Bar hopping after a long work day. Any bar with a red door you know it's serious business. Their drinks make you feel nice. Love the decor throughout the bar comfortable seating lounge area. read more

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A nice place for an evening with friends or a quick drink after work. The atmosphere is cozy, the music is tasteful, and the space is well organized. Drinks are generally good, although the choice is not always stable - one of the visits did not reveal several positions that I wanted to try. The service was polite, but at some points a little inconsiderate, which spoiled the impression a little. This place has the potential to be even better - I want to see more consistency in the service and drinks. In general, the impression is positive, and I will gladly return again in the hope that some little things will be improved. read more

Espresso Martini - 4/5 Presentation was very nice! Flavor was tasty and foam had a great consistency. I would gladly order this Espresso Martini again. read more

Drinks were respectable. Made with love and came in appropriate glassware. Definitely not an upscale cocktail bar though, more of a casual bar. Small place but there was plenty of room even on a Friday night. Giving a lower rating because one of the staff members inappropriately groped my friend's rear end on the way out. Would not come back for this reason. read more

Perfect "Local " pub. Great drinks. Love Mildred's Margarita - a Fort Worth Texas original. Espresso Margaritas are yummm too. Vibe is chill, friendly, great playlist. Highly recommend. read more

AMAZING SERVICE! And a wide selection of drinks-- and a great vibe all around. It's a cute little spot.

Met up with a buddy to catch up here around 6pm on a Friday night. It was pretty empty, but the bartenders were super friendly and attentive, the other patrons were also chill, and I had this amazing cocktail with lavender in it that I can't recall the name but it was DELICIOUS! Do I need to come back here just for the lavender drink?? I'm a bit hooked! ^_^ read more

I'm really looking forward to the opening! The bar started to go downhill when the previous owner just wanted to sell/stopped tending to the place. In the past this bar has had almost consistently AMAZING staff in the past. And I've had the pleasure of meeting the new owners whilst walking by (and got a sneak peak of the renovations) - the New owner is extremely attentive and I truly believe he has to the ability to return the place to its former glory or better! read more

Speakeasy type bar on the nether regions of the UES that you can occassionally find me face down at. In a good way! Not much up this way other than the terrific Earl's Beer and Cheese. It's right next door and the area it's in looks like an underdeveloped country. The views across the street are basically of the subway heading underground and some apartment buildings. That being said it's a nice reprieve to hide away in this dark and seemingly obscure spot for an exceptional cocktail. The Guthrie Inn, though small in stature, packs quite a hefty punch when it comes to proper libations. You might find me sprawled out on the cozy leather couches in the darkly lit back room sipping on a Sidecar, Old Fashioned, and even a Sharpie Mustache. The classic cocktail list is one that takes a page out of the Roaring 20's to Maltese Falcon era of men wearing fedoras and the ladies in demure vintage dresses. The bartenders are quite the mixologists with a wonderful encyclopedia of drink recipes stored away and ready to go at your request. Every drink I have encountered here has been excellent, and never have regretted any choice that passed my lips. The place itself exudes a relaxed vibe, and the patrons here reflect that as you won't find the frat boy crowd that populates a lot of the UES bar scene. Cocktails are in the $10-$12 range, and the menu of options reads more like quality over quantity. Decent bourbon list to choose from too. Great choice to bring a date if up this way. Not much by way of seating but the front area also opens up a bit to let in some fresh air. Chill atmosphere. Quality cocktails. A bit sexy and seductive. Earls Beer and Cheese next door. Whoa! What is happening up here on the far Upper East Side? This strange new land actually has some good things going on all of a sudden. read more

