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    The Wayland

    4.4 (562 reviews)
    Closed 2:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    The Wayland Photos

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    THE WAYLAND ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Live music
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - The Wayland

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    Outside
    Jess L.

    My friends and I were able to walk in and score an outside seat on a brisk Saturday night. (Granted, inside was quite full!) It was nice being on the sidewalk. The cocktail menu is incredibly innovative. I'm still thinking of the Moxie cocktail, which was perfect on this fall night. We ordered two rounds. The second one came out a lot faster than the first, but both were within acceptable range. Chill vibe. I'd want this type of spot to be my local spot if I was here more often.

    Angie B.

    Everything. All of it. The dark wood and glow of the lights, the long, sectioned bar, the nice guy who greeted us at the door, the kind server who brought our delicious food and the all -around -chill -vibe of the place made me love it. We arrived for our 5:00 reservation and there were just a few of us sitting at tables. By 5:30, things were poppin' and by 630 the place was full. And so were we. Let me tell you about our order. The menu is filled with good sandwiches and creative grilled -bread -type dishes. This was actually just perfect. And refreshing. We had a late breakfast because we were visiting New York for the day to see the Simone Leigh exhibit. It was awesome but we didn't know that it was one room with several pieces which took about 30 minutes to view so we had the day to eat, drink and wander around. The Wayland had an open table at 5 on Resy and I booked not really knowing what I was getting into. Oh wait! Speaking of wandering around, I just did that in this review. Back to the order. My friend ordered the pulled chicken sandwich and I ordered the sausage toast. We shared an anchovy plate. The sausage toast consisted of four hardy slices of grilled bread with sausage baked in! I can't tell you how good this was! It came with a generous order of burrata cheese in which one spreads upon the toast before taking a delicious bite! The anchovies were huge, also served with grilled bread and my friend said her sandwich was delicious. We kept ordering the ginger gimlet that was featured on the happy hour menu. It was made so well! We left very happy, very full and more than satisfied that we landed here. It's a special place.

    Waheda I.

    I didn't eat here but I came here to drink with a friend. Make sure to make a reservation. It gets packed late into the night. The drinks were great. The open windows were great. Perfect for a warm summer night. Prices aren't too bad. It can be a bit hard to flag staff down but understandable due to the crowd. Neat spot, I'll return and try the food next time.

    a piano in a dimly lit room
    Gene L.

    I'm surprised I haven't reviewed this place earlier. So much of my favorite NYC memories have had beginnings or ends at The Wayland. This is perhaps one of the most versatile bars in the city. It's perfect for group hangs, happy hour, bringing a date, solo visits, events/celebrations, or live music. Depending on the time you come, this place does it all. Perennially this place has one the most solid oyster happy hours in town, with great drink specials. Always has a super/casual vibe, but still intimate/classy/cozy. Staff over the years has never failed to be attentive and friendly. Vibes here are always perfect. I hope this place never closes! This bar will always have a special place in my heart, and no time in EV is complete without a visit to The Wayland.

    Interior

    Amazing burger, one of my favorite in the city. Such a lovely interior as well! Always great bartenders here too.

    Me with a S&R. Together we cry...
    Johnny N.

    The Wayland is the best bar in New York City. "Yeah okay Johnny you talk in hyperbole all the time..." A fair criticism indeed. Normally I'd agree, but I feel as strongly about this as I do that Blood Sugar Sex Magik is RHCP's best album. Or that Norman F***ing Rockwell is Lana Del Rey's magnum opus. Anyways, I came to the Wayland for my first drink post moving to nyc as it is relatively close by. I got to talking to Dale (he manages the place) as he was working behind the bar this night. He told me his favorite drink is the Smoked & Roasted (S&R), so I had to pull the trigger. The S&R is still my favorite drink I have had in the city. It is a Mezcal and Pineapple infused drink that Alphabet City locals refer to as "The Nectar of the Gods." Since that night I've probably been here 30+ times and whatever you want, the Wayland has. An open air seat on a hot summer day? CHECK! An intimate, but not over the top date spot? EASY CALL! A night out to get active? NEXT QUESTION! A live music venue? YURRPP! Never forget when the Wayland literally caught on fire and was open 3 days later. A Phoenix rising from the ashes. I love the Wayland so much that I wrote an original poem, taking nothing from any other poem. "Sometimes I feel like I don't have a partner, sometimes I feel like my only friend, Is the bar that I frequent,The Wayland on Ave C, 2 Smoked & Roasted's, Together we cry..." Could be a good song intro I think too. The staff here is second to none, need to highlight Dale and Josh as they have become friends as opposed to just the local bartender doubling as a therapist. I have loved in the Wayland. I have lost in the Wayland. I have knelt in the Wayland. I have felt in the Wayland. But most importantly, I have formed in the Wayland.

