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Art Bar
Categories: Nightlife Bars Lounges Restaurants American (Traditional) Lounges, American (Traditional) [Edit]
52 8th Ave(between Jane St & West 4th St)
New York, NY 10014
Neighborhood: West Village
(212) 727-0244
- Nearest Transit:
-
8 Av (L)
14 St (1, 2, 3)
14 St (A, C, E)
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Intimate
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
205 reviews for Art Bar
Review Highlights
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"The best happy hour in the area." In 46 reviews -
"...back there underneath the celebrity last supper painting." In 11 reviews -
"There are half a dozen couches, all very cozy looking." In 62 reviews
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205 reviews in English
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Review from Bill T.
The best happy hour! They have a small but tasteful selection of beers on tap and a few wines and it's only $3!
The bar area in front can get crowded quickly but there is a big lounge-y area in the back which is cool.
They serve food but they had the big "Grade Pending" sign in the window when I went to eat at your own risk, but drink to your heart's content (or liver's content). -
Review from Maryam H.
5/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
I have a love/hate relationship with art bar. Sometimes its fantastic, other times its HORRIBLE, so consider this a review with 2.5 stars..
Love the back, really cozy and comfy perfect for dates. The "art" on the walls is a little skeptical, but it rotates enough that a simple side eye will suffice..
My main issue is the service. When I first started coming here it was great, but every time I come I seem to find something a little off. But this particular night started with a strange look from the bartender for ordering a drink at the bar and not from a seat (what? I don't get it either) and then very short service in the back. You would expect that from the comfy couches and chill music in the back you could hope to relax with your date, but leave it to your waitress to pop by every 5 minutes to remind you that her shift ends soon.
That being said, every night that has art bar in it is memorable, good or bad. I'll be back.. probably.. ugh. -
Review from Maria S.
2/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
I meet friends here for happy hour one random Thursday night. The back room was completely full, and so were all the tables by the bar. The 4 of us squeezed into a place at the bar. The female bartender was nice, the Ginger Mojito was alright, really nothing to special about it....We waited for a table to open up, so we could order food. The Spring rolls were alright, again nothing to write home about....the crowd was mostly couples and a few groups. I didn't see any peeps that were DTF and honestly the crowd was pretty normal (not really attractive/not really unattractive) really nothing to write home about! It kinda reminds me of being at a bar in Jersey City!
I'm not really sure if I'd go back....with so many bar choices in NYC, this one really did nothing for me. -
Review from Michael N.
New York, NY
5/15/2012
I went here twice and I was not that impressed. The drinks were overpriced and the crowd seemed pretentious and boring. I was not that enthralled by the art on the walls, either. I love this neighbourhood, though. I may give Art Bar another chance.
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Review from GlowStar J.
Manhattan, NY
5/15/2012
I gave this two stars even though I come here about once a month since it's close-by. Let me explain. There is nothing great about the decor, the crowd, the drinks. It's rather dive-y and grungy, as a matter of fact. Everything is meh. But the prices are low for the area, and I can come here in gym clothes for a quick beer and not feel self-conscious. Also, I find the toilets a disaster.
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Review from Evan R.
2/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
The front of Art Bar has five large booths and a small bar. You don't want the front.
Wander around towards the back near the bathroom and you'll see a curtain, behind which is a lounge area that's triple the size.
From the Yelp reviews, I was expecting a swanky, dimly lit lounge with a bunch of private couches. Not quite. It's a giant room filled with couches and chairs that crisscross every which way. It's more like an uber-comfortable basement that someone set up for a party. Sure, there were some people making out, but many more were just relaxing and chatting with friends - it was more chill than trendy.
The lighting was a little odd too - it was bright enough to see perfectly clearly, but dark enough to notice a dim. It just made you feel like someone forgot to turn the lights all the way up, as opposed to creating ambiance.
I ordered a bourbon with a splash of coke. It came in a highball glass that was 75% Pepsi. Not cool. I will say that the waitress was prompt and very attentive given the size of the room.
If you're looking for a comfortable place to grab a drink without massive crowds, this definitely works. -
Review from Louis R.
Updated - 1/20/2012
I see you muthafuckas be heedin my advice and meetin up ya honeys here.
All I heard last night was, "Hi, are you [insert ugly dude/skank name]? Glad to finally meet you...wow, you look just like your profile picture". It was a veritable conveyor belt of Match / EHarmony 1st dates.
The spot is a conduit for peeps that are DTF...its dark, mellow, dope slow tracks playin, cute bartender is chill...a true win win situation for horny couples.
