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    The River

    4.4 (14 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

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    Alexa T.

    This was pretty chill/cozy bar. I actually walked by it by accident but quickly realized this was where I was supposed to go. It's kind of in the outskirts of Chinatown. I liked the low lighting and ambiance. It's not too big but it's also open. There's a bathroom in the back and one room with a urinal. I got the pornstar martini which was good! I love passionfruit so this was up my alley. It also came with a small shot glass sized cup of Prosecco.

    a hot dog and a cocktail on a tray
    Julian M.

    DARK and lovely. I got the Carrot Top, Pickled Pineapple Martini, a Stella, the Schaller & Webber hot dog and the bowl of nuts. Please try the Pickled Pineapple Martini and the dog Such a moody cocktail bar. I didn't expect this place here and I'm glad they're here! Service is wonderful! Very dark and tight/narrow/cozy. Also big selection of wine, bubbly and whisky. Some bar snacks, charcuterie and sandwiches, too!

    Violetta!
    Charlie N.

    The Violeta was an interesting drink. It was sour but with a hint is sweet. This place is pretty cool, I never thought I'd find a place where there would be no music blasting. It has a speak easy vibe to it and to be frank it wasn't as packed. I would recommend this bar if you're planning to take someone out on a date. It's quiet and has a speak easy vibe.

    Carrot juice and spicy tequila cocktail ( forgot the name )
    Minu A.

    I love bars where you can go and just chill and you can hear yourself talk without talking over music so this is one of those. My drink tasted interesting - it reminded me of India I'm not sure if it's the chili. The drink had a spicy aftertaste to it and had a carrot juice base. I also tried the cherry Garcia cocktail which was on the board . I forgot to get a picture of it but it was really sweet, fruity, and yummy.

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    5 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Typa spot with hella the hellp lookalikes and a very bespoke cocktail menu, i thot the drinks were okay

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    7 months ago

    Really cool spot. Perfect for a chill spot with friends after getting dim sum or Italian

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Immaculate ambiance and smells great. Bob Dylan & Bob Marley playing while I sip my Mezcal Negroni.

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    Review Highlights - The River

    The cocktail menu is a masterpiece, featuring innovative drinks crafted with precision and flair.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Valerie

    Valerie

    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    My wife and I took our kids (10 and 16 year old boys) to this place on our last evening in NYC. We…read morewere looking for a place that had a nice ambiance and good food. Ambiance: This place has a nice ambiance, definitely very "New York" -- dark (you can't see how dirty the floor is) and loud music (maybe too loud). We sat upstairs (we had a reservation) and of all the people on the top there was a party of 4 (us), a party of 8 (all dudes celebrating something) and the rest of the tables were on a DATE - which I thought was funny. Service: We were served by Ann-Marie who was so delightful. She was kind, super nice, and took the time to speak to us (which is basically how we figured out she wasn't a native New York City person). She gave us good food suggestions and we were very happy with our selection. Food: Here is what we ordered * Steak Frites: My two boys got the steak frites and I have to say the steak was awesome! I had a bite of each of theirs and they each ordered it differently (one Medium Rare/Medium and one Medium) and they both were prepared PERFECTLY. The fries were overflowing. * Caeser Salad with Salmon: My wife got the salad with Salmon (they only have a few salad options) and she enjoyed it. * Prawn and Crab Risotto: I got this and I have to say it was VERY bland. I wouldn't get this if you are looking for taste. I had to put salt and pepper on it to make it have any semblance of taste. Value/Price: I would say this is not over priced but it is not cheap either...bill is attached. I would recommend it to folks who are looking for a good place to either go out on a date or a family type meal.

    Every food was great except tuna crudo. Need carpaccio was…read moretasty and so as risotto. Server was nice and attentive. Ambiance was loud. Filled with after work happy hour drinkers. If you want nice and intimate dinner, this is not the place.

