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Arlene's Grocery
Categories: Nightlife Karaoke Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Nightlife Bars Dive Bars Karaoke, Music Venues, Dive Bars [Edit]
95 Stanton St(between Orchard St & Ludlow St)
New York, NY 10002
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
(212) 358-1633
- Nearest Transit:
-
2 Av (F)
Delancey St (F)
Essex St (J, M, Z)
- Hours:
Mon, Thu-Sat 4 pm - 4 am
Tue-Wed, Sun 4 pm - 2 am
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Hipster
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
137 reviews for Arlene's Grocery
Review Highlights
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"On Monday's there is Rock n Roll Karaoke." In 6 reviews -
"...locations where Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist got filmed." In 3 reviews -
"I went here to see a favorite band of mine - ZO2." In 46 reviews
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137 reviews in English
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Review from Rhonda W.
5/9/2012
OMG fun. Get up on that stage and sign to your little hearts rocked out content, as a real live band gives you the loads of support that you need. A little shy and tone deaf, me too, but no worries there is plenty of liquid courage to go around at the two bars that service this finely dive-ish like establishment.
Monday nights are Karoke night, for the singer that I am in the shower, I love this place. Hope to come back another monday night when I don't have to work the following day. -
Review from John K.
5/18/2012
Bartender here asked me to tip him.
(I only had 1 beer)
I should have first off (I did end up tipping him), but still, you don't ask..
Divey
Good if you watch bands I guess, but otherwise, just a dark dirty smelly dive bar. -
Review from Vineet S.
5/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
This is a nice little joint which I feel is a mix of a dive bar and a karaoke place. When we walked in on Thursday evening there was no cover to get in but they usually have $10 bucks as cover charge on the weekends.
This place is divided into two section with upstairs being the bar and downstairs can be a karaoke lounge or some band might be playing depending on the day of the week. They have different bands playing all the time so check the schedule before going in.Can't comment on drinks since we didn't drink here. The bouncer on the door was cool. I will come back to check out different bands. -
Review from Celia Y.
4/25/2012 1 photo
Nice venue, especially if you want to see some live shows. They have a pretty open area for band performances, with an open space for the crowd. For those of you who like to sit back, relax, and watch the show, it's not going to happen because there are only a few tables and chairs in that area.
Bartenders are friendly. Great selection for beers, but I don't really recommend getting mixed drinks. 10$ for a tiny glass full of ice! But I did get lucky the second time and had a stronger mix.
Warning: It's not cash only, BUT you do need cash! Unless you plan on ordering a minimum of $20 on your card.
Great place to chill and watch performances if you're with a group of friends! I will definitely come back to check out other bands playing. -
Review from Vivian H.
4/15/2012
My friend's band was having a CD release party here last night and finally, I got to experience this venue. And boy am I excited about this place. Well, it is no wonder they are still in business.
We helped my friend at the merch table and sold CDs and T-shirts and we got to see the whole show for free. Radical dude!
What I really like about this place is that the band gets to play in a separate room, equipped with its own full bar, and sound system with engineer.
Everything sounded excellent in here, there wasn't anything blaring, and or anything that sounded scruffy. The music came out crystal clear.
I would def come back to this venue for other shows. Thanks for making my friend's CD release party a success! The whole room was full of people!
Check out my friend's band here:
http://changingmodes.com/ -
Review from Louise P.
4/26/2012
The doorman was a dick. He asked me what band I was there to see and I wasn't sure as they were friends of a friend. Then when I got the name of the band I went to the doorman to let him know and he yelled at me that he was busy. Busy doing NOTHING, nobody was even at the door.
It was crowded and the sound wasn't that great. I like dive bars and dirty places to see shows but not when the employees are rude. -
Review from Isabel L.
4/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Rock n Roll Karaoke on Monday night...this is how we should ALL kick off our week !!!
you pick a song, wait for your name and you get to go up on stage and sing like a rock star. They have a rock band that plays the song live. No worries if you miss a beat cuz they're help you sing some of it too !!
Gotta mention that JUST because they call it karaoke, no one that goes up this stage are actually at the beginners level .. most sound like professionals ...or have been practicing in mom's basement since they were 5..
After all, This is the lower east side we are talking about -
Review from Julia D.