Want a good example for "quiet greatness"? Look no further than the Guthrie Inn. There's nothing fancy about this speakeasy-esque spot. There's very little in terms of decoration, dim lighting, only one bartender, and a menu that doesn't exactly scream "high end cocktail bar". But don't let all of that deceive you - this place is, wait for it, QUIETLY GREAT! Came here on a Thursday night to find it quite empty. I went with a fellow cocktail nut, so when he recommended the Guthrie, I figured his word was good. We quickly got two seats at the bar and started quite the journey of a night. We're both the type of person who loves to schmooze with bartenders. Not in a weird/stalky/creepy way, just out of general interest/curiosity. This guy, Francisco, was awesome. We talked all things Manhattan drinking culture. And eventually, after studying the menu for a few minutes, I participated in said culture. And though the menu doesn't stand out as being exceptional, the drinks were still close to top of the line. I can't remember the name of the first drink I ordered, but if I'm remembering correctly, it had bourbon, amaretto, sweet vermouth and brown sugar in it. Thick and syrupy sweet. If the combo souds generally appealing to you but you're not into sugar rushes, our new friend Francisco recommends passing on the sweet vermouth, or just adding a little splash. BUT the star of the evening was the Sharpie Mustache. I remember the name because.....how could you forget a name like that? I was wary of ordering it because the base seemed so outlandish to me - gin and rye. I mean, I'm not saying I'm an expert mixologist or anything, but I would never think to combine those liquors in a cocktail. At least not if I'm intending on drinking it.... But our pal Francisco assured me that this drink was THE drink to get. He told us that he drank so many of them when he first started working at the Guthrie that he's sick of them at this point. I don't know how you could possibly get sick of this drink, but then again, I'm not a bartender. As the name suggests, this is SHARP. Like, eye-poppingly sharp. Like, I think my eyes actually did one of those cartoon-bulge type things. Okay, I wouldn't be a good Yelper if I withheld one of the negatives. At one point, our new friend left. I'm not exactly sure where he went. And by our new friend, I mean the bartender. As in, the only person working there. So...be glad I'm not a klepto? Lastly: We ended up befriending another lovely individual that night, who was none other than Francisco's girlfriend. You know when you have one of those nights that seems like one of those classic New York experiences? Thursday night was just that. Sometimes I forget that New Yorkers are not just balls of animosity that don't give a damn about anyone else but themselves - it's easy to get jaded here. The purpose of that little musing is to say that we befriended an awesome couple, and before the night was over, we did shots of Jack with them. Cheers, New York! read more

Pull hard. Their front door can be tight. You may need to add a little gusto to get it open. The Guthrie Inn is a virtual speakeasy, all dim lighting, light seating, and a definite lack of obvious signage. And they serve cocktails. It's a short walk from the 96th Street Lexington station; you'll be sipping fizzy there faster than you can bat your eyelashes. We ended up here accidentally while lamenting the early close of a neighboring bar[1]. I don't know what inspired us to check next door, but luckily we did. During our inaugural visit, a lone bartender[2] served us at the bar, introducing me to a whiskey I've never had. His pour was mean. He might've told jokes. Stop in solo, with a date, or with a few friends. It's that kind of place. [1] Earl's Beer and Cheese, if you're curious. It was a weeknight, so it probably wasn't fair to lament as hard as we did. [2] I've since forgotten the identity of our mystery bartender, but the current bartenders are just as welcoming. read more

Love this place, definitely our home bar and the best place around UES/Yorkville to get drinks. Cocktails are delicious but what makes this place amazing is the friendliness of bartenders. You just feel right at home, cozy and welcome from the minute you walk in. The crowd is cool, we met some of our friends here even ! For a total heaven experience, ask Ben for one of his specials and this guy will rock your world. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE and will keep coming back. read more

The Guthrie Inn - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

The Guthrie Inn made some excellent cocktails and had a breezy fun vibe that made this traveler feel right at home. Although it doesn't offer food, the Guthrie made one of the best cocktails I've had in some time. The Berry Bourbon was boozy and delicious, and I consequently enjoyed far more than I planned to on my last visit. The room is small and cozy, and the bartenders were friendly. The music varied pretty wildly between my two visits; the first evening it was a solid hip-hop playlist (I may have stealthed a couple of Shazam IDs that night). The next time was an early 00s playlist; at one point the whole bar belted out Avril Lavigne's "Complicated" together. It was a bonding moment. I'd certainly visit the Guthrie the next time I'm in the neighbourhood! read more

Drinks are fine but as one customer noted, the bartender turned our experience sour. The bar next door, Earls beer and cheese, is a far superior bar with welcoming warm staff with craft beers. read more

One of the best bar in the neighborhood if you're looking for chill drinks nice music and a fun environment! Bartender makes amazing cocktails, I always feel welcome here! read more

The tiniest, cutest, jazziest hole in the wall bar I've been to since...2012. The exposed piping and dim lighting makes the space feel industrial/gothic/romantic. If I time traveled from the 1800's, I'd probably dig a place like this. The antique chandelier is gorgeous and a nice piece to stare off to. It's fun to bounce from here from Earl's after some casual eats and beer to something a little more upscale, but still mildly casual if necessary (you can barely seem anyways..). It's in a strange location, but ideal for the Mount Sinai crowd. Charming - I give it a 4. read more

