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Dutch Kills
- Nearest Transit:
-
Queens Plaza (E, M, R)
Long Island City - Court Sq (G)
Queensboro Plaza (7, 7X, N, Q)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5 pm - 2 am
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Classy, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
197 reviews for Dutch Kills
Review Highlights
"or bartender's choice for "light and refreshing" you will..."
(in 12 reviews)
"Forget milk and honey, this place is way better and relaxed."
(in 15 reviews)
"I'm a huge fan of the 20's and love the speakeasy thing."
(in 37 reviews)
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197 reviews in English
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Review from Evan R.
2/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
Thanks to Dutch Kills, all it takes to become a native New Yorker is ten minutes and $14.
There is no logical explanation for the location - this stretch of Jackson Avenue merely serves as a conduit between the Queensboro and PS1. But, behind the white neon "Bar" sign is an oasis of class.
The small interior is full of old wooden booths with a few seats at the bar. You're here for one reason - the drinks. The team behind Milk & Honey created Dutch Kills so there is no messing around with the cocktails. They are expensive, strong and delicious.
I've had the Native New Yorker and the off-menu American Trilogy, and both were awesome. As crazy as it sounds, the ice is one of the best parts of the drink. It's hand cut and ends up in tiny round shavings. They also come with an Inspector Gadget-like metal straw that has a stirring spoon on the end.
This is a great place for strong cocktails and a speakeasy vibe without the lines and fuss that this would have in Manhattan. Also, its a fun way to enjoy yourself while your car is being towed without your knowledge. -
Review from Tim L.
2/4/2012
There's a few things that Dutch Kills does absolutely perfectly. One is that they're quiet in their facade, no boisterous signs just a simple lit sign stating "Bar" above their non-descript doors. Two is that the bar is positioned at the back instead of near the front or the middle, making it much less annoying to get in the doors. Three is of course that their drinks are all extremely pleasing and priced perfectly.
I tend to enjoy the casual atmosphere and less of the hustle so coming here on a weekday instead of the weekends is certainly preferential if you fall in the same boat.
The only nuisance here is that it can even when there's barely a soul in here, be difficult to get the attention of the mixologist/bartender. Unfortunately there is a slight air of pretentiousness depending on who's here, but I suppose that's a sense of pride in what they do. They definitely do it right as the drinks that result are fanciful without any gimmicks.
Their happy hour deal is extremely reasonable and even if you don't catch that 4 delicately designed and poured cocktails ran me just $42 so it's still amazing. -
Review from christopher c.
Manhattan, NY
I happened to walk out of the station because I had to use the restroom. On the way back I saw the sign and had no clue what was inside. I did a quick Yelp search and so I entered.
I loved this place as soon as I got inside and knew that it was going to have great cocktails.
I started off with my go to...the old fashion made with rye. The next drink I got was the bartender's choice. A similar rye cocktail with some fruit and I believe an Absinthe spray or something(I can't remember what he said) This was yummy as well.
I can't say enough good things about this place, I think I will be coming here frequently. -
Review from Michael G.
Floral Park, NY
2/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
In love with this speakeasy. Love the location, love the people that work there, love the drinks. Upon entering I was greeted by a large man named "Rebekka". Lovely gentlemen who escorted us to our table. Our server was on point and at our service, amidst a packed crowd. I recommend the Presbyterian and the Don Lockwood (not for the faint of heart)
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Review from Al S.
East Elmhurst, NY
2/8/2012
Location is off the beaten path and thats a plus in my book. You should not go there ever looking to hook up but definitely go there if you want to witness great mixologists that really care about every single creation they make. Serious drinkers will be very happy here. btw, when I say "serious drinkers" I do not mean alcoholics. I'm more referring to people with class and style.
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Review from Serena G.
Washington, DC
1/23/2012
Though I live in DC (hey, I don't need your judgment), I travel to New York so often that I've developed a whole set of favorite spots there; it's home away from home. After three visits to Dutch Kills, I'm adding it to my list; I'll be a regular on my NY visits.
$11 is a lot for a cocktail (I don't care how standard it is -- it's still a lot), but the cocktails at Dutch Kills *taste* like $11 cocktails. When you drink them you can tell where your money went, and it seems like a pretty fair deal. They've never served me a drink I didn't like.
It's also the sort of place where you can give your waiter or bartender a few parameters and he'll bring you something that suits your tastes, whether or not it's on the menu. Bars like Dutch Kills pride themselves on that -- and DK does a great job.
