Stopped by here late on a Monday evening after a film screening with a big group of friends for a drink or two. Daniel and the staff couldn't have been more welcoming, and also the Purple Jesus was just damn yummy. thanks for the hospitality and the warm welcome, Holywater! read more

Great experience. One Big Tip...when you make your reservation (which I would highly recommend) you must request either drinks or meal. If you don't you could end up with a rather large dinner platter in your lap. So do the following: 1. Make a reservation 2. Request either a dinner or bar/drinks reservation l almost had to leave because it was a special birthday and we were looking at possible dinner on tiny-bar tables . read more

This is a hidden gem. Upon walking in, I felt as if this was a speakeasy. I recently went here for my mother's birthday with my family. The place is cool and the vibe is chill, so come as you are. If you like seafood, you will enjoy the food. The menu has options for everyone, whether you want seafood or not. I believe the prices are reasonable. Make sure you order the oysters. Our waiter was kind and friendly ; she provided my mother with bread pudding on the house in honor of her birthday. I will definitely be back to try more of the menu. The drinks were good, and on my way out I noticed Jello shots. read more

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I stumbled upon Holywater after dinner nearby and it was a terrific find. You head down a set of stairs into this basement space that feels like a total hidden escape. Even though it was super packed when we arrived, the vibe is incredible... dimly lit, nautical themed, and exactly the kind of underground speakeasy energy you want in Tribeca. The kind of place that makes New York City, well, New York City. I didn't get a chance to try the oysters this time around, as I was already stuffed from dinner prior to arriving here, but seeing the trays go by, I'm definitely coming back for them. I stuck to the drinks and they didn't disappoint. I put back a few Whisky Gingers that were perfectly mixed, but I also had to indulge in the holiday specials. The Christmas Punch (the rum and coconut combo is so good) and the Mulled Apple Cider were both festive and hit the spot. Huge shoutout to the bartenders who were super nice and kept the drinks flowing despite the crowd. If you're looking for a spot that feels like a secret, this is it. I'll be back for the raw bar very soon. read more

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Super cute spot for drinks and light bites but would not recommend for full dinner. Food is pricey for the amount you receive - $37 for a lobster roll with a small side of lettuce with no dressing. The lobster and oysters were fresh but the chicken was lacking a in seasoning. Service could have been better but got us through the night. Heard management contacted someone personally after they left an underwhelmed review and don't think that's appropriate management. read more

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This place has one of the most unique interiors in the city, you go downstairs into an ambiance that is something like a an Oceanside Louisiana fine dining establishment. The staff are always nice and attentive, and the food is can't miss no matter what you choose. read more

Holywater - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Holy water is a nautical themed bar and restaurant. When you enter, you descend down two flights of stairs into the space. The restaurant and bar is not ADA accessible and requires the use of stairs. The decor is on point. We showed up at 5pm on a rainy Saturday and it was pretty quiet. We sat in the lounge and it was so cozy and comfortable. I had a glass of wine and hushpuppies. There are not a ton of food options, so don't come here expecting a full meal. However, the light snacks they have are great. Service was good and prices were reasonable. I didn't use the bathroom so can't comment on that. The water charge is odd. They charge you $1.50 per person for their triple filtered water. But they never ask if they can bring the water over, they just plop it on your table and then charge you for it. It's not a huge deal, though I would be happy to pay $0 for unfiltered water. I did enjoy this spot overall and would come back. read more

Holywater - Lounge - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Can't wait to return - the type of bar (and tiki drinks) I've been searching for to add to my un-official speakeasy favorites list. The only downer was that 2/3 employees were not at all warm and when you're the only guests (besides another couple that joined later - this was around 4-5pm on a Saturday), you can't help but wonder, why NOT be welcoming to your guests? Anyways, hoping that was just a moment and that they stick around so I can visit again (and again) while the drinks are tasty and the vibe is sea-ish. read more

Holywater - Tiki goodness - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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A cross of Manhattan and Cape Cod After walking down a flight of stairs, you are transported to a comfortable space that feels more like Cape Cod than Manhattan. The creative cocktails and imaginative menu reminds you that you are in Manhattan. The Mezcal Hurricane was smoky and flavorful. The Sazerac was smooth and a delightful dessert. The Fried Chicken was outstanding. The Caviar Tater Tots were memorable. The service was attentive. Consider making a reservation, as the space can become crowded. read more

