Oh the music! Support local NYC musicians - traditional jazz! Check out livestream too! read more

Never in my life have I encountered a bartender as rude, abrasive, and unprofessional as the one working behind the bar that night. Her attitude was hostile from the moment we approached, and she spoke to customers with open contempt. What was even more uncomfortable was that other employees seemed intimidated and unwilling to intervene, which says a lot about the work environment and management. The experience completely ruined what should have been a fun night out. I will never return and would strongly caution others. Edit*** I wrote this review before reading the other reviews and it seems like everyone else had the same experience I did. That African American woman with braids shouldn't have a job. She might be the worst human I've interacted with in NYC read more

Lived in the neighborhood long time. This is a loser bar. The attitude of the bartender on Thursday is horrible.. The drinks are terrible and the patrons are ugly.. read more

Very rude bartenders, especially the big one with braids and the curly haired blonde. I used to be a regular now I won't be going back until there is a change in staff. Very nice bar if they had decent respectable staff. I don't recommend this place. read more

Bouncer was EXTREMELY rude. Went with my mom for drinks after dinner, he didn't event acknowledge us, he was on his phone never made eye contact and just kept speaking to the infinity saying read the sign. Long story short my mom with her reading glasses was looking for the picture of her ID and he said I'm not looking at anything. It was a very awkward and uncomfortable situation my mom, a 60-year-old woman clearly of age was turned around. Fine, I'll take that but no need to be rude. Would not recommend horrible. First time experience.. and that clearly sets the mood for the rest of the of the experience there, will never go back. read more

The bartenders clearly have an issue with anyone that's visibly Jewish. Coming here to just grab cocktails (not bottom shelf liquor) was clearly the wrong move! my friend leaves the US and all we did was get drinks (which was met with being ignored while trying to order) and it was not busy! If you're Jewish please don't come here read more

I haven't been back to this dive in almost a decade but still familiar and fairly cheap. They have a pool table in the back. A somewhat decent selection of beers on tap and cans for a buck or two cheaper than other bars that are closer to the trains. Not sure if they still do the half mugs and mug deals. That was definitely a pre covid thing. Very chill and laid back. When I was in they had movies on tv instead of blasting music which is sometimes refreshing so I caught part of Jaws 3 and Aliens. Dog friendly. Can bring in outside food. No frills. Oh, a bar that has Canada's Labatt Blue is always a winner. Cheapest thing is $4 Genesee or I think the PBR on tap. Although happy hour isn't too shabby - wine and well drinks seemed at an affordable price until 7pm. read more

Came to Mona's for the Monday night bluegrass jam, and what a FANTASTIC group of musicians were in the HOUSE! I was worried that everyone would be packed into the place, but once we arrived, I realized there was a whole back section with a pool table, 2 video game machines and an extremely old, single Skee-ball game (not sure it even works), which allowed much more space for the enthusiastic crowd to spread out. We ordered a few drinks while we were there that were perfectly fine, but it was clearly the music the crowd had arrived for. Lots of people gathering close to the musicians, watching them and taking turns sitting in with the group. It was a great time, and if you are at all a bluegrass fan, a joyful hang! read more

so far worst place i ever been, staff it's super rude and the bartender add extra tip on my bill. I don't recommend at all

Looking for a 5-star kind of dive bar? Gettaoudda here ya bum! The crowd at Mona's will not have any of that. Part two-fisted drinking crowd, locals, sometimes big name A-list politicians and celebs, all here to enjoy the ambience. In particular, I came on a Tuesday night to see the trad jazz group, and what a night it was! The beer was cold, the band was swinging, and if you couldn't make it in person it was streaming live on Facebook. What a band! The people were totally digging it, and most were obviously here for the music, like me. Trumpet, clarinet, upright bass, piano and a cat that doubled on tenor banjo and guitar. Sweet. Old jazz, the kind your parents would dig, and you will too if you come. It's a straight on dive bar with the bar to the right as you enter. Limited seating with the band on the far end of the bar. In the backroom is a pool table and more limited seating. So if you come, get here early. The place is small and sure to be packed when there's music. That there are places like Mona in the city makes me happy. I can attest that everyone there that night was having a blast, including some spirited dancers who were strutting their stuff for the crowd along with the band. Can't wait to return. read more

