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    The Downstairs

    4.7 (3 reviews)
    Updated 2 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Beautiful work on this new bar and lounge-- great venue for small cozy shows and a tantalizing atmosphere underneath Ithaca.

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    Bar Argos - clarified lassi and queen bee

    Bar Argos

    (95 reviews)

    $$

    The atmosphere is cozy and has a homey vibe. The staff is always pleasant. Get classic drinks are…read moregreat. Not a huge fan of there signature drinks.

    I really enjoyed Bar Argos. My girlfriend and I wandered in right at 4 pm - opening time lol - and…read morewere immediately greeted by a woman who checked our IDs and handed us menus with quiet efficiency. The place was totally empty, which is to expected at that time. Bar Argos is definitely a vibe. Think: antique chic with a touch of eccentric elegance. Ornate chairs, old-school lamps, and fancy mismatched furniture are scattered throughout, making you feel like you've wandered into a vintage movie set where cocktails play a leading role. There are multiple rooms, including one with a long table and huge windows that let the light spill in dramatically. I was lowkey stunned by how pretty it all was. Girlfriend and I shared the Clarified Lassi ($13), which is under the "Delightfully Unusual" section of their cocktail spectrum - right in between "Colloquial" and "What?!" It was fruity, creamy, and weird in a cool, sophisticated way. My Hotelie friend later explained in the car (upon mention of the drink) that clarified cocktails use a process where milk is added to a mixed drink and then curdled on purpose. The curds trap impurities, and when you strain them out, you're left with a crystal-clear drink that still has the creamy mouthfeel. Definitely checks out with the Clarified Lassi that we drank... Overall, the experience felt like stepping into a fancy secret. 10/10 would come back, undoubtedly!!

    The Regent Lounge

    The Regent Lounge

    (22 reviews)

    $$

    We stayed at the Statler Hotel for work and enjoyed dinner here both nights. Not pictured are all…read morethe appetizers we devoured (crab dip, chicken bites, sweet potato fries, and the fried polenta). I personally wasn't a fan of the fried polenta, but also did not try it with the sauce. The first night I tried their lavender lemonade (non alcoholic), which I thought was good, but fell in with the Lemon Tree cocktail the second night. Both nights I ordered the "burger of the month" which was a pesto burger. I added bacon and asked for a Caesar salad instead of fries. We ordered two of the chicken bites so the group could try both sauces, but since I'm not a fan of spicy, I only tried the honey truffle one and loved it. Our servers were very nice and patient (we were a group of about 10), and if I'm ever back in town, I'll be sure to try some of the other entrees!

    The Regent Lounge is one of those hidden gems that never misses. The food is consistently…read moredelicious, the drinks are thoughtfully crafted, and the vibe strikes the perfect balance between relaxed and elevated -- whether you're out for date night or catching up with friends. What truly sets this place apart, though, is the staff. Lowell and Brooke are fantastic!!!Every time I visit, I'm met with genuine hospitality, great recommendations, and the kind of service that makes you want to come back again and again. It's one of my favorite spots in the area -- cozy, stylish, and always a good time.

    Chanticleer - The tab for the most expensive glass of tonic I've ever had.

    Chanticleer

    (25 reviews)

    $

    What a s*^%%# little bar…read more I came here at the recommendation of a local, but these folks are running game on drunk kids late at night. I ordered a double tanqueray and tonic and watched the guy pour the drink. Poorly. (Pun intended) He put the tonic gun on full blast and dribbled tonic into the glass. The bottle stopper was closed, so he had to finger it open as he continued to blast tonic into the glass. I could tell the drink was mostly tonic and said, "Hey friend, that's not a double!" He looked offended and swore it was because they don't use anything to measure their tonic, they just rely on the bottle dribbling out the so-called proper amount. I should have walked away before he sat it in front of me. I took one sip and surprise-surprise, it's basically just tonic water with a touch of a tanqueray. This was my first drink of the night, and I know it's wrong, but neither the guy nor the girl behind the bar were interested in making it properly. Pour out two shots. It's not that hard. But if you're purposefully pouring short booze to drunk people knowing you'll get away with it, it IS too hard. Don't come here. I know at least one local likes it, but nobody likes being charged double for a single anything. Or maybe the play here is to just order stuff in bottles. That way they can't cheat you out of liquor I paid $14 for a glass of tonic and MAYBE a shot of tanqueray. MAYBE. I feel like I paid $14 for the privilege of writing a crappy review. I absolutely got my money's worth.

    Would have given 5 stars until they closed "temporarily" but fired the staff and didn't tell them;…read morethey found out when they saw the sign on the door. That is a d**k move and reveals the character of the owners. Without the local staff this place is awful. The only reason 99% of ppl went there was BECAUSE of the staff. And considering that their customer base was primarily locals they really hurt themselves doing this. I will NEVER EVER go here again AND I will advise everyone (I get asked a lot about good spots to hit, and where to avoid) to stay away, and will explain that the owners are terrible and don't care about their staff. Wow, they really shot themselves in the foot. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!! If you're in this area and are looking for a drink at a local place I will recommend going 1/2 a block away to Pete's. Do not spend your money here; they embody everything Ithaca isn't---selfish, unconcerned w the community and pretty much all around horrible business owners!!! If you want a local "hole in the wall" vibe I can recommend at least 3 other businesses that actually care about our community and their staff! I wish I could give zero stars!!!!!