Finally, I love the ambiance. It's classy without feeling too snooty, and while it's certainly a hipster bar, it's not unbearably so. You've got to love a place that offers you a binder full of menus from nearby restaurants that deliver -- it's just as good as if they served food, but with more options (and probably cheaper, too). And somehow -- how??? -- Dutch Kills always seems to have seats, despite its obvious popularity. Though it's always Friday or Saturday night when I go there, my friends and I have never had to wait for a table. Love it.
P.S. Zane the waiter is the bee's knees. Not only is he friendly, funny, and ridiculously adorable, but if you're nice to him you're likely to find a free round of shots at your table, or a bill that looks an awful lot lower than it should've been. Never change, Zane.Listed in: Low-Key NYC
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Review from John Q.
Brooklyn, NY
1/9/2012
"...then he grabbed our penises in each of his hands."
"Stop! I don't need to hear this!" implored one of my dinner companions from earlier in the evening, and not for the first time since we arrived at Dutch Kills. While she could hardly be blamed, these are the late night conversations that inevitably cannot; and ultimately, should not, be avoided.
At the time I happened to be polishing off a Don Lockwood, which combined American whiskey with Islay Scotch. I've not drank single malts often since suddenly looking up one day with shock at price tags such as $12 for MacAllan 12 or $14 for Oban 14. So on this evening I thought some scotch might be nice for a change. But for me, this cocktail did not work especially well. The scotch overpowered the other ingredients, yet those other items in their way interfered with the scotch. Lesson learned: neat is the way to go from now if I ever go back to the single malts.
That dissatisfaction was not the case for one woman in the group who enjoyed the concoction far more than I. "Who are you? I don't know you!" was the greeting I received as she approached our booth. Yet the apologies of her companion were perhaps unnecessary, as I'm perfectly capable of introducing myself in similar situations with such gallant pleasantries as "so you're the other Wing L?"
The noble gentleman would recommend a cocktail absent from Dutch Kills' menu: the American Trilogy, which would prove far more palatable. Yet another combination base of whiskeys, but this time all-American. Generally I prefer such spirits neat; eschewing "mixology" sorts of places. Since cocktails here hover at a near-tolerable $11 rather than along the lines of the stratospheric $14 or $16 potent potables common in other boroughs, I dove right in.
Straight pours of whiskey are not too exorbitantly costly either; only slightly more so than at my local watering hole. Blanton's bourbon proves an exception to this rule; however, at $14 you damn well better be presented with that horse and jockey bottle stopper when you order more than one glass.
As noted I am not one to frequent speakeasy sort of places, and thus wouldn't be tired of them as many cocktail aficionados might be. I particularly dig the soft-volume period-appropriate music often playing at such locales.
I would most certainly be remiss if I didn't award the proper kudos to Dutch Kills for creating a cocktail named the Native New Yorker; allowing for unlimited potential of Yelp in-jokes. If only it weren't prepared with an excess of crushed ice I might even be inclined to order one.
The lounge now emptying out, I would be easily cajoled into ordering one last Trilogy as the young lady seated next to me requested one last Bees Knees, or Son of a Bees Knees or Son of a Bitches Knees, or whatever that was that she was sipping. Doing one better than sipping, even.
Finally as it was time to call it a night, I completed the brief stroll towards the Citicorp tower, catching the G train with the utmost of convenience.
And we all know what a plus it is to be conveniently located to the G. -
Review from Wookie S.
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY
2/4/2012
Can I say classy? Mom and Dad really like this place - I can tell because they come back looking all silly and laugh a lot. I hear it's a very nice bar and that you can get whatever you want! I'm 21 in human years, but still not allowed inside. I do not like that. if they change the rules and start allowing dogs inside, I would like to order an Old Fashioned. Love, Wookie
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Review from Jillian K.
New York, NY
Hustle down here and order a Bear Trap (bourbon, honey syrup, apple cider, and spiced butter). It's warm, sweet, rich, slightly creamy, and OH YEAH DID I MENTION IT HAS BUTTER IN IT?
It's cold in the winter. Sometimes you need a little butter in your booze.Listed in: Drink O'Clock
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Review from Chris N.
Queens, NY
12/12/2011
Great vibe, friendly "mixologists." Drinks are on the expensive side, but then again these bartenders went to school to doctor up one of their concoctions for you.
Would have gotten 5 stars if i didn't have to pay for their mixology degrees. -
Review from Ashley L.
