So happy to have come here. Wonderful experience from the staff, to the ambiance, to the meal. All of the food was so flavorful, fresh, and delicious. Drinks were so creative and fun and really hit the spot. Bartenders were awesome, super good vibes. Will be back expeditiously to try out the rest of the menu! read more

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I stopped in quickly for an early dinner before my flight and wished I had come across this place earlier so I could've enjoyed sampling more items. I had the crudo (loved the coconut in this), the calamari (so good), the lamb skewer (great seasoning), and the ice cream sandwich (perfect two-bite portion, though I'd save room for more bites of their snacks/small plates over it). Service was so friendly and my food came out really quickly (which was great since I was cutting it close to get to the airport in time #priorities). Next time I'm in NYC I will absolutely come back and try out their cocktails as well! read more

Monkey Thief - Ice cream sandwich - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

A fun spot for unique, well-crafted cocktails -- it's a bit tucked away, but would recommend before a Broadway show since it's close by to the theaters. It's relatively easy to get a reservation too. The cocktails had interesting spices, my favorites were 7 Long Years and Price is Raita! The food here is small, sharable bites -- definitely smaller portions to snack on rather than full meals. The Calamari and Oysters were delicious, loved the crispy shallot and spicy sauce on the latter. The Masala Fries are solid too. I'd definitely come back if I'm in the area! read more

Monkey Thief - Oysters - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

A group of my friends and I beelined to monkey thief Tuesday evening after seeing death becomes her. It was exactly what we were looking for! We had a light bite prior to the show and found ourselves a bit peckish following, but not for an entire meal. Monkey thief was absolutely perfect! We had the chicken satay, lamb, & dumplings. The dumplings were different than any dumplings I've had in the past and a clear standout. I also had the "7 long years" cocktail which was delicious! I'm someone that despises a sweet cocktail so I shy away from ordering one, but the server was very kind to share that it's ultimately a spicy margarita, very well balanced as the sesame oil cuts it. It was exactly what we were looking for post show and had a good vibe with a decent amount of ppl on a Tuesday night without it being crowded! Definitely worth checking out! read more

Monkey Thief - Martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Love the ambiance and stellar creative menu of top notch food and cocktails at Monkey Thief! I have visited several times with different groups of friends, and it always stands to impress locals and tourists alike. If you like bold and punchy Asian/Southeast Asian flavors done well, this is a spot to check out! 5/5 Duck Hunter 5/5 Wizard of Os 4.5/5 Kiwi&Peel 4.5/5 Lychee no lychee 4/5 Tea Service 4/5 Croquettes 4/5 Fries 5/5 Ice Cream Sandwich read more

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A perfect brunch and thank you to Mihir for the amazing service! We stopped into Monkey Thief on a Sunday before heading to Union Square. This is a beautiful space. Modern, lush, and bright from the large windows we had the pleasure of sitting in front of. I'm a huge people watcher so this was a nice addition to the meal. Gorgeous bar! I got the sun chaser to drink, which was refreshing. Mango, sake, and bubbles? Sign me up! It was like a tropical and grown mimosa. Their burger was a 10/10! The jam paired perfectly and the bun was light. I tried a bit of the fried rice and that was amazing as well. Definitely worth the visit and I'll be back to try more menu options. I've got my eye on the monkey booty (LOL) I love a good surprise so I would love to see what that rotating cocktail consists of. read more

Monkey Thief - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

My favorite cocktail bar in Hell's Kitchen! Been here multiple times now and it's still just as good every time, plus there's never been a wait when I go even on Saturday night. I believe it's owned by the same people as Sama Street in Brooklyn, which I also really loved. Unique flavor combinations inspired by Asian flavors in a cute, dim environment and super friendly staff. My favorites are the Major Tom (lemongrass & more savory) and 7 long years (nice blend of sesame). I tend to enjoy more unique, savory drinks and would recommend these if that's what you're looking for. The Tea Service & Price is Raita were delicious as well. Definitely want to come back to try their brunch! :) read more