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This was a great place to come for a nice dinner! All of the food I got was delicious and my drink was great also. I did also love how the space was decorated for halloween when I went!! I did feel the food portions were a little small for the price. read more

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The service was ok our waiter was a bit pushy about placing an order quickly and the food did take a while to get to the table. However, once I took one bite of my meal it made it all worth it! My steak was super juicy and the fries were seasoned perfectly. It is pricey but I thought I got my moneys worth! read more

Holywater - Steak Hanger Frites - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Overall I really liked this spot, gives speakeasy vibes with going downstairs and it's well decorated. Wasn't too busy when we got there but by the time we left it was super packed and I felt like we had to yell a bit to hear each other talk. Overall the food was pretty good. My friends really liked the hush puppies - not really my thing but they were alright. Oysters were good, but I did really like the fried chicken. Overall fun time read more

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Me and my friend came here last night without a reservation (granted it was right as they opened), but from the moment I stepped inside, I felt so taken care of and welcomed by the host. They were able to find us a great table where we had a view of the bar and the service was excellent (shout out to Blaine). The space got more crowded as the night went on, but it's a really good spot to catch up with a friend or for a date. They have a great cocktail menu along with some wine and beers and light food bites. I ordered the mezcal hurricane and my friend ordered the magnolia and also got an order of the hush puppies. The drinks were delicious and my friend really enjoyed the hush puppies. I would absolutely come back again! read more

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Loved the bartending staff, best drinks and service. I am definitely going back and this time I want to try the food which looked amazing!!

Wonderful experience! Staff were rock stars and the food was amazing! Great place!

The service here alone gets 5 stars! We only came for drinks and the staff was so nice and accommodating to getting our last minute larger group to a new table. The drinks are really whimsical and delicious and on theme with the nautical vibes. Speaking of- the vibes!!!! Amazing!! The coastal decor is so fun and not tacky or corny. It felt authentic and cute. We didnt eat but i will be back to try the food! read more

This place is so much fun! We got here a bit earlier in the night (9?) and sat at the bar watching it fill up over the next couple hours. Such a moody vibe and the bartenders are amazing. Each drink is soooo tasty and made to perfection. Glad I stumbled upon this! read more

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An un inviting entrance that leads down stairs into a sea themed decorated restaurant and bar with delicious food. The lobster and frites was generous and delicious. The waygu burger also had a nice twist. Definitely coming back on my next nyc escape. Shout out to our server the invited us to a gas of champagne! read more

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Love this place. It's stunning. But the one star removal is because they charged us for TAP WATER (aka sink water). Tf... Also, can y'all go back to the Purple Jesus when the beer came on the side? read more

Holywater - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

great vibe and cute atmosphere. the staff was nice and attentive. i did not have any food but the drinks were just ok. would definitely go back for the vibe and just stick to beer and wine. great music, speakeasy vibe, great spot for a date read more

Awesome space, passed it on the street unexpectedly and decided to drop in. Was very crowded and the drinks weren't great, but loved the atmosphere read more

Holywater - Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

First time at Holywater because the Yelp reviews looked generally positive and the cocktails look litty (no pun intended as there's one with fire). The bar is in the basement and it's pretty dark and loud in there. Servers were friendly. Mermaid's revenge (4/5): Refreshing, fruity (orange, apricot, and lemon in flavor), and light cocktail. It was enjoyable! The only thing that really caught me off guard is the "charity water" charge on the bill. I didn't notice it until I reviewed it the next day. We each got charge $1 for water lol. Not sure how I feel about that. read more

Holywater - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Downstairs (not accessible best I could tell) and a lively scene awaits while the upstairs street is quiet. Nautical theme, nice place to spend time. Great cocktails. Good food. You will feel like you're at the beach for a night. Worth a stop. read more

Came last October for our 13th wedding anniversary, great food and good service, funky decor.

