LOVED SUGAR MONK! Recommended by a friend who lived in the area and she was spot on! They coin it as a speak easy but it's basically a blank door attached to the patio and frankly unnecessary because a random door doesn't qualify lol The drinks were AMAZING. The music (80s to 2000's R&B ) on. Thursday night was VIBING. The design and ambiance was right up our alley! The drinks were so good I walked out with 3 bottles of their signature liquors! Jordi, their head bartender, also gave me his personal number so would could discuss the amazing cocktail recipes I can make at home. I highly recommend this as a low key spot on your next visit to Harlem! read more

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Another great night at Sugar Monk. Ambiance? Dim and Sexy Drinks? Creative, craft cocktails (and mocktails as well. Snacks? Went for the lava cake and it was good. There are always beautiful people and chill vibes here. Service is attentive and kind. Yeah, if you're in Harlem looking for smoky, chill vibes, come here! read more

Sugar Monk - You see a lot as a solo traveler. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

What a cool, speakeasy vibe! Live music. Curated cocktails. Popcorn and Pretzels. They have food too but did I tell you about the cocktails?! The bartenders are all about their craft but not in a pretentious way. They just put love into the drinks and you can taste it. Very tight space, reservations highly recommended. read more

Highly recommend going to Sugar Monk. Went on a Tuesday evening to see some jazz for our wedding anniversary. FANTASTIC cocktails. A bit spending but well worth it. Delicious and creative. I had the Thelonious cocktail which tasted like a classic Lion's Tail. We ordered the chicken empanadas (nice crust!) and dumplings. Okay nibbles, nothing to write home to. Dips were very tasty. Had these NYC common street food items been some culinary unique dumplings (we're in Harlem, how about a soul food dumpling for example) or empanada then there would be justification to their prices. Nevertheless, we fully enjoyed the great service by our waitress/hostess, the outta sight jazz group, the bombdiggity cocktails, lovely decor and even the nibbles to make our special evening an anniversary to remember. Look forward to going back again and again! read more

Lovely service. Amazing drinks. Cozy atmosphere. Check them out for their jazz night as well. Every Tuesday 8-10:30pm. Great selection for Happy Hour 5-7pm. read more

Sugar Monk - Seasonal Martini Flights " Gin Based " - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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One of my fave spots in Harlem! You can tell they care about their cocktails with how much attention to detail they pay to the flavor profiles of the drinks. Perfect spot for a lowkey date night or a good catch up with a friend or two. Kourtney was our most recent waitress and provided great suggestions! They also have a great happy hour 5-7pm daily. I had the Oborozuki and truffle popcorn. Can't wait to return! read more

Sugar Monk - OBOROZUKI - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Classy elegant great drinks and small bites. Super cool vibe...velvet lounge, dimly lit. Perfect for a date night or otherly intimate experience. Oddly situated between the bodega and a barber salon that was most recently an illegal smoke shop, I appreciate that they post a sign to their patrons to keep chatter levels down and not congregate on the sidewalk out of respect for neighbors living above the establishment. We awaited their opening for a good long time and it seems they're here to stay for a good long while now. read more

Exactly what harlem needs! A spot that plays good music, feels ageless with delectable drinks and chic decor. I had the Oh pear, The queen of the dessert but the most memorable drink of all was The between the devil and The deep blue sea . The drinks are as smooth as the ambiance. All so delicious and perfectly boozy . Adding Sugar Monk to my list of places I can count on when I want to a have a calm night uptown with great drinks. read more

They make the drinks with Care. They are amazing. The service is fabulous and it's acquaint establishment. That is cute and it feels like it's giving you a hug. Jonathon and rest of staff were amazing! #thisspotisamust read more

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Really cool spot located right by the 125 station on Frederick Douglass. The entrance is kinda freemasony with a buzzer, but the inside is super chic and cozy. Came for happy hour and we both got the daiquiri which is made with their house-made herbal liquor! Apparently they brew a ton of liquors in-house and use some of them in cocktails- definitely recommend you try those out. The daiquiri was delicious and strong! Our server was also super friendly and helpful. Overall a cute spot for happy hour or a date, definitely worth checking out! read more

Sugar Monk - Daiquiri - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Sugar Monk is an innovative cocktail bar in the heart of Harlem. Their drink menu is certainly unique. You will not find these drinks anywhere else. They also have small bites. For small bites, we had truffle popcorn, olives and a cheeseboard. All very tasty! Plenty of bread came with the cheeseboard as well. My friends and I had 2 drinks each, all different ones. I had the Over the Volcano and the Sweet Disposition. I like sweeter drinks and these did the trick. The servers are happy to explain the drinks and offer recommendations. They have a happy hour from 6pm-7pm with a few featured cocktails and bites. We had a reservation and I recommend one just in case. The place is not that big and filled up within an hour or so of opening. Really nice vibe here, friendly service and a dark lounge look. They also have a bathroom and it is so pretty! The lounge seems like it is ADA accessible, though not sure if the bathroom is. There are no staircases needed to enter the space. They have additional seats in a closed off patio area, but no one sat there as it was too cold that evening. Really glad to have this place in the neighborhood and will certainly be back! read more

