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Arrow Bar
- Nearest Transit:
-
2 Av (F)
1 Av (L)
Astor Pl (4, 6, 6X)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 4 pm - 4 am
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
54 reviews for Arrow Bar
Review Highlights
"They have a 2-FOR-1 HAPPY HOUR THAT RUNS UNTIL 9PM."
(in 15 reviews)
"Small, nice bartenders, good music selection."
(in 5 reviews)
"...there for there opening night party and I had a great time."
(in 4 reviews)
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54 reviews in English
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Review from Abby B.
East Meadow, NY
7/26/2011
I am not a bar person, but I knew we were in for a good night when the bouncer was friendly and welcoming...and didn't give me a hard time for walking into a bar with an ice cream cone (I was almost done!).
No pretense: just drinks at a fair price, 90's music, and a great bus staff. Don't miss the photobooth in the back, although I'd suggest using it earlier in the evening for best results. -
Review from Andrea K.
Jersey City, NJ
1/12/2012
Has anyone experienced the weird and inappropriate bouncer? He totally set the mood for my night. Creepy and seedy...and this bar looks like a punk rock band got their hands on chalk and magic markers.
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Review from Dan C.
7/17/2011
Looking for a divey East Village bar? Here ya go.
I came here with some friends on a steamy Saturday night to have some drinks. In typical East Village fashion, the bar was downstairs, narrow, dimly light, and plastered in graffiti. I sometimes wonder if the owners of places like this either let this crap happen organically or pay designers gobs of money to achieve that "East Village" feel.
The booze was cheap, people were dancing on the makeshift dance floor (a 7 foot by 5 foot open space in front of the dj booth on your way to the bathroom), the bartenders were friendly and the waify hipster dj was spinning some really good hip-hop.
The only downside was that the doorman told me I looked like Ben Stiller. I hate that, but he was just trying to be friendly, which is a rare event for a doorman / bouncer.
We came, we saw, we had a good time. -
Review from Chris H.
6/28/2011
Totally 100% awesome. Awesome divey, grimey vibe, with a dancey, but still pubby atmosphere.
Great drinks at a reasonable price. Bartenders are generous with their pours. Bartenders are super nice and didn't complain when people spilled/dropped drinked.
When I was there, there was a $7 any beer (including the premium imports) and well shot special. I hear it is 2 for 1happy hours.
DJ played a good mix of music. Fun crowd of people.
Not the cleanest place. Graffiti everywhere. You were warned.
I would definitely recommend this place for a mixed group of dancers and non-dancers. -
Review from David B.
6/24/2011
I think that I'm over "dive" bars. This place is one of them. My girlfriend and I had to ask the bartender (possibly a new one) each time for the 2 4 1 deal, having first been rung up as paying for 2 identical beers each time. We were obviously together, and were clearly ordering to take advantage of the special, really odd. I noticed others were also missing out on the happy hour "deal".
"Filthy" accurately sums up the decor. -
Review from roberta k.
New York, NY
3/26/2011
Randomly walked into this bar last night and this may just become a regular place to visit when in the EV.
- Great drinks at a reasonable price. Bartenders are generous with their pours.
- Fun crowd of people
- DJ played a good mix of music
- photo booth -
Review from Alexander T.
New York, NY
2/25/2011
If you're planning a party for a group of friends who like to drink, dance and party- this is a great choice. They even served us a drink we requested and were incredibly helpful.
On top of that-- the bar's vibe is phenomenal. Great music. Great location. Great times. -
Review from DJ N.
ASTORIA, NY
3/2/2011
Nice place for a drink after work. Go to the bartender with the beard, he's a swell bloke. If you tell him a good dirty joke, he'll stroke his beard and get you a shot on the house!
Theres a sweet party there every 1st and 3rd Thursday, theres a Happy Hour with DJs.... Check out SniquePeek.Com for more deets! -
Review from Leighann F.