Love a good nautical themed bar. Might be a bit tricky to see the entrance from the street, as the bar is down a flight of stairs in the basement. But - it doesn't feel like you're in a basement. The "Lounge" area is cozy, but I'd recommend making a reservation ahead of time...just to make sure you get the a seat. Service was great - there was always someone walking around, and we didn't feel rushed to flip the table. read more

You won't find me in too many seafood joints because I'm not really a fan of fish. Maybe it'll happen one day, but as for the moment usually I'm usually the one ordering that one chicken dish on the menu. Holywater, however, is my kinda seafood joint (they do steaks n stuff too) because it focuses on all the oceanic goodness that I DO enjoy: oysters, shrimp, crab, crawfish, lobsters, and more. Nevermind their out of this world cocktails and tapas-style mini dishes and overall New Orleans flavor. I came here with a group and we really enjoyed sampling a variety of menu offerings, highly recommend the experience! Was a particularly big fan of the BBQ Shrimp, caviar on brioche and the Mezcal Hurricane. I also just love the look of this place, so cozy and homey feelings -- a ton of art and kitsch on the walls and so many weird little nooks to hide in. It feels like the best version of a local pub but with the best aspects of the above-average dining experience. Even the servers are friendly and cool. read more

Holywater - Oysters and caviar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Dark, packed, cramped, loud. But damn if the food isn't good. And the service! We placed our drink orders and didn't see our server for a while, but were so engrossed in conversation that we didn't notice. Back comes our server, some 20-25 min later, very apologetic and promising us something from the chef to make up for it. When our food came, they laid out what we'd ordered and only what we'd ordered, so we figured they'd forgotten about the complimentary stuff and didn't bother to remind them. But no. There's more! We received not one but two complimentary appetizers: The Bluefish Dip and the BBQ Shrimp, both of which were scrumptious but if gun to my head, I'd take the Bluefish Dip to my grave. Other delicious eats: The Caviar Tater Tots--the food equivalent of Amal Clooney, all gorgeous and classy. Also try the Sea Scallops--like Jesus himself turned rocks into scallops. The corn-filled hushpuppies were also delightful, if you like maize. Drink-wise, alcoholics might enjoy the Tequila 75, an agave twist on the classic French 75. And designated drivers will like the Orange Cream, the liquid version of a creamsicle. Mmmm, creamsicle.... read more

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First time coming here and it is truly a hole in the wall dive bar. Went on a Monday evening at 730pm. We had reservations and were seated quickly. The drinks were good but thought they were a tad overpriced. The signature cocktail is $22. The star of the show, which I thought would be the lobster was actually the steak. The butter on top was delicious and dipping the fries in the butter and juice is always a must. The lobster was also delicious and cooked well. I just wish it was a hotter as it came out warm. There are two desserts on the menu and we ordered both, the praline and bread pudding. They were both good but probably wouldn't order again. Service was not super attentive but they were nice. Overall I would come back with my girlfriend and split an order of the steak and lobster frites. read more

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True definitions of speakeasy here. It was actually quite hard to find. Just one small sign over a door with no one outside on an empty street on a Saturday night. Door was actually unlocked and the vibe inside was great! Nice music as soon as you get in and posters and such all over the walls. Nice bar set up with good seating as well. We had a cozy spot with a little couch in the corner. Drinks were also good and quite strong. Holywater Cocktail - This was their signature, one with some fancy rum and what not. This was served Extremely fancy! Server lit fire to the lime that was on top and give something which you should dunk into the drink when you want the fire to stop after you have enough. Apparently the flavor is different depending on how much you let it burn. This drink was extremely strong! You could actually tastes to the alcohol. Hemingway Daiquiri was nice. It was not as strong and actually a little on the sweeter side. Just my kind of drink. Paddy's Wallbanger was another good one. Strong and semi sweetish read more

Holywater - Holywater Cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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The host and server were both very friendly. We were seated quickly in a nice couch and chairs corner area. The decor is really fun. The menu is New Orleans based I want to come back for more food. The hush puppies and butter were yummy. I got the coffee cocktail, I wasn't expecting it to be hot. I would go back and bring more friends! read more