11/14/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Dutch Kills is owned by the same team that put together another top NYC cocktail bar, Milk and Honey....with better priced drinks!
Features sturdy wooden booths, bar seating, dim light fixtures, and a neon sign outside that merely announces "BAR."
DRINKS
- amazing cocktails $11/drink
- offers all your old favorites, as well as signature concoctions you'd have trouble finding elsewhere
- seasonal printed menu available
- bartender's choice (you leave part or all of your drink up to your bartender)
- happy hour menu offering many of their old standards for $8 a piece (Sunday-Thursday 5-7 PM / all night Monday!)
OTHER INFORMATION
- booths are first come first serve, name can be taken down by waiter if there are none available
- reservations taken for larger parties, max. 9-10 people (cost $75 to reserve a table on Fridays and weekends after 9 PM or $50 if you pay in advance with a credit card)
- if you want a table w/o the wait, go anytime before 8:30-9 PM on Fridays
- you can bring your own food or even have food delivered here, they are cool with it!!
- open until 2 am daily
- CASH only
LOVE!!!!!Listed in: LIC (Long Island City), Speakeasies
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Review from cate w.
Astoria, NY
1/23/2012
The drinks are unique and yummy... the vibe is cool and relaxed.
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Review from Rick L.
Woodinville, WA
1/23/2012
This is my favorite traditional cocktail bar, period. They can be a little arrogant, but jeez, the mixed drinks are amazing!
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Review from Juliet C.
12/6/2011
Really cute place and relaxed! If I lived in LIC this would be my MacLaren's.
My favorite cocktail was the Supreme. It was kind of like apple sauce in alcohol form, and tangy.
Absolutely loved the redheaded waitress with all the tats. She really embodied the spirit of the place. Relaxed, retro and cool!
Downside is that it closes at 2 am. We unfortunately came at around 1:30 am so just as we got going it was last call already. But the waitress made sure to let us know to take our time and we were by no means being kicked out. Seriously a great establishment! -
Review from Michael B.
Los Angeles, CA
1/23/2012
From what I remember about this place it was certainly delectable. The drinks were delicious and I had a great time with my friend trevor and his beautiful wife. The coktails weren't as pricey as I thought they were going to be and I had a hell of a time. It was very intimate and soothing. Not a lot of yelling. We had a nice booth. No jerks. Bring cash, they won't take cards.
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Review from Sushma A.
Manhattan, NY
1/6/2012
This is an awesome hipster speakeasy if there ever was one. Now I love speakeasies in general and I think alcohol should be tasty and fabulous with many different layers of flavors and options. A bartender should know more than to pour liquor out of a bottle. Which I can do. This particular place is quite different. It is not pretentious or up market per se. And given its location would not attract such a crowd. It is only one stop into Long Island City however it isn't really close to the station. It isn't REALLY far either though, under 10 minute walk. You will find the place by searching for a neon "bar" sign outside the door which is kitschy fabulous. The bartender we got unfortunately was cranky pants that night though we collectively spent over $500 dollars. But to her credit she did make good drinks. She just didn't want to be interrupted having conversations with other bartenders when we called her over to make us another round and she didn't like being told that I was limited to one choice of alcohol that evening only. She felt her creativity was stifled with the fact I only wanted to drink vodka cocktails. So in that regard I thought that was unusual! In that the whole point of speakeasy places in New York (and yes I know they are not traditionally so!) is to make creative drinks!. But anyway a great option for Long islanders or for those who want to try something different off Manhattan. It is a small raw wood paneled small bar that is a must try atleast once!
Be warned though it is really not somewhere you for for a sexy ambiance and romantic date. Oh and I should mention the cheapest creative cocktails I have ever had!.. like $11 a pop. -
Review from Astrid G.
1/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
Dutch Kills is a serious cocktail bar. It's a place for sitting and sipping finely crafted cocktails (most of which were adapted from 1930's cocktail recipes). We were seated at a cozy wooden booth and proceeded to enjoy 2 drinks each. At $11 a pop and with ingredients like bourbon, gin, scotch, and rye whiskey, 2 drinks each was perfect to get toasty and buzzed. I started with the Bayflower Cocktail (Genever, St. Germain, lemon juice, grapefruit juice and simple syrup. It was fruity, refreshing, and went down easy. My next drink was the Twentieth Century. It consisted of gin, lemon juice, Lillet Blanc, and creme de cacao. This was definitely my favorite of the two, mainly because I'm a gin lover. The vibe of the whole place was very chill (and the r&b/soul music playing was a nice touch). The service was excellent. The menu is impressive and quite educational (and if you so wish, you can purchase a copy for $3....or download it from their website for free). I'll certainly be back!