3/12/2012
Best Karaoke I've ever been to. Friday Rock n' Roll Karaoke is absolutely the best way to cap off a Friday night where you've already been drinking quite a bit and have a taste for fame and fortune. Well, maybe not fortune (the cover is $10).
It's the only place I've ever been to where you actually sing up on a stage, along with a real band, with the whole audience singing and head-banging to your glorious singing/screaming. You will definitely find me here on many Fridays to come fulfilling my rocker-girl destiny. -
Review from Jordan S.
3/4/2012
While a little too big to be a hole-in-the-wall, it's definitely not big enough to feel like a meat market. But Arlene's in general is hard to classify, which makes it great.
In order to continue this review, I have to make a shocking confession: I am not a hipster(cue Nixon-esque jowl shaking).I really thought that fact would temper my experience here, but that wasn't the case.
For the lowly price of $10 each, we managed to see two bands the likes of which we probably never would have otherwise. She preferred the musical stylings of Cats Galore, while I shrieked like a schoolgirl for Electric Black Horse. In addition to the cover being cheap, the drinks are fairly inexpensive as well.
The layout, to me, is really the defining feature of this place. The stage is not much higher than the floor, so in spite of the room having a decent length, you'll always feel pretty close to the performers. If you manage to get to the very front of the room(not always a difficult proposition), refrain from touching the performers. They're that close.
The crowd is pretty varied, so even if you don't know all the artists playing that night(highly likely), don't assume you'll get heckled by Claude from your office, who's been listening to Of Montreal since he was in utero. Yes, Claude, Florence + The Machine is great. No, Claude, I don't want to borrow your kafiya. In other words, this place is mostly free from the jaded oneupsmanship that can sometimes plague other Lower East Side spots. If you're looking for a fun, outside-the-box night out, you could do a lot worse than Arlene's.
PS. If you can, go on a night when a band is having a video release party.
PPS. The roadie(well, he's not technically on the road, since he works for the bar, but calling him A/V guy seemed like a slight) looks uncannily like Bret Michaels.
PPPS. Do not call the roadie Bert Michaels. He won't laugh. -
Review from Marissa C.
Jersey City, NJ
3/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've been here in the past to see Otterclan perform and came back here again on St Patty's Day to see the same band perform under a new name - Folding Legs.
Great bands, good drink specials. While it can get crowded, its an awesome space and if I still have enough room to jam out and dance around then its the perfect amount of crowded. Who would really want to see a band perform in front of a sparse crowd? That just isn't the scene. Plus they keep a count of all the people in the bar (both upstairs and downstairs) and as the crowd empties out between each of the bands' gigs they let more people in. There is a $10 cover charge to go downstairs where the stage is, but its worth it.
I'll definitely be back, especially if the Folding Legs keep playing there! They have a great following. -
Review from Sarah K.
4/3/2012
I've only been for the Monday karaoke so this review will be about that.
This was my third time at the karaoke, I actually planned my trip to New York so I would be there on a Monday just so I could go to Arlene's, it's that good.
I hate karaoke. Seriously. If I ever get dragged to a karaoke bar I have to get totally wasted to sing along (never on the mic) but complain all night about how karaoke bars are full of screechy women and pervy men. Arlene's is NOT like this. It was my boyfriend's first time and he was prepared to hate it (he hates karaoke more than I do) and I kept asking him to keep an open mind.
We arrived a little early - karaoke starts at 10pm - and were there to see the campest singer I'd seen outside a gay bar screeching out songs we'd never heard of, being fake and a bit of a tool. My panic set in that my bf was forming an opinion of Arlene's based on this and I kept telling him the karaoke would be totally different. It was.
What makes Arlene's karaoke different? A few things - the 'host' who is both funny and awesome, the theatrics (where else do you get a shrine to the song book?), the actual amazing backing band rather than a sucky tape, the random mix of people in the crowd and most importantly the singers. There are a couple of 'normal' karaoke singers who the host tries to get crown support for but then there are REAL singers. Like, people who you would consider going to a gig to see. They are mostly regulars it seems, do a great performance and make it enjoyable to watch as opposed to your usual karaoke 'watch through your fingers' car crash. Have I mentioned that I hate karaoke?
