Ottos Shrunken Head in New York
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New York, New York County, New York, US
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Site: http://www.ottosshrunkenhead.com/
- Monday:Closed
- Tuesday:Closed
- Wednesday:4PM–1AM
- Thursday:4PM–1AM
- Friday:4PM–1AM
- Saturday:4PM–1AM
- Sunday:4PM–1AM
His is one of few places in New York which still offering a live music and gives opportunity to young musicians to show themselves. And visitors can see how music is developing nowadays. Besides you can have great cocktails, beer and wine in this place, which is very nicely decorated. Every time we come here we enjoy a lot. Thanks to the old school bars! Unfortunately this type of places getting less and less in NYC
Let me run this by y’all real quick;Incredible atmosphere, and some fantastic personalities are at the heart of this beast. Y’all are lucky that May and Amber (and company) are slinging drinks behind the bar, as they bring vibrance, fun, and a true tiki-inspired cocktail vibe to your Shrunken Head experience. Colorado Springs needed this place.
One of my favorite bars in Manhattan! This place is always a good time. The music is fun and the tiki drinks are solid. Using the restaurant next door to offer food is a stroke of genius. Really wish theyd take that one questionable tiki mug out of circulation though. However, will definitely be back for more tiki drinks and scallion pancakes!
This is a #1 NYC bar for me, Its just the right mix of punk and tropical. Normally with frozen drinks Im worries theyll be too strong and Ill regret them, but the ones at Ottos are very reasonable and my gf and I tried a few of them!We saw Labretta Suede & The Motel 6 playing in the back room and were surprised by how big the space was! Show was a great time with a lot of friendly folks and good sound.
This place has a great vibe. Awesome decor. The tiki drinks are excellent. Food was very good as well (might be supplied by next door?). The live DJ really brought the experience to the next level, awesome music.I would highly recommend this tiki bar. It has all the things that make for a great time.
This quintessential 14th street bar and all its wacky fun continues to thrive after the pandemic! New seating outside is great for the summer weather. Delicious Tiki drinks like are super delicious that they sneak up on you and before you know it you are having a grand time.Came to celebrate the summer solstice, we drank, we laughed, we wore brightly colored caftans as locals passed by. The favorite New York sport of people watching is back, and at Ottos with the outdoor seating its great
I ordered a seltzer with lime. The bartender scowled at me and asked me for ID. I was incredulous. I asked, You want ID (for soda water). She angrily barked yes. I found it super annoying. Also the Master of Ceremonies talked too much instead of letting the band start the show. Never again!
The drinks are so worth the money. Reasonable prices on beverages and good deals on souvenirs. The service is a little lacking, but the drinks are well worth the wait. I dont mind spending $20 on the beverage thats loaded with about $15 worth of liquor and I get to go home with a nice mug. Definitely worth it. I will be back.
I love Ottos. It might be my favorite bar in the entire city. The drinks are inventive and reasonable priced, they play cool music and oftentimes have live bands in the back. The bartenders are also great - Jodi is especially awesome. I always try to go there on her shifts if I can. All around great spot.
Interesting experience. I went there my first time for a rock and roll night. It was great. I tried their signature rum cocktails, while was ok, it felt a little fad.though not complaining much, I hedged with a rye neat.Music was great and the crowd very fun. Will go again.
After walking by several times, mistaking it for a voodoo place, I finally realized it is a tiki bar. It looks dark and creepy from outside. Well, inside it is still dark and creepy but there is live band and a busy bar vibe.They charge $15 for a cocktail, $5 for the creative mug. You can return the mug back for the $5 back or keep it. I tried the Shrunken Skirt, which is a rum with pineapple juice, mango juice and lime. It is sweet and tropical. The mug is a sexy Hawaiian hula girl shape. There is no way I can reject the mug!The live band plays some classy rock music from back in the days and I really enjoy the music and drinks here. The only weird thing is there are a lot of older folks hanging out here.Overall, it is a cute place to hang, listening to solid live band, delicious libation and people watching.