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Review from Alex S.
Union City, NJ
11/28/2011
What happened here???
I use to come here all the time when it first opened up and loved this place. How can you not love a speakeasy AND personable bartenders looking like they came from the prohibition era AND amazing drinks AND the small private back chandelier room with musical performances AND booths great for small groups.
They got rid of the back room (and entertainment?) to extend the bar, one of the bartenders was dressed up while the other wasn't and looked quasi-hung over. The drinks are still superb (especially at $11 a piece) but that speakeasy feel that once existed seemed slightly faded with the new changes. The allure of this place (at least for me) was to be transported back into the roaring 20's but perhaps I came too early or on an off night. Maybe next time, the bartenders will be in full garb and the piano will be uncovered and displayed with someone playing on it. I did like the new wall setting behind the bar. It has been upgraded with what seems to be a larger drink arsenal even though the drink menu won't represent it. Not that it really matters since you should just ask the bartender to create you a drink with the liquor of your choice.
Still a good place to have great drinks.........especially in Queens. -
Review from Ashley F.
Brooklyn, NY
12/18/2011
The most pretentious and douchey bar I've ever been to. And I drink a lot.
A group of friends and I discovered Dutch Kills by mistake a few months back. We wandered in, looking for a bathroom, and were so pleasantly surprised to find a really cool little bar with good cocktails. So when I was planning drinks before a friend's play at a nearby theater, I was excited to suggest Dutch Kills and have a chance to return. My boyfriend and I arrived first, at 6 on a Saturday, and were some of the only people in the bar. The bartenders saw us but ignored us for a good five minutes while cutting ice. Ok, no worries. It was early. Then my boyfriend ordered a bartender's choice with whiskey, eliciting a huge sigh, rolled eyes and attitude from the waiter. "Fine, I can make you something." Oh, thanks so much, guy! Thanks for doing your job! The worst part of the evening, however, was reserved for our experience with the waitress. Eventually our friends trickled in and we sat at a table. It was early, we were quiet and pleasant and just trying to have some cocktails and low conversation. Every time the waitress came over she was openly hostile, trying to grab our half-full drinks, rolling her eyes whenever we ordered, basically berating us all night long. We had seriously done nothing other than smile at her and ask for drinks--isn't that pretty standard behavior for table service? It was like middle school when you're sitting at the lunch table and the popular girl comes over to bully you, and all you do is sit there, gritting your teeth and hoping for it to be over.
In short, the ambiance (wood paneling, cozy booths) is nice and the drinks are ok, but you can find much better drinks and much better service, even in douchey parts of Manhattan (this place is in QUEENS, for pete's sake! Enough with the attitude, I took the G train to get here.)
If you walk in and see a red-headed waitress, my advice is to turn around, go home and pour yourself some gin, and stab yourself in the eye. I guarantee you'll have a better evening. -
Review from Adam C.
10/31/2011
Been meaning to make it out to Dutch Kills for a while and wow it didn't disappoint. I love the sign outside (simply "BAR"). I like the space...the soaring ceiling in the main room is kind of a breath of fresh air after all the super-low-ceilinged cocktail dens that define this genre. And there's also a tiny skylight which is unheard of. I'm also a fan of how they display all the bottles on the huge wall. Besides looking cool, if you're suddenly in the mood for, say, an expensive single malt, you can look at the per-ounce price, which is cool. Although going straight-spirit is kind of a waste because the cocktails are so solid.
The drinks have to be perfect at this price point and they were. The menu changes seasonally which is nice. The bartenders are creative and will happily accommodate any palate. If I lived in LIC I'd be a regular here. Actually I'd like to be one anyway. -
Review from Gary L.
Prices went up to $11 per cocktail....
Drinks - I came in here tonight with 2 good friends expecting a good night of drinking but I feel like their cocktails aren't as rich and flavorful as before. Their cocktails are so loaded with crushed ice. It waters down the cocktail very quickly. I Had 6 drinks, spent over 60 dollars and didn't feel a thing.... Something just tasted off about their cocktails tonight. I don't know if their measurements for each pour was off or what but I walked a bit disappointed with the outcome and I wasn't pleased with the new prices.