It's a pretty divey place which is perfect (it's a ROCK karaoke) and a little too small for it's level of popularity. It cost $12 for a Corona and a pint of Magners (one of the few places in NY the boyfriend found cider so he was chuffed) so pretty ok for NY. There are a couple of reasons that it didn't get 5 stars from me. Firstly, the crowd aren't very supportive. They start out cheering each other and the host tries to encourage it with a 'can I get a HOLY S**T' but eventually it seems that people are more interested in trying to get on stage and hearing their own voices. This was such a shame and meant that I felt that I was sometimes the only person cheering or clapping. The other issue was the crows was odd. It seemed like there were a few people who were there for their first time and behaved like idiots. Now, Arlene's can't be blamed for this, especially as there are so many good reviews that of course people are gonna go and try it but it made me have an angry face a few times.
In the end we had an awesome night (as expected) and the boyfriend loved it - cue lots of gloating and 'told you so's' from me. If you like rock music - whether Elvis or Metallica, Queen or Beastie Boys - get yourself to Arlene's, it just might surprise you.
Oh and one last thing - what's with the lack of air guitar? I have mine at the ready wherever I go so was surprised that I was the only one playing my heart out at Arlene's. I don't know if this is an American thing, a NY thing or just that crowd but come on guys - get your horns in the air and a bit of a burning fretboard going on. Keep on rockin' in the free world. -
Review from Izzy S.
Greenwich, CT
4/22/2012
Cute and quirky! Make sure you look up the bands that are playing, but it's a great atmosphere. Come with a group and get ready to pay a cover charge to see the bands play.
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Review from Mick L.
2/11/2012 4 photos
Laid Back Atmosphere Great Drink Specials Nice Venue
Arlene's Grocery is a non pretentious Manhattan venue with a great history. I enjoyed hanging out at the bar and paying a small cover for watching shows here. This is what the Lower East Side was all about. Arlene's continues the great tradition of bringing local and national acts to their stage for a great night out. Plenty of great places to eat near-bye and cheep parking in the municipal lot.
Any night is a good night at Arlene'sListed in: Bars / Gastropubs
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Review from Derek W.
Valencia, CA
1/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here on a Monday night for Karaoke, didn't know that this is not your typical Karaoke. You have a live band playing and you must know the song. There is no screen giving you the lyrics. If you do lose your place there is a book upfront with the words.
Great atmosphere -
Review from Christopher M.
New York, NY
12/29/2011
Nice little hole in the wall kinda bar!
There's a main bar area, a kinda "back seating" area, and then a huge second bar with a stage for concerts and showcases and such.
Arlene's Ale is close to Yuengling in flavor and only $4 a pint. They have a really horrid Chianti that I could barely finish and a decent Pinot Grigio (this coming from someone who isn't a huge fan of white wines), both for $4 a glass. They also have Magner's Cider on tap, a rarity!! $7 a pint for that. Other drinks go up in price from there.
You can get some good buys, and some not so good buys. I don't recommend mixed drinks because they charge a good amount for them but serve them in small glasses. And there is a bit of inconsistency. One time I ordered Long Islands all night and they were in pint glasses at both bars for $10. Good deal! Next time I went, they were being served in smaller glasses. Intriguing.
You also kinda have to go a few times so you know which bartenders make what the best. The mixing ability of these guys, who tend to be nice bartenders, is seriously varied. Know how to get the most bang for your buck from which guy.
But, yeah. I recommend them. And, if you see a concert you wanna see, check it out. Cheap covers and a small but very cool graffiti-ed men's room! -
Review from Danielle D.
ASTORIA, NY
2/28/2012
Good for concert's ...Not good for karaoke.
Enjoyed the band concert last night I went to at Arlene's. However I had a small incident at karaoke which left me ticked off. I signed up put on my song. Some other chick signs on the list doesn't put a song. She later picked mine ( even though I put the song first) and then I wasn't allowed to sing it. To make matters worse my friend was up soon and they were letting people go before him even though he'd signed up before these people. Would not reccomend their karaoke. The place is good for concerts but not good for karaoke. (I'd reccomend Brother Jimmy's in the upper east side instead if you like live band karaoke.)
The drinks were normal priced. If you go I reccomend you get beer or wine it's definetely more worth the price. The only reason I gave two stars is because the way the karaoke was run. If not it'd probably have at least 3 to 4 stars. -
Review from Abby S.