I have a special place in my soul for a good Tiki Bar, especially one thats cemented itself into the life-line of an every changing neighborhood like the East Village. All drinks are made to order and are awesome! They also have a small live music space in the back which is how I found this place the first time around. Cash Only. DONT STEAL THE MUGS!
Ottos is great! The drinks are weird and fun (and very alcoholic) and the bartenders are fast, despite having to make a ton of crazy drinks. Its dark and kinda seedy, as and good New York bar is. They occasionally have events, including a drag show, that are always super fun.
I have only been here once. Its a tiny hole in the wall place with interesting decor. The bartenders are really nice and beers are cheap. You can get run cocktails in cups that you can take home if you buy (around $15). There was a funny cover band playing when I went. They were all older men who played some old rock songs but werent very good. The crowd ranged from mid twenties to over 50. Not too crowded.Mind you this was around 6:30PM on a Thursday night. My friend recommended this place so I may go again and give it another shot. Maybe next time I will go later when there are more people.
I really like this bar and their live entertainment. The environment is a tikki theme and the drinks are great. For $20 you can buy a drink in a variety of cute mugs but if you dont keep the mug, you can return it after your drink and only pay the price of the drink (so you will be refunded some money). The people are nice and welcoming and alternative.
Looks like a fun place but its uptight and not fun. Be prepared to be carded ( Im 50 with gray hair) and be prepared to leave a deposit on your drinking glass. What could be a great fun place turns out to be a downer. Bar tender was not friendly. Credit card machine didnt work.
Ottos Shrunken Head is one of the coolest dive bars Ive been to. First of all its chill and unpretentious. Second of all, it isnt going to cost you an arm and a leg to buy a drink or a round of drinks. Third, you can set your group in the back and have your own open mic night, musical performance, or poetry reading. The place is yours.
Tiki bar drinks that will knock your socks off! My drink was glow in the dark! (Im not kidding.) They have their own take on the fruity classics. A little bit of juice, a little bit of that and a lot of alcohol. If youre in the mood to get tipsy in a colorful yet dark bar, this is your place. Good music too with bands in the back.
Not a typical tourist destination!Ottos is a crazy little dark punk rock bar with some of the best people watching anywhere. Drinks are very pricey for the locale & atmosphere, but HEY, its NYC so we expect that, right? They have interesting musical acts ranging from true punk to comical redneck country.
Kitschy as hell, but its meant to be, so its either more or less forgivable, and Im afraid I dont know which. Some of the best punk bands in the city play here, though, and the staff is pretty cool. Pretty good comedy show here most Fridays. The only catch is the drinks are very expensive.
CASH ONLY. Had to get that out of the way. They do have an ATM as well if you need cash.This place is great. Theyve got very friendly bartenders and live music in the back. Theyve got special drinks that you can even get in a special glass. Its really the only tiki bar in NYC (well only one that matters).Theyve also got a very good selection of beers, craft beers mind you, that are not stupidly expensive. Everything in this bar was affordable, which will deforest have me coming back for more.
Went while visiting nyc with friends. I love tiki bars and was excited to check this place out. Upon entering, we were greeted by an extremely rude bouncer. Direct quote from him, “didn’t ask, don’t care.” That was enough to send us on our way without even trying a drink. Take your business elsewhere.
Fun, rockabilly-meets-surf shack vibe. I know that tiki drinks have a lot of ingredients, but $14+ for a cocktail (even in NYC) is a little steep.Blasting music is fun, but renders conversation ineffective often, especially if its a live music vs. jukebox battle night.