Service - Great as usual. The waiter was very friendly and energetic. I never had a problem with their service. It was just the drinks that was kinda bad tonight.
Verdict - I'll always love the ambiance and interior of Dutch Kills but asking me to pay that much for a drink? Maybe not. I use to enjoy bringing some friends from outside of NYC to Dutch Kills but now I'm having second thoughts. I still like Dutch Kills for what it is but I'm just a little iffy about my drinks tonight. Not even a hint of being typsy. I'm going to give them one more shot later this month and keep you guys posted with an updated review. As of tonight, I was pretty disappointed.Listed in: Bars That Feels Like Home
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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10/29/2010
Hands down, my favorite bar in New York City. I've been to numerous bars and nobody's cocktails can… Read more »
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Review from Trevor L.
Brooklyn, NY
11/8/2011
I had a great time at Dutch Kills.
I liked the atmosphere, and the drink selection. Good Cocktails.
The prices of the drinks are why it didn't receive 5 stars from me. $11 is a bit steep for a drink in LIC.
I would recommend this bar, and think it would be ideal for a date. Make sure to be some green, they dont take card. -
Review from Carrie H.
New York, NY
9/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
So good. so good.
Forget milk and honey, this place is way better and relaxed.
Atmosphere/service: The only thing it lacks is a pleasant walk from the train. Inside is fantastic as you have a choice of sitting at the bar (which is really fun if you're in a pair or group of 3 max) or tables - LARGE tables - where you can spread out and relax. We brought a group of 8 here on a Saturday night at 11 and waited for 10 minutes for a table to accommodate us - considering it's a bar, that's amazing. And the noise level is agreeable to having conversation - it's not quiet, but rather a modest level.
Drinks: The cocktails are DELICIOUS and you have a mixologist (bartender...bartender) who listens to you and will hand craft you a drink, should you wish, based on your desire. The ingredients are super fresh - my boyfriend and I have ordered, er, a generous amount of cocktails here, and neither of us have been disappointed with our choices ever.
Bonus: they give you water with fresh cucumbers in it. It's tasty.
Value: I agree with Dana - the cocktails are worth $11. I've had way too many cocktails in Manhattan for $14/5/6 that cannot compare to the quality and taste at Dutch Kills. And seriously it is ONE STOP into Queens. Quit yer bitchin. -
Review from Vivian H.
8/3/2011
On a dark, rainy night after having a very disappointing meal, we ventured here to pick up our spirits.
And it was a wise choice. You will miss this place if you blink, so pay attention! I can't believe how close this place is to my work. This is going to be a dangerous love affair.
This place is dark and narrow. A speakeasy with all the right accompaniments, including beautiful hipster waitress with many tattoos, a mixologist with many tattoos and another waiter with a "Greenpoint" T-shirt. Wait, did you guys get lost over the Pulaski Bridge?
I started off with a Flight Night which was a simple rum cocktail with crushed ice. After the first drink, we decided to leave fate in our bartender's hands. He was not comfortable with this. I told him I wanted rum since that was the liquor of the night for me. He cringed and wanted to make me a daiquiri. At that point, I cringed. I said, "how about something weird?" He asked if I could indulge egg whites. Indeed I could. My companion wanted whiskey and also something unique. With those instructions, Abe got to work. He put the egg whites in my drink and the egg yolk in the other. How convenient and resourceful. My drink turned out to be fantastic. The name was something like "King's Fizz." Rum and egg whites are a marriage made at AA meetings.
I highly recommend this bar. Laid back, uninhibited vibe with excellent mixologist on hand. Take a date here to impress them. Or just take yourself and impress the Hell out of your superego. -
Review from Mono P.
Manhattan, NY
1/16/2012
I was in LIC looking to kill some time before heading into Manhattan. After having talked about it for about a year, my friends and I decided to finally give this bar a try. We walked into a dimly-lit, wood paneled bar. The ambiance in here really contributes to the overall experience. The bar is small, but apparently there is a three-drink limit per person (good luck walking out on your own after three!), so even if it gets a little crowded, people are always filtering in and out. I looked at the drink menu (no food here) and wasn't really excited by anything I saw there. The cocktails all looked very good, but I was looking for something special; I was inspired by all of the different elixirs and seasonings all around the bar. I asked for a bartender's special; whiskey, sweet, shaken. I really wish I had listened to the bartender explain my drink; it was delicious! Full disclosure; I'm not a huge fan of whiskey, but I figured that if any bar would make me a fan, this would be it. Yes, Dutch Kills, I have fallen under your spell. My drink was strong, and dangerously drinkable. Yes, it's more expensive than a happy hour well drink anywhere else, but you get so much more for your money. It's the perfect way to turn an ordinary Thursday night into a special occasion. The bartender didn't seem to be very personable or friendly, but that's not really what I was looking for anyway. I'm looking forward to going back there and trying out another new concoction!