New York, NY
12/15/2011
I am a huge fan of this place. The bar upstairs is decent. I like the set up, its spacious. They have drink specials.. four dollars for two beers.. cant beat that!!!!
but the best part is the monday night karaoke!!! its in the room downstairs where there is a stage complete with a full band. theres a great crowd there, everyobody was psyched and excited and super supportive of the people singing onstage. people dance around while the brave ones sing up on the stage.they have a good song selection, all are rock n roll songs. the host guys was really cool and did a wonderful job. This place is a good old awesome time!!! Definitely a great place to spend monday nights.... -
Review from Diana S.
10/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Arlene is a pretty good time.
I came to see a friend's friend's band - Morning Code. The crowd was awesome and the atmosphere was very LES, but the music was a bit too loud. It might have been because we were right in front of the stage, but my ears were ringing all day the next day. The place is kinda on the small side so you have to wiggle around a bit to get to where you're trying to go, especially the doorway to get to the bathroom/downstairs stage. Someone previously had mentioned it was cash only - it's not, but there is a card minimum of $20. -
Review from Maeve C.
1/10/2012
I've been here a couple of times to grab an after-dinner drink with friends, and we've always found Arlene's to be a low-key, relatively cheap bar. I enjoy the dim lighting and nice drink specials, and the Arlene's Ale isn't half bad, especially for $4 a pint! They do have a $7 shot + PBR special that I felt compelled to get once, but the other drinks are still a decent deal for the most part. I can't speak to Arlene's on a weekend, but for a weeknight the place is nicely accommodating of a group of 5-6 people, and isn't so loud that you and your friends can't hear each other.
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Review from Ashley E.
Reno, NV
10/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Fun little venue with great sound.
The resident band for the month is Great Caesar playing on Monday nights before live band karaoke. Lots of fun, definitely worth checking out. And there was no cover, score! -
Review from Anthony A.
Los Angeles, CA
2/21/2012
Must agree with the 4 stars, it's a fun place. I love the karaoke nights here with the live band.
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Review from Kenny C.
9/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've only come here to watch my coworkers' band play, but it's been a handful of times. The basement (where the stage is) is pretty big with some seats along the side. However, the sound guys turn the speakers up way too loud, so watch out for that.
There's a bar upstairs and one downstairs. The one upstairs usually has a whiskey and PBR special. The one downstairs kinda sucks. Cheap beers, but one time I asked for a PBR because I saw someone else with one, and the bartender didn't say anything and just pointed to the beer list on a chalkboard. Meh.
The seating area upstairs is nice and intimate if you can get a seat, but I couldn't come here on weekend nights because it can get uncomfortably crowded. -
Review from David S.
New York, NY
1/3/2012
To the nurse from Indianapolis that I met here on Sunday, Jan 1st 2012:
I never got your name but I am madly in love with you. I keep laying awake sleeplessly night after night thinking about you. You remember that song by Antony and the Johnsons "Hope there's someone" you played for me for the first time? Well, I can't stop playing it and I cry every time I hear it.
I keep kicking myself asking why I didn't get your name... Please if you read this and you feel the same way, please write me an email here: hopetheressomeone84@ya...
Also, I just wanted to say, it wasn't wrong of you to cry. Thank you for that beautifully tragic moment...
I will never forget.
DS -
Review from Kendra T.
Jersey City, NJ
7/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here to see a show with a friend who is friends with the band who was playing. Cash only, little hole in the wall. Surprisingly decent sized band space and clean.
Had a great time especially since there wasn't a huge crowd. The band was low key so I felt like I was in a living room enjoying music with a nice cocktail. Pretty chill. -
Review from Melissa L.
8/30/2011
Monday night is Rock and Roll Karaoke backed by a live band. The band is awesome and you get to see your average joe's living out their fantasy of being a rock star. A good time even if you don't participate. You may be surprised by what you hear and from whom. I watched a nerd rock out to rage against the machine. lol
Fun times! -
Review from Tracey C.
Seattle, WA
2/3/2012
Yes! Go Here! A friend took us here our last night in New York. Such a good way to end a good visit to the city. Monday night = Live Rock Bank Karaoke. Drummer, Bass Guitar, and Lead guitar also do your back ups... and can do everything from AC/DC to Brittany Spears... perfectly. And of course, two well stocked bars.
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Review from JP B.
6/29/2011
I hadn't been by in years, but little has changed. I played here often between 1998 and 2003. I remember when they expanded into the bar next door, which is now the room you enter into. That was back when the air was blue with cigarette smoke by the time the third band hit the stage. The crowd is pretty much the same, though: people there to see a co-worker's or friend's band, local music fans, musicians (and those who fancy them) and good people for whom live music is still an important part of a good night out.