Our band had a show here last night with our good friends who also played as well. Upon immediately entering the lounge, we were hoarded by two individuals asking for ID. The bartender, a red headed woman, was extremely disrespectful and not very courteous at all (Throughout the entire night). She asked us for our ID several times. I understand the strictness due to laws being enforced by the police, but she did so in a way that was not really necessary. She reprimanded my guitar player for bringing in his cabinet (which she claimed was too large) and said so in the most immature and inane way possible. The website clearly states that bands are welcome to bring their own gear. They also state that space is limited. Our top complaint with these guys is that they CONSTANTLY told us to turn down. If the booking manager or anyone else affiliated with Ottos reads this, LEARN TO LISTEN, ANALYZE, AND DRAW A CONCLUSION. Do NOT book bands that play loud music. They were very rude in this regard so please, do NOT play here if you are a loud band. These people need to learn a thing or two about respect. I am very happy that I did not tip the bartender. She was the absolute WORST! Will never go here again.
This place is a dive, but thats why its awesome. We were only in NYC for three nights, but we liked this place so much we went there two nights in a row. I plan on going back next time I am in NYC.For you tiki nerds out there - they have limited edition mugs made specifically for this bar.
Place was amazing! I’ve never been to a Tiki Dive Bar before. Great atmosphere and decor and of course fantastic bar menu with many fun drinks in tiki mugs! You can also buy the mug you want too. Be prepared to spend a little $, but’s it’s worth it, they do not skimp on the alcohol. Otto’s is a true hidden gem.
Went in here for drinks on a Friday afternoon with a friend. Dark and moody, the tv was also playing b-horror movies. Bartender was a little surly but wound up being pretty friendly by the end. Drinks were strong and appropriately priced. Kept my Singapore Sling glass- fun souvenier. Fun, laid back, punk rock tiki bar. Will return when I come back to NY.
I think its almost virtually impossible to not have a good time here.Whether youre a tourist, a rockabilly kid, or just an epic lover of all things tiki, this place has something for you.There are tons of different kinds of live music going on, almost every night, it seems.It would behoove you to check whats playing prior to arrival so you know how to dress! 😜
Now that Painkiller is closed, I think Ottos is definitely my favorite tiki bar in the city. Its actually great as an after work bar - mostly empty around 6pm and the music is great and not too loud. The tiki drinks are great and I like that you can keep the mugs for only $5. My favorite drinks are probably the Stormy Skull, which is basically a dark & stormy with coconut, and the glowing punch.
I had never been to a tiki bar before this and this was not what I expected.The location is in the East Village, really far East. Youll have to walk a block from the L train, which isnt too bad.When you first enter, youre greeted by a bouncer to check your ID. Your feet are greeted by a RX mortar and pestle mosaic. I can only assume that this used to be a pharmacy. Theres a bar to your right, booths to your right and a small stage in the back after the bathrooms.The place is light up dimly with a bunch of random tiki decorations. It feels a bit like a dive bar with a theme. There was only one bartender and she was very friendly but it took a while for drinks to be made as the night and more people came.The drinks themselves are so good! I had 3 of the Squealer which comes in a pig tiki mug. It was lychee and passion fruit slush ice with some form of alcohol. It was delicious. Each drink is $15 with the tiki mug, which is a bit expensive since the drinks werent too strong. Its an extra $6 if you want to keep the mug, which I thought was pretty cool. I didnt end up keeping mine because I already had 3 at home.Overall, a really cool place to go but get ready to spend money if youre trying to get drunk.
These are ratings that apply to someone wanting a dive bar experience. This is a dive bar (but, in the best possible meaning of the words). Relax, no ones judging you here. Behave likewise and youre quite likely to have a great time. Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae DJs every Wednesday (organized by Slackers guitarist Agent Jay).
Fun bar! Great adherence to theme. Specialty drinks are a bit pricy but tasty and they dont skimp on the alcohol. I got mine in a fun tiki glass cause Im a sucker for novelty drinkware.If youre coming for live music, its stuck in a small room in the back, and you cant hear much of anything up near the bar. Sucks that youll inevitably miss songs if you want a drink or to use the restroom during a set.
