The Penrose is one of my staple go-to spots on the Upper East Side, and it always delivers! The first thing I'm always ordering is the Pickle Martini. It is to die for, and no one makes it quite like The Penrose! Usually, I go for the Burger or Smashburger, but today I tried their Bacon Egg & Cheese Deluxe Lunch, and it was insanely delicious. We are not talking about any basic BEC. This comes loaded with hash browns, banana peppers, and chipotle mayo. Absolutely drool-worthy! I always love dining here, especially when it's nice out. Take yourself on a solo date or grab some friends and dine outside for some great people-watching. read more

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Tried Penrose for the first time and really enjoyed it! The atmosphere is warm, cozy, and has a great vibe. The seating is comfortable, the drinks were excellent, and the service was friendly and attentive. The appetizers were definitely the highlight--very tasty! The menu is on the smaller side, so I went with the burger. It was good... just not the kind of burger that has you planning your next visit before you've finished your fries. Now, let's talk about the noise level... WOW! If you're hoping for a deep heart-to-heart, be prepared to text the person sitting across from you. The place was absolutely packed, which says a lot about how popular it is. Overall, we'd definitely go back--for the atmosphere, drinks, and apps. Next time we'll just bring our loud voices! read more

Just came in for a drink before getting dinner down the street. The place was surprisingly big, which made it easy to get in right away without a reservation. We got seated in the back by another bar area, which was nice because it ended up being a little quieter. The vibe here was cool, lots of brick and wood ceilings, felt sort of old-timey nautical. They had a happy hour going on, but it was limited to just a few cocktails. We didn't get a special menu for it, but heard the server talking about it with another table. I got a gin and tonic, which came with two flavor options, and my boyfriend got the Golden hour. We both liked our drinks and would've tried more if we didn't already have plans. read more

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Came here for a night cap, when they have $10 drinks. We managed to get a table (though it was packed) with a short wait and the service was super friendly and nice. My friends had the espresso martini which was tasty but a bit sweet for my taste. I had the beer and a shot, which, though the beer was a bit small, was a great beer for the deal. The vibes were lively, definitely where you go when you are trying to have a good time. It was a bit loud and probably night time is not a place you want to take a date, but more for friends and going out. Overall though, a great place and find and I would come again. read more

The Penrose - Gastropubs Near Me - New York, New York

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The reason I'd return is not so much the food -- which was fine -- but the staff. Our server (a lovely person who lives in Astoria) was solicitous. When my burger came out overcooked, she insisted on having another prepared, when I didn't even ask. That is so appreciated! My friend deemed their veggie burger with crispy avocado, pickled sweet peppers and 'provolone', delicious! And their thick cut fries -- I asked for mine, crisp -- are better than average. It's been eight years since I've had brunch in The Penrose. Time to come back! read more

The Penrose - Hamburger -- an al fresco dinner! - Gastropubs Near Me - New York, New York

Came here for brunch before a Yankees game & it was to die for. I was nervous about the size of the deluxe breakfast sandwich but I devoured it. My boyfriend had the fried chicken sandwich & it was good but would recommend the deluxe over it. Great patio for eating outside & service was nice. Have already been back to this place twice! read more

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Great for cocktails - only ever had small bites here but those were good too. They have an amazing late night martini HH where martinis are $10! read more

Came here with a group of friends, Ryan the bartender was awesome, very kind and knowledgeable. He recommended their drink called "The Piazza" and it was INCREDIBLE! Tasted like margarita pizza! Definitely recommend for cute date night or night out with the girlies! read more

Favorite restaurant on the UES! Truly the best burger, the cheese, homemade sauce and pickles are the perfect balance. Not to much not to little! I dream about this burger. The appetizers are show stoppers as well! The homemade salt and vinegar chips are mouthwatering and you can't miss the spinach artichoke dip with homemade tortilla chips! Everything here is amazing and a must visit! The service is great and it is always packed. Great place for a late dinner and drinks! read more

