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    Mess Hall

    4.2 (179 reviews)
    Open 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Mess Hall Photos

    MESS HALL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Trendy
    Casual

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    Recommended Reviews - Mess Hall

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    Reviews With Photos

    Tiffany W.

    Mess Hall is one of my go-to spots in Harlem! It's hard for me to find a bar where I feel totally comfortable going solo, but Mess Hall is the exception. Their happy hour can't be beat - drink specials until 8pm! The drinks are strong, the prices are right, and the vibe is always chill but fun. The space has a cool, laid-back feel, and if you go in the summer sit in the front sidewalk seating. Or their cute backyard. The staff are all great and genuinely kind people.

    Tiffany S.

    Love the ambiance in this place. Super chill, intimate and cozy, perfect for date night! Yummy drinks and fun games. I just found out they have themed nights like martini Mondays and trivia Tuesdays (which I want to go to!) It's a safe bet going here any day of the week.

    Mess Hall Bar
    Sydney W.

    I love this bar so much! I have been here on dates, catch up with friends, and just go have a drink before heading home. It's casual and warm. Nice in the summertime, the wintertime, or any time of year. The drinks are strong and delicious! They have a good menu selection and a great happy hour. But you can also just order whatever you would like. Typically, the music is a great selection. A fun classic pop hits, but there are also a few old score hits occasionally. They have plenty of seating and have a projector in the front that shows movies in case you need something to look at. They also have a few historical black figures on the wall, which I always love to see. The food is pretty good...... I would say the spinach and artichoke dip is great. The disco tots can be hit or miss, and the sandwich is good. I have been here a few times and will return in the future! Also the service is great! All the staff is so friendly!

    Hannah L.

    11/10!!!! Just hosted my 30th birthday here and I cannot imagine a better venue. Service was excellent, drinks were perfect and super well priced. The ambience on the back patio is perfect. Water jug was always full, tables were always cleared, and me and my friends always had a drink in hand. Thank you Aaron, Ben, and the whole team for enabling such a perfect night!!!!

    After that incredible coffee I had next door I try the bar which is connected with that cafe. The bartender if I'm not wrong Derek was friendly too. I had a margarita which was amazing and strong as well. I also loved the decor at the bar .

    a glass of whiskey sitting on a bar
    Mony K.

    2nd stop on a night out exploring the area. The old fashion was good, executed as it should be. Venue is quite small but was cool that played home alone 2 on the wall through the projector. My bill was incorrect and had to take some time for it to be corrected which made the experience a little frustrating.

    Some decorations
    Dina M.

    This was the classiest looking "dive bar" I've ever seen. The decor was minimal with slight industrial and earthy touches, this gave the space a welcoming feel. The drinks were pleasing. There's a beer & shot combo for $9 which I believe is a nice starting point. The only complaint I have is that they no longer serve the speciality hot dogs, & happy hour is no more. If you're in the neighborhood then Mess Hall is a solid bar to enjoy some libations.

    Hotdogs
    Stefany V.

    Double Dutch and Mess Hall are side by side: DD has your daytime java fix while MH has your alcoholic evening libations, both are nicely set up with attentive staff and a larger menu than expected. Nearly anything you want to drink, Mess Hall has. Don't be deterred by the dark and kitschy interior, just look over the counter at the fresh fruit and herb garnishes. MH may not have upscale ambiance but they do have quality cocktails. If that's not your thing, their small selection of craft beers had some good choices, too. Bonus points for having a menu of hotdogs for late-night eats!

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    Just ok. Menu was limited. Drink offerings were nothing special. And vibes were weird. Unless you're an avid dart player, I'd probably skip.

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    3 years ago

    My favorite neighborhood bar. The staff is great and the drinks are awesome. Their bar food is really good too.

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Mess Hall

    Does any one know if they require a fee or drink minimum to make a reservation for a larger group (10-15)?

    Does mess hall have veggie hot dogs?

    Last time I checked, they did. It wouldn't hurt to call ahead though and confirm

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Mess Hall

    There's a rear patio if you're feeling outdoorsy, or as outdoorsy as you can feel when you're at a bar in Harlem.