    Garden Margarita
    Pamela P.

    Great vibes, service, drinks, food and music. We had the cocktail of the month with gin and strawberry, was delicious and part of the money of the sells will be donated for the fight against cancer. We also tried the purple nurple, good flavor but a bit watered down, and the green margarita which had a great and very unique flavor. We requested mezcal instead of tequila and they made the substitution without charging us extra, very nice touch. All drinks were good but the drink of the month was the star in my opinion. For food we had two burgers and fries, very tasty, the bread was soft, the beef was tender and the cheese was melted, bacon was crispy and not overcooked, the fries super crunchy and not oily at all. Everything was delicious. Amazing music selection and beautiful decor. They take reservations for the tables but most people stands around the bar which is huge and have plenty of seating. Would definitely come again and would recommend to anyone looking for great cocktails in the east village.

    Heather W.

    Came here Sunday. This place has a great cocktail menu but the service is so so so so completely dismal I cannot stand it. She basically talked to her friends outside 70% of the time, and was not visible the rest of the time, in a practically empty restaurant. Had to wait AGES for the drinks and everything else, after asking multiple OTHER people. (What do they pay her for!!). I would've been fine if this place were a get -your-own-everything bar.

    Pearls of the East
    Aleah H.

    Such an amazing happy hour!! We came to The Waveland for happy hour on a Friday without a reservation, and were seated at a high top table wrapped around a beam. It was a bit awkward for conversation, but we were happy with it given we didn't make a reservation. Would suggest one if you can afford to plan ahead, though! We got the Pearls of the East cocktail for $10 on the happy hour menu, and it was great! Great flavors and presentation, and I loved the setting and craftsmanship of the bartenders! We also got the 6 oysters for $10. They were petite east coast oysters but were a good deal and came with solid cocktail sauce. I would return and would highly recommend this spot - It has a solid menu and very gun ambiance with lots of wood beams and open air!

    Caribbean hi tea
    Christina M.

    Grabbed a drink with a friend after work and was lucky to snatch a table near the window non a Friday afternoon. They have a nice happy hour deal of $10 drinks and discounted oysters however I was interested in trying the Caribbean hi tea which was on the regular menu $15. It is a rum punch based drink that was super tasty. I my friend got the tequilla Time Machine I believe and she also liked it. Overall ambiance was relaxing and this is a spot for for a few drinks with friendly service. We would definitely come back to try dinner here!

    Drinks
    Maggie T.

    The vibes are right at The Wayland! I haven't eaten here, but I've come for drinks a couple times now and the drinks are always delicious (and somewhat fairly priced for Manhattan). This is a good spot for a first round before a night out -- it gets crowded on weekend nights, but it's usually not too loud to carry on a conversation. I definitely need to come back to try their oyster happy hour!!

    Bar area
    il'ya S.

    Honestly, I came here to use the bathroom, but then I felt guilty and decided to order a cider. Wowzers in my trousers, was I impressed with the hospitality of the staff who were quick to serve me and check in on my +1's order. They had a delicious "Hudson North" cider and despite it coming from a can, they served in a glass with the feeling it came from a draft. Our stay was paired with the jolly music of someone playing live piano. It definitely set a cool cozy vibe and there's a cute patio/ balcony area for outdoor seating. Definitely recommend coming here to try their expansive drink and food menu.

    Fried Oysters
    Ann N.

