Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Yawning Cobra

    4.4 (22 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Yawning Cobra Photos

    Business Info

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Yawning Cobra

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Cocktail menu
    Melissa A.

    I went out for drinks on a Saturday evening and decided to try this highly rated cocktail bar. Overall I would say my experience was just ok. 1) the atmosphere was an underground speakeasy vibe. The restaurant is hard to find (have to know to go down stairs, otherwise it is unmarked from the street view) 2) we were not given menus, water or asked about our orders for ~20 mins after sitting down (it was not that busy at 7:30pm). 3) my drink was $22 and looked like a normal drink you might order at a normal bar (with some flakes of seasoning on top). My friend's drink at least came in a nice glass with dried fruit on top. That being said, my drink was quite good and I ultimately ordered another one. 4) after about 90 mins we were reminded about a "90 mins per reservation limit." Which is totally fine, but there were at least 10-12 opens seats around the restaurant and we were seated at the bar... just seems like a good way to lose business. I will probably not be returning given the many other cocktail bar options nearby. Drinks were good, experience was just ok.

    imo yaro
    Kevin L.

    Wanna visit Osaka without ever stepping on a plane? Head south from Cooper Square a few blocks, find the sketchy looking stairwell with the unobtrusive logo above it, and step down into a space far removed from the East Village. I've now visited several times, all near opening time, and I've yet to run into a problem with walk-in seating. That said, I understand it gets pretty rowdy later on during the weeknight evenings and on weekends, so an advance reservation is probably a good idea if you're either planning to go during prime times or with a larger group. There's substantial bar counter seating, along with a few tables scattered toward the front and along the wall. I'm a big fan of the counter, and I enjoy the opportunity to watch the bartenders ply their craft. During quieter times, I've even seen the staff experimenting with drinks, which is fascinating to me. I appreciate the welcome dashi at the beginning of each visit. Our first time there, it was a totally unexpected treat. Especially since that initial trip was during the colder months, a warm and savory sip helped ease us into the experience. We also sampled the Cobra fried chicken (essentially, karaage) and found it enjoyable, but not particularly noteworthy. I appreciated the light, crunchy crust that didn't feel greasy, and the meat was steaming and moist. No complaints here. I've tried about half the cocktail menu and, without reservation, I can attest to the quality of the craftsmanship. The aesthetics, the aromas, the mouthfeels, and the flavors of each respective beverage vary dramatically, but every single one I've imbibed has been flawless. I genuinely couldn't pick a favorite among the lot; they're all expertly balanced and dangerously drinkable. I'm very pleased that Yawning Cobra's a newish addition to the rapidly expanding list of great watering holes in the neighborhood. Considering the significant competition, I wish their team the best of luck thriving in this location.

    Deana B.

    If you're looking for truly awesome cocktails worth the price tag, Yawning Cobra has got you covered. The cocktails are so fun and so delicious, it's hard to choose! This is a good date spot or would be perfect for catching up with a small group. There's a mix of bar seats and small tables. I was able to get in without a res around 9pm on a Friday but I'm not sure if that's always the case. Overall would highly recommend if you're in the market for a unique cocktail.

    Elvi T.

    Amazing Asian inspired drinks! Stumbled upon this place randomly after dinner. We had to walk down stairs and the atmosphere is dark intimate and cozy.

    Annie H.

    Came here twice for drinks. The drinks are very fun, lots of unique flavors. I didn't realize the menu ranked the intensity of the drinks so you could choose to go for something lighter or heavier depending on your preference. The interior is really cute - I've sat at both the bar and the booths and enjoyed both. Service is great, the drinks came out in a timely manner.

    Mercy!Mercy!Merci
    Eve S.