Astoria, Queens, NY
Updated - 3/7/2011 10 Check-ins Here
For further evidence that this bar rules, Jameson shots can be knocked back for just $5 each and the bathroom is covered in a delightful amount of graffiti, thus to distract you from how absolutely filthy it can get during their busiest hours.
Listed in: NYC Neighborhood: East Village, NYC Nightlife, Drinking in The East Village, The Goings-On with The…, Local's List For…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/5/2010
We affectionately refer to this basement booze den as "The Hip Hop Bar" and it's a pretty obvious… Read more »
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Review from Jane K.
1/4/2010 1 photo
Elements of a good dive bar:
- Off the beaten path, basement location
- Surly bartenders that threaten to break your fingers when you crack a joke about swiping an extra beer while they're on a 20 minute cigarette break
- Grimy, single bathroom covered in vomit crusts and graffiti
- Buck Hunter and a photo booth, both of which only sometimes work and have a tendency to eat your cash
- Amazing music that has you hysterically shaking your booty as you bump into other elated hipsters on the tiny dance floor
- Cheap drinks and shot specials in addition to whatever happy hour special is running at said moment
- Dark nooks and corners where you may or may not have once watched a heavily tattooed chick wearing a plaid uniform make out with a short guy with a sombrero on. -
Review from stephy s.
San Francisco, CA
5/31/2008
Now THIS is a bar that is totally up my alley!
I came here last night to see my boy, DJ Anton Oy Vey spin, well, not really spin, but rock the bar with the soothing sounds of heavy metal and it was awesome. Heavy Metal Happy Hour is every Friday night here and they rotate different DJ's every week. I met 2 of them last night and all really cool guys and I loved that they came out to support each other. Always awesome.
As for the bar itself, it's pretty sweet. The ceilings are decked out in copper and I want it for my house now! It's also nice and dark and the people hanging here and workin here, yeah I'm talkin to you Chuck, are good ones. Would I come back? Of course, it's East Village, it's chill and hello, Heavy Metal Happy Hour! Tres rad!Listed in: New York Bars!
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Review from Anne K.
New York, NY
5/6/2008
This past Thursday, I accidentally stayed at this bar until 4am. It was completely unintentional! Classic story: working girl is cautious about going out on weekday, working girl loves fun, working girl decides to sacrifice Friday morning happiness for fun. You know what? It was worth it.
This place is a gem, but it is slightly hard to spot. The only indication of its existence was a large arrow sign pointing down to where music was wafting up from the slightly opened door. This place was almost completely empty, but all you need when you go out to a bar there are 4 things you need: good friend, nice bartender, good dj (even that is a plus), and booze.
The bartender was extremely friendly and generous. He kept filling a pitcher with half popcorn and half cheese doodles, completely unprovoked! As long as he kept pouring the doodles, I stayed to keep eating them... At the time, it made perfect sense.
The later it got, the more people showed up. There definitely were people still at the bar after closing hours. Did I just stumble on the new after hours joint? -
Review from Danny P.
10/24/2008
Picture your perfect New York night ... y'know, the kind they show in the movies about perfect-looking people who just happen to be drowning their sorrows in the perfect little New York hideaway. It's got that dark, intimate vibe going on, the candles on the little tables in the back flicker tantalizingly against the dark wood features of this subterranean bar. And then you look up, and ...
What, am I your pimp? Go find your own hottie.
For the life of me I can't figure out why this place was so empty on a Thursday night. It's halfway between the L at 1st Ave and the 2nd Ave F so perhaps it's too far for anyone not in the neighborhood to stop by but I thoroughly enjoyed meeting a couple of Yelpers here for a satisfyingly long two-for-one happy hour (through 9 p.m., except for the specialty beers and whiskey).
I started off with Bud Light but after being shamed by the highly attractive bartender, and a few of my drinking cohorts, I moved on to the top shelf whiskey and bourbon. All were poured strong and were worth the price.
I don't know how much of an effort I'd make to come here in the winter with the long walk to the subway, but in the summer this could really get added to my regulars list.Listed in: Things on the F train, Manhattan First Date Places
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Review from Nancy D.