    Love the happy hour deal - $12 burger and beer. The burger was really juicy and flavor with all the right toppings. I was expecting getting chips as the side as the deal only stated burger and beer. I was extremely satisfied with this happy hour deal. The fried oysters we got was just to try - wouldn't be the end of the world if you didn't try it. The service was not as great because we were sitting outside, while it was packed inside. It was harder to order more things or ask for more water / napkins. I wouldn't necessarily fault them for this though.

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    1 year ago

    Great drinks, better service. On my "I'm going out of my way to go here" list. I've never enjoyed myself more than I did when I went here

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    2 years ago

    The food, service and drinks are a triple threat! Friendly staff, wonderfully balanced cocktails and the food is amazing.

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    Page 1 of 15

    Ask the Community - The Wayland

    Is happy hour every day or just weekdays?

    Tues-Fri

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    Review Highlights - The Wayland

    Tried several drinks on the menu and kept coming back to the Garden Variety Margarita, it is to die for.

    Mentioned in 39 reviews

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    Dear Irving on Broadway - Josephine Room

    Dear Irving on Broadway

    4.5(35 reviews)
    2.7 miMidtown West

    Finding a good cocktail bar in NYC is not that difficult for most, but I find that my friend and I…read morehave become a bit of cocktail snobs lately, as we always look for something specific during our travels. We are tequila and mezcal drinkers so a lot of places, we've found lately, so not have as big of mezcal selections. This was the exception. We wanted to go to the location that wasn't in such a touristy area, but it was so cold that we didn't wanna walk so we just did this location. The aesthetic is super warm and takes you to somewhere luxurious and almost even tropical with the light shades and all. The bartenders are actual mixologists so if you tell them what you're thinking of, they'll likely be able to execute. Our bartenders were very attentive and enthusiastic in creating the drinks we had in mind. All we had to do was give them a brief idea and we got these wonderful drinks back. I wish I had pictures, but the drinks were flowing and the conversation was so good. We were thoroughly impressed. Great program they're running here, their mixologists know what they're doing!

    I was here for an event, so didn't order entrees/mains. We did have some appetizers and finger…read morefood, which wasn't the tastiest...the best thing there were probably the lobster rolls and sliders. The drinks were very delicious, though! The bartenders were nice and made the drinks very quickly. There was one who was consistently friendly, as opposed to the blonde lady there. I'd go back again on a date night because the interior had major sexy vibes.

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    Dear Irving on Broadway - Cocktails

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    Dear Irving on Broadway - Cocktail

    Cocktail

    Dear Irving on Broadway - Smoky & spicy cocktail it was ;-)

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    Smoky & spicy cocktail it was ;-)

    Sunken Harbor Club - Shallows drinks

    Sunken Harbor Club

    4.5(115 reviews)
    2.4 miDowntown Brooklyn
    $$$

    I've been trying to go to Sunken Harbor for over a year now. I don't know how it's possible but…read moredespite being local it always seems to have a private event whenever we have plans to go. The stars finally aligned this winter and I had the opportunity to try it out. The vibes are perfect. Fog and bubbles, sea noises and all of the art go together seemlessly. Drinks were great. We had three and left suitably sloshed for the night with no aftereffects. We didn't have too many bites but the food was very good for a bar. I'm excited to go back and I hope we have just as much luck getting in next time.

    This is a "speakeasy" above Gage and Tollner. An undersea Tiki style adventure with a sexy mermaid…read moreheading up the bar. Nautical theme throughout with weathered leather, ropes, fish. Cocktails are made with various types of rum and ingredients like grapefruit, maraschino, wormwood amaro, falernum, thyme, Assam tea, spiced lime, allspice, coconut, cucumber, nutmeg, sour orange. All the drinks keep with the tropical, fruity taste with a hint of spice. They are also broken up into categories (dry land = no alcohol, shallows = average amount of alcohol, and abyss (larger amounts of alcohol). The abyss section has some cocktails that are limited to two per customer. They have some bar bites like fried green tomatoes, shrimp toast, broiled oysters, ricotta, dumplings, sliders. I had the French fries with kimchi ranch, which were underwhelming. Bartenders were cool and kept the drinks coming. I got in immediately without an issue or a wait, but it was right after a snowstorm. I've seen some people struggle to get in or have a long wait.