    Went to Yawning Cobra on a Thursday night around 6:30/7. It has the speakeasy touch of not being easy to spot walking up to it. Greeting was nice and we were sat at the bar without reservations. We were sat right next to the bathroom/dishwashing sink which wasn't ideal when there were other seats available but was fine. Dark inside, mostly bar seats, good for one or two people with you. The pickles and croquette were great apps. Tried some complex cocktails that we definitely hadn't had before. They were spicy, cheesy, Smokey and beet garnished (edible). Would go again!

    Matcha cocktail the last one on the page
    Bailey T.

    THREE MATCHA FLAVORED DRINKS? I'm sat. Garnishes great. Server nice , she gave me outfit suggestions. Fries mid but whatever it's fries. Yummy Asian themed drinks. However I wouldn't suggest trying a bunch of different cocktails otherwise all the different liquors and flavoring gonna be some Harry Potter cauldron in yo gut. Stick with one drink and have four. Otherwise if u want a variety I'm not stopping you but I'd keep it within the same lane

    Menu
    Lindsey J.

    Cute place, love the sneaky entrance, love that they have mocktails & very unique drinks on the menu. The tables have one big chair and then the other chairs are teeny tiny stools haha. Also I would have loved it if they had turned the heat up because my feet were literally numb! My friend let them know about a dairy allergy & they forgot about it a number of times, but definitely meant no harm.

    Anna K.

    Great experience for birthday night! They are really sweet and amazing people xx The dashi broth as a starter for drinking was pretty nice like Japanese style. Loved every cocktails they are wonderful !! And some Japanese chicken was amazing x The one thing I just not sure was the music.. 90s hiphop kinda vibe ain't fits for the cool hidden bar. Would love to come back!

    Maya H.

    this place is seriously the best, insanely inventive cocktails and watching the bartender was mesmerizing. you can tell he cares so deeply about the quality of his product and what is served to every customer. he personally oversaw everyone else and made sure that each were up to his taste and presentation standards, if it wasn't mixed enough or had any sort of blemish he'd immediately intervene . you can taste this care in the drinks, i tried to sweet potato one, cacio e pepe and the banana truffle drink. all were a fantastic unique experience and insanely delicious. it was easy for me to walk in about 1:30 hrs before they closed and was served quickly and attended to well throughout my time. ambiance here is chill and classy, fits the drinks quite well. it's a rather intimate space but perfect so everyone can watch the bartenders at work. truly artistry in what they're serving here.

    fried chicken
    Jenny Z.

    Came for their soft opening and the vibes, drinks, and food are immaculate. Perfect place to catch up with friends or go on a date. For drinks, we got The Tides and Not So Zen. The Tides is their version of a long island iced tea, definitely on the stronger side if that is your style. Not So Zen was my personal favorite -- it was light and refreshing, slightly sweet and not too strong. I would also highly recommend their food items!! The fried chicken was delicious, a strong contender to double chicken please's fried chicken (I arguably like the one at yawning cobra better). The chicken was so tender and juicy, and perfectly battered with a nice crisp. Did not feel too oily either which I loved. the fried chicken paired well with their cucumbers, which are extremely refreshing. The cucumbers were coated in a sauce which had a greek yogurt base, and the flavors of the greek yogurt were really refreshing. The sauce also had tiny bits of bacon in it, adding a unique twist to the dish. Overall, would highly recommend this bar. Service was great, ambiance is sleek, and food and drinks are delicious!

    mystic island, mercy mercy, tao pie pie
    Becky Z.

