Went here some time ago have to say one of the worst bar experiences I've ever had. The bartender was so rude and condescending it was insane. Vibes were definitely off in that place it was pretty silent no ambiance whatsoever read more

On The Rocks - Favorite whiskey - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

Came her with a friend and were a bit intimidated since it's a whisky bar and neither of us know anything about whisky. However, the bartender was so friendly and basically asked us what is our drink of choice and why. I said gin and that I like the floral notes. Next thing I know I'm tasting a Japanese whisky that had floral notes and went down smoothly. My friend was equally impressed and loved his manhattan. They make 5 cocktails (old fashioned, manhattan, and a couple others). It is a bit pricier than other bars starting at $25 per glass but I was impressed with the service and quality. read more

This place offers a great selection of whiskeys. I enjoyed the spin on my old fashioned, but my bf's tasting flight was a bit of a sticker shock! The bar is pretty small..so get there early and don't go with a group. read more

On The Rocks - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

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We were looking for a nice cocktail bar to enjoy a drink on a late Friday night and we happened to pass by On The Rocks and decided to give it a try as we liked the vibe! On The Rocks is a whiskey bar with minimal seating and gives a very intimate yet classy vibes. The bartender asked us what kind of Whiskeys we liked and curated a cocktail for us. I got the Suntory Whiskey which was paired with club soda and my friend got a Dark Rye on the rocks. It was a limited edition drink that blended classic Kentucky Rye rich with oak, spice and dried fruit notes, paired with port vine for the added sweetness. My friend and I are not usual whiskey drinkers but our drinks were very smooth and we loved our drinks. Despite poor reviews on Yelp, I'll recommend to give this place a try as they have a wide range of whiskey selections and are open until very late! read more

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This hidden Gem in the heart of Hell's Kitchen is my favorite Go To & Shared Experience with guests from out of town. Patrick the Bartender or rather shall I call him the "Master of Umami" in terms of Whiskey's & Bourbons: The On The Rocks experience is like Omakase of Liquor! Patrick asks a few questions, then he is Off to Create. Head's up, this place is not for those tight on a budget, plan to drop $30 Minimum & hundreds if you really want to Explore & Experiment your tastes. read more

I had an incredible time here, but I'm also obsessed with scotch so I'm exactly the audience! This is a small, intimate whisky bar, where you'll likely be sitting at the bar with one or two bartenders. This bar is definitely targeted at whisky aficionados, if you don't like whisky, skip this spot. All whiskies here are premium and are priced accordingly, cheapest 2oz pour starts at $25. My recommendation if you're a noob: - ask the price before getting a pour - prices can be extremely high as some of these bottles are super rare, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. Don't be too proud to specify your price range. - note that you can get pours by the oz if you want to try more things - ask for help if you need it, bartenders were willing to give suggestions read more

On The Rocks - Incredible sherry cask springbank - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

I do not like whiskey, however, with that being said I found this to be a pleasant experience. I came with some friends who were whiskey drinkers and they also had a good time. We all did a 3 tasting flight. The bartender seemed very knowledgeable. He took the time to speak with us individually to understand what we like, our flavor profiles, and our overall preferences. Then he would step away to take inventory of what he had on the shelf to curate a tasting flight for us. Granted, if you know exactly what you want, you do not have to go through this process, but I found it to be exciting. The bottles are also set up in front of you so you know exactly what you're drinking. This is not a place where you come to take shots, but you sit, taste, enjoy your alcohol and the company around you. While I wouldn't go back by myself, I may take a friend who does like whiskey. They have a huge selection to pick from. Also if you're not into drinking straight whiskey, they will make mixed drinks with whiskey. They do not serve food so be sure to eat before hand or make a reservation elsewhere for after like we did. read more

On The Rocks - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

The best whiskey bar in Manhattan. Quiet and quaint, bartenders have amazing service of over 400+ whiskeys from around the world and price points. read more

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You need to be a bourbon/whiskey/scotch enthusiast to admire and respect this place but if brown liquid is your jam then this is your place!!! My hubby and I had a PHENOMENAL experience here! Lawerence (may or may not be the right spelling) saw to all of our needs and our night consisted of Eagle Rare 17, William Larue Weller, Russell's 15 year, Wild Turkey Generation, and Willet purple top 8 year. Cannot recommend this spot enough...but you need to KNOW and enjoy your brown water to appreciate it! Thank you for a great date night in NYC read more