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    Valerie
    Valerie
    Valerie

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    Paradise Lost

    Paradise Lost

    4.4
    (172 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    Thank goodness we FOUND paradise LOST. You ring the doorbell, and are buzzed in to be put on the…read morelist. For my group of 2, it was approximately a 25 minute wait on a Saturday at 7. We jumped over to the bar right beside and drank some girly drinks before getting the notification our table was ready. As with nearly every establishment in NYC, it is very close quarters in paradise lost. We stood at a table while waiting for seats at the bar to become available. Which, we didn't mind. I could see how this might be a little harder to get a seat for a bigger group if you aren't there before 6. It seemed that once a group got a big table, they camped out. The drinks were strong and creative. Friendly bartenders, good music, and yummy options for bar snacks. Also, the bathroom is a nice touch. Given the hell theming for the bar, the bathroom is a 180 and while using the Lou, you can listen to the bible being recited. Theres also a spooky surprise if you press the button in the bathroom. Speaking of the bathroom, it is at the bottom of some decently narrow stairs. So, try and stay sober enough for stairs or you may fall. Go to this bar. You will have fun.

    The vibe is cute, and the ambiance is cute, but everything is overpriced, although most tiki bars…read moreare. I don't know if I've ever had such a bad pina colada in my life at a tiki bar. I mean, I've had bad pina coladas at dive bars, but I expected more from this place. I would say it was very strong, though, so you know what? That's a good thing to be very strong for that price I'm paying. The spam musubi was also a rip-off. You see two here, but each one costs its own $10, so save your money. Eat somewhere else. Eat a pizza across the street.

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    Amazing atmosphere!
    Amazing atmosphere!
    Beware the shark!
    Beware the shark!
    Damned Dumplings ($10) and Kappa Krab Roll ($15)

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    Damned Dumplings ($10) and Kappa Krab Roll ($15)
    Rooftop 93

    Rooftop 93

    4.1
    (404 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    This is my favorite rooftop in the city and I found it only after writing off all rooftops since…read morethe experience with places like Le Bain has completely turned me off to them (long lines that stretch out the doors to get in, long lines once you're in to order a drink at the bar, spending $$$ to crowd around). Rooftop 93 is on the 16th flr of the Bowery Hotel and has a beautiful view of the city inside, and then only gets better once you walk another flight up to the outdoor roof area. There's a small bar there with very friendly bartenders who are quick and efficient. There's a great happy hour deal with beer and well drinks. For people who avoid hard liquor, this place also has these delicious champagne drinks served in a big glass with a spiked champagne popsicle. This is a great place to go with a big group of friends or on a date since it is usually not packed!

    Rooftop 93 is such a hidden gem in the middle of Manhattan! The vibes are everything!!! dim…read morecandlelight, chic atmosphere, and those skyline views that make you stop mid conversation just to take it all in. At night, the city lights stretch out in every direction and it feels like the perfect NYC moment. We ordered the Bowery Margarita and it did not disappoint fresh, smooth, and perfectly balanced with that citrus kick. The presentation was gorgeous too, topped with a dried orange slice that felt just as Instagram-worthy as it was delicious. It's the kind of spot that works equally well for a date night, catching up with friends, or just sipping a drink while soaking in the view. Definitely one of those "only in New York" experiences. Pro tip: go in the evening when the city lights are just starting to glow you'll get the best of both the sunset and the night skyline.

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    Rooftop 93
    Rooftop 93
    Rooftop 93

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    Hide Rooftop

    Hide Rooftop

    4.7
    (74 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    Private events
    Large group friendly

    Celebrated my daughter's 21st birthday…read more everything was perfect drinks and appetizers were delicious waitress was great'