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Review from Su C.
New York, NY
1/15/2012
Drinks were def delish and wayy cheaper than across the river (ALL cocktails $11, not $16!) The environment was sooo chill with lots of seating. The bartenders were a bit borderline. WHAT is this? We ask you for drinks, respect you for skills, and tip you for service. No need for snarks, now.
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Review from Jane C.
Long Island City, NY
9/14/2011
I'm a sucker for men in uniform. I admit that I adore Fleet Week in NYC just for the sake of seeing the little Marines and Naval Officers trawl the city in their dress blues. I might have married my husband (pure speculation here) because he works in uniform and was an Army Ranger.
Heck - I even like a good 'ol blue-collar man in Dickies. What can I say? It's my primary weakness.
The barkeep here wears a crisp, white button-down with the sleeves rolled. (*swoon*) His suspenders crease the shoulders a bit - I'm sure - worked tirelessly by mixing masterful cocktails. Sure, he can banter with the best of 'em - but isn't that the beauty of a skilled bartender?
They can serve up drinks AND conversation; adjusting each to suit your preference.
Monday nights are 1/2 price drinks all evening ... and sometimes, if you're lucky, a live pianist will tinkle the keys in the back (requests acquiesced ... my age-old favorite, "Moon River" was a beautiful rendition).
Now, if you ask me privately (AKA - without that pesky 'ol Army Ranger floating around) ... I'll tell you that the uniformed bartenders are the real show at this establishment - and that the personality is what keeps the place swingin' and keeps us patrons coming back for more.
But....If you happen to catch me on the nights when I'm accompanied by my better half - well - I'll just smile and tell you that they make one heckuva drink...and that alcohol might just be my second weakness....... -
Review from Shelley C.
ASTORIA, NY
Updated - 10/8/2011
...And return I did, only 6 days later, after thinking about this place incessantly. Took two friends here, had another great experience and kept drinking the same drink I had the previous Monday. What can I say? Creature of habit.
This place has much more a buzz and is far livelier on a week night (to be expected) --still, a really nice doorman (complimented my purse) and a really lovely bartender (complimented my drink choice.)
Had a great chat with another customer here-- the clientele are as cool as the servers.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/4/2011
Well, I found it. My favorite spot in Queens. I would say it's my favorite spot in all of New York,… Read more »
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Review from Kathleen M.
Manhattan, NY
1/5/2012
rude service by the bartender and a red-headed waitress. it was my group's first time there, and simple questions were met with scoffs and eye-rolling. the place was not crowded, yet my group felt like we were imposing the whole time. this place held promise when i first heard of it, but now that i've experienced it i don't plan on ever going back.
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Review from Anna S.
ASTORIA, NY
12/14/2011
I love Dutch Kills. I've only been here once, and have been trying to get back since. It's located in a very obscure region of Queens, right next to Queens Plaza in the industrial section of Long Island City. The entrance is hard to spot, so look for the house number on the door.
All the drinks are $12, and you get a choice of picking from a house drink menu or simply telling the server what flavors you enjoy and letting the bartenders weave their magic. Everything is made from scratch, using house-made syrups and fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs. They have an extensive lineup of top-shelf and rare liquors to complement all palates. The whiskey drinks are very strong, and the martinis are amazing. Come here expecting the unexpected, and if you love jameson and ginger ale, order a Jamie Ginger and you won't be disappointed!!! -
Review from J T.
Astoria, NY
9/1/2011
Cocktails were amazing.
Bartenders are cute and have great arms.
Finding a seat was a bit difficult.
Clean bathrooms.
Nice group of locals. -
Review from Joe G.
NY
8/24/2011
As someone who works on the wrong side of the tracks in LIC (that's the southside for anyone not familiar - don't get lost over here), I generally assume that it's 20 blocks to anything drinkable/edible that doesn't risk getting mugged. Then I found Dutch Kills, just 10 minutes from my office (and on the right side of the tracks).