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My kind of brunch--vintage vibes, killer cocktails, and a menu that hits every time. The Penrose has the perfect Upper East Side energy, from the reclaimed wood decor to the incredible French toast sticks. Whether you're here for a spiked horchata or a slow Sunday catch-up, this spot is a neighborhood essential read more

The Penrose - Gastropubs Near Me - New York, New York

Great UES atmosphere, but the brunch service and food were a bit of a letdown. I visited The Penrose with a group for Sunday brunch in December. The atmosphere is undeniably nice--it has that classic, cozy Upper East Side vibe that clearly draws a big crowd. However, the experience was a bit of a mixed bag. We were a bit disappointed with the meal. The pancakes arrived cold and had to be sent back to the kitchen. I ordered the eggs and salad, which were fine, and others in my group enjoyed the steak and eggs. It seems the kitchen might struggle with consistency when they are slammed. Our waitress was nice enough, but she was definitely scarce. We had to wait quite a while for coffee refills, which is a bit of a bummer during a long brunch. If you are going on a Sunday (especially in a busy month like December), a reservation is a MUST. We had one, and I wouldn't have wanted to try walking in. Be aware that the bathrooms are located downstairs. The stairs are a bit steep, and I honestly don't know how someone who is older or has mobility issues would manage. It's something to keep in mind if you are booking for a multi-generational group. Overall, it's a "hip" spot and I'm sure it will continue to be a neighborhood staple, but I'd come more for the atmosphere and a drink than for a top-tier brunch. Just my experience. Others have told me, they had different experiences. read more

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First time at The Penrose-- had a great time! Good vibes for brunch. Ordered classic brunch menu items, avocado toast and steak and eggs. Perfectly cooked steak and savory home potatoes. Avocado toast was loaded with items. Would go back for dinner and drinks. read more

The Penrose - Gastropubs Near Me - New York, New York

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The Penrose is absolutely gorgeous and a long-time brunch favorite. The ambience is a 10/10 with the perfect mix of chic and warmth. The menu is small but mighty and everything we've had has been great. My personal favorite is the espresso martini. But from avocado toast, over scrambled eggs and tater totes to fried pickles, the food also delivers. The service is consistently great and very friendly. If you're not coming here for brunch, idk what you're doing. read more

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Its a busy bar in the UES with delicious drinks and food. Everytime we have come its been pretty busy with parties etc.. I get the vibe that its a spot were singles meet and mingle. read more

This had an elevated pub feel to it. My friend and I stopped by for apps right before my flight. Service was quick and food was tasty. Sitting out on the patio during summer was nice! Would come back. read more

The Penrose - Gastropubs Near Me - New York, New York

I went to The Penrose for brunch on family museum day, and it turned out to be such a great pick. We shared cocktails and a bunch of brunch plates, and I loved everything we ordered.The shrimp and grits were especially good and really well made. I had a spicy mezcal drink that I'd definitely get again, and the salmon with crispy potatoes, cinnamon French toast sticks, and eggs benedict all hit the spot. We also had the perfect table right by the entrance with the open window, so it felt like we were outdoors but still tucked inside. So glad my sister chose this place, it was worth it and a really fun treat for our day. Service was nice, just a bit busy. read more

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The drinks are also really good; the Dill Pickle Martini is my favorite. I always have a good time here. I've tried the burger, Boom Boom shrimp, and the mac n cheese. I've come in upwards of 5 times and brought friends and family members with me. Service is ok, nothing to write home about, but it's not bad either. Ambiance is an old school tavern, with dark wooden interiors and dim candle lighting. read more

Stopped by Penrose bar before a dinner reservation on Saturday night and it was packed! Luckily we were able to get a seat at the bar. The ambiance was warm and cozy. I ordered an espresso martini and my husband ordered the spicy margarita. I was skeptical about vanilla flavored vodka in my drink but it wasn't overpowering at all. We didn't order any food but it smelled very good! read more