11/7/2009 1 Check-in Here
The entire night here can be summed up in one word: "WHAT????"
I couldn't hear a damn word any of my friends were saying because the music was seriously blaring. After 30 minutes of pain, I was relieved that the music had gotten quieter. But then I thought twice and realized it was more likely that I had lost a significant amount of hearing. -
Review from Briana M.
12/29/2010
I've been here about 3 times. I think. I find that it's best to arrive here already wasted around 2:30 AM. This way, the music doesn't really matter, and the too hip for life patrons don't matter either. But both times I was here REAL LATE I thought the music was fantastic. I shook my booty and the bouncer laughed at my white girl moves. Whatever.
Listed in: I am a drunk., New Hood, New Attitude
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Review from Victor L.
Brooklyn, NY
9/9/2008
2 for 1 makes me want to punch myself in the face, and then punch the person next to me in the face. I guess fighting with Hi-Fi for the whole buyback policy (they use tickets instead of chips) is admirable.
You can opt to discuss with the management here about hosting your own party for a set block, DJing from your own iPod as they have a set of turntables with two iPod docks. A lot of regulars here, and the music blares unevenly (it's too loud in the front but the back is quiet), but it's a good mix of heavy rock, metal, and punk. The basement bar aspect helps with that musical quality, and the patrons certainly aren't chi-chi. You walk downstairs from the street and pull up either by the bar, by the sill with pint holders, or move to one of the couple booths or a funky open seating area just past the bar on the left.
Pirates of the Caribbean pinball and Buck Hunter round out the back along with the bathrooms.
The staff is friendly, everyone is pretty nice and there are smiles all around. The lighting isn't flattering, and that's pretty great. You can test your drunkability here. -
Review from Matt D.
New York, NY
8/11/2008
Went to check out this place the other night with a friend from out of town after reading about it several places.
First off, I like how it's sort of hard to spot (an arrow pointing down is the only way to see it from the street). Definitely has a cool vibe inside. The bar area takes out about half the space and then there is a open area with seating in the back. The crowd here was really mixed, but leaned a little toward the older side. But, we were here a little early (around 11).
Music was good, at least from the DJ that was there on the night I went (a Saturday).
Overall, I think that this is a clean, nice sized bar at a convenient location. Check it out! -
Review from Teresa L.
San Francisco, CA
9/28/2008
This place is just divey enough, my favorite place to sink the pirate ship after work, or at the end of a night out. 4-9 is the longest happy hour in the area, great for people who work a little later.
I enjoy the actual DJ's with real records much more than an entire metallica album off someones ipod, after 30 mins of that I was ready to bang my head right into the bar. Whoever had the funk and soul records last night should take over the decks more often. -
Review from Tay M.
New York, NY
1/31/2009
While I wouldn't really call this a 'dive bar,' i do enjoy myself here. It's usually not crazy packed and it wasn't last night (Friday). I'll agree with unoriginal decor, but there are some nice spaces for groups, which is what we had.
The sign at the top of the stairs does not say "Arrow," but is instead just a big, lit-up arrow. Cute.
$6 for a Stella? Not so cool. But it was dark and I couldn't see my bills very well and when I gave the bartender $13 instead of the intended $7, he very kindly brought my extra $6 back (+1 star for quality service). Thanks again, man. -
Review from Renee C.
New York, NY
4/20/2009
This bar literally had a flashy arrow pointing you in the right direction, you can't quite miss it!
...other than that...nothing memorable. -
Review from Nicole L.
New York, NY
11/9/2009
I wouldn't want to spend an entire night at Arrow because it's pretty grungy, but the drinks were cheap, and the bartender was very nice. Their happy hour is great: 2 for 1 drinks til 9PM and $6 bud light + shot special. Even after 9PM their drinks are only $6 each. Pretty good deal.
Before we walked downstairs into the bar, two guys standing outside raved that this bar was the best in the LES. I don't know if I'd totally agree with that statement, but the experience wasn't bad at all. It was a Thursday, though, so it wasn't crowded. I bet it's probably way more crowded on the weekend. -
Review from Andy E.