Pre-COVID. Like a blue beacon in the night, the lights lured me in. Siggy, the bartender that night, was like a dive bar fairy godmother. Along with a couple of regulars we read oddly specific horoscopes from a local Irish newspaper while Das Boot played in the background with lazy subtitles [Talking German]. Mona's is perfect. The bar itself is beautiful, well worn wood, blue neon, vintage light fixtures. In the back there's a pool table, skee ball, a mural in the back alley. We're losing places like this. They also play live jazz and bluegrass, any small venue trying to keep live music alive wins my heart. Much of the music has moved online, and if you follow them on social media you can watch their livestreams. Much love Mona's. read more

I agree with the crazy female bartender. This lady is having a midlife crisis or going through menopause. I asked for change for the pool table. like others have stated she grabbed my bag; threaten to throw out its contents and the. demanded we leave. I cannot explain how shocking or rude this is. psychiatric problems. I agree with the others- simply nuts. read more

Avoid this place on Fridays - the female bartender is actually insane and literally one of the worst people I've met (she works at other local dive bars, and this is a repeated experience for several people I know - avoid Sophie's on Saturdays, she's also there, and she's also been seen at Josies and Josie Woods, though not sure what days). It is really sad as this is a good bar, but the bartender has made sure we'll be avoiding all these places on days she's there. She often yells at her patrons for the most normal things she deems an issue - has some serious anger issues and is probably drunk, and also has some clear internalized misogyny, as she only seems to yell particularly at her female patrons. Last week she screamed at my friend for raising her hand at the bar to grab her attention since it was crowded and she was behind a line of tall people. This week we came in around 1 AM, got a table in the back and my friends went to the bathroom, the rest of went to the arcade game while we waited to decide on drinks and regroup. Within one minute she comes out from behind the bar, tells us we need to order a drink because they're not a fucking arcade, I assure her were just waiting for our friends to go to bathroom to regroup and she continues to yell at us. After, another patron comes up to comfort us that she's also been harassing them all night. We left after this experience and she angrily talks about us on the way out something along the lines of "these fucking kids..." as I wish her a nice night, and then when we're outside I hear "thanks for sucking!". I really hope she finds what she's looking for in therapy, and not at her job. I can only can find a few reviews about her on Yelp but we've had more than one bad experience with her. Avoid this place on Fridays! read more

Maybe I came on a bad night. I'm learning the banjo and am really into bluegrass music so thought that a Monday bluegrass night would be the perfect time to go. I came as the band was finishing up part of their set and said they would be back in 5 minutes to continue. I got a few drinks and waited for 45 minutes with no music. Most of the people in the bar had instruments and were gathered in the back part of the bar rehearsing which resembled the back stage at a middle school talent show. I gathered that there would be no more music for the foreseeable future so tried to close out my tab at the bar for the next 15 minutes, trying desperately to get any sort of attention from the bartender. Also hoping that in this time the music would start up again. No such luck. After finally flagging down the half-flustered-half-aloof bartender, I managed to close out, and left the still music-less bar. I had optimistic expectations that this could be a nice neighborhood bar with some unique musical offerings but it ended up just being a disorganized joke. read more

No-Food Total-Dive // Horrible Service BEST Jam Session // Tuesday Jazz When the musicians in town are out of their gigs for the evening, or are on a break and just want to Jam, they come here on Tuesday Nights. Visiting Musicians are welcome to join in. When you come here if you are not expecting anything fancy, you're okay without ordering food, and you don't mind waiting for a drink... you're going to have a great time. Pool table and Jukebox are in working order. This is a neighborhood spot. The Scene: Dive, Jazz, No Cover Destination Rating: 9 Date Rating: 7 Hob Nob Potential: 7 Strong Suggestion: Bring an instrument to play if you're a musician. read more

See? This place gets it. 1. Chill on a weekday? Check. 2. Decent beer options? Check. 3. Great prices on said beers? Check. 4. Regulars who dont make you feel irregular? Check, check. 5. Pool table? Fo sho check. 6. TV with a game that makes sense? Check. Lists are cool and so is this place. read more

If you genuine love music and jazz, this is the place to be for their Tuesday night jazz. No frills place with incredible talent. And the clientele here is what makes the place so magical - being surrounded by music lovers dancing chatting and drinking. It's places like this that make me oh so grateful to be living in NYC. Inexpensive drinks, they have bluegrass Monday's and jazz Tuesdays, with some pool tables in the back. Can't wait to be back! read more

