Takeaway
Yes
The Bar Downstairs and Kitchen in New York
Categories
Location on the map
New York, New York County, New York, US
Service options
Dine-in
Yes
Delivery
No
Highlights
Fast service
Yes
Popular for
Breakfast
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Solo dining
Yes
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible car park
No
Offerings
Alcohol
Yes
Beer
Yes
Cocktails
Yes
Coffee
Yes
Food
Yes
Food at bar
Yes
Late-night food
Yes
Small plates
Yes
Spirits
Yes
Wine
Yes
Dining options
Breakfast
Yes
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Dessert
Yes
Amenities
Bar on site
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Atmosphere
Cosy
Yes
Upmarket
Yes
Crowd
Groups
Yes
Tourists
Yes
Planning
Accepts reservations
Yes
Phone: +1 212-601-1234
Site: https://uqr.to/ygd7
Site: https://uqr.to/ygd7
Opening hours
- Monday:6:30AM–12PM
- Tuesday:6:30AM–12PM
- Wednesday:6:30AM–12PM
- Thursday:6:30AM–12PM
- Friday:6:30AM–12PM
- Saturday:7AM–12PM
- Sunday:7AM–12PM
Comments (181)
A perennial favorite. They pay a great deal of attention to every cocktail and the open setup of the bar is unique. Never eaten beyond some light appetizers, but they have always been top notch.
Food and drinks were delicious, and the service was great!! Ill definitely be back!
Very modern. Very NYC. Adorable date spot. Creative and tasty cocktails.
Great bar program, friendly service, elegant space!
Just really delicious food and drinks! Service is excellent!
Chill spot. Very dark, good drinks and cool decor.
My girlfriend and I went there Saturday night after dinner for a drink. The place did not disappoint. The bartender was very kind and knowledgeable. I told him what I was in the most to drink and he guided me to The Leveled Rays and it was delicious! My girlfriend went with Poetry in Motion, which was equally as delicious. Unfortunately, we get there a little after last call so we were only able to enjoy one hand crafted cocktail each.
Awesome vibe, amazing wait staff and good drinks.
Overpriced and old! A coffee place without an expressi machine which means only regular black coffee that costs 5 bucks. Ok breakfast
I was in here often as we were staying at the hotel, but only once did I go to eat. Husband and I went for breakfast one morning and oh boy, was it pricey. I had the lemon pancake and he had a skillet of some kind (I can’t remember the name). We both had coffee and he also had an orange juice. Let me just say, just the plain black coffee was $5.50. Per coffee. Didn’t realize this when I ordered it. Being just a black coffee drinker, I don’t usually check price before I order it since it’s not usually that expensive. I can’t remember the exact price on our individual dishes but our total was almost $70. For 2 people. For breakfast. The pancake was also HUGE so even though it was really, really good, I felt like I couldn’t eat my money’s worth. We also couldn’t take it with us, unfortunately. My husband also enjoyed his food, but we still felt it wasn’t quite worth the price. Service was great and the ambiance is pretty nice in the morning, in contrast to the loud evenings, so if you don’t mind the price, go for it. I would do it again for that lemon pancake, but I’d probably stick with *just* the pancake. 5 stars for the overall experience, though!
Nope. Great drinks. But incredibly loud and uncomfortable. Everyone is too close together at the tables. Seats are very uncomfortable.Theres zero sound work in the design so literally everything echoes. This place doesnt know want it wants to be. If youre going for a community vibe? Great. But you cant do that AND pretend to be a sexy lounge at the exact same time. The two dont play nicely together. Went on a date here and couldnt wait to leave. Too loud. Not at all romantic.Cute menu and good service, but definitely do not come here for a date. Off hours? Maaaaaaybe.Definitely could be fun with a bunch of people though. But yeah. The marketing team behind this concept? Nope.....just nope. (And I have 15 years of marketing experience under my belt plus most of my clients are hospitality.... so Im not speaking just for the sake of hearing myself talk.