    I literally got lost trying to find Yawning Cobra, but once I arrived, I loved the design of everything, from the pixelated cobra on the napkins to the low light ambiance. I wish we had sat by the bar to watch the bartender make drinks because it was truly mesmerizing. The cocktails are amazing, with so many intricate and complex options to choose from, each with their own unique names. The menu is split into sections like sweet, sour, savory, and intense, and it felt like diving into a cool old style pixel game with how it's structured, almost like a story arc, like "Quest for Sour." Our waitress was super knowledgeable about the ingredients and where they come from, mostly Japan, and even told us about things like scallops being used in cocktails, which I thought was pretty crazy. I had the "Super Saiyajin" cocktail, which was made with vodka, beets, Shichimi chili pepper, chai, lime, and ginger beer. The most surprising part was the baby radish on top--it was so fresh, crunchy, and cold. The drink itself tasted like a whole garden, almost like a tomato garden vibe. We literally rotated through a bunch of cocktails like "Say Cheese," "Mercy Mercy Merci," "Tao Pie Pie," "Banana Panic," "Mystic Island," and "Green Grass of Home." "Green Grass of Home" tasted like whiskey, mostly, with a bitter matcha flavor--it was definitely picture worthy, as were all the drinks. "Mystic Island" was a huge kick to the face because it felt strong but subtle at the same time. The drinks range from $22 to $25, but I saw someone order a special $60 cocktail with Moutai, which is a unique and high quality Chinese liquor made from sorghum. We also had some food to share--mind I say the silverware was so beautiful. We got the wagyu ramen and karaage, and while the food was good, it didn't wow me since the bar is really known for its cocktails. The wagyu ramen broth was a bit too salty for my taste, but I enjoyed the texture of the noodles, and the wagyu tasted like standard beef. The karaage came with a few pieces and was definitely crunchy, though I felt it could've used a bit of pepper to add some extra kick. Overall, Yawning Cobra is a unique spot with a great atmosphere and excellent drinks, but the food is more of a nice addition rather than the main attraction. It's definitely pricey, but I'm excited to go back for more!

    Christina S.

    Cute new cocktail bar in Bowery perfect for a date night or catching up on the tea. Upon arrival you're greeted with some warm soup to prep your belly for what's about to happen. It was tasty by the way. My friend and I ordered some cocktails and shared the fried chicken- definitely recommend trying. Service was on point and vibes were just right. Definitely check it out.

    Sweet Potato cocktail - Imo Yaro

    See all

    4 months ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 5
    Love this 7
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Elvi T.
    1255
    758
    1743

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of David H.
    397
    2399
    4161

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tae K.
    0
    283
    4

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Yawning C.

    Yawning C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    Ask the Community - Yawning Cobra

    You might also consider

    Valerie

    Valerie

    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
    2.1 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.

    Photos
    Valerie
    Valerie
    Valerie

    See all

    Dear Irving on Broadway

    Dear Irving on Broadway

    4.5
    (40 reviews)
    2.6 mi

    Had an awesome time at Dear Irving. We recently celebrated a friend's birthday here. We were…read morekindly greeted when we entered and directed to the elevator leading to the event space. DI reserved an area between the bar and patio for the event. Enough room for our party to gather and not impede on other patrons. I found all of the staff to be very professional and attentive while very busy. The menu has a variety of small bite options, which was shared amongst the group. Everyone seemed to enjoy them, suggesting one another to try this or that. The bartenders/ mixologists were on their A game. The drink menu is pretty extensive and from what I could see, our party choices ranged from wines to whisky's and several options between. The rooftop/patio was an extension of the comfortable but trendy decor. Great space for an evening, date or friend gathering. Dear Irving... well done. Thank you for a wonderful evening.

    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.

    Photos
    Cocktails
    Cocktails
    Smoky & spicy cocktail it was ;-)
    Smoky & spicy cocktail it was ;-)
    Cocktail

    See all

    Cocktail
    Sunken Harbor Club

    Sunken Harbor Club

    4.5
    (117 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$$

    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.

    Photos
    View of the bar
    View of the bar
    Mary Pickford - IG @bougiefoodieboi
    Mary Pickford - IG @bougiefoodieboi
    Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner

    See all

    Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner
    Dear Strangers

    Dear Strangers

    4.3
    (29 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    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.