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Classy AF. A lot of the bars in Harlem are high energy, packed to the brim with bodies, and bumping loud music. It's a fun energy, but when I'm looking for a chill spot to have some nice drinks, I'll head straight to Sugar Monk. All their drinks were excellent. The Old Fashioned is on the lighter side but still really good. The bartenders here clearly take their craft and artistry seriously. From smoking their cocktails to charring bay leaves, they've thought of everything. read more

This place is always a vibe! Small, but mighty! This is always on my list of places to stop by when in Harlem! It never, never disappoints. And yes, have not tried a drink I didn't like. Next time you are in Harlem, it's a must try! I promise it will not disappoint. read more

Sugar Monk - QUEEN OF THE DESERT (single) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Intimate vibe, jungle-esc decor, unique, and complex cocktails. A sexy spot to end the night or just feel like the main character in your life for once. They do an artful job of making a small space seem like you have a lot of seating options and are private away from others. They also have a covered outdoor area, but it lacks the charm you find inside the bar. Reservations recommended, especially for more than 2 people. We sat at the bar and were able to watch the bartender create our drinks and as it was a but slower, and later that night, explained each element which was a cool experience. Overall great service, felt very welcome and guided on further drink choices based on what we liked. They do have mocktails as well. Definitely a favorite spot uptown! read more

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Delicious happy hour menu! The bartenders were nice and the vibe and ambience were cozy and romantic. I wish the place was a bit bigger - they could really use an expansion. I would like to come back and try more of the drinks on the permanent menu. read more

A buddy and I dropped by for drinks before going for dinner. FANTASTIC! I was glad we got seats at the bar because watching the artistry of the alchemists as they constructed the insanely beautiful drinks was magic. Ryan is an artist in the way he works. It's a small space so get there early if you don't make reservations. read more

Nice place for after work drinks with co workers or someone special. The drink menu is a bit light but the over ambiance is very cozy. The spinach dumplings are excellent and the service is honest. No overhype just good and casual. The patio area needs to be a bit warmer on cold days like these but definitely a place to experience. read more

Sugar Monk - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Hidden gem in Harlem. Almost like a speakeasy, hidden of some sort but easy to find. Tried all 3 drinks and the bartender did a wonderful job on these 3. The placed smelled amazing with well thought out scents. Service was great and fast. Lightning was great for the ambiance inside. read more

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Yes... I agree with past reviewers, this place is sexy, cozy, chill vibe. The drinks however are not it at all, they were very much lacking big time. We came on a Tuesday at 9pm. They had a live band playing jazz. They wanted $10 to sit in the inside area. The music was enjoyable the staff is nice. Haven't had any food here so can't comment on it. Inside decore is nice bathrooms are cute & clean. Sugar Monk just has to improve on the drinks, at $20 each it should better or should I say stronger! Enjoy !! read more

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The speakeasy was a lovely surprise spot in the Harlem neighborhood. They have a lot of cool drink options and the ambience is great for a date. On certain nights, they have live music. Service is decent, but it has gotten much busier than before and so a reservation is recommended. read more

Sugar Monk - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

The cocktails are some of the best in the city. They have an in house forger and make their own bitters. They offer small plates but there are good options for every dietary preference. The vibe is dark and moody. Seating is limited so go early to grab a table. read more

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This is a nice chill speakeasy in Harlem. Ambiance is nice and dimmed. Drinks are cool and they have truffle popcorn. A chill place to come after dinner or if you want to chill with good ppl and vibes. read more

Sugar Monk - MARIE LAVEAU (single) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Few words. One of the best cocktails ever. Nice atmosphere. Nice service where they do explain cocktails very well. Clean. Elegant. For sure a must go place read more

Came here and was seated pretty quickly. A reservation is necessary if you want to guarantee yourself a table. The inside is warm, lots of blue and ambient lighting. I ordered BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA. This drink is was fruity, herby, spicy, and flowery. It was so good I did not order anything else. This place is quaint, cozy, and loud. It's not a great first date place. read more

Sugar Monk - BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

This place gets better and better every time I go! I'm particularly dazzled by the customer service (above and beyond) and the amount of effort that went into these curated cocktails is MIND BLOWING! This go round my table decided to get the Truffle Popcorn. It was light, perfectly seasoned and a great addition to my cocktail. Talking about cocktails... I've been in this gin kick and decided to get the Ugly Beauty. Sugar Monk did a great job at taking this floral liquor and added warm additions that made this one the best things I've ever had in life. That being said I can't wait to go back! read more

Sugar Monk - Black Truffle Popcorn - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Nice dark little upscale bar in Harlem. They're really about specialty cocktails so your own personal signature drink might not be the move. For example, they make no espresso martinis and had no Hendricks gin when we went. Ambience is nice and staff are great and professional. Prices are high but that's NYC! read more

Sugar Monk - Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Fabulous cocktails. Perfect speakeasy vibes. Loved the popcorn. Cocktails were memorable. Love the elegance and comfort combo, great asset to Harlem. read more

I really love this little spot. Great drinks, great service and fun vibe. Wish I found it sooner!