Congrats on discovering this goldmine, now get off that barstool, my dope-ass yelp date is sittin there.Listed in: Get Some, Dirty bathrooms, Wesssssst Siiiiiiiiide!!!!
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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9/7/2011
This really is a speak-easy spot. If you don't drunk stumble into the rear of the joint, you'll… Read more »
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Review from Dana B.
2/19/2012
Seeking out a Happy Hour nearby the office, Yelp produced this wonderous place. See, it was Valentines Day and I needed to drown my sorrow. Luckily their half price happy hour went until 8, which fit snuggly into my limited budget. My friend and I grabbed two plush chairs by the fireplace in the back room and had a great time despite the numerous couples making out around us. I don't blame these couples, the couches and low-lit room make for the purrrr-fect cozy date place but does not serve them exclusively. People were also celebrating a birthday in the back room, taking shots and what not. The front part of the place seemed more up to party though.
The menu items are also reasonably, reasonably priced. I think the mozzarella sticks we got were like 6.50. They had salads, sandwiches, more than your standard bar food, but not too far out of the realm. -
Review from Evelyn S.
New York, NY
4/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
The back is nice if you want to have a conversation. Bigger than it seems if you walk past it.
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Review from Lisa S.
Brooklyn, NY
4/9/2012
Love this place. This city needs more bars like this. It's a great place to go chill with friends or go on a date. The atmosphere is nice and the back room is super comfy. The best part? The music is great, but not so loud you can't talk. That's my main complaint most of the time I go out to bars, because unless I'm actively dancing, I want to be talking, and I don't want to have to scream all night long. Also, the bartenders are sweet, and the prices aren't as expensive as most Manhattan bars.
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Review from Joshua G.
New York, NY
1/27/2012
This used to be a great place to for a casual date or catch up with a friend. The hidden back room with couches adds a sense of allure and special-because-you-know-it. Though the past few times I've been have really taken it down in my book. The back room couches are dirty and worn out. It gets pretty crowded, you have to wait for a seat and squeeze your way in when you get one.
Also last time there was a cockroach climbing on the wall near the kitchen. One of the kitchen staff came out and start swatting it with a wet rag. He kept missing and it ran away. -
Review from Anne K.
Manhattan, NY
1/19/2012
This spot is a true gem. It's not many (good) bars in Manhattan where you can get a quality $6 draft beer and $7 glass of wine AND a $7 veggie burger all at once. I've been here twice now in the past two weeks and the reason I keep coming back is not just the cheap drinks and food, but the ambiance. Walk in and you'll see the classic bar with 5 or so booths. The trick is to keep going and walk in behind the curtain - there, you will find a small room full of squishy couches and artwork clad walls. Unlike a lot of places in trendier neighborhoods where you need to jostle for a bar stool (or pay $12 for a meh cocktail), you can grab a couch here no problem and settle down with a $8 cocktail or a $28 bottle of champagne, if you're feeling bubbly.
Also, both times I've been I have seen multiple couples some clearly on their first date and some going at it like the couch was their own personal hotel bed. Either way, great date spot! And (my personal favorite) ladies night -
Review from Cynthia L.
Astoria, NY
1/10/2012
Came here on Halloween, just as it was opening, so we headed to the back room to grab some couches.
I ordered a mojito and I'm not the biggest fan of mojitos but this place has the right proportion to mint and alcohol. I hate drinking a mojito and then not know that I have a huge piece pf mint stuck in my teeth. That has happened way too many times. They were strong and after my second one I will have to admit I was a bit buzzed.
I'd give it 5 stars but I wasn't too keen on the food here. It's a great spot for a date but I'd probably go to a restaurant beforehand and then end up here as my final destination.
Seriously try the mojitos.... they are that good. -
Review from Jess L.
11/15/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I had a really lovely time at this bar.
It has a killer happy hour -- $3 beers! -- and a pretty decent food menu. Art Bar has some of the best curly fries I've had in a while!
But the back room definitely gets most of the credit. It's cozy and full of comfortable seats. It has a lot of character and a fireplace. You really can't go wrong!
I plan on coming back for sure. -
Review from Simone R.
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY
Cool little place to have a drink out early dawn. Nice bartender.
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Review from Cecille C.
Manhattan, NY
10/13/2011
I didn't see anything related to art or very artistic at this bar. Maybe it's just too dark and I couldn't notice. That's ok. There are still two things pleased me at this bar:
I really liked the $8 women friendly special martini. It's like drinking a piece of tiramisu cake or almond dark chocolate cake. Not every woman loves dessert at 10 pm, but I bet no one would resist a dessert in rum.