The Penrose - Gastropubs Near Me - New York, New York

My friends and I stopped in for dinner one night just to catch up and wanted to try this place out. The vibes in here are kinda dive bar yet classy. We got started with some drinks and went right into food. The drink menu and options were very interesting with a lot of different flavors and cocktails you wouldn't find at most places. We started off with a few rounds of sweet potato fries becuase they're sooo good. I ordered one of their squash and greens bowls and was kinda let down. For the price point I was expecting more yet the bowl wasn't even full. The flavors were great though! My partner got the chicken sandwich and said it was pretty good yet alittle dry. Overall, I'd say the best part of the dinner was the sweet potato fries. This place is pretty pricey for the food and drink you get though. read more

The Penrose - Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich and Sweet Potato Waffle Fries - Gastropubs Near Me - New York, New York

Came here for brunch on a weekend and I honestly was not impressed. There was a lot of seating, and for brunch it was not super packed when we got there but it started to fill out as we left (around 11:30). Not the best service, our waitress did not really seem pleasant and she seemed annoyed that we needed more time with the menu to decide on our order. The french toast sticks were incredibly oily, I would definitely not recommend those. Shrimp and grits was also very garlicky, not the worst but I think as a general rule I would not order those in the city. Overall I would not return here for food, there are absolutely better options in the area. read more

The Penrose - Shrimp and Grits - Gastropubs Near Me - New York, New York

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Super packed on a Friday night, had to stand at the bar but was fine. Tried their two IPAs and they were served in a fun stein. Both were awesome! I believe it was the Venomous Villain and a Montauk IPA. Also tried the popcorn chicken and just wow. The pineapple, plain, and Nashville hot were all amazing (yes I tried all) but Nashville hot took the cake! Fav bar in this area:) read more

Delicious food people would love to come back for more with good service also with family and friends Even delivery to ent at home too

Love The Penrose! Chill brunch on the weekends, great first date spot and party vibes at night. read more

The Penrose - Cute entryway tiles - Gastropubs Near Me - New York, New York

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Just a mediocre place but we only ordered food so can't judge the drinks. First we got the SPINACH & ARTICHOKE DIP which was okay. The POPCORN CHICKEN (Pineapple Bourbon Glaze) just tasted like normal chicken. The STEAK AU POIVRE & FRITES compose of the Hanger Steak, Peppercorn Sauce, Thick Cut Fries, Little Gem Lettuce. It was so bad and slightly dry. The sauce was questionable and the lettuce was literally a bulk of lettuce that was uncut. It looked freshly washed and just placed on the dish. read more

The Penrose - STEAK AU POIVRE & FRITES - Gastropubs Near Me - New York, New York

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Really liked this spot. Got the latke with salmon and a Bloody Mary. My partner got the breakfast sandwich and french toast sticks. Everything was really tasty and the ambiance of the restaurant was really cool. I'd definitely recommend if you're looking for brunch in the area. read more

The Penrose - Gastropubs Near Me - New York, New York

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Great experience! While I know the Penrose is famous for its drinks, we wanted to grab a last-minute brunch and came in to sit down. Overall, it was a really good experience. The eggs Benedict were perfectly cooked and I really have zero complaints whatsoever. Service was great and our waters were always full and I was topped off with coffee. The ambience is your typical bar/restaurant. Nothing crazy but the perfect setting for a casual brunch. I would definitely come back for an easy brunch. read more

The Penrose - Gastropubs Near Me - New York, New York

We had our engagement reception at the Penrose and can't say enough how much I would recommend this to others in the future. Meg, the Penrose's event manager was splendid. She was knowledgeable, supportive, and very timely with responses. She was able to provide all the information we needed and helped tailor our party to what we had imagined for months. As for the event, we bought out the backroom for our private event which was perfect for our party of ~40 people. The ambiance was cozy, the food was tasty, and drinks were delicious. Service during the event was prompt and friendly. We never had to flag staff down given everything was refreshed and cleaned quickly. The Penrose is a classic place to have a private event or just a night out. It is one of our favorite spots! read more