    Mentioned in 24 reviews

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    Harlem Nights Bar

    Harlem Nights Bar

    4.3
    (201 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    This place has changed so much over the last four years--and while a lot can change in that time,…read moreit was still disappointing to see. I stopped by on a weekday around 3:00-4:00 p.m., right as happy hour was starting. According to their website, happy hour runs from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The main reason I came was for their frozen rosé, which I remembered being one of the best. It's definitely more of a sweet, refreshing drink than a strong one, but it still gives you a nice buzz. I was even willing to pay full price for it. I literally paid for an Uber just because I was craving that frozen drink. The first thing I noticed was that, despite it being broad daylight, there was a security guard at the door checking IDs and searching bags. That's their policy, and that's fine, but what really stood out was the condition of the entrance. The front door was cracked and held together with duct tape. It seemed odd to be so focused on security while basic maintenance appeared to be neglected. When I walked in, I was only the second customer in the entire bar besides the bartender. Unfortunately, I found out the frozen drink machines have been broken for months, so there were no frozen drinks available at all. The bartender mentioned that she has repeatedly told management the machines need to be repaired, but nothing has been done. Since that was the only reason I came, and nothing else on the menu really caught my interest, I decided not to stay. This place has changed dramatically since the COVID era. The atmosphere feels completely different. One of the things I used to enjoy was their hookah happy hour, which was around $25 with refills for about $10-$15, and they had a great selection of flavors. From what I've heard, they no longer offer hookah, and it sounds like they may not have had the proper license back then, which is concerning if true. Another thing I miss is the outdoor seating area they had during COVID. The indoor space is pretty small, but the outdoor setup made the bar feel much larger and created a much better atmosphere. It's disappointing that they didn't keep it because I think it really added to the experience and probably helped attract more customers. Sorry I didn't take any photos, but honestly, there wasn't much worth photographing. The interior hasn't really changed, so the existing photos online are still an accurate representation of what it looks like still.

    I came here for a game night with a Meet Up group. The spot is cute, a bit divey, but they have a…read moregood assortment of alcohol and enough space to host group events. They have a happy hour until 9pm. Dwanna (bartender) makes a great rum punch (I had two) and was able to recommend a vegan/vegetarian friendly meal. The service was great from start to finish.

    Photos
    Nasty ass dj don't even come
    Nasty ass dj don't even come
    Rum Punch by Dwanna
    Rum Punch by Dwanna
    Boring music

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    Boring music
    Shrine World Music Venue

    Shrine World Music Venue

    4.0
    (301 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    I came to the Shrine World Music Venue with a few friends after a Friday evening at a cigar lounge…read more I had no expectations and had walked by the Shrine several times not knowing what was there along Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard. Unless you know about it, you can easily walk by, given it blends into the general Harlem cityscape, especially during the day. Then at night, especially during the afterhours when I was there, the scene flips and this place becomes turnt up! People were lined up trying to get inside at 0130. The bouncers were searching and patting people down, nothing absurd or overly intrusive. There is a cover charge and they take credit cards for the cover. As you walk inside, the bar in on your right. Keep going and the dancefloor awaits you. It's not that large, but people are generally very courteous. There are a few places to sit, especially in the back in the left corner. That is also where the steps lead you downstairs, presumably to the restroom, which I did not have to use. The vibe is poppin' inside and it is fed by the DJ on a stage in the back, playing Worldbeats, Afropop, Afrobeats, Reggae, Dance Hall, and Soca. They are setup for live bands here. The volume is high, but not uncomfortably or earsplittingly high. The people here are drawn to this vibe and energy. You can dance here all night and the air conditioning and ventilation are of the capacity to keep you and everyone else comfortable. Stick around until closing time at 0400 when everyone starts walking out and the AC nearly turns the Shrine into a refrigerator. For an unassuming place on the outside, it is clear this is a place you can come to with friends or a date if this is your vibe and it's hard to imagine anyone not enjoying this. Prices are reasonable too at the bar. They have a good selection of draught and bottled beer. Guinness on tap was $9 for a pint. They serve up the cocktails too. Four fun and returnworthy stars!

    This is a neighborhood spot. It's for music lovers. It doesn't have any ambience to speak of. I did…read morenot eat here so I can't talk about the food. We did have two drinks and the service was OK. You're here for the music. My understanding is after the bands leave at midnight you can dance until 4 AM. This is a good chill, relaxed spot. You don't need to get dressed up. It's very casual and you will have a good time.

    Photos
    Shrine World Music Venue
    9-10pm: Spiros Soukis - Rockin' Greek Soul
    9-10pm: Spiros Soukis - Rockin' Greek Soul
    9-10pm: Spiros Soukis - Rockin' Greek Soul

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    9-10pm: Spiros Soukis - Rockin' Greek Soul

    Mess Hall - cocktailbars - Updated August 2026

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