I also liked how they put some leather-feel material at the surface of the bar counter. When I sat down next to the bar, my knees touched something bit soft and warm, different than a piece of wood as expected. It's a little convenience but huge comfort. -
Review from Diane D.
11/23/2011
Haven't been here in ages and tonight was an odd one.
For starters there's a $10 minimum on cards which is great because it's cheap. I ordered a drink and went to sit at the back. to wait for my friend to arrive and just relaxed in a warm, dry place. When I went to close my card after ordering a round for my friend and I the bartender, who was busy cleaning glasses, said it was "too much, ask the waitress". The waitress that had 4 booths and the whole back area to herself (no one else had been serving at that time).
After that I was just thrown off. The waitress was attentive and quick. The crowd was chill and the music, while not anything I enjoyed (until they played The Smiths of course) would've been worse. But I wont be back due to the fact that two drinks and closing my tab was too much for the bartender. Lame! -
Review from Johanna G.
Long Beach, NY
9/8/2011
diggin it - do they have stella on tap? Yep. Do they give you the adorable stella glasses? Sure. Do they get mad at you if you smash it? nope.
props to the wait staff; nice enough not to lie about the amount of food you should order. Besides...if you're gona give me good bleu cheese with good wings, you done earned your 4 stars IMNSHO (in my NOT so humble opinion). and if you're gonna throw down with the chop sticks cause there's someone at the table without round eyes? well then yous just money in my book. ditto though, buffalo shrimp comme ci, comme ca - wings and dumplings? Yum.Listed in: Boozing in the Big City
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Review from Carolina Z.
Long Beach, CA
7/27/2011
Art Bar was the only open place still serving libations in the wee hours on a Sunday. We all came in and sat at the bar. The bartender was kind of cranky. I have always felt it rude to tell someone to smile. I usually lay a $20 down as a tip and that does the trick. This time it didn't. :/ She just threw it in her tip jar and continued with the same expression. I realize this chick doesn't have to be be my friend, kiss my ass, or even smile at me. Maybe she was having a bad night?
So when that didn't work, I tried the old "...and ill buy you whatever youre having" to which she responded, "im not drinking" eeew!
...OH NO SHE DI'INT!! she could have at least pretended to have one with me. Still, no smile.
She continued on with her cranky demeanor. Could it be because I ordered an Old Fashioned? (its a pain in the ass to make) Perhaps she thought I was on the Mad Men bandwagon? (no way, I would never!) Too close to last call? (...yeah, that was probably) it.
My drink was good, but then again its hard to mess up an Old Fashioned.
Over all it falls short of what NYC has to offer in respect to bars. Ambiance was dark (which I like) but other than that it kindof reminds me of an old closed down diner. There is bad art all over the place.
Yes, im an art snob. -
Review from Lindsay H.
New York, NY
2/4/2012
Stumbled into this bar the other night with some co-workers, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised! We snagged a great semi-circular booth and enjoyed very reasonably priced drinks and appetizers. When I went to the bathroom, I was surprised to find a really cute and intriguing back room, which I have a feeling my coworkers and I will be returning to soon!
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Review from A K.
Brooklyn, NY
9/11/2011
This place is sweet.
Amazed but not amused by the douchiness of the Standard Beer garden, I quickly searched Yelp for a low key lounge in the area. Art Bar popped up and I gathered my crew for the 5 block treck.
Our new location delivered. Good drinks, nice staff, cool ambiance and friendly patrons. The back room was awesome. Thanks to its high ceilings, it kind of felt like we were chilling on some very comfy couches in someone's back yard.
Art Bar, you are now a fave. -
Review from Meghan P.
9/23/2011
*Never tried the food here, the review is for bar alone*
I really like Art Bar; I have fun every time I go here. The back room, with the couches and paintings, is dimly lit and really sexy, and they have a bottle of champagne on the drink menu for only $25.
One night I went and enjoyed the drinks so much that I forgot to close my tab, and left my credit card there overnight. Art Bar held the CC until the next day, didn't charge me any penalties, and didn't give me any shit for leaving it there overnight. Bonus. -
Review from Simon S.
Manhattan, NY
2/11/2012
Great burger and atmosphere if you are looking for something chill with a friend or two and a few beers.
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Review from Valerie T.
Manhattan, NY
7/19/2011 1 photo
Despite the astounding number of dark, swanky bars in Manhattan, I always find myself at Art Bar. I admit half the reason I go here is because it is conveniently located near my office and subway line, but the other half is assuredly because this place is just straight up awesome.