One of my top five bars in NYC. The music is really awesome, the regulars are trve, theres events there all the time and a stage area for live music and events. Beforewarned the place is pretty narrow and has booth seats. It can get pretty crowded quick. If youre familiar with Rudys in HK, youll know what I mean.Dont sleep on the tiki drinks. They taste great, they look silly but youll be slurring your words after the second one.Long and short? Dope music, heavy drinks and great bartenders. DO IT.
If you grew up in NYC or the metro and miss pre-gentrification Manhattan, this place is pretty great. I come here on Mondays for open mic night with a friend. It is, as you have probably gleaned from other reviews, an incredibly divey tiki bar. If that piques your interest, definitely visit. Its great!
If youre into dive bars, then this is the place. If youre not, walk right out. This place was real divey. It had a grungy and dirty feeling once I walked right in. It is a tiki theme bar, which has a performance room in the back for events. My party of 6 ordered a fish bowl. Prices were a bit steep for alphabet city. Not my cup of tea and not worth the trek.
A fun dive tiki bar, with special events in the back room. Maybe not the cleanest place in alphabet city, but the happy hour drink prices are good and the free comedy by no-name (most 2nd and 3rd Fridays) is a wacky blast (disclaimer, my wife played saxophone in the no-name back up band)
Awsome hidden Jem in Manhattan near 14th street. Found this place years ago for a friends birthday celebration been coming back year after year. They have beer on tap along with alcohol choices. But if you come here you gotta try one of ther many tiki drink options soo many to choose from. My go to is either the scurvvy dog or the Singapore sling. They even have frozen alcoholic drinks as well that are pretty damn good. The price for a tiki / frozen drink is $14 but its well worth it. Place is small and cozy with booths in the front and they have a back section wit more seats and thers always a music or comedy show going on. If your in the area def check it out.
Total reviews rating 4.4
199 Reviews for Ottos Shrunken Head 2023:
Review №1
2022-07-11This was on m bucket list for my NYC visit and it didnt disappoint. Really great cocktails and a surprising great (and quirky) open mic session by the local talent.
Review №2
2021-11-07Ill be brief: in this bar youll get the coolest experience ever.Drinks are cool, they are based in specific names and tiki mugs. Strongly recommend the one that glows in the dark and the volcano with fire in it!Live music is very nice, punk / rockabilly bands with a very interesting vibe. You can dance and have a good time!Staff is very friendly.
Review №3
2022-04-08We had fun! Would have been five stars if their tiki drinks had crushed ice. Not a deal breaker, just an observation. AMAZING dumplings and so affordable! Also, its only $7 to keep the tiki mug -- its the best deal on a cool souvenir we came across! We rode the subway to get here and back, so its not hard to find. Fun music and fun crowd.
Review №4
2022-06-17Very nice drinks (definitely worth the price, lovely bartenders, and fun vibe
Review №5
2022-06-15Very kind people - great place for a little get together! Nell was so kind over email helping me, and Natasha and Joan were great bartenders!
Review №6
2022-04-18Very rude woman tending the bar. I was clearly waiting there, and she served 2 other customers before me who went up to the bar after me. I pointed this out, she didnt care, and retorted, Well, Im not psychic, how would I know. As if you need to be psychic to see that there is someone standing there. Why else would I be standing there?The other bartender who went to our table was very attentive however.(I added another star because management responded to my complaint and said they would speak with her.)
Review №7
2022-04-23Bouncer guy didn’t let me and my lady in all because she has a temporary ID. If he would had allow us to explain, we would have told him that she had to forfeit her State of NJ ID to get a NYS one. However, not only was his delivery and tone very unnecessary, it wasn’t warranted. We wasn’t aggressive at all. He shoved us to the side and let others in. Going to take our business elsewhere.
Review №8
2022-05-29Nice tiki spot with dive energy, tho uptown prices. 100% worth tho. Make sure to grab a mug
Review №9
2022-04-18A really cool and chill spot. The drinks are fun and themed. The decor and drinks are tiki themed.
Review №10
2021-12-17I had a good time the vibe was cozy and the drinks were great. I performed for the Christmas celebration