Beer is reasonably priced. The sound will be as good as the speed at which the sound guy works. Bands usually start off sounding a little marginal, but by the second or third song they usually sound as good as they're capable of, which is sometimes very good.
One thing has changed: most of us have accepted that we'll have to travel to Brooklyn every now and then if we want to see good new music on a regular basis. Which makes it that much more appreciated when Arlene's saves us a trip. One more good thing to say about the place! -
Review from Sara H.
Manhattan, NY
7/21/2011
I definitely like it here. Its totally pretentious, but inexpensive, which I dig.
My brother's band plays here, and he quite frequently reminds me that the Strokes did also (dont forget me when youre famous kid) and lots of great local bands rock out here. Its super close to Katz's, so every night inexplicably costs me an extra $18.00 for pastrami.
You have to pay to get downstairs to hear the bands perform, which is fine by me. Support your local music scene! -
Review from Collette L.
Las Vegas, NV
8/30/2011
Rock and Roll Karaoke on Monday night is amazing. I now live in Japan, the karaoke capital of the world, but nothing compares to having a live band backing those lovers of karaoke(including a guy who looked and dressed exactly like Billy Idol).
Totally worth going to see even if you don't intend on singing, it's just as fun! I regret not going more often! -
Review from Eugene K.
2/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Greatest. Storefront. Ever.
Looks like a bodega. Smells like a bodega. Treats you like a bodega.
Except, they serve you booze at dirt cheap prices.
The night we went in, it was "flip night." No, no discounted prices for filipinos, but rather, the bartender flips a coin every time you order a drink and if you get it right, half off. I lost twice. I ended up spending $6 total. I wasn't complaining but man, $3 for 2 beers would've been sweeeet.Listed in: Best Happy Hour
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Review from Dana F.
11/19/2010
Arlene's Grocery has two sections: the main bar area and a next-door section downstairs for live music.
Arlene's is one of the best spots in the LES to catch a local band. Cover will set you back about $10, but inexpensive drinks and ability to stick around for all of the bands (usually 8pm to 1am) make up for it. PBR is $3 and most beer on tap will set you back around $6.
For the most part, the crowd is a cool mix of music aficionados who just want to hang out and enjoy themselves in peace. -
Review from Elle P.
10/23/2010 1 Check-in Here
This place is a total DIVE with a capital D-capital I-capital V- and capital E.
There are two spaces -- the bar on the street level, which is free and the downstairs stage, which has a bar of its own. Arlene's Grocery is an intimate music venue for up-and-coming bands (and even the not-so-up-and-coming bands) and they boast that they hosted a few major names before they made it big. I looked up the history of Arlene's Grocery on Wiki and it appears the name comes from the fact that it was once a bodega and they never bothered changing the name.*
The music venue downstairs is really small. I imagine about 100 people could fit in (not sure how the fire marshall feels about that though). I thought the crowd was really young (early to mid-20s) and hipsterish, but when I was walking out, I noticed that the crowd was far more diverse than I had originally thought. The older people (more my age, but I even saw a few couples who were in their 60s) were standing in the back.
I came here for the first time last night to see Atomic Tom of the viral IPhone subway song fame ( http://www.youtube.com... ). I had a really great time at the concert. Great band, great music, and since they're still building up their fan base, they're really friendly and eager to talk to fans. They hung out in the bar upstairs after they finished playing their set.
*Arlene's get extra bonus points from me because it was one of the locations where Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist got filmed. I *heart* that film. -
Review from Gloria D.
1/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
I am a fan of Arlene's. Being a NY native with lots of friends in music, I have found myself in this place more than 100 times (at least).
There are 2 rooms. The first room is set up like a comfy living room without the couches, the bar is big and there is a gas fireplace (i think it's gas) which is kick ass in the winter. They have great beers on tap and a nice selection of alcohol.
The second room is where the music lives. Nice size stage, with enough room for people to spread out and a bar. This is also the room that I have fell in love with various guitar players over the years. Every time I walk in, it brings back memories of past crushes. *Swoon*
Arlene's is definitely a NYC "dive" bar, and that is a major compliment. You should check it out.Listed in: Best Happy Hour
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Review from Nga C.