Visited a while back for lunch with my coworker on her recommendation as she always stops for coffee and a pastry in the morning (which Ive sampled and they have always been delicious little bites of satisfaction).We used the walk-up bar and not the restaurant portion. Chose the Chicken Schnitzel sandwich which was served on a baguette with arugula and mayo and a pickle on the side.Sandwich was very good. Decent size for lunch as I am full but not stuffed and there was just the right amount of mayo to make it moist and not dry. Schnitzel was seasoned and fried perfectly. Im not a fan of pickles but this one was not bad. The cashier actually brought our food to the small bench/table we were sitting at which was nice. She also brought pots of tea to the customers who had ordered that.I enjoyed looking at the various pots of syrups and things that they had for sale and would probably end up buying something if I was there too long. The general decor is very nice and I would definitely come here on a lunch date or for a small business lunch.Sandwich was worth the 10.50 price. (Though we were slightly appalled that they have Porridge on their menu for 9.75 while a breakfast sandwich is only 7.25... what kind of porridge is it???)
Drinks good. Strong mildew smell though
The people here are so rude. Wanted to get a nice bottle of wine, some appetizers and dessert. Nope. “Have to order something off the lunch menu” “per their ordinance” which place down the street said doesn’t exist. Since when is something off the appetizer menu not “lunch”. Called back and the same uneducated guy pretended he was the manager. Nice try. Feel like pretty woman. Went down street and our bill was $374 plus tip. Their loss. Nicest people at Annie Moore’s around the corner. Will make sure my family doesn’t ever try to go there again.
Classy, hidden little gem in the heart of Midtown East. Located in the basement of the Andaz Hotel, this upscale bar and restaurant has a great cocktail menu.
Worth a 20 minute subway ride.A friend recommended I go here when I asked for: a happy hour spot with a fun vibe, ideal for big groups, good drinks, tasty small plates, and easily accessible. She didnt disappoint. It can get really noisy so be prepared to lose your voice by the end of the night. The drink selection was great and the food was pretty good too, although I will say that the plates are individual snack size and priced high so be warned if youre really hungry. I do recommend you make a reservation, which leads me to my only real complaint. Their reservation system makes you go through FB. If you cant find the time you need call the hotel and ask to be transferred over to the bar, they usually have more availability that way.
Had a great time here for some after work adult beverages and snacks. Service was super quick and friendly. Mixed drinks were good. Tried the Smoked Sazerac and the presentation was pretty cool.
The restaurant isnt called the shop anymore and its in the basement. We were extremely surprised at the prices for they food being offered. The least expensive items were way overpriced even for NYC pricing which made the actual meals being offered much more expensive than we expected. The actual food was good but not at all worth the money and one member of our party was served something that had to be taken off the bill it was so unappealing (not a food safety issue but their sweet bagels had been stored with the savory ones and all of them tasted strongly of garlic)
Amazing food and drinks but the service was incredibly slow. Very small plates, order as if they are tapas. Between the two of us we got 5 plates. The grilled octopus was my favorite, and I dont ever like octopus. My husbands favorite were the chorizo croquettes.
It’s not a bar, it’s a fancy restaurant. I don’t know if I have to put 4 or 5 stars due to the price.The appetizers almost cost $25 and the large (not really large $39)Nice atmosphere, wise mix of food, tiny warm place but I suggest to enlarge the tables then we can enjoy the dinner lolOverall the food is AMAZING !!
What can I say? This place is my guilty pleasure when I come to New York. The quality of food and service is outstanding. My go to is the Pisco Sour. They do cocktails and they do them right. Stop in (if you can find it) and you wont be disappointed. Only request. Dont spread the word to folks you wouldnt want in your bar downstairs. The vibe is awesome so lets keep it that way! Cheers!
Tapas is traditional, cheap Spanish bar food. The tapas at The Bar Downstairs is not good enough for the astronomical price. Cool place to check out for a drink, and maybe one dish if you are trying to impress a date - unless he/she is Spanish. We tried a few and none were memorable.