Astoria, NY
6/28/2009
Arrow is a solid, divey bar that's always a good place to start out your night. It's usually not very crowded (to the point that I'm actually surprised they've lasted as long as they have). On Saturdays they do have a DJ that for the most part is usually good. The beer selection is solid and you won't pay more than what you would normally pay in any NYC bar.
Arrow isn't usually meant to spend more than an hour or two in, but for what it's worth it does the job -
Review from Christopher O.
New York, NY
4/21/2008
Arrow has become a regular part of my weekly routine for a couple reasons:
1. I host a trivia night there on Monday nights at 8pm. But I swear that aside from that plug, my review is completely unbiased.
2. They have a 2-FOR-1 HAPPY HOUR THAT RUNS UNTIL 9PM.
Seriously, #2 is reason enough, but their drinks are great any time. They have some creative cocktails, and their beer list, albeit smaller than its predecessor The Rook in the same location, is still quite strong and unique.
Arrow is a great subterranean hideout for those looking for a mellow nook or cranny during happy hour... then, the place heats up at night with some great tunes. -
Review from Scott L.
11/9/2009
The best bar for the price in the east village. It's a perfect dive bar.
Sure, the Guinness I had wasn't the freshest. But the well drinks are strong and the happy hour is great.
I think it was 2 for one up until 9pm, or a shot and a Geney's for 6 bucks. After hearing that a Geney's is like a Natty Ice, I just went for the cheap Guinness. -
Review from Panthea J.
San Francisco, CA
7/30/2010
Meets all the requirements for an East Village dive bar. It's in a basement, mostly locals, two-for-one happy hour till 9 nightly. Heavy Metal Happy Hour on Fri is for jump starting your weekend not low-key unwinding, but fun if you've still got a pint of energy left in your day.
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Review from Meredith F.
Jamaica, NY
3/9/2009
Disclaimer: I am not into dive or dive-like bars. I walked in on Saturday night, smelled the aroma of wet towels, sweaty socks, and stale beer, heard the typical bar music, and walked out. It was around 2 am and there were about 10 people in the whole place, which was really dark, even by bar standards. The "decor" is pretty non-existent. The floor is a black and white tile that looks like it's been there since the place was built.
Basically, if you like dive bars, music by Journey, and having a "chill" night out, you will probably like this place. -
Review from Erica F.
Somerville, MA
5/28/2009
2.5 stars
It's not a bad bar...in fact it's kind of endearing.
It's not so cheap for a dive bar, but if you like good beer, they have a good list.
If you're looking for a place to slink into at the end of the night that isn't completely swamped, this is probably it. And it's not because its dull, or creepy or abandoned, it just never happens to be too busy, despite the large illuminated sign guiding you to your destination. The lack of population isn't because its a new bar, because The Rook (preceding bar) was the same way. I dunno what it is. There are worse bars that are far more populated, but aaanyways
it doesn't really have anything unique to keep you, not even cheep beer, and that's all I need. The crowd (when anyones in there) doesn't suck, so thats a plus. Oh and happy hour is legit.
Bottom line, its just completely average, but some people like that. -
Review from Justin L.
Brooklyn, NY
3/5/2010
Two
Tries I
Gave but the
Music was too
Loud for talking and too bad for dancing. -
Review from David T.
Brooklyn, NY
3/20/2009
Arrow has a good crowd that likes to dance, at least when i was there. It's usually busiest from 11pm-2am, after that the crowd dies down a bit. There is a DJ who spins on Fridays sometimes who plays good music, indie-dance & that sort of thing.
I don't really dig the heavy metal happy hour, although 2 for 1 drinks is an awesome deal. -
Review from David G.
New York, NY
1/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
I didn't have anything to drink here but their selection looked pretty good. I loved the ambiance of this place - mellow, downplayed, and full of interesting people.
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Review from molly c.