Holywater - Hush puppies - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Did not spend a lot of time here, so this review is based on my experience of not actually eating dinner in the dining room area. To start off, the service of the staff was great. Hostess, manager - both great! The bar was a little slow, but it is a pretty small bar so I wasn't exactly surprised. Usually if you are seated at the bar though they check in when they see an empty drink or you are served quicker (reason to sit at the bar!). Boyfriend ordered a dirty martini and it came basically halfway full - definitely did not add the ingredients to meet the size of the glass (which I want large). Ambiance is really really cool. Just so many things to look around at and see some unique pieces they found to decorate. Very highly recommend for that reason alone. Just to note, it does get crowded. And we got there early and still couldn't get a place at the bar. We were just stopping in for a drink and app so didn't want to sit in the back. For the app, we did the caviar on tater tots (based on reviews here) and it did NOT disappoint at all! It was amazing and very much worth the money! In all, highly recommend Holywater! read more

My group of 4 dropped in on a Friday. There was standing room only at 8 PM in the bar (you can reserve tables in the dining room on Tock, but that's only if you're doing the full dinner menu). We just wanted to check out the bar, and were happy to wait. Ordered drinks and grabbed seats at a high top in the bar area about 20 minutes later. I tried: + Holywater - eh + Penicillin - too sweet + Mezcal hurricane - best drink I had + Paddy's rum punch - great The bartenders were very friendly, but the drinks were hit or miss so I don't know that I'd necessarily come back (especially at these prices). Overall I'd say it was solid. read more

Holywater - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Me and my girl usually do not go to bars. But something impressed us about this place. Holy water is a nice looking and exciting lounge to hang out at. SInce she doesn't drink, she was anxious to try the Purple Jesus with me. The Purple Jesus drinks is FIRE. Almost remind me of some of our purple Jewish drinks like Mannechivits. Except, Purple Jesus is not that sweet, and its a much stronger drink that could knock you on your behind. WOnderful bartenders here in the place. Good drinks, but not too much on the expensive side either. Not sure when we will visit again. read more

It's not just about making reservations (which is a GIVEN)... it's how the staff treats you when you don't have them. I understated NYC real estate and that it is a blessing to have the space you have left alone the high demand. But this isn't a place that will EVER have regulars. Flash in the pan for tourists, sure. But impersonal service, treating the masses like cattle... stressed out bartenders... fair cocktails but without much attention to detail or education about ingredient sourcing or answering questions from curious enthusiasts. It's a factory that will be gone in a minute after the initial waves of curious fidi enthusiasts ebb... I've never seen DOZENS of potential patrons walk down the stairs on a Wed eve only to frustratedly about-face... they indeed seemed to turn more people away than were even in the bar! Very disappointing.m, and many great other options (BL, W&P, et al) within blocks!!! read more

Interesting, cozy environment with eclectic furniture and decor. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, recommending the one dollar (!!!!) cocktail and explaining the difference between the oysters (which were fresh and delicious). Get the chicken and biscuit, it's incredible. Truly crispy and delicious with a great sauce/gravy. read more

Holywater - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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You open the nautical inspired white door, leading down a flight of stairs to the very dimly lit lounge speakeasy world of Holywater where upon entering, you are warmly greeted like an old friend. Pray tell Strong cocktails are the stars here, and the appetizers aren't bad either. Definitely order the Holywater cocktail - it gets lit! Paddy's Rum Punch has an umbrella, Mezcal Hurricane is fancy too, and there's more! Thus, we indulged with: Caviar Tater Tots (of course!) Oysters & Caviar (Mmmm... twice) Bluefish Dip (good) Lobster Frites (delish) Hushpuppies (yeah) **The service is excellent - informative, fast and super friendly ** It's good to be back and we're having fun! Thank you read more

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This is a very cute speakeasy with an amazing nautical ambiance which greets you the second you make your way down the stairs. It's surprisingly big down there with a fair amount of tables and a small bar. The staff and bartenders were very nice and friendly. The drinks were decent and they handled our big order in a very prompt way. All in I really liked this place. My only issue was that it gets very tight down here as you'd expect in a speakeasy and it was as hot as a gorilla's armpit in August down there after a while. I ended up ditching my group early b/c it got pretty sweaty in a short time. Regardless, if don't mind things getting toasty and you want a cool vibe, this is a worthy place to hit up. read more