The back room, like previous reviewers have mentioned, is where you want to be. Do yourself a favor and make a beeline for it; upon first glance, you will never, ever even think of sitting in the front room. The back room is stuffed with large, plush couches of various hues; the brick walls are adorned with hipster boho-esque paintings, the largest of which invites the patron to have the "Last Supper" with mid 20th century pop culture royalty. My seat of ultimate preference here would obviously be next to John Lennon, but since that's impossible, I'll guess a velvet hug from the couch below will do.
I have never been here at a non-happy hour time, so I can't remark about wait time; still, service can be a little slow even during weekday evenings. I have also never been on a date here, but I imagine it would be a pretty good place for one -- after all, the eternal dimness of this place has never stopped couples from making out, fighting, and then making out again on couches directly across the room from me at 6pm. For those hard of breathing/sensitive to humidity, take note that back room does not have any windows; the air can get quite stale and suffocating during the summer.
Decent cocktails, but if you're like me and are looking to drink your sorrows away after hours of slaving away in front of a cold, thankless monitor all day, down several glasses of wine ($3/glass) or beer ($3/10 oz? glass). The price and quality of alcohol is good enough for you to get guiltlessly (at least from a financial standpoint) buzzed. Treat yourself to some nachos while you're at it as well.
Weekday happiness at last! -
Review from Bailey D.
7/21/2011
I really enjoyed this little gem! It has a bar up front and a few loungey half-circle tables around the bar with wait service, but the back is where it's at! It's dimly lit, has art decor and feels almost like a speakeasy.
the happy hour specials are great! I believe it's half off well drinks and beer (maybe wine too?) from 5-7pm. even after happy hour, the drinks are very affordable, and their cocktails are delicious! there is really something for everyone.
not so sure about the food. i only tried to guacamole that tasted alright and other people's food looked like decent/bar-type food. -
Review from Elizabeth C.
Manhattan, NY
12/25/2011
One of my favorite bars in the city. Art bar has great seasonal cocktails - the pumpkin pie martini is delicious! Plus, at $8 their martinis are a better deal than most places in west village, which typically run between $12 & $16+. Be sure to check out the cozy lounge area at the back of the bar.
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Review from Jay D.
7/18/2011
I HATE, yeah I used it + in all CAPS, this place with the passion of the Christ. If i could give it NO rating i would.
I was asked, no, not asked, yelled at like a homeless person on fire with lice + gangrene, to get out of the bar because I wasn't ready to order a drink at 2am exactly at the moment that I sat down.
God forbid that I wanted to start off with water. The super SUPER bitchy waitress snapped her lil head around + in a completely snotty way TOLD me I had to order alcohol NOW or GET OUT. NOW.
HELLO are you having a bad day right now? Well it is about to get a whole lot worse.
Exxxxxxxxxxcuse me ART BAR... let's see.... what if I was pregnant, what if I was the DD WHAT IF you can't make me order alcohol? WHAT IF I NEED LIKE 2 minutes at 2am to look at the menu.... so enraged.
It was on. I asked to speak to the manager--- oh wait? My favorite waitress REFUSED to get them. I left that place with a huff + a puff--I couldn't even deal with her ignorance. What a lame excuse for an establishment. I will never ever go here again + highly recommend you find someplace else to spend your money.
Such a bummer because the place has potential... maybe they should reconsider their staff---there isn't anything tasteful about how they treat their customers.
If you want to learn the art of being a total JERK this is your kinda place. -
Review from Vanessa H.
Aliso Viejo, CA
4/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here after hours (which is about 3am by LA standards) and found a nice spot to relax and let the buzzing in my ears subside. The couches are dangerously comfortable, and if you've had a big night and sink into one of them, you risk falling asleep. Our server was great, and the people there were really friendly.
Drinks are decently priced and heavily poured. I couldn't even finish my Captain & Diet because it slapped me in the face every time I went for a swig.
Beware: The bathrooms are gross, and feel like they were built back when people were 4 feet tall.Listed in: I Love New York
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Review from Zack K.
Bronx, NY
1/19/2012
The pros: very good selection of specialty drinks (the Pumpkin Pie Martini is a MUST HAVE, and the sangria is particularly strong, and the mojitos are good); good burgers and fries if you want dinner; ambient lighting with very chill atmosphere, not to mention a lot of cool posters on the wall (there's a mural dominating the back room with icons from the 60s on it).
