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    Reception Bar

    4.2 (163 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Reception Bar Photos

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    RECEPTION BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Romantic
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Reception Bar

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    Nicole N.

    Soju and cocktails? Sign me up! I'm so glad I finally was able to check out Reception Bar! I've heard their cocktails can be hit or miss, but the two I tried were solid!! The cereal milk had strong makgeolli and jujube flavors. With the jolly pong on top, it really felt like cereal milk! It was on the sweeter side with all the honey, but at least it was expected. The orchard st had very fragrant osmanthus flavors, along with nice pear aftertaste. Sweetness level was appropriate. Both drinks were light and refreshing! The dim lights and tight seating gave it an intimate vibe. There are some bar seats, standing options, and indoor vs outdoor tables. Staff seemed a little stress because it was definitely busy on a Friday night, but drinks still came out at a reasonable time and people were moving. I'd come back to check out their other drinks!

    Jack T.

    drinks were solid. not super expensive either but were also not v strong. vibe is really cool and in a great spot. servers are nice nothing over the top. good spot but not raving ab it

    Lotus breeze cocktail
    Sally V.

    This is a super cool vibey soju bar in the Lower East Side. It might be one of my new favorite bars! It was pretty busy but we were able to snag a table. They specialize in soju cocktails and infused soju. I got the lotus breeze which was phenomenal. It just tasted like tea! Honestly, every single cocktail on the menu looked delicious and I had a hard time deciding. My friend' drinks were also great. I would definitely come back here to try more cocktails.

    Lotus breeze
    Emily G.

    I've finally gotten to the point where I know what type of drinks I prefer, and can pick one out on the menu based on the ingredients listed. I chose the Lotus Breeze and it was nice, light (not too strong), floral notes, and a touch of sweet. A friend ordered the "Smokes" - not my style, but the flavors were quite interesting! The staff was okay, not super friendly. We got there early evening, so maybe the mood lighting and ambiance hadn't set in yet so I can't quite judge the ambiance.. but it was pretty warm indoors, not great AC or at least ventilation there.

    Ginger goblin
    Grace Y.

    Love their ginger goblin cocktail - it's really gingery so only get it if you really like ginger! They have a pretty big menu of all soju based drinks. The inside can get crowded sometimes but it's not too hard to get a seat. And they're open late.

    Matcha Meadow, Cereal Milk
    Tiffany V.

    Stunning creative and delicious cocktails keep me coming back to Reception Bar on a night out! There has not been a miss on their menu for us! Their menu of soju cocktails have creative fun ingredients that really resonate with my palate, there is sure to be something that speaks to you too! 5/5 Cereal Milk 5/5 Matcha Meadow 5/5 Lotus Breeze 4.5/5 Yuja 88 There may be a bit of a wait on a weekend, but I personally do not mind the standing tables while waiting for seating inside. Love the lively ambiance here, great for a night out with friends or a date!

    Matcha Meadow
    Carina H.

    The bar was very laid-back, similar to a cafe, as my friend and I went earlier in the evening. The service was quick, and I really liked the Matcha Meadow. It had a subtle matcha flavor as it did a fruity or floral flavor. The drink was similar to a matcha latte in the way it was frothy on top, and the taste was smooth. I didn't really taste the soju at all, but the alcohol kicks in for sure if you don't eat before drinking.

    Menu
    Claire M.

    Cute little spot with great ambiance and great drinks - definitely come here if you want specialty soju cocktails. I will be coming back for the infused soju flights. Must get: Yuja 88

    Cereal Milk
    Avril A.

    This bar had some of the most creative and unique asian-inspired drinks I've ever had! My friend and I had the matcha meadow, orchid street, yuja, cereal milk, and melon dew for drinks. The first three were fruity and tart, and the last two were more on the milky and creamy side (but not heavy at all). For snacks, we had the pork mandu and pizza garlic knots which were delicious. The ambiance felt cozy, chill, and intimate and we had fantastic service from Lydia. Highly recommend this spot if you enjoy asian flavors or just want to try something new!

    Matcha Meadow
    Emily L.

    Drinks here are really good and unique! Came at a recommendation from a friend and didn't realize it was a soju bar, which was a nice surprise. Service was really nice. We were seated outside initially, but we asked to be let known if any tables opened inside. The wait staff was kind to let us come back around twice to offer us room inside (first was standing room at the bar which we declined, second was for bar seating). It was a lot more noisier than expected inside though. I ordered the matcha meadow and a melon dew. Both were really good, but I preferred the matcha better. It was a good combo and the soju didn't overpower the matcha. The melon dew was a bit stronger and bitter for my taste. All of the cocktails combinations are so unique, and I definitely want to try more of the menu!