I hate to leave such a mixed review for a place that, so far, has only high praise. But I wouldn't be doing my civic duty if I wasn't honest about my experience. So, Holywater gets three stars. I knew going in that the decor would be all kinds of extra, so that didn't turn me off. The drinks just weren't that good. Some were solid, all were interesting, the risk-taking was there which I can appreciate and respect, but I had high expectations that weren't met. Still, we had a pleasant experience here and it's a solid place to grab a drink at if you find yourself in the area (they also have many seafood offerings for dinner, we just had reservations elsewhere). Came here at around 7:30 on a Tuesday night with my fiancé and my parents. For a Tuesday, it was surprisingly busy, but Tribeca is its only little world and it's one I don't fully understand and never will. We had dinner reservations nearby and wanted to try out a cocktail spot beforehand, and thanks to my fiendish bookmarking addiction I saw that Holywater was right around the corner. The maritime theme here is as blatant as can be. More in-your-face than the Ship (sadly, a COVID casualty), an homage to all things nautical and marine. Initially, my dad thought it was closed (he was looking at a neighboring business thinking it was Holywater), but I remembered that there was a submarine vibe here, which feels very cool once you step inside. I love a hidden basement haunt. If designed well (which Holywater is), they are cozy and intimate and feel somewhat secret. Because it was somewhat busy and we weren't eating here, we were sat at this little shelf bar situation which seemed tight at first but ended up being fun. So, the drinks here look promising on paper. But all of them were just okay. My parents got the Paddy's Rum Punch (Aged Guyanese and Jamaican rums, orange, lime, grapefruit, hibiscus) and the Holywater (Five-year aged Guyanese rum, cognac, Chartreuse, lemon, grapefruit, Angostura bitters, Demerara sugar, fire), and both weren't as exciting as expected. The Holywater has a sugar cube and lemon perched on top of the drink that is meant to be lit on fire, but our server wasn't able to successfully light the sugar cube. Not a great start. I'm not sure if that would've improved his drink, but it certainly didn't help. Now, easily the strangest drink on the menu is called the Purple Jesus (Vodka, Kool-Aid, High Life, lime). My fiancé decided: why not? Our server sang its praises. If we're here, we might as well live a little, right? Absolutely wrong. It was nearly undrinkable. A valiant effort, trying to sex up both Kool-Aid and High Life -- in the same drink no less -- but it is not working out here. He ended up politely sending it back and ordering the Mezcal Hurricane (Mezcal, passion fruit, hibiscus, mint, lime) instead, which, to their credit, was much, much better. As an avid martini drinker, I was immediately intrigued by the Aquavit, Dirty (Aquavit, fino sherry, dill). If I had to grade it, maybe a B+ or A-? An A for originality, absolutely. It wasn't as cold as I would've liked and it was a bit odd, but at the same time I've never had an Aquavit martini before and my palette is so primed for gin at this point I think it was just unusual initially. But a cool idea with some clear insider knowledge about tasting notes and flavor combinations. The servers here are super nice and friendly, but almost too nice and friendly. We needed to head out to get to dinner and the four of us were trying to flag down our server, who was having a long and animated conversation with another table for a generous amount of time. But honestly, I love connecting with folks who work and restaurants and bars because far too often they don't get treated like real humans, so it's not a huge criticism. read more

Holywater - Aquavit and dill martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

I came here during the week for drinks with 2 coworkers. We made a reservation, but honestly don't think we needed to. The decor is really fun and the atmosphere was very lively. The place was pretty packed when we arrived. The service was slow. We got the shrimp cocktail, Caesar salad and bread pudding a la mode. The bread pudding was decent, as was the shrimp cocktail. I didn't try the ceasar. I ordered a mezcal negroni and....well, I've had better. I would try this place again, but wouldn't recommend it for anything other than casual drinks. read more

Holywater - Interior - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Fun spot to get drinks. Felt like a speakeasy. Really like the decor of the place. Drinks and atmosphere were on point. Highly recommend