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A true cocktail bar in Hell's Kitchen - I'd never thought I'd see the day. While there are many nearby bars and restaurants in the area with a cocktail program, there aren't any where the mixology is the focus. There are ones where the drinks are simply just too sweet, others where the focus is on wine with a nice cocktail program, and others where the restaurant's food is the primary focus and the cocktails are secondary. But here, the mixology of the cocktails are in the forefront. As you peruse the menu, many of the ingredients you'll see in the cocktails may seem... different... from a typical cocktail. At Monkey Thief, the variety of ingredients complement one another and are paired beautifully in a way I never thought possible: fish sauce? yep. sesame? yep, that too. chaat masala? mmhmm. Just like any cocktail program, some drinks will be sweeter while others will be boozier. The 7 Long Years is a take on a spicy pineapple margarita with a touch of sesame, a gateway drink to the many other eclectic flavors on the menu. The Bullet Train is a really well made espresso martini. I really like the Major Tom. And the Tea Service, while on the sweeter side, is also delicious. The service is attentive but not overly so. And even the food is complementary, with similar pan-Asian flavors and you can't really go wrong with anything. Our last visit, we got an order of fries and they were addicting, to say the least. On other visits, we tried the calamari, potstickers, and fried chicken, which were all delectable. Now my fourth time to Money Thief, they continue to be consistent with every visit, and while we didn't need a reservation this time, I wouldn't be surprised if they become a necessity soon as it became busier and busier as the night progressed. read more

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Excellent drinks, food, and service! I arrived pretty early on Friday evening not expecting a huge crowd for a bar, but I forgot that pre-theatre drinks and dinner is a thing in Hells Kitchen! We put our names down for bar seats and were able to snag some in 45 minutes. It is beautifully decorated keeping in accords with the pan-Asian vibes, largely with South and Southeast Asian influences. There was great music blasting. Our bartender Aleks was handling our side of the bar like a champ while churning out these beautiful drinks. I tried the Major Tom as my first drink, a highly recommended cocktail from patrons and staff alike. The description had me worried with the "savory" part since I am a Certified Lightweight™ and tend to find strong liquor difficult. Luckily, the savory nature came from the light perfume of fish sauce, and the rest of the drink was really just multidimensional but delicate. The lemongrass flavor was pronounced. It made me feel like I was drinking an "adult" proper cocktail but not so much that I start missing my little basically-juice-with-a-hint-of-alcohol type drinks. My brother got the Lychee, No Lychee, which amazingly tastes like lychee martini despite having no lychee in it. I know it's food science and flavor combinations that achieve this effect, but I would like to believe it is magic. I had a Tea Service as my second drink. I was really intrigued by the name, but a little reluctant since I don't do well with warmed up alcohol. Aleks explained that the lavender foam is served warm but the actual drink is cold. I loved the contrast in the texture and temperature. The drink itself reminded me of thin mints and those lavender cold foam matchas. It was like a perfect dessert cocktail. I got to try some of the bar food, and to call these items "bar food" almost feels insulting. The food was really great and honestly better than some restaurants I've been to. The corn nuts were spiced with zaab, zingy and spicy. The fries were crispy well dried with a toss of masala spices, and I thought the choice to serve them with a hot and sweet chili sauce rather than ketchup was great. And despite all this, the fries didn't feel salty at all. (You'd expect the bar fries to be salty to encourage more drinks!) Ribs had a nice smattering of fish sauce flavor that went great with the smoky sweet flavor. Grilled coconut salad was a great palate refresher, crunchy and sweet. Fried chicken was so tender and juicy with crispy seasoned exterior, like Taiwanese popcorn chicken. I didn't feel it needed the spicy cucumber yogurt dip it came with, the dip was nice to eat on its own in between bites of heavier food. My absolute favorite from the menu was the king oyster mushroom skewer. Something about that creamy rendang sambal sauce was so luxurious and went great with the meaty fragrant morsels of the mushroom. Overall, I'm glad I got to try Monkey Thief before it gets any more famous and crowded. The cocktails are so reasonably priced for being this intricate. And the focus on the food program really impressed me. I think this is such a great spot for a pre or post theater catch-up but it would be great to visit on any night. It can cater to both the mixology aficionados and completely new beginners (like me)! When I don't have to rush to catch the train back home, I'd love to stay and try more drinks (again, Certified Lightweight™, so I was on my way to being hammered after drink #2). read more