I usually never write reviews, but this time i just had to!!! we we recommended to go to this restaurant, once we came in it looked nice and cozy. there was 4 of us ( adults ) and 2 children ( 1 year old) . we got our food pretty fast, it was ok, nothing special. but once we got our bill, we were shocked!!!! they charged us 20% graduate charge for party over 5 people.!!!! again there was only 4 adults!!!! our kids are 1!!!!! no one told us, that they have this policy, not hostess, not waiter. when i asked to speak with manager, hostess told me that SHE is the manager, which was total BS!!! the staff didnt even want to work with us, to accommodate us somehow. we had brunch for over $200!!! thats crazy!!! oh they have it written down in the menu, in such a small letters, that NO ONE will ever pay attention to that ! or anyone would think that anyone would charge 20% when u have a party of 4 adults, and 2 toddlers !!! dont ever go there. there are lots and lots of restaurants in NYC, go there!
This place was fun! The staff was super friendly, the food was great and the drinks were tasty. I will definitely be going back soon.
Its hidden away underneath another restaurant. Very easy to miss. The place does get packed during happy hours and there may be a wait. The drinks were good and the vibe and decor of the place made it feel cozy. Only gripe is it closes too early. The place is pretty much dead by 11. Extend the hours!!
Very nice find! They accommodated our large team rather quickly. Excellent customer service. Interesting cocktail list. This is definitely a little upscale, so expect a heavy check:)
The door is somewhat difficult to operate, but once youre inside, this is a solid bar with great drinks, a nice atmosphere and good service. While that might be par for the course downtown, this is certainly one of the better bars in the slightly barren area around Bryant Park.
I finally ventured into The Shop today after being told about it by my coworkers. The coffee shop is very small with about 10 stools for sitting and a tall counter to order your coffee or pastry. The coffee selection is pretty solid: mochas, lattes, French press, iced or hot and a tea selection to match. The drinks are priced pretty fairly ($2.50 for a small French press) but the kicker is the food. A small chocolate bar is $10, I paid $2.50 for the Lil Devil a bite-size chocolate-covered devils food cake, that actually was very delicious but quite filling. The restaurant opens up into a much larger and taller space with very comfortable looking seating. I imagine the prices arent any cheaper there, but it looks like a nice place to cozy up for lunch during a rainy day. Id come back for the coffee!
The paella was horrible! I brought two of my friends from Barcelona and they couldnt be more dissatisfied with the food. We had the croquettes which were average, no taste whatsoever. We had patatas bravas, and the pan con tomate both not good. We finally had the skirt steak- which was pretty good and the paella that was horrible. We all hated it. We left the plate intact. If you know how a Paella is supposed to taste then dont try it here.The drinks were pretty good.
Fun trendy hip underground bar with a secret vibe. Cocktails are high quality and are served with flair.
Brilliant menu, excellent service. Love the food options as well
If youre looking for an overpriced restaurant with loud thumping music, poor service, uncomfortable seating, small portions and a pretentious feel this is definitely the place for you. If you dont like that kind of stuff you should probably steer clear.
Nice atmosphere, friendly staff, a very well-rounded place.
The cocktails are stellar at this basement bar with predominantly community tables, but the acoustics mean you have to shout at your date across the slightly too wide tables, to be heard over the din. Good for groups but get a rez.
A nice, hidden bar thats great for small to medium size groups. Cocktails are good but are pricey. A nice high end setting.
The mind races, the body wants to settle, and nothing more than...well flowering thoughts of redemption and harrowing hearts escaping my lumbering serpitude that have crafted upon the hours of inhibitions. Make of it what you want, but please, please, get Stephanie to make you a Southpaw with the passion it deserves.
Great ambience. An almost hidden doorway gives this place a hidden gem vibe. Awesome date spot, or just a night on the town. Though theyre open to midnight, kitchen closes earlier.
Great hidden spot, which avoids the tourist traffic in a high tourist area. Nice selection of cocktails and wine.
Good selection of mixed drinks. they close surprisingly early most nights. Dress a little nicer than casual, and seating is limited. Noise level is moderate.
Pleasant service, good crowd, music not too loud, adequate lighting. Tables are wide enough to keep food and drinks on, but not too wide to raise the voice in order to be heard. We were there immediately after opening, so not really sure how crowded it might get later at night. My experience was awesome.
Delicious food and the dessert was over the top Plus the service was outstanding! Im so glad I finally checked it out instead of eating in my room upstairs... 😊🌺🦄
Cool atmosphere, amazing food, would recommend to anyone
Good music, great service but expensive drinks and wine.