Five stars for memories for the 90s but subtracting one for the crowd in the EV these days. Many fond memories walking in door abs have to say probably some I don't remember. Miss stumbling out at 3 am down to after hours joints on Ave A. Enjoy. Stay strong EV. read more

Usually one of our favorite bars in the village, but last Friday night we encountered a bartender who went out of her way to be extremely rude to us. From the moment we sat down at the bar, she started yelling at us, for no good reason. There were about a dozen of us, so I understand she may have been stressed out by all of us showing up at once. But no one was rushing her or clamoring for drinks, she just stressed herself out and stressed all of us. Made all of us feel like shit. We came to celebrate a friend's farewell and it was the worst way to end the night. One of our friends out of exasperation tipped her a big one toward the end to make her more polite and it worked, but way too late. Many of us had the distinct feeling that she was being anti-Asian or just plain rude. Someone asked her name and it was Aduni or something. It was all really too bad. Makes me sad to write this review. read more

BLive music. Cool JBX. Top of Ave. B Keep heading down for Lucky, Maiden Lane and Dream Baby.

I went here for my birthday. I choose this place because Its awesome! Not too crowded and the people were not your typical college/frat boys. Cool Juke box, cheap drinks, friendly bartenders and really accommodating. There is a room in the back with some tables and pool table- when we went I felt like it was my party room. Great times! read more

Mona's - a woman sitting at a pool table - Dive Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Mona's is the type of place that makes me want to live in Alphabet City. I probably never would have known it existed if I weren't brought here by a couple of CouchSurfers. Tuesday is ragtime night and there was an awesome troupe there on piano & 'bone with a vocalist tearing it up. The drinks menu is a prudent mix of pint/mug pricing, hipster favorites like PBR, well specials, and even Dogfishhead on tap in 60 minute and 90 minute varieties. There's a pool table in the back and an attractive young crowd. The hipsters here seem pretty innocuous. I wish this place were a little closer to me because I'd love to return! read more

Mona's is your standard bar, it's not fancy but it's not trying to be. There's a jukebox in the back along with a pool table and few other arcade games. There are TVs up by the bar so you can come to watch the game but it doesn't dominate the entire bar, thankfully. It's a great bar if you want to actually talk to the person you're with, the music/tv isn't so loud that you need to shout. My suggestion: get a few drinks, put a $5 bill into the pool table (it's $2 a game but you end up getting a bonus game this way) and have a good time. read more

The service here was complete trash. The Caucasian bartender that was on duty on Monday November 15 2021, is literally one of the worst bartenders I have ever had the unfortunate experience of meeting. I Play in the APA league of NYC @APAPoolleagueMD and this was a night that this bar was hosting our match, needless to say that was the only reason I went there and from that experience I will not be returning and would not advise anyone to visit. This bartender purposely ignored me multiple times while trying to place and order on my "tab" due to the fact that he believed I should have tipped him with each drink. I only no this because he stayed that I would probably get faster service if I tipped, then went further to infer that I don't work for my money and he works very hard for his. 1. When did "gratuity" become a "mandate. So now this bartender is holding services hostage. If you thought that was the way to receive gratuity for your services as a bartender you need to be retrained in your chosen profession. read more

5-star bluegrass jam. Lousy bartender. Came here last night with 6 friends. Great vibes, great music, cool place. We managed to secure our first round, but sometime after that the bartender just kind of gave up. He wouldn't make eye contact with us to order a second round, he just kept washing glasses. Our intended two rounds turned into one and we went home early :( read more

I had a very uncomfortable, inhospitable experience at Mona's on Thursday (3/19/15) at around 5:30 pm, and I was in the bar for literally less than two minutes. My wife and I were looking for a laid-back place to shoot pool and watch the first round of March Madness. She found Mona's online and we planned to meet there after work. I arrive before her. When I entered the place, it was quiet (no music) with around 8 to 10 folks who looked like "regulars." The first thing the bartender said to me was, "Hey, you got DVDs!" When I didn't respond, he said it again. It's probably important to note here that I'm a 37 year-old Korean American male. As the bartender -- who was white, bald and looked to be at least 50 years old -- said it the second time, I could hear a woman saying, "No, no, no!" (as if to say to the bartender, "Dude, don't go there, this guy is obviously here to have a drink!"). The woman was with a small group of people clustered near the end of the bar and at least one of the members of her group was laughing. When the bartender realized what he'd done (ie. act like a racist a--hole) he murmured something about DVDs that I couldn't make out, and then someone else from the group said, "Nice recovery!" And then they all had a hearty laugh about it. I turned around and walked out. So, needless to say, if you're an Asian person -- or any person of color -- I don't recommend Mona's. Establishments like this who employ people who still apply lowest-common-denominator stereotypes so quickly and openly -- especially in 2015 in a place like New York City -- shouldn't be in business. If you're the owner of Mona's and you're reading this, I'm going to make sure none of my friends or close acquaintances ever patronize your crummy establishment. read more