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Loved all the drinks we tried here! They were all light (not tooo strong) and on the more refreshing side, and each had its own unique kick. We got the lychee no lychee, 7 long years, duck hunter, and price is raita. In terms of which one was the most unique, I think price is raita had the most interesting mix of flavors (that really worked!) so I would try that. Duck hunter was fun since it came with a fortune cookie. Service was also super fast and they also gave us some corn nuts to snack on! Would def make a reservation since it was really full by the time we left. read more

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Sama Street came to Midtown! Croquette - LOVE & must. Not a boring croquette that flavors are mixed in the fillings. Grilled Coconut Salad - lettuce cup style so it's not expected. I really wanted a salad. Holy Trini Tini - too martini not much garlic & green onion flavor 7 Long Year - tasty but light Fun place must try! read more

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Y'all.... I've been on the hunt for a cocktail bar I'd like to frequent. One that has consistently amazing cocktail, creative recipes, and fun staff. I think I've found the one! Everything I've had here is consistently amazing. I have yet to try the food, but the drinks are a solid 11/10, without having a pretentious vibe or uptight bartenders. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between lively and intimate, making it great for date nights or catching up with friends. The staff clearly knows their craft, and they're always happy to recommend something based on your taste. Bonus points for the unique menu! Monkey Thief might just be my new go-to spot in Manhattan. If you're a cocktail lover, this place is a must-visit. read more

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What an amazing experience! The food, the drinks, the service, and the ambiance -- all felt magical and innovative. The menu is curated and unique. You have, for instance, martinis infused with garlic and scallions I hard a hard time deciding what to order because I wanted to try everything. I ended up getting the 'Old School' (a riff on an OF cocktail), bourbon with rum, pandan, root beer and amaro. I was hesitant but it was amazing. Subtle and balanced. I also ordered the Kiwi & Peel (more of a tiki drink), it was also good. The food was amazing. Some highlights included the skewers (chicken and lamb), croquettes, chicken bao, the dumplings, and pork belly fried rice. It was all amazing, perfect flavor balance and nuances. We were also treated to dessert: ice cream sandwiches (saffron ice cream with biscuits dipped in dark chocolate). This was the only pain point. The chocolate overwhelmed the saffron and I really wanted more flavor in the ice cream itself. Overall a phenomenal meal. I will be returning. read more

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Wow, this is such a premium spot for southeast/south Asian fusion. Every dish was so unique in their own way my mind was blown. My favorites were the croquettes which gave an Indian fragrance to it, and the dumplings which has a vinegar-like scallion soy sauce that didn't overwhelm my palate. Some of our other highlights were the cumin/sichuan peppercorn spice in their fried chicken and chaat Marsala hot & sweet sauce with the fries. Since our friend had a ton of allergies, our server Cheyenne was very detailed and descriptive in how our order can be adjusted each time to accommodate our friend and made the overall experience so much better. I really recommended this nice, upscale, but affordable spot to anyone looking for a more unique Asian fusion experience. read more

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Quirky and flavorful cocktails, delicious food, and amazing service- Monkey Thief might be one of my new favorite bars. Between 2 people we ordered: -Tea Service: the warm lavender foam contrasted with the cold matcha cocktail is interesting. It's served in the cutest cup w a matcha Kit Kat -Lychee, no Lychee: tastes like a lychee martini but doesn't actually have lychee in it- it's a sweet potato liquor that does the trick. One of my favorites. The basil seeds are a nice textural touch -Major Tom: the flavors of Tom Yum soup in a clever cocktail. Probably my other favorite. -Old School: the old fashioned of the menu, the pandan comes through. (Reminds of a drink on the Mace menu) -Calamari: perfectly crispy and spiced, wish the portion was bigger! -Dumplings: beef and lamb is a good mix, tasty! We also got some complimentary corn nuts (delicious and the perfect bar snack), and our kind server let us taste 2 of the cocktails on tap- the Bullet Train (a citrusy espresso martini), and the Price is Raita (so interesting! A bit smoky but somehow creamy?) The bar is dark and lively, great for a date night. We didn't have reservations but were able to snag a table on a Friday night. I feel like in a couple of months once this bar circulates this won't be the case. OH and the menu is so fun- bright cartoony diagrams and funny descriptions. Apparently this spot is the sister bar of Sama Street in Greenpoint, which I'll have to try out next! read more