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    Sunken Harbor Club - View of the bar

    View of the bar

    Sunken Harbor Club - Mary Pickford - IG @bougiefoodieboi

    Mary Pickford - IG @bougiefoodieboi

    Sunken Harbor Club - Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner

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    Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner

    Dear Strangers - Such a nice cute bar!

    Dear Strangers

    4.3(28 reviews)
    1.3 miGreenwich Village

    Dear Strangers is a wonderful hidden gem! We celebrated Valentine's Day there last night and while…read morethe restaurant was incredibly busy, we never felt overlooked or underserved. The owners were milling around making sure everyone was well taken care of and the wait staff were kind and personable. Now the food...AMAZING!!! Every bite we took was wonderful and so surprising with creative combinations and gorgeously presented. The restaurant itself was hip and refined and seemed to be the happening spot of the night. We will certainly be back!

    Met up with friends here for dinner before a show near Washington square. It wasn't super crowded…read morewhen we arrived around 6pm (maybe due to the extreme cold that day) but started filling up gradually. I loved the ambiance and decor, very cozy. As for food, there were some true hits but most of the food was good but basic. The highlights for me were the wild mushrooms & rice cakes as well as the Caesar salad - loved the use of nori in the salad and would definitely come back for the mushrooms. The chicken cutlet and chicken dumplings were fine but I probably wouldn't order them again. The wait staff weren't super attentive nor super warm, but they were efficient when we asked for water refills, etc. There was ample standing room at the bar while we waited for our friends, but the table/booth that we sat at was super narrow, I was knocking knees with my friend all night and generally felt squished.

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    Dear Strangers
    Dear Strangers
    Dear Strangers - Smoked chicken croquettes

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    Attaboy - Tiny bar which is why the long waits to get in but cozy and cool vibe

    Attaboy

    4.1(869 reviews)
    0.8 miLower East Side
    $$

    Attaboy has my heart and soul, especially after crafting, curating and creating my dream drink that…read morewill live forever in the memory of my taste buds unable to be erased from my brain's footprints. Our friends raved about this place and we of course were excited (and a bit skeptical at first) to try it. The concept: no menu + no lights + a few questions = the ultimate cocktail experience. The speakeasy vibe and the dark ambiance really makes this place feel even more exclusive. With just a few tables and the bar setting, you're in for an experience you won't forget (unless you answer the wrong questions and really end up with a drink you don't like HA). This wasn't my case. Of course I described my two favorite things: Negroni + mezcal. The obvious answer would be a mezcal Negroni, but that's not why one comes to a place like Attaboy. Our amazing curator came by to ask us all a few questions, write down a few words in the napkins, and mix up the perfect drink that our master bartender crafts, curates and creates. My drink came as I couldn't possibly imagine. It looked like a Negroni smelled like Oaxaca, with all the smoke simmering up and preparing my sensory experience, leading to the best first sip. Ladies and gentleman, I introduce you to The Devil's Backbone. A perfectly balanced drink I'll never forget, one that is sipped slowly and enjoyed thoroughly. It's sexy, it's smoky it's sipped. Attaboy gave the best mixology experience and we can't wait to be back. Pro tip: be sure to be as vocal as possible, even with ice, so you don't end up with a tiki drink if that's not your vibe.

    This is one of the must-try bars in NY. You describe the flavor profile of the drink you want and…read morethe bartender whips up something for you. I only said I wanted something "floral" and I got the best water lily drink curated for me - never had anything like it. Others in my group asked for "something spicy", "something smoky, nutty, and creamy" and something "refreshing". We were all extremely impressed. Our bartender was Steven and he was awesome! He even chatted with us for a bit after to tell us more about attaboy. I'm rounding up to 5 stars but I will say our experience with the "bouncer" was a bit unpleasant. He called us to let us know our table was ready but we missed the call (our fault). We returned the call immediately and got there within a couple minutes anyway. We were ready to patiently wait for the next availability but were met with some attitude and unnecessary comments from him during the waiting experience. Regardless, we had a great time inside to make up for this. Highly recommend, but just be sure to make a reservation or be on alert and on time when getting off the waitlist.