Stellar menu (try the Diablo) and great recommendations (I wouldn't have ordered something with eggwhites and Absinthe, but the Rattlesnake is plain delicious) from the knowledgable and skilled barstaff. It's just one of those places you can feel cool drinking at, without actually being that cool/trendy/sexy.
Just note - this would be an easy 5 star, but the bartenders are perfectionists and the drinks are just a few ounces, so don't go there expecting to quench a thirst quickly. I'm generally there on Friday after a miserable week of work and needing to take the edge off. It took time, but I finally persuaded them to give me a beer while they work on the hard stuff. Because it takes FOREVER. -
Review from Luke P.
Astoria, NY
12/2/2011
This place is absolutely adorable. The ambiance is perfect; dark, classy. The cocktails? Delicious.
THEN you actually have to order them.
I came here for my birthday last night. Three people, three, with a few more on the way. After waiting 20 minutes at the bar, and it was not overly busy, the handsome bartender came over and said "you all look thirsty!" duh. We asked for a menu, then he proceeded to tend to other orders and never came back. The other bartendress, who was 1.5 feet away toiling over 4 cocktails for another 10 minutes, then looked our way and asked if we needed anything. Ummmm, this is a bar right? Suspecting we were in for a wait we ordered an extra cocktail, if not for us then for our other friends on the way. "why do you need two?" she snapped. "we have a friend on the way." Then when our other three friends came she snarled when we ordered drinks at different intervals. This is at 830-9pm. She then made a point to be extra nice to the people next us and kept sneering at us.
If mixology-oriented bars mean you have to bow to the bartenders like demigods and sip their drinks like it's holy water, forget it. The drinks were delicious, but if it means watching bartenders hewing at ice for 10 minutes for one drink, count me out. I give them an extra star for screwing up our BEER (yes, beer) order but then giving them to us on the house.
I might give it one more chance but there's alot of other places I want to try first. -
Review from Iain T.
Berkeley, CA
8/27/2011
There's an old expression - "You get what you pay for," and Dutch Kills is a great example of this.
The drinks are pricey, but so worth it. On the cocktail list we had a selection and they averaged out at about $11 each. Normally I'd be a bit peeved but they were worth it, marrying sweet and sour tastes in a superior mix. The selection of whiskeys and other spirits is also superb.
When we first saw the bartender I'll admit my first thought was' wanker,' he looked way too into shaking the cocktails and putting on a show. In actual fact he proved very knowledgeable, and a dab hand at mixing the drinks.
The bar itself is narrow, with booths at the front, and done out in dark wood paneling that suits the place perfectly. Music was loudish, but not intrusive, and if I was still dating I'd certainly come here for a first, or thrid date. -
Review from Chesterfield L.
Rahway, NJ
12/1/2011
Great spot for a tasty beverage!! I like to play around and test bartenders by ordering off the menu at spots like this. I was impressed with what was served. Exactly what I was looking for in a beverage! Savory and deelish!! Well done! Will definitely be back!
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Review from Leonardo H.
Seattle, WA
5/31/2011
This review is long overdue. I was waiting to get to my 4000+ pictures from my New York trip a few months ago before I post this review. But I know that's not going to happen for another 2-3 months. So I'll just write it now.
This bar came highly recommended by bartenders around Seattle and just cocktail-guzzlers around, and I knew I had to make a visit no matter what. No matter that it was really out of the way, in the middle of desolate-nowhere, with nothing around but office buildings and run-down store-fronts. OK OK, maybe it wasn't that bad...but it was late night, dark, in the middle of winter, and I didn't even want to walk a block in that lung-stabbing chilly air. But there's literally nothing else around it.
Then you see the white neon sign....the three-letters that describe what's behind the heavy wooden-door: BAR. The door felt heavy, possibly because I was weak from hunger, having skipped dinner. But a BAR is what this place offers, excels in, goes above and beyond, and can make a killing out of.
It was quiet at the bar. My drinking companion and NY resident tour guide, T-bear, and 2 lovely ladies were the only patrons there perched at the bar. Zach was the man behind bar, and Jamie, a newcomer whom Zach was mentoring, had the barback role for the night. Right off the bat, they were both very pleasant and friendly. You can just tell the moment you walk into a bar when a bartender will just be a drink-maker-server, or when he'll "TEND" to his bar. And tend he did.