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Great for drinks. Awesome service and it does get loud and packed on weekends. Very lively read more

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Cute spot for brunch! The mains were tasty however we all thought the portions were a bit small. The bacon egg and cheese was good but needed a side on the plate (a side salad would've made this feel more complete). The pandan passionfruit French toast was yummy to share as well. read more

Monkey Thief - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Hosted a small gathering at Monkey Thief and it was nothing below amazing! The food which was a fusion of Thai and Indian flavors, and omg the cocktails!! This is definitely a vibe in Hell's Kitchen and worth it. The hospitality here with all the servers and staff treat you like you're the only guest. I recommend this place. Order the crispy fried rice and the fried chicken read more

Monkey Thief - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Came here for their inaugural brunch. Staff are very friendly and checked on us often. Fun, oriental-Indian fusion inspired decor and menu. We ate beforehand so mostly came for drinks but tried their Indian inspired fries which were delicious. The brunch cocktail menu was a bit limited but we all enjoyed the drinks we tried. We hung around until the dinner cocktail menu came out and that was much more expansive and exciting in my opinion. My favorite was the mango lassi inspired gin drink - artfully crafted, sweet balanced perfectly with sour, creamy mouthfeel. Would definitely come back to try their food and more of their drinks. read more

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Their cocktails are above and beyond anything I've experienced in Hell's Kitchen. The bartenders and servers are knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. The venue itself is super cool!!! read more

Monkey Thief - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

I really loved this spot! The ambience is cool and really nicely decorated inside. I loved our waiter, Cheyenne, he was really cool to talk to and great with giving us recommendations and accommodating any dietary restrictions. On to the food, wow. I love Asian fusion and I think this restaurant does a great job at balancing the spicy flavors with yogurt to cool down the spice. Highlights of our meal were the crispy fried rice (egg is a must) and the fried chicken was super juicy. I also loved their how inventive their drink menu is. We ordered the kiwi & peel and really liked it! read more

This place is such a good date night spot or spot for a small group with light apps and amazing cocktails to choose from. Southeast asian inspired across the board with lots of options to choose from and highly tecommend the fish sauce cocktail and basque cheesecake thai tea flavor. read more

Monkey Thief - Cocktail menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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We stopped by for some drinks and loved it. They have a cute cocktail list and it was so hard to pick what to order. The barista was very helpful in selecting a drink. I ended up getting the kiwi and peel which was fruity and sweet. The ambience is also cozy and the monkey theme is fun. Looking forward to coming back to try more drinks and food next time read more

I fear I've found my new favorite restaurant in HK... From what the staff told me, they've been doing brunch for about a month now. I was a little worried when I saw the limited brunch menu but oh my goodness... every single thing my friend and I ordered was delicious... the bagel was unlike any other. The French toast was outstanding! I don't even like French toast like that. The fries too... the seasoning goes so well with the sweet chili sauce. Def coming back asap Lovely staff and the interior is clean, homey, and chic read more

Monkey Thief - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Found monkey thief I believe on a Instagram recommendation and so glad to have made a reservation for a pre-theater show for 530pm to make our 7 PM show just on 42nd St. Inventive cocktails as well as small plates that looked and tasted amazing. Looking forward to taking The family and others and definitely recommended as a pre-theater treat. Excellent service tasty cocktails delicious food. What more can you ask for! read more

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New bar in Hell's Kitchen with an interest g selection of cocktails! It's not too busy walking in. Great vibe to chill with friends. Tried the calamari for a snack and it was delicious. Def recommend! read more

Monkey Thief - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Newly opened and it looks like this is going to be a hit. Tasty menu with the highlights being the chicken satay, baby bok choy (which has some great spices on top), and the crispy fried rice (pork belly and fried egg addition is recommended!) The fried chicken (nuggets) are good but be warned it has a lot of Indian style spices which may not be everyone's taste. Overall, pretty tasty food and worth a visit read more

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Fantastic spot to have an unusually delicious cocktail or mocktail and delicious nibbles. The food is intended to share. The ambiance is friendly and inviting - and very cool. The service is just lovely, we were treated so well and felt so cared for. Will come again? read more

