good. All the cocktails (electric momisette and miso…read morecolada) were fun, creative, and delicious. The food (dingle pie and spice bag chips) were also really good. The spice bag chips seasoning was really good. We walked in Wednesday 8:30 PM and they had a couple of high chair seats at a side bar in the parlor room available. Really fun decorations and ambiance.

    If you're looking for one of the best Irish pubs in Lower Manhattan, The Dead Rabbit absolutely…read morelives up to the hype. Tucked into the Financial District, this spot blends old New York history with some of the best cocktails in the city--and it's easy to see why it's been named "World's Best Bar" more than once. The name itself has a wild backstory, inspired by a notorious 19th-century Irish-American gang from Five Points. It adds a layer of character to the place, but what really keeps people coming back is the atmosphere and the drinks. The space is split into two levels: a two lively, sawdust-floored Taprooms downstairs and a more refined Parlor upstairs if you're in the mood for a quieter, cocktail-focused experience. Drinks are the real highlight here. The Irish Coffee is widely considered one of the best in the world--rich, smooth, and perfectly balanced with whiskey, coffee, and fresh cream. They also get creative with variations like a frozen version and even an Irish Coffee martini. If you want something different, the "Act Naturally" is a standout, mixing Irish whiskey with Guinness and fig in a way that works. Food is just as impressive for a bar. The lobster deviled eggs (topped with caviar) are a must-try, and the menu leans into elevated comfort food. Overall, The Dead Rabbit nails the balance between historic charm and modern cocktail excellence. The D.R. is one of those places that is never boring and consistently delivers.

    The Up & Up

    The Up & Up

    (617 reviews)

    $$

    Greenwich Village

    Cool vibe. Super nice people…read more Speak easy atmosphere Love the West Village neighborhood

    Serious attitude here. The cocktails were very tasty but the service and vibe were so off-putting,…read moreI will never go back. I made a reservation in person more than 24 hours in advance. I wanted to treat an old friend to a quick birthday toast before a show she was attending nearby. Later that night, another friend became available to join but, because they do not actually have a phone that takes calls (only offers an announcement to go to Resy or email) adding another person was not at all easy. I would have had to cancel and rebook and wasn't sure I'd be able to (reservation was for a Saturday night) In most places, a table for 3 easily accommodates 4. But not here. When two of us arrived, they made it clear this was a big problem. I would have walked out right then but I would have been charged $90! We decided to stay and make the best of it, which was a challenge. For a speakeasy, the vibe was aggressive, not relaxing. Very loud music and not great acoustics.) Too cramped to be comfortable, proving that small does not necessarily mean cozy! We asked if we could take a chair from the table next to us, which was empty (it was only 6 pm; I told our server we'd be gone by 7 because my friend, the birthday girl, had to catch a show.) We were told No! To say the waiter was cold, unfriendly, and indifferent is generous. He was totally rude. He literally told my friend she couldn't sit in a chair that was otherwise empty, knowing we'd be leaving momentarily. Then he had the gail to hand me the bill with a 22% tip pre-selected...and watched over me while I signed it! Definitely the least satisfying $100 I have ever spent. Disappointing. It was good to see my friends, but I so wish I hadn't picked this place. Never again.

    HiLot - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...