    Dear Strangers? Yes, they certainly treat you like one! This place is not good. They seemed…read moreunprepared to handle restaurant week. There weren't enough servers to handle the crowd and that was reflective in our dinner service. Despite being checked in on 0 times and having to flag them down for water, to order, and to get our check, their attitude wasn't warm or accommodating at all. It even came off like we were bothering our server when asking for basic things. The food was subpar. Didn't try the drinks. Maybe that's the savior? -Tuna tartare acceptable; nothing to write home about -Chicken dumplings tasted like chicken but had no bite to it. Weird and served on paper that resembled a crumpled receipt or used tissue. -Chicken cutlet was warm and soggy. No truffle flavor as advertised on the menu. Some creativity points for the accompanying foam dip but it didn't work. -Beef short rib was tasty but the single potato that come with it felt insulting and cheap. Really? One potato? -Pecan pie dessert and sorbet were really good. Sad way to finish, only enjoying the final course. Ambiance was good. Floors were super slippery because they were tiled on a snowy day. They should warn their guests about that. Lots of work to be done here and I will not be around to see it through!

    Photos
    Dear Strangers
    Dear Strangers
    Smoked chicken croquettes

    See all

    Smoked chicken croquettes
    The Dead Rabbit

    The Dead Rabbit

    4.2
    (2.1k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    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.

    The Dead Rabbit is a multi-story Irish pub featuring a lively traditional taproom downstairs and a…read moremore intimate parlor upstairs, each offering its own unique menu. I've visited the Parlor twice, and I strongly suggest booking a reservation weeks in advance--especially on weekdays--as walk-ins can be tough to secure. On my latest visit to celebrate a friend's birthday, we kicked things off with the Amazake Kick and Button Down cocktails. The Amazake Kick was balanced with just the right amount of sweetness, making it a fantastic starter. For food, we ordered the scotch egg, sliders, and fish and chips. The scotch egg was solid, though the sausage layer felt slightly dry this time around. The sliders were great, while the fish and chips were decent--nicely crispy, but the fish needed a bit more flavor seasoning. We tried several other drinks throughout the night, and my top three recommendations would be the Amazake Kick, Hotmail, and Lock & Key. If you're searching for a cozy spot with great drinks and light bites, this place is definitely worth adding to your list!

    Photos
    At the bar determining life decisions.
    At the bar determining life decisions.
    Irish Coffee
    Irish Coffee
    Jingle All The Way

    See all

    Jingle All The Way
    Steight

    Steight

    4.6
    (44 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    Very cute speakeasy hidden behind an empty hair salon. The decor was very fun, and I couldn't quite…read moretell what the theme was. It's a very small space, so it may be a bit of a wait for a seat. We came around 8:45 PM, and got a spot at the bar after about 20 minutes. We tried the yuzu contact and the ma-chet baker, and the ma-chet baker was definitely our favorite. It tasted just like a matcha latte, and I liked the bits of gen maicha in it. It wasn't very strong however. The yuzu contact was also very light and citrusy.

    yuzu highball mt highball…read more- highball was nice, basic, and refreshing; nothing much to note about but ive definitely had better - i liked the yuzu a bit more because the mt highball was a bit too alcoholic hojicha colada - hojicha is their seasonal menu and it also is my favorite! The tea was strong and fragrant - it is on the sweeter side, a bit like dessert, so i had to pair it with water, but it was still yummy and would recommend yuzu contact - this was alright! Typical yuzu but ive had better ones - personally feel like the yuzu can be brighter and a bit sweeter rating: 4/5 - the drinks were all good but nothing particularly stood out except for the hojicha colada - the vibe and the music really brought up my rating though! It was such a cute, cozy, intimate spot for dates - small speakeasy with only a few seats, similar to bars in japan; it's one of those japanese listening bars and i love it - there was light jazz in the background, not too loud that i had to shout - the mood was perfect; I couldn't stop staring at the interior decor and immerse myself in this little cozy corner - service was super quick, nothing much to note IG: @nom.noms.only

    Photos
    Oolong Punch
    Oolong Punch
    Sake Flight.
    Sake Flight.
    Steight

    See all

    Yawning Cobra - cocktailbars - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...