Monkey Thief - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Nice cocktail bar with great ambiance! The menu was fun to read through; I appreciated the interesting ingredients that go into their drinks. Both of us really enjoyed the Tea Service cocktail. Bartender was nice and attentive. This might become my neighborhood staple from now on :) read more

Amazing drinks and service! The place is super cute and organized, looks very clean. Their brunch menu was very yummy, but the drinks are SO good! They have us free drinks and it was so sweet, very nice and attentive staff. 5/5! read more

Monkey Thief - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Amazing spot - vibrant bar with an Asian fusion. The interior was moody and colorful, clearly inspired by Bangkok/SE Asia. Our server said this place has only been open for 2.5 months. The drinks are pricey and strong, but spectacular! The monkey box drinks are rotating specials, make sure to ask for those as we got a mango saffron lassi inspired drink and it was unlike anything I have ever had (with actual saffron!)! The food was delicious, my favorites were the croquettes (Indian inspired), shroom salad (Thai inspired), and crispy fried rice. The fried items were okay, the sauces are what made them tasty. Service was great! A pricey spot but definitely worth for a unique food and drink experience! read more

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Such a pleasant surprise of a spot! Came here before my friends were headed off to a Broadway show as it was nearby. Ambiance is cozy and perfect for a meet up with friends or a date night. Each cocktail we got was expertly crafted, delicious and unique. We ordered several small plates to share and every single thing was bursting with flavor. Waitstaff was so attentive, kind and knowledgeable on the dishes. I loved the spice level on and seasoning on everything. This is definitely a spot we'll be returning to! read more

Went here for a brunch with my girls and it was everything I could ask for! There was a laid back atmosphere that allows you to forget you're in the middle of the city. The food and drinks were the star of the show. The drink menu was extensive and met everyone's needs. I ordered two drinks and can't pick my favorite. The food had a delicious spin on brunch favorites. I loved the burger and waffles. We were able to order the items and share them. I can't wait to go back! read more

Monkey Thief - Cocktail! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

A great addition to sama street. They had the two most popular drinks from sama but also some other impressive ones. I'd recommend Tea service, wizard of oz (white Negroni) and Saturday night fever. read more

I really enjoyed this bar and would highly recommend it . The drinks were amazing . I want to return to try some more . The mixologist are highly skilled The white fish crudo and the beef tartare were very good . I wasn't a fan of the fried chicken . read more

Wonderful find for cocktails and dinner before a broadway show! Great service and yummy bites.

Stopped in last night for drinks after seeing this place on Instagram. It did not disappoint. Definitely the best cocktail bar I've been to in Hell's Kitchen and one of the best in the city. The ambiance is very chic and fun. The bartenders were friendly, knowledgable, and clearly passionate about what the do. And the DRINKS! Perfectly balanced, expertly made (which is a rarity for Hell's Kitchen), with unexpected flavors and gorgeous instagram friendly presentation. Well worth the price. Can't wait to go back and try more. read more

Monkey Thief - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Meh. Food varied in its level of flavor and impact and value. The coconut salad is not worth it: bland, overpriced, small. The chicken bao were tasty but small. The dumplings were decent but kind of strange flavor. The best things were probably the cocktails. Good for drinks and snacks- but not for feeling like you had a satiating dinner. Service was okay- good at first and worsened throughout our duration. The interior vibe is cool, but I'd say don't go too far out of the way for this place. I would not return. read more

Amazing cocktails and food! New favorite place in Hell's Kitchen neighborhood. Service was slightly slow but understandable because it was packed. Vibe was fantastic! Only issue was that I tried reaching their phone multiple times for a group of 5, since online reservations are available for a maximum of 4. And despite multiple attempts (phone calls, DM's etc) no one responded. However once we got there 5 of us were able to squeeze onto one table. read more

Monkey Thief - Oysters - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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A really interesting new spot for drinks! My friend and I stopped by and were generally surprised by how unique some of the cocktails were. We also got some calamari to share, which were also quite tasty. Most of all, the restaurant had a very sleek and unique vibe, which adds to this cool, intimate ambience. All in all, the restaurant seems like a cool new addition. Would definitely stop by again to try more of the food. read more

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