Pricey but good and a great place to cool off in the summer right across from the old Library at Bryant Park. Great appetizers and you cant go wrong with their drinks.
Fresh food, amazing service! Loved our waiter!
Get here when it first opens because it fills up fast. Great drinks, pricy but good bites, and this bar has the perfect atmosphere for a date or meeting friends.
Great cosy little hidden spot for cocktails and tapas in midtown.
Great specialty drinks and great atmosphere!
Excellent all around - service, vibe, food. Pretty darn perfect.
Going to a bar in a hotel can be hit or miss but Bar Downstairs is certainly worth a visit. The perfect mix of well made cocktails, welcoming space and great food make it a great option.
An amazing cocktails, food and a good vibe
Great bar for an after work drink
Very cool basement joint ... but it works best if youre using a card that lets you write off the big expense
Fun place for drinks if youre at Bryant park / midtown. Cocktails and apps are great but a bit pricy
I dont like the large communal tables. There are no bar seats or standing area. Only good for large groups. Bad for dates.
Service was rude and unaccommodating. My party was asked to move 4 times. Drinks and food were great but I will not be returning.
My girlfriend and I were visiting from Texas very excited to try out this bar that many of our friends told ya to try. When we get there we are greeted by the hostess with absolutely 0 enthusiasm. That’s fine, I get it. She then tells us it’s a 20 minute wait. We said no problem, we understand. We go sit down and 5 minutes later a White couple came in and were seated IMMEDIATELY. They could not give me an answer as to why. This establishment is racist and it’s very unfortunate. Seriously have never been so disrespected or upset with an establishment.
Great atmosphere, to me it was a hidden gem that I will definitely be going back to
This is also the breakfast restaurant for the Hyatt Andaz upstairs and its excellent. Lobster scrambled eggs and some green juice and a cappuccino.
Horrible customer service and they pick and choose who they want to give their seats to. I’ve seen many people being turned away regardless of the place being empty. Take your business somewhere else because they don’t appreciate their customers.
Stylish bar and kitchen. A tad pricey, but great service, present without being overbearing. Food was delicious
Unless youre looking for a pub or sports bar, this is as good a watering hole as it gets in midtown. The fact that they take online reservations is a big plus. The space is large and nice, the food is good and the cocktails are great, if not quite state-of-NYCs-art. They do make an excellent Boulevardier, though.
Fantastic cocktail menu! Patatas bravas are always a great tapas here, and either paella!
Awesome, high end bar. Hidden in plain sight close to Bryant Park. Tasty appetizers.
Great ambience. Lunch was very good, especially the salad.
Swank, somewhat hidden, and a great list of booze free fancy drinks (in addition to tasty apps and plenty of real cocktails)
{The shop}. This name numerically adds to number of sun. One of the best number if match with ur birth date. Number of fame wealth etc. Can switch to different number that match your birthdate.👍📩
Fab place to eat & drink. We visited for a chilled coffee, fresh lemonade & peanut butter cookies. All of which were delicious.
Excellent atmosphere, selection, and service. If I were to express one tiff it would be that when ordering a (small) $18 standard Titos martini there should not be so much exasperation when requesting tabasco sauce, especially considering that the spicy little bottles are a main part of the bar decor. Otherwise great.
For hotel restaurant it is really good!
Stylish bar and ok drink. $18 a cocktail.
Nice atmosphere. But all the drinks were a bit too weak and sweet
Very nice staff, and the food tasted great! Its a bit pricey though.
Great Food...however the hostess on Friday evening, October 14, 2016 was the rudest Ive ever encountered in NYC over the 29 years Ive lived here.
Fun modern bar spot
Great drinks and tapas for after work.
This is right opposite to the NY Public Library on 5th Ave. Nice place to hang out with friends for a drink after work in the city. NYC prices though..and hence one star less
Lovely! Great food and drink. The basement location makes sound echo, so dont expect it to be quiet.
Chic hidden bar, great cocktails
This coffee place is no longer in that address 5avenue. I called the hotel (since it looks like the place is inside a hotel installations) and they told me it was closed. I was looking for it on the first week of august 2018.
Good ambiance, good drinks, good appetizers.