Cute divey bar with character and cozy seating in the back. Cocktail menu is simple and easy - I tried their Paloma and Lavender, which were really good! There's a shuffleboard in the back. Great spot for intimate parties / gatherings. read more

Cool neighborhood space and you would think friendly neighborhood vibe, but hmmm not so much. An inattentive 12 yr old looking "bartender" quickly turned the vibe sour. Arrived early, 5:30pm, to meet a friend - the only person sitting at the bar. Got the picture? There's only 2 of us at the bar - yet no greeting & no offer of a drink. I notice the dude is under water setting up 4 cocktails for some folks in the back, but after 10 long minutes it's finally time to ask for a drink. Note to bartender: Learn to multi task by acknowledging your patrons with a quick "I'll be right with you" and maybe slide over a cocktail menu if you have one - especially if your bar is pretty much empty read more

I came here for a couple drinks with friends a few weeks ago and was excited to see there was a cocktail bar in the upper east. There is a tiny bar up in the front room and saloon-style seating (think wooden chairs, barrels, etc) and tables in the back. I was pleasantly surprised to see drinks were in the $10 range. Score! But found that the drinks were just okay; there was nothing really special about them. I wouldn't venture up here just for this bar, but might be something to peruse if you're in the area. read more

Right next door to Earl's Beer & Cheese, The Guthrie Inn provided a beautifully crafted signature martini one day that its neighbor was closed for a private party. Straightforwardly presented as a classic cocktail lounge, the well-rounded drink menu presented an option for nearly every discerning taste. My only possible gripe would be that no beers were listed, yet two customers who walked in after I did (seemingly in the know) ordered a large bottle of a beer I would've wanted to try myself (though not in the quantity offered). Still, I'd head back. read more

The Guthrie Inn - Two-to-One Martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Great speakeasy feel, and solid place to get a cocktail and relax for an evening. The bartender was very attentive and made sure my wife and i got our drinks brought right out to us. Would definitely bring a small group here to hang out for night. read more

A little unclear what kind of vibe this place is going for or what they want to "be known for" -- not that every place should strive for that -- but it's strange how unmemorable this place is. Putting negative connotations aside, I mean that in neither a good or bad way. When it's empty you might have a shot at getting the shuffleboard at the back, which is fun. When I asked the bartender what stouts or dark beers they had, she responded with "We have Guinness and a new IPA" ... It's an okay place to drop in for a drink at night if you don't want to go farther away from this area. read more

Went here on a Saturday night and it was pretty much empty. The bar tender was pretty cool though - looked like Chris Pratt's brother! Drinks were not very good and seemed a bit watered down. Crowd seemed to consist of people from all over. Not "Inn"to this bar. read more

Great cocktails and a good atmosphere. The service has been a bit hit or miss for me each time I've been, which is why I give it 3 stars. The core menu of cocktails is delicious, and if you go when it's warm they open the window out front which is really nice. Good for small groups (in the back) or a date. I wouldn't go here solo, as the vibe isn't as much of a meet & chat one as it is at Earls next door. read more

They make a mean cocktail here! I came with some friends for happy hour, and we had some great drinks. They have $4 draft beers (only two options but Laguanitas IPA was one which is a pretty decent beer), $5 house wines, and $8 well drinks. I opted for a cocktail because I know that's their specialty. Their well drinks are still hand-crafted. They don't have premade sour mix, so the bartender made me a whisky sour with fresh-squeezed lemon and sugar and topped it off with a lemon rind. It was so good, so I had another. They also have free chips you can get with your drinks - literally fun size bags of chips that are hanging on the wall behind the bar. We grabbed some Cheetos and Fritos and were pretty happy. I will definitely be back. read more

The Guthrie Inn - Whiskey sour - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

That cocktail "the usual" is the nicest thing I have ever tasted in drunk format. It is sublimity in itself. It fulfilled all my dreams, and my desires. Go to this place, and live the life you always wished. read more

The Guthrie Inn - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Great Paloma's, super nice & great service/bartenders. Loved this spot! Great cozy vibes.