    Cereal milk
    Sujay R.

    Soju based cocktail bar. Cereal milk is one of the best value cocktails (under $20 in nyc is craziness).

    starting at 12 and clockwise: matcha meadow, lotus breeze, yuja 88 (mocktail), yuja 88, cereal milk
    Evelyn N.

    Friendly hosts/hostesses right at the door even though we were not able to be seated inside on a chilly Friday evening. They do have an outdoor area with heat lamps so that helped a little because my friend really wanted to try this soju bar after dinner for her 30th. It was super busy but exceptional service and we never felt rushed even though we were there for almost 3 hours. All the drinks were pretty yummy and not too strong and they even offer some mocktails if you don't want alcohol. Love the fusion flavors of the cocktails and would love to come back again to try more.

    Matcha meadow
    Amy L.

    This is the best bar I've been to in NYC for their unique cocktail selection hands down. I came here on a Friday night with some friends who were bar hopping in lower east side. When I arrived they had a table outside in the patio area which was pretty nice with the heaters on. The waitresses came by often enough to refill waters and take our order. This has got to have the most unique cocktail choices that I've seen so far in NYC. It almost reminds me of the bars they have in Asia - they use a lot more unique flavors and pairings that are just not common in the US. Our party of 4 each ordered 1 drink at a time and would pass it around so we each tried most of the drinks on the menu. Some of my favorite drinks was the melon dew and orchard st. The cereal milk option was also really delicious but was a bit too strong for my preference. The matcha meadow was my 2nd drink but I regret ordering it since it was just too sour for my liking. Overall this bar has a great selection of cocktails with reasonable pricing for Manhattan - I would recommend for anyone who is out for a good time.

    Matcha medow and cereal milk drinks!

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Reception Bar

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    Dear Irving on Broadway - Josephine Room

    Dear Irving on Broadway

    4.5(35 reviews)
    3.4 miMidtown West

    Finding a good cocktail bar in NYC is not that difficult for most, but I find that my friend and I…read morehave become a bit of cocktail snobs lately, as we always look for something specific during our travels. We are tequila and mezcal drinkers so a lot of places, we've found lately, so not have as big of mezcal selections. This was the exception. We wanted to go to the location that wasn't in such a touristy area, but it was so cold that we didn't wanna walk so we just did this location. The aesthetic is super warm and takes you to somewhere luxurious and almost even tropical with the light shades and all. The bartenders are actual mixologists so if you tell them what you're thinking of, they'll likely be able to execute. Our bartenders were very attentive and enthusiastic in creating the drinks we had in mind. All we had to do was give them a brief idea and we got these wonderful drinks back. I wish I had pictures, but the drinks were flowing and the conversation was so good. We were thoroughly impressed. Great program they're running here, their mixologists know what they're doing!

    I was here for an event, so didn't order entrees/mains. We did have some appetizers and finger…read morefood, which wasn't the tastiest...the best thing there were probably the lobster rolls and sliders. The drinks were very delicious, though! The bartenders were nice and made the drinks very quickly. There was one who was consistently friendly, as opposed to the blonde lady there. I'd go back again on a date night because the interior had major sexy vibes.

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    Dear Irving on Broadway - Cocktails

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    Sunken Harbor Club - Shallows drinks

    Sunken Harbor Club

    4.5(115 reviews)
    1.7 miDowntown Brooklyn
    $$$

    I've been trying to go to Sunken Harbor for over a year now. I don't know how it's possible but…read moredespite being local it always seems to have a private event whenever we have plans to go. The stars finally aligned this winter and I had the opportunity to try it out. The vibes are perfect. Fog and bubbles, sea noises and all of the art go together seemlessly. Drinks were great. We had three and left suitably sloshed for the night with no aftereffects. We didn't have too many bites but the food was very good for a bar. I'm excited to go back and I hope we have just as much luck getting in next time.