10/26/2008
arrow bar is brought to you by the letter A.
arrow bar is just about perfect. i can imagine having a date end here, i can imagine getting drunk on the happy hour specials here (oh wait. that second one happened!)
the space is great, bartender was great (joannna, i think - sorry if i got the spelling wrong) and i had a great time. next time people want to meet in alphabet city, i am suggesting arrow bar to start the night right.Listed in: you think i go uptown?
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Review from Kate S.
Astoria, NY
10/31/2010
Me and three of my friends were pick-pocketed here with our bags on our bodies. Another friend said she too had been pick-pocketed here a few weeks prior--so apparently there is a case of sticky-fingers in this bar. The bouncer was actually very nice but it didn't change the fact that I now have to cancel all of credit cards and phone and get a new license and insurance cards etc.
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Review from Buo Z.
1/16/2010
I came here on a Friday night. It isn't really my scene but it's a good place to just "hang out." Think underground super grungy dive bar. The music here was pretty retro so not too many people on the dance floor, but the DJs absolutely loved the music and danced to their own music the entire night. There was an interesting crowd here--lots of beards and hipster girls. I believe one guy was on drugs or something but he got kicked out later which was kind of funny. Anyway, this place wasn't very crowded so there was plenty of seating everywhere.
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Review from Lisa N.
3/27/2010
Don't get me wrong...this gal loves her dive bars, but Arrow does not make the cut. The HH special is buy 1 get 1 free, which is cool until I realize the actual deal when my friend and I went up to the bar and ordered two beers thinking it would cost $6 for the round...wrong! It was $12 with 2 coupons for later. Arrow Bar has potential to be great, so I'll give it another shot some other night.
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Review from Brent B.
New York, NY
3/1/2008
As a small child I loved the Lone Ranger, his horse Silver and his trusted sidekick Tonto. Something about guns, bullets, bows and arrows really got me all worked up. As an adult, I've replaced my minor infatuation with slightly homo-erotic men dressed up in masks and their horses and sidekicks for Bourbon and glassware. Lucky for me Arrow bar sells Bourbon, in nice glasses.
I was there for there opening night party and I had a great time. The place wasn't uncomfortably crowded and the bartenders were quick and responsive. I also liked the fact that it's a basement bar. I prefer to enjoy my Manhattans in relative darkness. There's no telling what Arrow Bar will be like in three weeks once the word gets out but in the mean time, you should make your way down to the basement. I also heard, from a reliable source I might add, that Tuesday is Arrow Bar's best night. See you there. I'll be the guy wearing the tight cowboy outfit with the hat and mask. -
Review from Rika S.
New York, NY
8/12/2010
Dark bar but I loved it! 2 for 1 happy hour that goes on till 9pm (I think) deal is great. I had their blueberry frozen margaritas and OMG were they strong!
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Review from Kathryn Y.
New York, NY
3/6/2010
I like this bar. They play good music (I feel like I always hear The Smiths when I walk in) and when it's crowded enough, there's just the right amount of dancing in the back. Big Buck Hunter and the photobooth are a classic. Really friendly crowd. I've always gone on Fridays and Saturdays and it's been pretty crowded. I passed by last Thursday night though and there were only 2 people there.
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Review from damian b.
Jersey City, NJ
8/21/2010
A regular bar nothing big here just a water hole but hard to find it is hidden, you have to go down stairs to find it. Drink are good a chill spot. Some nights Dj's comes to play for reggae Tuesday.
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Review from matt w.
Brooklyn, NY
4/17/2008
i came here the other weekend for an after party after a show i went to. the band i knew played an impromtu half set in the back which started an awesome dance party (i mean who doesnt like when those start?). otherwise, didnt buy a drink there, i think my roommate got me one, but i had a really good time and would probably go back.
can i give it 4 1/2 stars cause its not close to any subway lines? -
Review from Jason Vuong D.
Washington, DC
6/20/2010
Bring on the Wedding Music. Stumbled upon this joint on a bar crawl Saturday. The venue and people were aite and chill but the part that got me was the dj playing the randomness! We found ourselves trying to do some salsa, the mash potato and even some old school dance from 90s hip hop. The 90s were my 80s!