Great vibes and service! The servers were the right amount of attentive and cocktail options were great! Def rry the fried pickles

Get the shishito peppers and don't forget to put lime juice over it. You will not regret it! Take advantage of their specials, we got the limited time negroni one and it was definitely a good time. The service was down to earth and I am looking forward to coming back. You are bound to hear fun music that you can bop your head to excitedly. read more

The Penrose - Negroni - Gastropubs Near Me - New York, New York

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Everyone was great from reserving a table, to service, to accommodating a college mentee meetup in May. Our server Erik was the best: patient, articulate, and checking in at just the right moment. Thanks Erik! read more

I ordered mac and cheese through Grubhub. Instead I received brussels sprouts. I'm not exaggerating when I say this was one of the most disappointing food ordering experiences of my life. I did get a refund through Grubhub, but it's not about the money. I just really wanted some mac and cheese. read more

The Penrose - not mac and cheese - Gastropubs Near Me - New York, New York

Love this spot! Consistently great food and drinks. The staff is welcoming and warm. Bonus that they are open late, as it's perfect for a later dinner or night cap. read more

Solid neighborhood restaurant. It the spot you go to when you want to go out to dinner but still keep it low key. Literally can't go wrong with anything you order Pro Tip! If you don't see any space in the front bar, keep going and might find seating at the back bar! read more

joey was a 10/10 bartender for real - cocktails were amazing service was great food was such good quality for the price, perfect to go for late night drinks and bites as their kitchens open until 2am - joey was so so kind and funny, we are Scottish and in general we've been such a fan of how fun american servers are (we are also servers but in the UK it's boring and negative) and he was great, I went out to smoke and two older gents who'd been sitting at the bar chatting the bartender (joeys) ear off and as soon as they approached my friend to chat joey came over and intervened offering her another round - when the guys left he double checked if she in-fact wanted the drinks, making clear his concern was female safety which is SOOO important - on top of that he made us laugh alot as he's very charming and slay spiritually we hope he has a lovey summer full of fun read more

The Penrose has been a favorite neighborhood spot of mine for many years. The food is consistently delicious, and the drinks superb. (The dirty pickle martini is a must.) Because we love it so much, my husband and I decided to rent out the back space for my 30th birthday party. Meg, the event manager, and the rest of the team took amazing care of us and our guests. There are many restaurants or bars in the city that would've done the bare minimum, and The Penrose truly exceeded our expectations. From helping to set up the decorations and the perfect timing of the food/cake, to the bartenders and servers continuing to come around and check on people. Our guests could not stop talking about how tasty the food and drinks were. Renting out a restaurant or doing an open bar package in this city can be expensive, but my husband and I can confirm the experience and care you receive here is well worth it. The Penrose staff helped make an important milestone in my life unforgettable, and I cannot recommend this place enough if you're celebrating something special. read more

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Came here during weekend brunch. Got the hot honey chicken and biscuit. Service is great and the food is very filling. This looks like the place to be on a late night as welll! read more

Best spot on the UES!! The bang bang shrimp is to die for and the service is always the friendliest read more

Great local spot - awesome food, awesome staff - love that it's open late and the drinks are great. Guinness is always poured well

Delicious cocktails and good, friendly service! Plenty of different spaces to go around. read more

The Penrose - Martini! - Gastropubs Near Me - New York, New York

I've been for bench. Decent brunch menu. Vibrant crowd. Outdoor seating in nicer weather. Overall always had a positive experience with the service. Busy and bustling on Friday and Saturday nights. Huge dining area, also almost private little spots on the back. Lastly, great for after hour drinks- late nights. It's been a go-to spot for after midnight drinks. Literally closes at 4am. read more