On The Rocks - Eagle Rare 17 and William Larue Weller - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

I don't usually write reviews...but my friends and I had a terrible experience at this bar last week. At the end of the night, I went to Yelp and Google to read reviews about this bar. To my surprise, all of the negative reviews basically touched upon the same themes: rude, arrogant, and condescending bartender (Lamar), overpriced drinks, no menu, and no prices are listed. I don't know how you can run a bar/restaurant without a menu or a price list. We also were all overcharged and never received an apology from Patrick (the other bartender) who ran our cards. When we asked for a menu, Lamar said in a harsh tone of voice: "If I had a menu, I would have given to you." Interestingly, the owner/manager (Howard), replies to these negative reviews on Google and says every time: "Please describe the bartender. Thank you." Or "Hi, I apologize for that experience. Can you describe the bartender to me so I can address it. Thank you." Invariably, people describe the same bartender (Lamar and sometimes Patrick) in their reviews. Howard's replies are from years ago. Clearly, Howard knows about Lamar's behavior towards some customers and yet Lamar is still working there. Fortunately, there are many bars in Hell's Kitchen to go to besides this one. read more

Things I liked about On The Rocks: - The large inventory - The servers work with you to find interesting selections (BUT see below) - You get to sample things before you order a full pour - The alcove way in the back (that you can't see from the entrance) which has space for 3-4 people to sit comfortably, away from the noise and crowd in the front. Things I didn't like so much: - While the servers work with you, if you aren't sure what you want, you're sort of at their mercy for recommendations - Potential sticker shock: Without having the liquor list or the prices available, unless you ask before a pour, you won't necessarily know just how much something will cost. If you're willing to go there with an open mind and an open wallet, you will no doubt enjoy the experience, otherwise it might be hit or miss. read more

Best bar in the world. They have decent amount of selections and some are rare and always better to get consulted feelings and they pick up the best one for you. read more

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Okay, so I'm not an alcoholic. I just want to start there. But I do enjoy a beautiful whiskey. And a lovely space to do it in. Add in people who KNOW their whiskey and don't mess around and you'll find a VERY pleased M&M. So let's begin. I'd like to mention that I'm a bit of a whiskey snob-- sorry not sorry. I love whiskey. Particularly bourbon. But I'm not adverse to trying different kinds--whiskey is so varied that it brings its own little world with it. Enter On The Rocks. Just from eyeballing, there are over 300 different whiskeys. Stop me, I'm in awe. There's Japanese, Scottish, American. And those are just the ones I tried. 3oz for base of 20$ depending on the availability and rarity of the whiskey. So if you don't like whiskey or you're not willing to experiment, kindly see yourself out before you even enter. I'm not going to go on a tangent because this is a place you need to experience yourself. By the way, this is STRICTLY a whiskey bar--no food, just whiskey in all its glory. The ambience in here is everything I love--low lit, close quarters but very cozy. No fluff, nothing fancy, just whiskey. I'm going to end this review with some love. Two of the best bartenders I've ever had the pleasure of engaging with were on that fateful Saturday night. Patrick and Lamar-- thank you. For the shots, for the knowledge, for welcoming me with open arms. I cannot wait until our next encounter. And best believe I will be bringing company. Or not. Either way, I'm coming back. Ipromise you you'll want to as well. As always, happy drinking! M&M read more

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This is by far my favorite bar in New York City. My husband and I are big bourbon drinkers, so we love coming to On the Rocks and trying new things. The bar staff there is incredibly knowledgeable and can without fail help me find something I like. The ambiance is chill and the space is on the smaller side so you are sure to meet a person or two. It is a bit pricy, but worth it for the service, whiskey, and experience. read more

Great whiskey drinks but be prepared because you will get roasted by the bartender. Lol.