I'm an old dude. Well, maybe not old, but I'm definitely lazy. When my peeps come to the east coast from cali, they all wanna hit up the cheesy meatpacking district d-bag-fest clubs/lounges and mingle with the B&T glittered-up upstarts from JerZ/LawnGuyland/Staten Island, etc. Nah, yo, I'm takin y'all to Mona's where we can drink cheap beers (NOT blahblah-tinis), talk calmly (NOT yell over redic bass beats) and sit comfortably (NOT dance with skanks). The term, "low key" applies 100% to this goldmine. Mona's is not for everyone, and I'm totally glad its not. read more

Nope. Turn around. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, do not, I repeat do NOT go to Mona's. Go to Revision Lounge or Manitoba's (definitely go to Manitoba's) or Otto's or something, ANYTHING but whatever you do do NOT go to Mona's. While it's not overpriced ($7 for cocktails) it's not as cheap as it's overall blah and clientele would suggest. Pool tables in back, relatively clean bathrooms...but the bartenders! Man oh man what a racket! It's one thing to be ignored at the bar, it's another thing to yell at people. These bartenders have no manners, and not in a charming, salty sort of way but a rude why-the-hell-am-I-here sort of way. Did someone go outside with a drink? How about getting out from behind the bar or asking a patron to fetch the offender? No, you need to yell and scream to disrupt the evening of everyone in the bar. And then you have the audacity to tell me and my friends we're being to loud? It's a goddamn bar, not a library. The same bar you were screaming your tits off in only minutes earlier. This bar would be another easily forgettable decent spot in Alphabet City to have a drink but the bartender's made it a place I disliked so much that I still felt compelled to write a negative yelp review about it four days later. read more

What? This bluegrass night at Mona's has been going on for a year and I didn't know about it? And it attracts large numbers of attractive young people? In New York City? On Avenue B?? This does not compute! None of it! But it's true, and it's real, and it's great. "Mona's Monday Night Bluegrass Session" has its own Facebook page (can you send in requests?). I love to see this happening around bluegrass music. A musician friend explained to me that 'most of these guys are the top bluegrass players in New York City.' Some of them are actually session musicians called on to enrich other artists' performances in the recording studios of New York -- and Nashville. Well yeah: Just listen and you quickly get the idea. These pros come trooping in the door with their instruments in hand through the course of the evening, join in for a song or two and they are on their way. Probably 15 of them in all, playing brilliant flat-top guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, dobro, and bass. And if you are an aspiring player yourself you can sit at the end of the bar and watch the genius musicianship from literally ONE FOOT AWAY. I got there early and heard a couple traditional pieces performed with a level of expertise I have never witnessed. After that they went into more modern-style bluegrass, which is totally amazing. If you like any kind of bluegrass you should be here every Monday night. read more

Mona's is still a strong throwback to when this neighborhood was not full of 14year old idiots form New Jersey and 20 year old frat-boy wanna-be schmucks....a day when the delis sold only bleach, cigarettes and little baggies...a day when you carried your going out money i your sock and your mugging money in your wallet...a day when there where only three bars down here and only one had Guinness... we do and don't miss those days but it's nice that Mona's still has the feel. You can still get a cheap beer in a place that actually still kicks out loud idiots but allows the (semi)homeless to stay. The old drunks are still here discussing Steely Dan and Astrophysics and the new drunks are still here sitting next to me... read more

Good neighborhood dive bar with a casual feel. I've had some of the best nights of my life here on ragtime jazz night tuesdays (Starts at 11). They use an old sound system so when the women get up and sing they sound just like Billy Holiday. Very skilled musicians and they play to all hours of the night. Tues here are a must go to before you die or leave NYC. read more