11/10/2010
FREE, FREE, FREE!!!!!!!!
Monday Night
10pm
No Cover Fee
Cheap Drinks
Live Band
Backup Singers
Sound Guy
Lights
Live Audience
and YOU performing live on stage = PRICELESS!!!!!!!
BUCKET LIST - CHECKED :)
_____________________________
If you always wanted to know how it feels to be a rock star, this is the place to be. I sang "Sweet Child of Mine" on Monday night and had an awesome time doing it. This really was an amazing experience and something that I've always wanted to do and glad I did.
To help you cheat a bit, check out their playlist below. ROCK ON!!!!
http://www.myspace.com... -
Review from Alex S.
2/4/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Great spot to see live bands. I saw the band Otterclan play there, and they put on an awesome live show.
Cover was around $10 but you can hang around and catch more than one band. Crowd was a cool mix of people, most of which looked to be ok with my deliberately awkward dancing. In fact, no one even seemed phased by my sick moves. My kind of spot. -
Review from Seth D.
7/15/2010
I have a ridiculous affinity for Arlenes Grocery, and when I look at it from the point of view of a musician playing there as a venue, or a patron going for a brew, it nails it both times.
First, as a band playing: The sound is always top notch, and they have a backline, so there's no need to bring all the equipment. All that aside, they give bands half-off all drinks, and they pay you a cut of the door. Before going on tour, we like to play here because they really take care of us, and we make some gas money.
Now as a patron, this is a fantastic venue to see up and coming music in one room, while the other serves as a dive bar without the "we know we're a dive bar so we're going to rape you on prices because dive bars are in now and its great schtick." No, it simply is a dive bar that has a nice selection of beer and liquor, some great beer/shot combos, comfy bar stools, and cool sitting area towards the back to hang out with a group. Sure, there's the occasional douchebag party, but there are more than enough redeeming qualities on any given night to make that not even register. -
Review from Kassy M.
1/29/2011 1 photo
I went to Arlene's Grocery one night when my friend was playing a show there in the second room. The stage is a decent size, and they have a full bar, several tables and chairs, and enough room to dance.
The bartender was extremely nice. The sound wasn't too bad either and it wasn't ridiculously loud, which is always a plus.
Definitely a cute music venue. -
Review from lyndsey F.
Portland, ME
12/19/2010
I love dive bars. I always have and I always will. In Philly, they welcomed me with open arms at the ripe old age of what 17, 18? and I haven't looked back since. But this was an experience in and of itself.
$3 PBRs in New York? Pretty good deal. I mean in Philly, that comes with a shot of Jim Beam, but whose counting?
The atmosphere here is fairly holier than thou, which is typical dive bar 'tude and the music was old funk and amazing. It helped that I was there with a bunch of musicians who freak out any time an old James Brown song comes on and swear that this is their "FAVOURITE SONG EVER."
Cheap drinks, easy living. -
Review from Chris H.
1/22/2008 3 photos
I've only been to Arlene's Grocery on Monday nights for Rock n Roll Karaoke, but all I can say is that this place F'ing rocks!
Rock n Roll Karaoke, for those who haven't experienced it, is NOT your average karaoke, especially if you're used to belting out "Jesse's Girl" or "Hey there Delilah" while staring, eyes glazed over, at a TV screen.
Instead, you're invited up to the stage to be the lead singer of a rock band for one song of your choice. Do well enough, and you may hear a chorus of "Holy Shit!" from the crowd. If you belly flop, then you'll be met with uncomfortable silence. Either way, it's fun as hell.
The atmosphere is suitably divey, with cheap drinks, grungy bartenders, dark red lighting and plenty of weird smells emanating from the bathroom.
So next Monday, put away the Guitar Hero, work up your best Phil Anselmo or AC/DC impression, and come rock out at Arlene's Grocery.Listed in: This is why you have cirrhosis, LES is more
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Review from Lindsay K.
New York, NY
12/28/2006
Once you get over the $8 admission to see your college roommate's boyfriend's band, it's all uphill.
The venue itself is quite small, with room for about 1 band on stage and 100 fans to buy over priced drinks. The sound quality is good considering the size.
I am a particular fan of Arlene's bar. The fire place is romantic, the bartenders are chill, and the clientelle laid back and calm. Stick to beer, the mixed drinks aren't very strong and are way to expensive for the tiny glass they're served in.