    This is a "speakeasy" above Gage and Tollner. An undersea Tiki style adventure with a sexy mermaid…read moreheading up the bar. Nautical theme throughout with weathered leather, ropes, fish. Cocktails are made with various types of rum and ingredients like grapefruit, maraschino, wormwood amaro, falernum, thyme, Assam tea, spiced lime, allspice, coconut, cucumber, nutmeg, sour orange. All the drinks keep with the tropical, fruity taste with a hint of spice. They are also broken up into categories (dry land = no alcohol, shallows = average amount of alcohol, and abyss (larger amounts of alcohol). The abyss section has some cocktails that are limited to two per customer. They have some bar bites like fried green tomatoes, shrimp toast, broiled oysters, ricotta, dumplings, sliders. I had the French fries with kimchi ranch, which were underwhelming. Bartenders were cool and kept the drinks coming. I got in immediately without an issue or a wait, but it was right after a snowstorm. I've seen some people struggle to get in or have a long wait.

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    Sunken Harbor Club - View of the bar

    View of the bar

    Sunken Harbor Club - Mary Pickford - IG @bougiefoodieboi

    Mary Pickford - IG @bougiefoodieboi

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    Dear Strangers - Such a nice cute bar!

    Dear Strangers

    4.3(28 reviews)
    1.2 miGreenwich Village

    Dear Strangers is a wonderful hidden gem! We celebrated Valentine's Day there last night and while…read morethe restaurant was incredibly busy, we never felt overlooked or underserved. The owners were milling around making sure everyone was well taken care of and the wait staff were kind and personable. Now the food...AMAZING!!! Every bite we took was wonderful and so surprising with creative combinations and gorgeously presented. The restaurant itself was hip and refined and seemed to be the happening spot of the night. We will certainly be back!

    Met up with friends here for dinner before a show near Washington square. It wasn't super crowded…read morewhen we arrived around 6pm (maybe due to the extreme cold that day) but started filling up gradually. I loved the ambiance and decor, very cozy. As for food, there were some true hits but most of the food was good but basic. The highlights for me were the wild mushrooms & rice cakes as well as the Caesar salad - loved the use of nori in the salad and would definitely come back for the mushrooms. The chicken cutlet and chicken dumplings were fine but I probably wouldn't order them again. The wait staff weren't super attentive nor super warm, but they were efficient when we asked for water refills, etc. There was ample standing room at the bar while we waited for our friends, but the table/booth that we sat at was super narrow, I was knocking knees with my friend all night and generally felt squished.

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    Dear Strangers
    Dear Strangers
    Dear Strangers - Smoked chicken croquettes

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    Attaboy - Tiny bar which is why the long waits to get in but cozy and cool vibe

    Attaboy

    4.1(868 reviews)
    0.2 miLower East Side
    $$

    Attaboy has my heart and soul, especially after crafting, curating and creating my dream drink that…read morewill live forever in the memory of my taste buds unable to be erased from my brain's footprints. Our friends raved about this place and we of course were excited (and a bit skeptical at first) to try it. The concept: no menu + no lights + a few questions = the ultimate cocktail experience. The speakeasy vibe and the dark ambiance really makes this place feel even more exclusive. With just a few tables and the bar setting, you're in for an experience you won't forget (unless you answer the wrong questions and really end up with a drink you don't like HA). This wasn't my case. Of course I described my two favorite things: Negroni + mezcal. The obvious answer would be a mezcal Negroni, but that's not why one comes to a place like Attaboy. Our amazing curator came by to ask us all a few questions, write down a few words in the napkins, and mix up the perfect drink that our master bartender crafts, curates and creates. My drink came as I couldn't possibly imagine. It looked like a Negroni smelled like Oaxaca, with all the smoke simmering up and preparing my sensory experience, leading to the best first sip. Ladies and gentleman, I introduce you to The Devil's Backbone. A perfectly balanced drink I'll never forget, one that is sipped slowly and enjoyed thoroughly. It's sexy, it's smoky it's sipped. Attaboy gave the best mixology experience and we can't wait to be back. Pro tip: be sure to be as vocal as possible, even with ice, so you don't end up with a tiki drink if that's not your vibe.