    Photos
    Attaboy - Small space but good vibes

    Small space but good vibes

    Attaboy - Interior bar seat

    Interior bar seat

    Attaboy - The Orange Moon

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    The Orange Moon

    The Dead Rabbit - Scotch eggs

    The Dead Rabbit

    4.2(2.1k reviews)
    2.3 miFinancial District
    $$

    The "coconut milk was off" cocktail was soo good. All the cocktails (electric momisette and miso…read morecolada) were fun, creative, and delicious. The food (dingle pie and spice bag chips) were also really good. The spice bag chips seasoning was really good. We walked in Wednesday 8:30 PM and they had a couple of high chair seats at a side bar in the parlor room available. Really fun decorations and ambiance.

    If you're looking for one of the best Irish pubs in Lower Manhattan, The Dead Rabbit absolutely…read morelives up to the hype. Tucked into the Financial District, this spot blends old New York history with some of the best cocktails in the city--and it's easy to see why it's been named "World's Best Bar" more than once. The name itself has a wild backstory, inspired by a notorious 19th-century Irish-American gang from Five Points. It adds a layer of character to the place, but what really keeps people coming back is the atmosphere and the drinks. The space is split into two levels: a two lively, sawdust-floored Taprooms downstairs and a more refined Parlor upstairs if you're in the mood for a quieter, cocktail-focused experience. Drinks are the real highlight here. The Irish Coffee is widely considered one of the best in the world--rich, smooth, and perfectly balanced with whiskey, coffee, and fresh cream. They also get creative with variations like a frozen version and even an Irish Coffee martini. If you want something different, the "Act Naturally" is a standout, mixing Irish whiskey with Guinness and fig in a way that works. Food is just as impressive for a bar. The lobster deviled eggs (topped with caviar) are a must-try, and the menu leans into elevated comfort food. Overall, The Dead Rabbit nails the balance between historic charm and modern cocktail excellence. The D.R. is one of those places that is never boring and consistently delivers.

    Photos
    The Dead Rabbit - Irish Coffee

    Irish Coffee

    The Dead Rabbit - Jingle All The Way

    Jingle All The Way

    The Dead Rabbit - Irish coffee

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    Irish coffee

    Apotheke - Apotheke Bar Chinatown

    Apotheke

    3.8(1.6k reviews)
    1.3 miChinatown, Civic Center
    $$$

    Apotheke was one of my first experiences with a hidden speakeasy a number of years ago, and it…read morestill remains the OG in my vast encyclopedia of experiences. :) Strolling down Chinatown's busy and gritty Doyers Street, looking for any sign of Apotheke is a fond memory, then finally figuring out where it was, and entering through the mysterious and otherworldly threshold resulted a transformative experience that made me feel like I time traveled. Mood lighting, comfortable seating, great drinks in a cozy and Victorian-inspired space are the perfect blend of unique and. I always felt like I was part of something special the few times enjoyed creative, delicious, and strong libations from the pros at the bar. While it has always been pricey, I do feel like the excellent service ambiance, and drink quality warrant this, but may prevent more folks from becoming regulars so to speak. I love the clever and compact bathroom design, too. IYKYK Long live Apotheke!

    Fifteen years later and Apotheke is still one of my favorites!…read more You will walk past this hidden speakeasy several times before finding it. I could tell you to look for the blue beaker sign that says "Chemist" but the better tell is the random guy sitting on a stool outside. He'll be the only person on the street, so no worries about missing him! The menu has changed over the years, but the quality has not. The bartenders are social and personable. And the prices are in line for the area. My bestie and I loved the vibe. One of the best speakeasies she's had the pleasure of experiencing. Don't miss out on this place!

    Photos
    Apotheke - The bar

    The bar

    Apotheke - Live Band

    Live Band

    Apotheke - Beautiful bar

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    Beautiful bar

    The Wayland - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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