Wow. Absolutely blown away. I'm a long-standing patron of Earl's ( I know the staff way too well), and I was slow to warm to their wine bar around the corner, ABV (though I really like it now), but The Guthrie Inn comes in a very close second to the original. It fills yet another much-needed niche in the Upper East Side. With beer and wine covered, they've now added cocktails to their repertoire. The cocktails here are amazing! Honestly some of the best cocktails I've ever had. You have the infamous but all around good-guy, Chris, a former Earl's bartender, currently bartending at Amor y Amargo downtown, to thank for these concoctions. But be warned, some of them are dangerous, including my first drink of the night, The Sharpie Moustache, which is a mix of rye, gin, amaro and bitters. It's extremely strong, but also in the top 3 cocktails of my life - and I'm pretty picky. All of the flavors come out well. I wanted to go a little easier for my 2nd round and got The Last Word, which is gin-based, and it definitely hit the spot. It's more on the sour side and very refreshing. My buddy had the Martinez, a gin-based martini which was strong and a little saltier, and the Guthrie Julep, which is fairly traditoinal. I tried tiny sips of both, and they were delicious! As bar snacks, they also serve "caramel puffs" (think corn pops but a millions time more amazing) and pretzel-like dried sesame crisps (much better than pretzels and less salty). Location-wise, it's right next door to Earl's. with only a stairwell leading up to the surrounding apartments interrupting the two. It's got a very nifty, almost speakeasy-ish decor. Lots of wood interrupted by by red booths and barstools, a gorgeous red ceiling and chandelier hanging from it, and a larger booth space in the back if you come with a group. Very cool and somewhat more upscale than Earl's next door. Definitely would make for a great date place if you could convince said date to come all the way up here. This is probably the 2nd best bar to hit the UES, with Earl's of course being first. Go figure that I decided to end my night with the mantra "Liquor before beer, you're in the clear" and walked all of about 5 feet next door to grab a couple beers at Earl's after. These two being next-door to each other is a dangerously amazing combo. Seriously, go to the Guthrie Inn NOW! There aren't enough good things I can say about this place. Come here soon, because I can only imagine how packed it will get in the next few weeks! read more

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Probably one of my favorite bars in NYC. I wasn't expecting this place to be anything spectacular when I first heard of it, but I was surprised when I realized how absolutely delicious the drinks were. The place is very deceiving from the outside as it looks like a tiny hole in the wall. It's small inside, but that makes it cozy. It's dimly lit and rather romantic- I would suggest it for a first date or as a chill spot for friends if you sit all the way at the back where there is a couch. I tried the following drinks: Easy Peasy (my favorite), Corpse Reviver, and Sharpie Mustache. I have to say these drinks are like nothing I ever had. The bartender then created some other drinks for my friends which were good as well, but not sure of the names as he just asked what base they wanted (whiskey) and he added the rest. They're aromatic, flavorful, perfectly iced, and start with one distinct taste and leave you with another. The bartender is skilled for sure! This is a hidden gem! Loved it! I will be going back! read more

So I like this place but the size ruined any happiness I might have had. I ordered the easy peasy during Happy hour and was pretty tipsy by the end of it. Happy hour means $5 jameson shots, $3 off well, and $2 drafts, which because the bar is small means one beer. Happy hour does not mean half off cocktails, which are $12. When i say it's a small bar, it's literally 8 stools, 2 group booths, 1 toilet, and one bartender. I know Manhattan is expensive and most places are pretty tight but you can't drink comfortably or at all being elbowed in the back. But there are free Doritos so there's that. read more

The Guthrie Inn - Easy peasy, very strong. $12, $13 with tax - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Hidden little bar that is pretty damn cool. It's incredibly dark, and it appears only one bartender runs the joint. Great place to hang with friends. However, the place is SO dark, you can't even read the menu, which was printed on darker coloured paper, making it even more difficult to read! Moreover, I was severely disappointed in the bartender who told me he didn't know how to make a black russian cocktail. The white russian was on the menu. I think every properly trained bartender would know how to make a pretty basic drink. read more

Very very small place, people describe it as a speakeasy but I would call it a fancy dive bar with solid cocktails. It is at times a one person operation, two at peak hours. It feels like it's in the middle of nowhere, which is cool because this place gets a very local vibe. No tourists, no sports fans. The back room is very classy, a U shaped bench seating arrangement where up to 10-12 people could squeeze in. It's inconvenient if it's two different parties, in that case you'd want to go all the way to the back so you don't get disturbed as often by people coming through. Cocktails range from $11-14. Check out the bitters that they have up front and I think they will make you custom drinks if you are curious and ask about them. They will make you something good for all the ingredients you choose. I would come here again, it's a great uptown stop that doesn't feel as pretentious as other speakeasy style places. read more