On the Rocks in one of the few remaining places that stays open 'till 4:00AM and they have a wall full of bourbons and whiskeys. What's not to love? read more

3 stars for a 'meh' way too expensive, kind of sarcastic / rude vibe bar in Manhattan. This place was packed when we arrived. We were greeted by the bartender who not so nicely explained that they do not have a menu because they change their bourbon / whiskeys so often so let him know what you like and he'll tell you what to get. Uhm, okay I understand the menu thing, but the tone of voice was not needed. He gave my husband an attitude when he asked if he could move to see what he had so he could choose. The one prop I'll give them is that they're very reasonable when you want to taste something, they give you a sip without charge. But I guess it's because their pricing is WAY higher than other local bars, lol. read more

On The Rocks - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

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I live in Los Angeles. The 1st time we stumbled on this gem, we wanted whiskey. Found it on yelp. I wasn't too sure about it. Let me tell you, this place is amazing. They welcome you with open arms. It's a great chill vibe. They ask you several questions to get an idea of what you like. Everyone is so freakin cool. I learned so much about whisky. It's help me at home with hosting my friends & family. 1 year later I'm back in NY & we had to go back. The same experience. It's a must each time I visit NY. I rave so highly about On the Rocks. Can't wait to go back. read more

On The Rocks - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

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Spectacular whiskey bar in Hell's Kitchen with a robust and diverse selection of whiskeys from all over the world. The bartenders really know their stuff, which is helpful considering that they don't have a menu. They can either suggest spirits or cocktails for you after they learn more about what you like. A MUST if you're into a whiskey, but please try to be a little more adventurous than ordering Macallan or Blanton's on the rocks. You'd be missing the point of going here. read more

On The Rocks - This whiskey recently shook up the ASCOT awards and I've wanted to try it. I was very happy that the bartender recommended it to me. - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

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I was looking for a place to kill some time while my wife & daughter were at Hamilton and as a whiskey lover I found this spot thru my pre trip research. I was a little hesitant with some of the recent review but decided to give it a shot. I am glad I did. While there is some truth to some of the reviews I.E. it is a niche whiskey bar that isn't cheap, and the selection was great, the service was even better. I think that there is some lost in translation. The bartender did explain the setup upon arrival. Drinks start at $25, no menu etc. and after spend a few hours with them I can see why. Some people get the setup and some are just bar hopping looking for a cheap drink. If you are looking for a great experience and have plenty of time and a few extra $$ check this place out. It's amazing and you won't be disappointed. If you're in a hurry or on a budget, you may want to look elsewhere. To the employees,Thank you for an amazing time. It was awesome!! read more

On The Rocks - Whiskey selection - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

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I've never felt so scammed in my life. This place has no atmosphere, no service. Please never come here. The bartenders will try and upsale you. There is no menu it was basically whatever the bartender told you to drink. I will say good music! read more

Quite the opposite of "high end" given the rates on their mediocre whiskey only cocktails. If you are interested in upscale drinks, avoid this establishment. Thank me later read more

Upon entering the first thing we are told is you know this is a whiskey bar right? Well sir, this place is called "on the rocks" so I assumed it was a whiskey bar and that's why I came here. Next, as a person of color, you proceed to tell me you know the drinks start at $23 dollars? Yes sir, I'm not coming here for a $2 dollar shot. Interesting how his tone and demeanor changed as non persons of color entered. Save your money and go elsewhere. I hope the management sees how many of us have had issues with this bartender. Stay away! read more

We Stumbled across this incredible place late at night Patrick the bartender was so knowledgeable about all the whiskey's and he was also a pleasure to talk to I had a great night there read more

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Good, not great spot for whiskey and bourbon. They don't have a menu but have a crazy amount of bottles on the wall that you could choose from or just let the bartender know what you like and they'll choose for you. The prices start around $25 a drink which isn't that much more than any other spot in NYC, however the ambiance is lacking a bit. It's a narrow bar and you've got to squeeze in to get around. The bartender either has a very dry sense of humor or is just rude and sarcastic - it's impossible to tell lol. If I was looking for a cozy spot after a date night this would be a good one. read more

Bartender was mean, made a comment about my friends acne and implied that we were too poor to drink there which was true, because he charged a 25 dollar minimum on drinks with $5 value. Said that if we didn't pay a 20% tip, this 'wasn't the right place for us' Good atmosphere read more