Liked the bfast more than dinner. Loved the lobster toast
Great spot food was good so was the service. A very good list of cocktails.
If half stars was possible, Id give it 2.5. SUPER loud. Cocktails were good, but pricey. The communal seating was okay, but felt incongruous to the luxury priced cocktails.
Good . Clean and big bar
Great service and great drinks! Thanks Michael!
Its was ok. First time there for lunch. The chicken schnitzel wasnt too bad.
Great energy to go with coworkers. Over-priced but YOLO
Great mixologists with a gear selection of unique cocktails. Small plates are good as well
Hip, bourgeois drinking place with a nice staff.
Drinks are to die for...so delicious especiall the weekday warrior.
Beautiful place and friendly staff (in not-so-busy hour). A potential rendezvous if you’re nearby.
Menu is limited which is in a way its good as you are sure you will get fresh and made to order stuff.
Great place for a professional business lunch, without breaking the bank. The dishes are quality and fresh.
Relaxing and nice atmosphere
Great place for work drink
Great food and atmosphere
Good place for small to medium size groups.Service okay. Much more of a corporate after work crowd
Very good cocktails and bar food. Dont skip the desert, it is excellent.
Chic coffee shop with a super friendly staff and great coffee! Good spot for a meeting or to just pop in for a cup of joe!
Took care of us even though we were a huge group and came in super late. They were great!
Great cocktails and warm decor. Very swanky.
Great ambience, the food was very good. However, the seating was slightly uncomfortable
Love the mixed drinks and Tapas
Solid happy hour spot
Hostess is on top of her game. Bartenders keep the action going. If you cant have a good time. Its on you.
Nice place. A bit too underground for my liking. Good selection of spirits.
They aint have no Henny but it was cool. Lol
Nice ambience and food was ok.... Nice little place for drinks and not too loud.
Because the bartenders makes fresh drinks and the food is very tasteful
Excellent venue for an after work night out. Fantastic atmosphere.
Went for breakfast, food was good, coffee was waterey and overall terrible, especially for $5.50.
Nice spot for a drink if you can grab a stool in the window overlooking 5th Avenue.
Really nice Saturday breakfast/brunch. Creative dishes
Not a bar at all, cant just sit down and order a drink without being rudely told that you need to see the hostess
With a speak-easy feel, this spacious underground bar sets the standard for a superb cocktail outing in Manhattan. Long, community-style tables and dim dramatic lighting provide a humble balance to the intricate cocktail menu. The staff helps patrons work past their ‘vodka and soda’ routine by asking questions and providing off-the-menu, palette-expanding suggestions. If you want to impress a date (or friend visiting from out of town), The Bar Downstairs is your new go-to.
Pricey, upscale, tapas, specialty cocktailsLove it!
Interesting drink options
Pretty good cocktails, but overpriced (even for NY)
Favorite midtown spot when the weathers bad
Interior is nice. Food is good. Pricey tho.
Place is very good.
Ok spanish food spot
Been there only for lunch. Love it -delicious small plates.
Cozy and chill. Excellent cocktails and bartenders
My favorite place in midtown for a professional or client breakfast meeting.
Amazing appetizers, and delicous small plates.
Good place to hangout
Good bear, great food!
Started with great martini and just got better. Thoroughly impressive.
Good atmosphere. Pricey drinks
Limited menu and expensive. Good service.
*mos def not a coffee shop, but an excellent wine cafe bar!!
Fancy spot, kind of pricey but cool vibe
I appreciate the work and the art in this little coffee shop.
Great atmosphere.
Hard to find but good and service were great
Ok food, small portion and expensive.
Great drinks!!!
Overpriced with poor wine selection.
Moody setting with an extensive cocktail list.
Great breakfast, pops scrambled eggs
Nice quiet place, friendly staff
So cozy great cocktails
Good
Cool place
I came, I drank, I chatted. It was fun
Good ambiance & drinks
Cool tapas bar in Midtown
My one if the favorite place
A place you need to visit while in NYC
Expensive, but a fun night.
Too noisy
Great place to take a date.
Trendy, good date spot
Quite and nice cocktails
Chic!