    We had finished dinner nearby and were looking for a place to grab a cocktail, when one of my…read morefriends suggested the Hide Rooftop in the Artezen Hotel. The bi-level bar and lounge was dark, swanky, and seductive. It would make an excellent spot for dates or groups of friends, like mine. We started off sitting at the bar, as there were no large tables available upon our arrival. However, after about 15 minutes, the host approached to tell us that he could actually seat us. I picked up my glass, which was wet with condensation, and it slipped out of my hands. I was able to collect it with only a minor spill, but the host insisted that the bar staff make me a new cocktail in case the glass had chipped at all. It was a considerate gesture that I greatly appreciated. Plus, since I had already taken a few sips, I was thrilled to get those back in a new glass! In terms of my cocktail of choice, I had opted for the Hot Tijuana Tease, a fiery blend of mezcal, blanco tequila, chile poblano liqueur, and lime juice. So, it was essentially a spicy margarita, and it was excellent. There were clean, crisp notes of peppery heat balanced with layers of robust smoke. My only complaint about the lounge was that the bathrooms were beyond tiny. There were two unisex stalls in a very tight alcove that also included a cramped sink counter. It was awkward and uncomfortable to share that space with another patron. Aside from that, the Hide Rooftop was a beautiful place with a friendly staff and interesting drinks.

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    Hide Rooftop
    Hide Rooftop
    Hide Rooftop

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    Osamil Upstairs

    Osamil Upstairs

    4.3
    (145 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    A beautiful tastefully done Speak Easy on the upper level of a bar in Koreatown. You can get their…read morethrough an elevator or better still take the century old staircase! They have an amazing selection of mixed drinks and other types of alcohol. We got a cheese martini, a mezcal drink and a non alcoholic citrusy drink that tasted awesome! The drinks are priced at a premium (~$25 each) but the favors are worth it! Give it a try!

    Recommended to us by the folks from Atomix, we were excited to visit Osamil Upstairs for a drink…read morebefore dinner. It was on a weekday, the day of NBA Finals Game 3 when everyone else were at bars & lounges getting ready for the game to start. This afforded us a beautiful and tranquil experience at Osamil Upstairs. Hidden behind a locked door inside Osamil, it's a spot you have to seek out to get in. After we shared we were going to Osamil Upstairs, the hostess from Osamil promptly unlocked the unmarked door for us to head upstairs to Osamil Upstairs. Had other customers not come out as we were walking up the stairs, we might have passed the entrance to Osamil Upstairs and continued upward! Much like what you might expect of a speakeasy, it's well-hidden, and the interior just blows the mind. It's elegant, beautiful, and comfortable. The drinks were good. My cheese in the trap was smokey (as promised!) and alcohol forward. My hubby had the Jung cocktail and it had the most magical, delicious combination of flavors! We also ordered a foie gras with toast appetizer as a pre-dinner snack; it was OK. All in all, a really pleasant experience and we'd return if we were in the area again!

    Photos
    Chill ambience
    Chill ambience
    Beautiful interiors
    Beautiful interiors
    Inside coach seat area

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    Inside coach seat area
    Dear Irving Gramercy

    Dear Irving Gramercy

    4.3
    (799 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$$

    Beautiful space with great staff and comfortable seats…read more Sunday night, party of 3.Had dinner nearby for a friend's birthday and she chose this for after-dinner drinks. There are three different themes of decor as you walk through, and the staff said it was themed after Midnight in Paris. Very comfortable and easy to have a conversation. We each ordered one drink: Zero Proof(n/a)- full sun Latin Matrix A glass of red wine (unfortunately I didn't note which she ordered.) The staff overheard we were celebrating a birthday and offered us each a complimentary drink after we had already closed out so that we could do a birthday cheers (since one person doesn't drink, one of the complimentary sparkling drinks was also non-alcoholic). I highly recommend!

    Date: Monday, March 2nd, 2026 Time: around 8pm…read moreParty of: 1 Accolades: No.26 North America's 50 Best Bars 2022 *Whiskey Business ($21) *Tax ($1.86) I had a little bit of time to kill before heading to dinner. Since it was right next to where I was leaving my friends, I decided to see if I could get a seat at the bar without a reservation. I checked in with the host and she said they had room. So no rezzie needed that night when solo. The bar area is very dark and intimate. I only had time for one drink and decided on the one above. It was nicely balanced. I'm a whisky girl, especially rye, so I enjoyed sipping on this. A nice stop on the way to diner. I was here years ago, but that experience is a little hazy. Glad I was able to revisit. REVIEW #4002

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    Outside
    Outside
    Dear Irving Gramercy
    Caesar Salad Bites

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    Caesar Salad Bites

    The River - cocktailbars - Updated August 2026

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