This was one of the worst bar experiences I've had -- definitely recommend listening to all of the other reviews about the rude bartender and steering clear of this place. The vibe is really depressing (~10 seats total) with bad music. The bartender was also incredibly rude and condescending. He briefly asked us what we liked and immediately poured us drinks without even asking us if we actually wanted them or not. It almost felt like we were forced to pick the drink he selected, and there was no choice to get a mixed drink. The drinks are also VERY overpriced. I paid $25 (without tax and tip) for a shot of a $30 bottle of whiskey. read more

I understand the premise of this place. Extraordinary, high-end whiskies and scotches.  But I had a terrible experience here. I popped in with a companion (ok, it was a date), as another bar we wanted to go to around the corner was too full. Immediately the bartender starts talking a mile a minute when we walk in, explaining the place, and its theme, and then starts trying to upsell us on a flight of tasking whiskeys. We're a bit taken aback and looking at each other and we ask what a flight cost. Since the flight is based on what he chooses for you apparently, there is no fixed cost. He starts bombarding us with questions about our taste preferences while pulling bottles off the shelf and, this is the important part, just rattling off prices, but talking super fast and not at all clearly. When we give our feedback on our preferences (I said, I prefer less smoky, more 'clean') he's like, what's your definition of clean? At this point, I'm already annoyed as hell. I get it man, you know a lot about whiskies. It's your job, good work. No need to come off like a condescending a-hole (like other reviewers have mentioned). Meanwhile, it was pretty cold out, and we were still standing by the door with our jackets etc on and hadn't sat down. We should have just left (and this idiot bartender should have read the room). But we decide to get a drink. I just chose some Four Roses bottle he suggested since I recognised the brand, and she decided on a Japanese whiskey. So here I'm going to get to the point. We each have 2 glasses of our respective drinks before deciding to go somewhere else. Total cost? $200. That's right. TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS. Did I also mention, there's no menu? So you can't peruse a list and prices? What kind of bar never has a menu? I tip $20 because screw this guy and this place. I am sorry, if you are going to not have a menu and sell us these overpriced drinks you need to be as clear as possible what each glass costs. I would have complained if I wasn't on a date. So basically, prepare to get upsold and unclear answers on pricing and everything else. I would never come back here. I felt scammed. No, I was scammed. And honestly, what he chose for us was not special and sure as hell wasn't worth $50 a glass (also, tiny ass pours). I'd have taken a $10 glass of Maker's Mark. Lastly, the ambiance sucks. It's garbage. Feels like a dive bar. One long bar, stools. A weird area in the back with stools, but lit, right by the bathroom and storage of things in the open. But one selling $30 to $XXXX glasses of whiskey.  If I'm gonna spend $50 on a glass of whiskey, I want great lighting, a plush chair to sit in and a frigging half-full tumbler of that stuff. My date was nice enough to get the drinks at the next spot thank goodness as I think she knew what it all cost. Again, this place is a SCAM. read more

The BEST hole in the wall whiskey bar I've been in. And I have been in many. Great selection with 300 bottles, knowledgeable bartenders & friendly vibe. If you want glitz and glamour, not your place. If you want a great pour, great conversation and a comfortable joint to learn about whiskey, get here! read more

My husband and I yelped a whiskey bar and came across this one. Wish we had a whiskey bar exactly like this one back in CA! We met the most personable bartender, Brent, while we were in the area. He definitely knows his whiskeys and can lead you in the right direction. He's the perfect bartender for a higher end whiskey bar; knowledgeable, personable and attends to his customers. Although I can't drink at this time, my water was ALWAYS full! Excellent service! If you're looking for Jack and coke, this isn't the whiskey bar for you. Be brave and try something new! You won't regret it! read more

On The Rocks - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

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If you are a whiskey nerd this is the place for you. They have every option to satisfy every patron. If you're not a whiskey connoisseur don't worry! I came with my girlfriend who never drinks whiskey and the bartender listened to her preferences and formulated a whiskey cocktail that she ended up loving. I had the best highball I've ever had here. It was a pleasure walking in here by coincidence. Spent several wonderful hours at this gem. read more

On The Rocks - Awesome little bar space. What a selection. - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