The positive reviews on this site probably refer to this place before it started going to hell. I was told the owner is trying to sell it. He/she needs to step up and restock it properly. A few weeks ago, I asked what happened to the fun cocktail menu and was told it was gone. I asked what kind of red wine they had by the glass and they said they were out of red. I accepted white. When I tried to order a second glass of white, they were out of that, so I accepted a beer. Kind of hilarious. Same thing happened last night. No red wine. They poured the white out of a cardboard box, and it was terrible. The atmosphere is great if that's all you want. Go, enjoy, have a beer (if they don't run out of that too). Is it so hard to offer interesting cocktails and keep a few bottles of wine on hand? If the owner will do this, I will happily delete this review. Until then, they should tell customers to bring their own booze. read more

OK fine, the menu is short. But if you get to know the bartender, you don't need a menu. Hell, look at Milk & Honey, they have NO menu. And yes, the place is small. Because it's for people who love a good cocktail, not for a group of 6-8 dilettantes in stilettos looking for martinis (oh, I'm sorry, and the adventurous one who's into Manhattans). I don't mean to sound snobby here, but I've been to a number of nice cocktail establishments, and I came away very happy with the Guthrie Inn. It's not Earl's Beer & Cheese, and it's not ABV, it's not meant to be, and it can't be compared to them. If you do, then you're not getting what the Guthrie Inn is about. Look, if you value a well-made cocktail, this is the best place in the area (for now). (P.S. - It has a bar made of nuts. Can't they get at least some love for their nutty bar?) read more

Don't go here if you're expecting a full-scale mixology place (menu isn't especially long). Also don't go here if you have a group of more than 5. Do go here if you live on the UES and are looking for an excellent alternative to the typical bar scene. Right next door to another great option, Earl's, the Guthrie Inn does for cocktails what Earl's does for beer: that is, squeeze everything into a tiny space and add some hipster. The decor takes you back a couple of decades but is not overly obnoxious. The clientele seemed very similar to Earl's, with a lot of hipsters but also some locals looking for a lower-key spot to grab a few drinks. While it does get pretty cozy, as other reviewers have pointed out, they have some booths in the front and back that are perfect for a group if you can snag them. Drinks aren't overly expensive ($10-15 range) and ours were all strong, so no complaints there. Overall, it's the perfect place to grab a few drinks with friends and is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. read more

My husband and I are cocktail fiends and were pleasantly surprised to find Guthrie Inn right next door to Earl's Beer and Cheese. The room is tiny and cozy, which was no biggie on a quiet Sunday afternoon. The decor had a fun Wes Anderson-ish retro feel, especially the wallpaper, which I covet. I agree that the bartender wasn't the sort of mixology pro you find at other cocktail places. There was that lack of smoothness and finesse in the way the drinks are created. However, our drinks were still interesting and tasty. We went in for one and ended up having three. I had a tequila based cocktail that was smoky, a little spicy, and very addictive. My DH had a Manhattan and a couple of other rye/whiskey based drinks that he enjoyed. Bartender was super friendly. We had so much fun that I called in sick the next day... read more

Nothing special, place is small but the banquette at the front is comfortable. Limited menu as they probably don't have the bank roll to stock. Compared to the crowds at ABV more hipster LES. Pros: finally options other than sports bars and Mexican restaurants in east Harlem. Cons: Not sure prices it reflect the value prop nor the lack of menu choices. read more

From the same owners as Earls Beer and Cheese comes the cocktail equivalent to the oh-so-in-need-of-good-things-to-put-in-your-mouth-that-don't-have-a-michelin-star neighborhood and nightlife wasteland known as the Upper East Side. Super cozy (aka small), cute environment, and quite frankly, one of the top 2 cocktail bars on the Upper East Side right now. I'm a fan, and I'd never have a problem drinking here. It might not compete with the best downtown bars for overall drink selection and talent of the staff, but what they do have is high quality, it's a friendly atmosphere and I will probably be back. Downside: No food. And no, you can't order from Earls next door, which is LAME. That said, for drink quality and context of neighborhood, this makes THE LIST: http://www.yelp.com/list/best-cocktail-bars-in-new-york-new-york-5 3.5 Stars read more

Awesome drinks in a speakeasy vibe environment. The place is super tiny but never feels too packed. I love their sharpie mustache drink. But then again I'm a sucker for anything with dark brown yummy liquors. If you're looking for a chill night with a few friends come here and grab a seat by the bar. There's like 8 spots for butts max. On the other hand, if you're looking to dance I'd go elsewhere. read more

This place is very standard. The food is not great, the prices are suited to the quality but still not worth a repeat. I found the wait staff to be very nice and it's relatively easy to get a seat. This is a fine place, it's just not a really good or great place. read more