Good: - Perfect laid-back, slightly grungy space for a small group of people who like each other. Looks small when you walk in, but widens up toward the back - Not terribly crowded on a Friday night - Pool table, jukebox (gets loud) - Dark corners and no one bothering you - $13 pitchers for all your beery shenanigans Meh: - Dark & Stormy was not great - Bartenders are a little gruff. I prefer people to be outwardly pleasant on behalf of a business... $15 minimum for card. The "real" bartender seems to come around later in the evening, after 9pm, so if you want something more complicated than [1 alcoholic liquid + 1 non-alcoholic liquid], you'll have to wait. read more

So I got onto the skeeball machine and placed the skeeball into the 600 point target, that does not make me a cheater. Just a very innovative individual that enjoys owning noobs at skeeball. Also, happy hour and jazz night is amazing. read more

This would be my Cheers if I actually attempted to learn any of the bartenders' names instead of shotgunning three Jack and Cokes in under a half-hour, because that's what we call the "Memory Killer," folks, and it magically happens every time I come here. The music is solid (soul covers of "I Can't Get No Satisfaction," The Clash), the drinks are strong, and the $3 Guinness deal basically relocates the entire NYU Art Department on Thursday nights (despite the fact that only a few of us take advantage of the deal--those pints are like milkshakes and are only for the very thirsty or those lucky enough to have iron-clad stomachs). And like any dive bar worth its salt, the bathroom is small and covered in bad graffiti and smells to high heaven. If Mona was a real person, I'd give her a high five/fist bump/hug/platonic pat on the back so hard. Because I think we might be well on our way to becoming BFFs. For serious, guys. For serious. read more

Besides this one, the only ever Mona I've ever known was Angela's mother; that wise-crackin sex fiend. This Mona, Mona's the bar, is my favorite Mona ever. This love is based on the fact that, over the years and many visits, I've seen all kinds of live music from punk to bluegrass here...and then there's the $3 Guinness on Thursdays. They've been runnin that deal for yeeears and years and I sincerely love that it still is happening. The bartenders are consistently cool and I also have to be the millionth to remark that Mona's has a pretty dope jukebox too. Seriously, one of my favorite bars, divey or otherwise, anywhere anywhere. Anywhere. read more

Maybe I just got the older male bartender on a bad night. My friends and I chose this bar for a little reunion, but the bartender told my one friend who has a speech disability to get his act together and he called the rest of my friends a group of giggling teenagers because they had the audacity to greet and hug one another near the bar and ruin his expectation for immediate drink ordering. When I asked him why he treated my friend with a disability so rudely, he told me that this wasn't a dancing bar and if we wanted to giggle, we should go elsewhere. I should say that yes, we are all 20-somethings, but that shouldn't deny us the privilege of catching up in a quiet bar with decent drinks. But, we left because the bartender was an asshole and our quiet night was ruined. read more

Super divey. Love it. THEY HAVE SKEE BALL IN THE BACK!!!!!!!!! It's a dollar a game, which sucks, but they at least give you a chance at prizes-not that anyone has a shot at winning, but at least they pretend like you do. Any other bar with skee ball should offer something-a beer, a shot, something, if you get a perfect score. At least give the people something to work for. The jukebox here is pretty solid. Bartenders are lovely (especially Leah!), the crowd is typical dive with old men nursing their beers/whiskeys alone while pretending to zone out and watch whatever is on the tv, and the occasional group of loud 20-somethings. read more

A sister bar of Sophie's, I can't believe it took me 4 years to come to this, despite being "home" at Sophie's for so many years, only blocks away. A simple and wonderful dive bar. A decent beer selection, pool table in the back, and surprisingly not too crowded (unlike Sophie's on every weekend night). read more

Pretty darned good for a dive bar. Good selection on the jukebox. It doesn't hurt that my friend lives right above the bar... Can someone explain the fascination with PBR? I don't get it. read more

Reliable dives are worth treasuring. The beer prices are good. The jukebox is good. There's a sweet picture of the Band on the wall. I always like this place. I can only think of an occasion or two in which it was too crowded, and that was probably on a night when 90% of places in the area would be unbearable. Not a bad place to take a date if they're into dives. You can find a corner to make out in without feeling like you're freaking anyone out. I wouldn't take a huge group, but I've met 5 or 6 there and had a good time. read more