    This is one of the must-try bars in NY. You describe the flavor profile of the drink you want and…read morethe bartender whips up something for you. I only said I wanted something "floral" and I got the best water lily drink curated for me - never had anything like it. Others in my group asked for "something spicy", "something smoky, nutty, and creamy" and something "refreshing". We were all extremely impressed. Our bartender was Steven and he was awesome! He even chatted with us for a bit after to tell us more about attaboy. I'm rounding up to 5 stars but I will say our experience with the "bouncer" was a bit unpleasant. He called us to let us know our table was ready but we missed the call (our fault). We returned the call immediately and got there within a couple minutes anyway. We were ready to patiently wait for the next availability but were met with some attitude and unnecessary comments from him during the waiting experience. Regardless, we had a great time inside to make up for this. Highly recommend, but just be sure to make a reservation or be on alert and on time when getting off the waitlist.

    Photos
    Attaboy - Small space but good vibes

    Small space but good vibes

    Attaboy - Interior bar seat

    Interior bar seat

    Attaboy - The Orange Moon

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    The Dead Rabbit - Scotch eggs

    The Dead Rabbit

    4.2(2.1k reviews)
    1.4 miFinancial District
    $$

    The "coconut milk was off" cocktail was soo good. All the cocktails (electric momisette and miso…read morecolada) were fun, creative, and delicious. The food (dingle pie and spice bag chips) were also really good. The spice bag chips seasoning was really good. We walked in Wednesday 8:30 PM and they had a couple of high chair seats at a side bar in the parlor room available. Really fun decorations and ambiance.

    If you're looking for one of the best Irish pubs in Lower Manhattan, The Dead Rabbit absolutely…read morelives up to the hype. Tucked into the Financial District, this spot blends old New York history with some of the best cocktails in the city--and it's easy to see why it's been named "World's Best Bar" more than once. The name itself has a wild backstory, inspired by a notorious 19th-century Irish-American gang from Five Points. It adds a layer of character to the place, but what really keeps people coming back is the atmosphere and the drinks. The space is split into two levels: a two lively, sawdust-floored Taprooms downstairs and a more refined Parlor upstairs if you're in the mood for a quieter, cocktail-focused experience. Drinks are the real highlight here. The Irish Coffee is widely considered one of the best in the world--rich, smooth, and perfectly balanced with whiskey, coffee, and fresh cream. They also get creative with variations like a frozen version and even an Irish Coffee martini. If you want something different, the "Act Naturally" is a standout, mixing Irish whiskey with Guinness and fig in a way that works. Food is just as impressive for a bar. The lobster deviled eggs (topped with caviar) are a must-try, and the menu leans into elevated comfort food. Overall, The Dead Rabbit nails the balance between historic charm and modern cocktail excellence. The D.R. is one of those places that is never boring and consistently delivers.

    Photos
    The Dead Rabbit - Irish Coffee

    Irish Coffee

    The Dead Rabbit - Jingle All The Way

    Jingle All The Way

    The Dead Rabbit - Irish coffee

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    The Up & Up

    The Up & Up

    4.2(617 reviews)
    1.0 miGreenwich Village
    $$

    Cool vibe. Super nice people…read more Speak easy atmosphere Love the West Village neighborhood

    Serious attitude here. The cocktails were very tasty but the service and vibe were so off-putting,…read moreI will never go back. I made a reservation in person more than 24 hours in advance. I wanted to treat an old friend to a quick birthday toast before a show she was attending nearby. Later that night, another friend became available to join but, because they do not actually have a phone that takes calls (only offers an announcement to go to Resy or email) adding another person was not at all easy. I would have had to cancel and rebook and wasn't sure I'd be able to (reservation was for a Saturday night) In most places, a table for 3 easily accommodates 4. But not here. When two of us arrived, they made it clear this was a big problem. I would have walked out right then but I would have been charged $90! We decided to stay and make the best of it, which was a challenge. For a speakeasy, the vibe was aggressive, not relaxing. Very loud music and not great acoustics.) Too cramped to be comfortable, proving that small does not necessarily mean cozy! We asked if we could take a chair from the table next to us, which was empty (it was only 6 pm; I told our server we'd be gone by 7 because my friend, the birthday girl, had to catch a show.) We were told No! To say the waiter was cold, unfriendly, and indifferent is generous. He was totally rude. He literally told my friend she couldn't sit in a chair that was otherwise empty, knowing we'd be leaving momentarily. Then he had the gail to hand me the bill with a 22% tip pre-selected...and watched over me while I signed it! Definitely the least satisfying $100 I have ever spent. Disappointing. It was good to see my friends, but I so wish I hadn't picked this place. Never again.

    Photos
    The Up & Up - Screen Door Slam

    Screen Door Slam

    The Up & Up
    The Up & Up

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    Reception Bar - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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