Overpriced and sub-par service
Excellent
Overpriced and hard to find
Chic place and nicely located
Too expensive for what it is
Cool coffee shop
Cozy and nice atmospherePrice a bit high
Still an insider tip? In the basement of the (also very beautiful) Hotel Andaz near Bryant Park - cool location / cool music - and (in addition to a small selection of food - fantastic cocktails, unusual creations, no Mai Tai etc (e.g. Serpents Needle - base including tequila + mescal, great) ).
Nice decor, assorted cocktails
They eat excellent
Great
Good location.
Sweet
Excellent!
Total reviews rating 4.3
181 Reviews for The Bar Downstairs and Kitchen 2023:
Review №1
2021-12-29This is a really nice find. Warm and intimate atmosphere. They serve delicious food and unique cocktails that are great. My waitress Diane was also terrific!I loved the HOUSE SMOKED SAZERAC | 18 rye whiskey, cognac, demerara, peychauds, angostura bitters, absinthe rinse, smokedapple wood.I also enjoyed the Acorn Squash Humas and Shishito Peppers!I will be back again for sure!
Review №2
2022-07-10This place was amazing. From the live music, the food, definitely the cocktails, over all the customer service the bartenders/mixologists were very good. It was steady downstairs and we were lucky we didn’t have to do a reservation they still took us in however keep an eye out just in case you might need to do a reservation for future reference.
Review №3
2018-10-21Midiocare over priced food. Sporadic slow service. No alcohol for brunch even though they have a full bar. Just skip.
Review №4
2022-03-26Wish I knew this place a long time ago! Nice low profile bar right by NYPL.I have to make this a pit stop with one drink but coming back for more and food.
Review №5
2017-06-09The Bar Downstairs has a sign right next to a super bright and uniquely designed door. But, you don’t immediately think it is a door to a bar by looking at it. I actually remember walking by here on my way to somewhere else, thinking it is an interesting “graffiti”…The inside was dimly lit, and much bigger than I thought. One thing about having a restaurant or bar in the basement is that there is a chance you can get a pretty good size space. Here, they had large sofas, low tables and chair by the entrance, showing off the large open space.They have a lot of seating, all around the walls, by the bar, and everywhere in between. The tables in the open space were big long tables, meant to be shared among many customers. They have smaller tables around the wall, smaller size for two or possibly three people if you squeeze into it.We started off with a couple of cocktails, Gin Gin Mule and Vodka Cobbler. They came in a nice large glass, high quality and tasty. With the portion and quality of the drink, I thought it was worth the price tag. For food, we ordered Papas Bravas and Shishito peppers. They were both great, addictive and tasty. We had two more cocktails, Airmail and Pisco Sour before ending the night. They were both classy and delicious.The service was friendly and we had a really nice, relaxing time here. The cocktails were great, and the little snacks we had were both tasty also. With its spacious interior, it didn’t feel crowded the entire time we were there, and we never felt like we were being rushed. Read my full review of this bar/lounge and the food on my food blog, foodlovergirl.
Review №6
2016-11-24Hotel bar with low, deep wooden chairs. The setting is very attractive and relaxed and there is an excellent view of the the library. Drinks selection is broad enough and service excellent. Toilets are oddly located on floor 2 but this gives a great view of some of the other aspects of the hotel (this is what the pics are of)
Review №7
2018-02-23Great food, drinks and service.... And its in a basement. This secret bar is truly a hidden gem.
Review №8
2022-03-21No ice cream for dessert. No hospitality to go with it either. Being in a high end Hyatt, the expectation was to high and we were let down. Would not make a special trip to dine here and if we stayed at Andaz, we will most likely walk down the street rather than walk down the stairs to this place.
Review №9
2021-12-10We had our company holiday party at The Bar Downstairs and it went perfectly! They blocked off the perfect amount of space for our group of about 25. The food and cocktails were amazing, as they always are. But most importantly, the staff were excellent. Special shout out to Fernando who makes the BEST cocktails in New York City!!!
Review №10
2018-04-27Out of the way tapas bar. As the name implies, its downstairs under the hotel so isnt somewhere youd find accidentally. Food is tasty, recommend the shrimp & the croquettes. Can get noisy though, we had to lean & shout over the table to have a conversation at times.