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An expensive niche whiskey bar, as the bartender would say. He explained this to us upfront in an attempt to save us the trouble, but came off quite condescendingly. When we declined to stay, he joked at our attempt to find a less specialized bar, stating all the bars in the area have to be niche or they wouldn't succeed. Maybe there is truth to that but no where does that require service to be unwelcoming. read more

What a great bourbon bar. Great selection and the bartender wish I could remember his name ‍) was amazing. Very knowledgeable and was awesome at helping to find your flavor profile. Brought a newbee to blourbon with me and he really helped him find what he liked. Happened to be Blantons and Harper 15 yo. Had some excellent pours also. Met some great people. Small and comfortable venue not to be missed if you're around the Times Square/Hell's Kitchen area. read more

On The Rocks - A great pour but gone now.. - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

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Excellent whiskey bar for all ranges. Whether you're a noob or seasoned collector, you will find something for your palate. Don't be offended at the lack of menu or the directness of the staff. They are genuinely there to help you have an amazing experience. If you are going out for beer or cheap cocktails this is not the venue you are looking for. However, if you want to try some amazing pours in a friendly environment, On the Rocks is your place! read more

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The worst bar experience I have had. The bartender was downright rude. Inspite of drinks costing upwards of 25$ and not having a menu, refused to provide any useful recommendations. Would never go back, there are much better whiskey bars in nyc read more

This is a very strange place. It is pretty small inside and has that old school hells kitchen dive bar feeling. And then you look up and see a beautiful shelf of bottles with a wide range of whiskey. Scotch, japanese, they have it all. You can sit at the bar but it feels kind of cramped. The little wall counters at the back room offer more privacy for conversation. If you're a whisky fan, this bar should be in your arsenal. read more

If you're looking for a small local whiskey bar in Manhattan, this is the place. The bartender was very knowledgeable and give us a brief history lesson all about whiskey. The selection is amazing. We all enjoyed a variety of Irish Scotch and Japanese whiskeys. everything was excellent. Highly recommended! read more

On The Rocks - Awesome place - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

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I entered this establishment with all intention of staying. I had been needing to find a restroom since walking from 59th street Columbus Circle. I walk straight to the bathroom upon arrival (as I've done before with no issues) My friend hadn't gone into the right "establishment" but had instead gone next door. As I exited the restroom the bartender, infront of his guests, shouted at me that "I HOPE YOUR CHILDREN DIE BEFORE YOU!" (Among other insults) to which case I exited "Top Of The Rocks" before bringing my friend inside to the right place. You don't know what another person has been through. You don't know I was helping someone inside of your establishment. You don't know I'm a pervious customer.. You don't act like a pompous DICK. Embarrassed and disgusted are putting it mildly. This attack was uncalled for and out of this world. And the company should be ashamed to hire people of that nature. More like "Bottom Of The Barrel." read more

Whether you're a whisky-file or a novice, on the rocks should be a staple in your rotation. Yes, the venue is tiny, but what it lacks in square footage it makes up for in vibe and selection. Patrick is a walking encyclopedia. He will quickly or slowly get you up to speed on all things whisky. He truly is a marvel. He works nights only so don't come early. The whisky selection is superlative. There will definitely be at least a dozen bottles you've never tried or have been meaning to try. Pricing won't be generous, especially with the higher end bottles. But they do offer half pours if you're tasting on a budget. Cheers... read more

A horribly pretentious attempt at an upscale neighborhood whiskey bar. As someone who has spent their life appreciating and exploring good whiskey, it was terribly disappointing to see the worst of the culture emphasized at On The Rocks. Be prepared to be immediately looked down upon by the staff, be misled about pricing, and to try whiskeys that they are simply trying to get rid of. I was actually treated somewhat well due to my reasonable understanding of whiskey varieties, but the bartenders effectively berated those sitting next to me due to their lack of knowledge. They were extremely condescending and borderline laughed them out the door. I'm ashamed to admit I've actually been multiple times, and this behavior has proven to be a pattern. It's truly unfortunate because On The Rocks perpetuates (what I believed to be largely extinct) negative stereotypes associated with spirit drinking culture. Gatekeeping the joy of drinking from honest people who are trying to explore something they don't know much about. It's sad. Hopefully they recognize that all people can enjoy good whiskey, until they do, I highly recommend steering clear! read more