A truly unique experience. Not just bar or lounge. The atmosphere is Harlem Renaissance. The mural alone is reason to enter and stay for a long time Once you taste, the creations from the professional mixologist here you will be transformed not just another cocktail! It is a whole experience!!! read more

We stopped by for drinks after dinner- I had the Over the Volcano drink and my friend had the martini. My drink was absolutely delicious- sweet and tart but not overwhelming in either taste. The bathroom was also a pleasurable experience as well- it was low-lit, clean and smelled amazing. read more

Sugar Monk - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Stopped in for cocktails and bites before the Jason Moran tribute to Duke Ellington at the Apollo...what a perfect way to begin the night! I had the Exterminating Angel (see pic) & hubby had Queen of the Dessert...both were amazing, but mine totally got the balance of mezcal & other flavors just right! Next time I'm def going to try the smoked Marie Laveau. Their bites were decent too - esp the lemongrass chicken dumplings & the harissa hummus. I'll definitely be back real soon! read more

Sugar Monk - Exterminating Angel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Service, food and location are all great! The mixologist was excellent! Drinks are delicious, and they have non-alcoholic options as well.

Had a wonderful evening here; this is a great date night spot! Sugar Monk is pretty easy to find--Google Maps took us directly here, where we followed the directions to the entrance and rang the doorbell. Within 30 seconds, the door opened and we were led to our table. The ambience is great. Dark, candlelit, and cozy. The chairs were comfortable and I appreciated that they had coat racks! We enjoyed looking through the online menu at the many options for cocktails. I love when menus show what glass cocktails come in. I ordered the Billy Budd cocktail and enjoyed it! I had a view of the bar, so it was cool seeing the bartender put together the drinks / add the garnishes. Would definitely return if I am in the area again! read more

Sugar Monk - Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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This was a great experience ! The boyfriend and I stopped by for date night and we loved it. Amazing vibe & atmosphere! The cocktails were perfectly crafted by our bartender, Caesar (hope I got his name right!, gentleman with braids). Very unique They have a great selection of cocktails and the story telling made the cocktail experience even better! We'll be back to try out the food! They have a 20% gratuity added to the bill. read more

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Drinks are minute but ambience was very nice. Waitress from New Zealand (Ke-Ke) was pleasant. Pre-game b4 u come or u will spend $250 and come out completely sober. ( Bring a flask at least) Enjoyed the location and coziness Hard working bartenders as well No real food, finger food only. read more

A-yooooo. Solo trip. Dropped by to start the night off. I'm going to keep 100. I had The Queen of the Desert. Perfecto!!! The vibe, drinks and service tonight was 5 out of 5. Cheers! read more

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Drinks are ok. Service is awful. Takes way too long to have your order taken. Had high hopes but not sure I'll be back even those I live 3 minutes away. read more

I've had Sugar Monk on my radar since pre Covid. I finally got a chance to visit and it was soooo worth the wait! The ambience, the vibes, the music, the bartenders.... Everything was so enjoyable!! These bartenders are truly gifted. Just watching them make drinks had me in awe. I made reservations via Resy for 11pm on a Saturday night. We were immediately greeted and given the choice between indoor or outdoor seating. We went with indoor.... WOW... the textiles, color scheme = totally gorg inside!!! I knew the cocktails would wow just from watching the bartender make it. I started with a Queen Of The Desert which was sooo good. If you're a tequila lover this is the drink for. Perfectly balanced with a nice kick. We also had an order of the truffle popcorn (YUM). Sugar Monk is now my go to "let's grab a drink" spot. I can't wait to return! read more

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Sugar Monk's vibe is so dark and sexy, it should be called Idris Elba. We managed to snag lots of happy hour drinks (5-7pm), and the Billy Budd was by far the best, with its warm spices. The Queen of the Desert tastes like any other margarita-like drink (fruity, tart), and the William Blake is strong enough to have you seeing stars--like Idris Elba. See what I did there? read more

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- the entrance is indiscreet - very romantic and a great date spot - drinks are expensive ($22 original price plus $4 auto gratuity) - everything is delicious - good service read more