    The Westy

    The Westy

    (42 reviews)

    $$

    The Westy gets it. Pool table? Check. Darts? Check. A lineup of drinks that make you rethink your…read moreusual order? Also check. Tried the Hunch Punch and Old Man Ale, and honestly, both were dangerously good. The kind of drinks that make you linger a little longer than planned. No attitude from the staff, just a solid vibe. The only tragedy? The outdoor area looks amazing, but winter exists, so I had to admire it before walking in like a Victorian child longing for summer. Would I come back? Absolutely. Just need to practice looking cool at pool more.

    I had an absolutely horrible experience at The Westy and want to warn others about their…read moreunprofessional, aggressive, and discriminatory behavior. From the moment I walked in, I was ignored by the bartender, Pearl, while others around me were being served. When I politely asked if I could order a drink, I was finally acknowledged, but when I requested a specific drink, rather than simply saying they didn't have it, the bartender rudely cursed at me, saying, "Why the f** would I make a drink like that? Order something off the menu."* Shocked by such an unprofessional response, I remained calm and respectful, yet the situation escalated further. The bartender threatened to call the police on me for no reason--simply because I requested a drink. Then, without cause, the bouncer Eric aggressively grabbed me, thrashing me around and refusing to let go, even though I repeatedly and calmly told him to release me. Despite being completely non-confrontational and not being violent back, he continued to manhandle me in a way that was completely unnecessary and unacceptable. He was so aggressive that he broke one of my nails and injured my wrist. It was obvious that I was being targeted and mistreated because I am a Hispanic woman--if I had been a man or accompanied by one, I highly doubt I would have been treated this way. After filing a police report, I was informed by law enforcement that this establishment already has a bad reputation for being discriminatory. This speaks volumes about how they operate and how little they care about treating people with basic dignity and respect. This was an obvious case of discrimination and assault, and I will be pursuing legal action. I strongly urge anyone--especially women and minorities--to avoid this place at all costs. No one deserves to be treated this way.

    The Range

    The Range

    (7 reviews)

    $$

    Okay. I do love my friends who perform drag and burlesque here, and I'm glad there is a place for…read morethem. But I have to be real. Not a fan of the racism I encounter time and time again. Last time, the white male bartender just kept ignoring me, the only PoC at his end of the bar. The white fratty-looking dudes who elbowed their way next to me, (also apparently here for the Beyoncé night with their gfs) were the ones who got his attention. The PoC bartender tho? They/she looked like they took him aside, talked to him, then took my order after what felt like FOREVER trying to get this man's attention, with him instead putting all the other white patrons before me. The PoC bartend took over & let me order, which made me feel like crying with relief. I looked at the white group right in their eyes...all who saw me and cut in, confidently knowing this bartender would choose them. There has to be a code of conduct, right? Nope...just smirks back. If I wanted to be real cynical, I would say it's a grift between staff that preys on the vulnerabilities of PoC in a predominantly white Upstate/CNY town to finally be seen with any modicum of respect after being treated as lesser...because I tipped generously for being treated like I deserved to be there. But I refuse to believe QPoC would do this to their own. And the PoC bartender seemed genuinely real, and for that, I really appreciate what they do, looking out for their fellow PoC in the space. But from where I stand, it looks exhausting to have this as a whole second job of looking after PoC and educating white coworkers on top of the actual job...I know the feeling. It's the Ithaca experience. I do have to appreciate the queer white femmes who DID treat me with kindness & grace, giving me space, letting me approach the bar to tip the PoC bartender who takes my order almost every time. The one whom I believe saw how awful I was being treated and swooped in to look out. They even told the bartender I was leaving extra tips for them. They are the allies we need in these spaces! I appreciate them. But yeah...the tall white AFAB femme drag performer who was a drag child of my white AMAB colleague...I did not appreciate how they treated me (an AFAB femme PoC) like a predator for buying him a drink. I felt less than human, and felt disgusting being treated to a buffet of the twisted type of racialized microagressions only white queer folks can deliver. It made me never want to return. And I didn't for a long time, even when I tore it up so much on the dance floor that Spirit Posse gave me swag. The PoC of this space make it humane. But that same night...I saw a white woman inappropriately grope a Black person performing on stage. They had to remind her about consent, which they likely made a regular thing because of how often it happens at Thursgays. I didn't see her at the last couple ones when I returned to go back to supporting friends who perform...but they really need to do better to make this space safer and less stressful to exist in as a PoC. It's not worth me being the "Duke" of this joint if I can't relax and enjoy the show, the drinks, or the dance floor. They may not be the Trump flag waving folks 30 mins away, but this is a Get Out flavor of distress I don't think makes it worth return visits.

    I appreciate that they are requiring proof of vaccination. I really, really appreciate it. That is…read morean excellent way to deal with running a bar in the midst of a pandemic. I do not appreciate a bouncer rushing over to tell me to put on a mask or sit down the moment I shifted from my chair to a standing position at a hightop table. I was polite, of course, and promptly shifted my butt down approximately five inches so that I was sitting. Apparently, it is very important for my butt to be five inches lower to prevent the spread of aerosols that carry an airborne disease. C'mon, people. Think for a minute. Letting people congregate introduces risks. Monitoring whether they are standing or sitting does not mitigate those risks at all.

    The Downstairs - bars - Updated May 2026

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