The cons: it fills up very quickly, and as there is no hostess, seating is kind of a free-for-all, every-man-for-himself affair, which is problematic if you're coming with a larger group (as I normally do). Whenever I go, somehow the group I'm with manages to all find seats, but it is rarely an easy process.
Overall, however, Art Bar is fast becoming a stable, despite it's distance from me. -
Review from Liz C.
3/11/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Up in front Art Bar resembles a diner, with nondescript professionals drinking during the 2-for-1, 4PM-7PM happy hour on barstools and ordering nachos from oversized booths.
Part the curtain to reveal Art Bar's back lounge, which resembles an idealized vision of the West Village - low, plush couches, interesting murals and clusters of attractive bohemians sipping beer or weak cocktails.
A peaceable, pleasant for-groups destination, particularly in the early evening.Listed in: We Roll Six Deep.
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Review from Alexander M.
New York, NY
7/3/2011
It's actually not too hard to find a seat at the bar at this tiny West Villager, and it's worth it to watch the blase bartendress custom-concoct the fun cocktails. (I got some sort of blackberry mojito.) The wraparound vinyl benches are also fun. But once it gets late, the (rather attractive) crowd turns unsuitably rowdy for such a laidback bar.
Great location, cute drinks. -
Review from Ed D.
12/5/2011
Awesome place to hang out with friends..and go check out their Happy Hour..its one of the best in town :)
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Review from Audrey S.
New York, NY
3/29/2011
Oohh so this is where straight guys in the West Village go...
$8 martinis, mojitos, and specialty cocktails...FAN! My St Germaine mojito was delicious and strong. I had a little bite of cajun popcorn shrimp at 2 am, for cheap cheap here. Love that there is a full bar menu that is not pretentious or expensive.
Guys, this is a great place for a first date, especially when you dont want to break the date on someone who you may or may not find attractive. (match. com date?) -
Review from Lisa W.
7/30/2011
One of my best friends/drinking buddies lives around the corner from this place, and I love it so much. The drinks are cheap for their strength, and the crowd is low-key and fun. Great music as well. Go the back room if you can, it's positively lush.
One caveat: We ordered curly fries one time to soak up those strong drinks, and they never came. -
Review from Will C.
12/12/2010
Happy hour $3 drafts and a loaded backroom with couches to get your talk on, etc.
Had a fun time at Art Bar with my media peeps, we will definitely be back for more. Sat right underneath the past hollywood celeb last supper painting. Tried their meat and veggie nachos--thumbs up for both. -
Review from Alexander P.
Manhattan, NY
7/17/2011
Cheap comes to mind here. The bar food is surprisingly good, and cheap. The drinks are cheap too. No complaints about that in the over-priced West Village hood.
Gotta love art bar, it's just a great hole in the wall neighborhood spot.
No complaints here. -
Review from Mark V.
Millburn, NJ
1/18/2011
Suggested by a friend/yelper...I stopped in Art Bar this past weekend. The bar area is OK at best, but as others have reviewed, I came here for the lounge in the back room. Decorated with local artists work and warmed by a gas fireplace, this lounge is a very quiet, relaxing place to have a drink and relax.
The seating may be a little cramped and the overall beer selection could use some revamping, but I enjoyed my time here and would definitely add this place to my repertoire, when i am in the area. -
Review from NadaColada S.
New York, NY
7/22/2011
This is a hugely biased review because this is my neighborhood locale - and pretty much the only cheap bar in the area that i like - but still, I honestly love this place and had to give it 5 stars :)
When you first walk in to art bar the seating doesn't seem great but walk to the end of the bar to the back room which is much nicer with comfy sofas that are especially cozy in winter because they have a fireplace!
Friendly staff, cheap drinks and late night service. Definitely recommended! -
Review from Danielle J.
West Village, Manhattan, NY
2/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Had meant to come here for happy hour for months now, and post bunker a few friends continued on here friday night, and raved about the chocolate martinis-so decided it was finally time to try the place!
They have daily happy hour, so while it was saturday, during happy hour, i decided to try the white chocolate martini, as regular pricing was only $8.
Really good! And had other fabulous sounding options as well, all reasonably priced - and hh is dirt cheap, half off the house wines, wells, and beers (?). Will definitely be back for happy hour - and for the regularly priced martinis. A bit dive-y, but for such amazing prices right by my apt, totally worth it. -
Review from David H.
New York, NY
12/11/2011
Once of my faves. Great location. Good Beer on Tap. great wines. The food is solid, tends a little to the deep fat fried end of the spectrum but a great place to hang out. The back is quiet and comfy with fireplace and couches. Great to meet a good friend and spend the evening talking