Small talks quickly turned into conversational chatter as I asked the barmen myriads of questions, interrogating them on their methods, the liquor selection, and future plans for the bar. I was taking notes: I learned much from this Zachary. And by this point the aforementioned lovely ladies were trying on my glasses and hat while sip-tasting each other's cocktails. Yes, I made friends there. The bar made it happen. That's what great bars and bartenders do: connect their patrons. I enjoyed my drinks and the company so much that I'd forgotten all about food, and the fact that I was running on a completely empty stomach. Guess what they did: they ordered take-out for us to eat there. I'm not sure if this will get those men in trouble that I'm disclosing this fact. They did say they were working to get food into their menu in the following months. Did this happen yet, I wonder?
But there I was, eating take-out Mexican food at the bar, with some of the best drinks I'd tasted on my entire trip, or entire life for that matter. I've forgotten how many drinks I had there. How many sips I sampled.
I can't praise and talk them up enough with just words, as I do believe there's actual video--a series of them--that will speak louder than any words I could write. http://vimeo.com/23840548 - this one in particular, shows off their Ice. I'm not talking about the wearable ice, the so-called Bling-Bling, that is often the subject of showing off, but the frozen substance that goes in drinks. Often overlooked as an essential ingredient in drinks, these drinkmakers treat it with the utmost respect. Using the proper type or size for different drinks, each rock is carved out of a gargantuan slab of clear, unblemished ice produced fresh daily. Enough of me talking about it, just watch the damn video.
It doesn't happen to me very often, but I blacked out that night. For the second time ever in my life, in some unfamiliar bathroom, belonging to one of the characters I'd just met. I don't remember much how I got there and what transpired between the bar and that bathroom. My flashbacks now are limited to blurred images and faint murmurs of....Denros...Overproof Rum..and...fire-breathing? Also, I believe...somewhere along the line, a Highland Park 50-year? -
Review from Hannah A.
Arlington, VA
7/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is neat! It's like a speakeasy, with booths and dim lighting. The master mixologists here take the craft of cocktail-making very seriously, so much so that they put big chunks of ice in the drinks instead of individual cubes so the ice doesn't melt quickly and water down the drinks.
Best of all, if you describe to the mixologists or your server the kind of drinks you like using a list of adjectives from the menu (e.g., sweet, tart, sour) and naming your favorite liquors, they will make a drink for you based on your specifications. In my case the two drinks they created - which I'd never had before - were spot-on. -
Review from James K.
11/1/2011
I love this place. Though many places in New York try to recreate the feeling of a speakeasy, usually they end up being kind of pretentious and gimmicky, but Dutch Kills is chill, classy, and cute. Maybe because this is not in Manhattan and so it's not overcrowded, but I will gladly trek the few extra subway stops for some peace and quiet with well-made cocktails. There's a cocktail menu, or you can also select the adjectives you want and the bartender will make you something. I tried the Supreme and the Son of a Bee, and both were delicious. The drinks are $11 each, which is OK. I'm also a fan of the dark wood aesthetic.
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Review from David P.
Updated - 4/7/2011
Here's why I'm knocking this place down a peg. Like George Thorogood, I often drink alone. This bar is in no way conducive to that. The bar section is too narrow, so if you aren't lucky enough to get one of the few bar stools, you'll be awkwardly pressed up against those who are sitting at the bar.
Also, I get the whole classic cocktail revival. It's a good thing. But, please spare me the attitude. I order the drink the way I like it, because I'm drinking it. If that offends your sleeve tattoo hipster sensibilities, tough luck. I'll go to one of the other twenty "special" cocktail bars in the city.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/29/2011
Man, this place is in the middle of nowhere, but it's worth the trip down some pretty grungy… Read more »
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Review from Cassy S.
Brooklyn, NY
3/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm a fan of Petrasky's Milk & Honey and Little Branch so it was safe to assume I'd like Dutch Kills as well. Conveniently located a few blocks away from PS1, we walked here after Le Grand Fooding event for a tasty nightcap. I guess my idea wasn't that unique since the crowd followed us shortly after. Great minds DO think alike.
The space has about 6-8 booths at the front room followed by a narrow bar with stools and another space at the very back with tall tables. It's not at all super spacious but has more compared to their other establishments. The server and bartender were gracious and friendly. I remember intently watching the bartender prepare my drink. He used a stirrer to taste it and a second later, threw out the contents and started from scratch again! I was very impressed by this move. Who does that these days?
Thank you Dutch Kills. You have renewed my faith in cocktail dens. Quality drinks really are worth the price tag.Listed in: Where I Quench My Thirst
