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Union Square (4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W)
14th St-6th Aves (F, V, L, 1, 2, 3)
14th Street (PATH)
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3.5 Stars again...really Yelp should instate the ability to half-star things.
The longest bar I've seen so far in Manhattan. They literally must have at least 4 or 5 actual bar stations for the sheer length of the bar and number of people there. Packed on a Friday night but the bartenders are extremely friendly and really cool. We talked to one for a while just while she had a lull in customer orders and she was great. It's great to see a quick, happy bar staff at such a crazy place on the weekends.
Because it's more of the lengthy bar than a room, it's a bit cramped in terms of going from the front door to the back of the room - so cramped that I haven't made it much past the bathroom which is about a third of the way in to the bar.
Beautiful decor and nice high ceilings. Authentic Irish bar usuals and even a fun bright red (unconnected) telephone. It's also quite fun to stand in the front corner of the bar to people watch and see how certain men at the bar attempt to talk to women or simply drink by themselves for hours on end. A little on the expensive side with my Jack and Coke being $10 but it's a fun place I'd probably go back.
Classy twist on an Irish Pub with decent prices, yummy bar food, and a amenable crowd of post-work imbibers all just looking to unwind a bit.
Conveniently located near Union Square, yet not overrun with NYU'ers
I've never had a negative experience here, and its at the top of my HH list for this neighborhood.
Lillie's has a lot going for it. It's got a great location, fabulous decoration, and one mean cup of potato leak soup. However, do NOT ever order the "house red" wine. They'll give you a small glass of Cabernet and charge you $11.02. Yes, $11.02. The majority of their wines are much cheaper than this, so I was quite confused and annoyed. The waitress also decided to never come back because the place was really crowded.
Overall, it was okay. I will only return if I'm not in a hurry and want to have good soup and overpriced drinks.
She thinks: He thinks:
What a charming Victorian saloon. Irish pub--yes!
Mmm..champagne by the glass... Cheap Belgian beers on draft
Bartender looks like Ryan Gosling! I hate the Notebook.
I hope we sit at the bar (giggle) We are not sitting at the bar.
I love the antique candelabras... I love the flat screen TV.
Sports Center! SPORTS CENTER!
He did a great job picking the place.. I am a golden god.
Any bar named in the honor of a headstrong woman who had an affair with the Prince of Wales and then had a secret birth of her daughter in Paris is always a plus in my book. This bar oozing of Victorian decor is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful bars in NYC. It's a perfect setting to hang with the gals and casually watch some football. It also helps that it's centrally located to friends located in the east and west village. Since it's in close proximity to Union Square, the mix of people is interesting without being too NYU.
They pour an okay Guiness-it's a tad too cold, but they have an amazing Shepherd's Pie and Grilled Cheese sandwiches. Lillie's does have a brunch menu, but unlike their decor it was nothing memorable.
When Penn State loses a game I expect them to win, I'm usually not a great person to be around. When they lose a game I expected them to win to a team that beat them on a last second field goal the year before, it's even worse. So when Penn State lost to Iowa this year I was all set to walk to the N train and head home.
Oh wait, small problem, I don't live in NYC anymore. My friends/potential places to crash were all going to Lillie's, and therefore so was I. When I looked in and saw a long nice bar with kind of an overall Victorian look, I was pretty sure my white PATERNOVILLE t-shirt (complete with beer stains) and hat head weren't getting in. But that was no problem.
Very long wooden bar, mixed crowd (definitely got some angry stares for my sports related t-shirt) and a great beer selection. One big plus is that they've got the different glasses for the different types of beer and the bartenders know what they are doing. My first was an Octoberfest ($6 drafts, solid) and I got it in that weird Sam Adams pint glass I think I had only seen in the commercials. The second was a Magners and they put it on ice like it was second nature, good stuff.
I can't go above three because I'm not really sure about the crowd. I came here with some cool people and was already well sauced after about 5-6 hours of college football related consumption. If I just walked in here on a random night, I'm not sure how it would go. But I'll probably be back to find out.
Was here the other night. Met up with a bunch of people, and managed to fit 12 at the 8 person tables. Ok, so we didn't really fit, we kind of just squooshed against eachother, but no worries, we were all still able to pick up our beers and take our chugs.
The set up is nice. I've never this style of an Irish bar before. Usually its just the normal pub but this was more like an Irish Victorian feel to it, if that makes any sense.
Our waitress was very nice, and the drinks were normal price for Manhattan ($6 for a Sam Adams). I was surprised at the size of the crowd on a Tuesday night but I guess this is quite the after business bar.
Parting the sea of douchebag Park Bar rejects we claimed a high table in the back and the waitress presented us with menus. We scanned the overpriced wines, fancy frat beer list and food offerings that may as well have been a photocopied TGIF happy hour menu - sans cocktails. We looked at each other telepathically screaming with WTF, put down the menus and walked out; the waitress did not seem surprised.
In conclusion, Lillie's is to NYC what Wowsville is to Ghost World.
Wait - did you say there's a cute, gorgeous and totally original restolounge near Union Square. No way, I don't believe you. Really?
Yes. Really. Stranded during a monsoon-style rain storm, a friend and I ran into Lillie's to wait out the worst of it before a movie at the Regal and wait it out we did! Moseying up to the long wooden bar, I took in the velvet banquettes, wood floors, monstrously high ceilings, brick, tile, glass and everything that makes Lillie's so gosh darn pretty. The bartender was nice enough as he poured us some champagne (naturally) and we sat at the bar. One oddity, when we asked to see a cocktail menu he looked at us like we were crazypants and that's actually why we went with bubbly rather than continue down the road less traveled.
The crowd can be dodgy (trucker hats and visible thongs are not my idea of outerwear) but it's likely due to te tourist friendly location.
I haven't tried the food yet but it looked delish!
Floored by the number of beers on tap I noticed from the sidewalk outside, I popped in for a quickie....which quickly turned into 3. That was about six months ago. Since then, I've gone back about 3 more times on weekend afternoons, which typically aren't busy. It's a very chill place to sit back and have a beer and enjoy the Victorian architecture and speculate about what this place used to be. They do serve food, but I'm not inclined to comment since I've never eaten here.
Super cute romantic french bistro. Hidden Charm, Lovely extended bar. Service kinda slow. Food pretty decent.
Would love to visit again with a good book on a raining day!
I've been here a few times, and the bar scores at least a half star extra for the decor. The drinks are well poured and the food is pretty decent for the usual fried items.
I'm especially fond of the spinach artichoke dip, of which I've had many awful examples but which is produced very nicely here.
The chicken tenders with spicy mustard and chicken skewers (with peanut sauce) are great. The crispy pork dumplings with plum sauce I could do without (not a fan of the sauce), while I prefer the pot stickers.
The service is effective and unfussy. The tables are just great (I love tables you can sit or stand at depending on your mood) and, again, the surroundings (stained glass windows, giant mirrors, carved wood) are elegant and add an element of old-world elegance to an after-work drink.
It should also be noted that the music is reasonable (not too loud) so that conversation is possible.
Nice loooonnnnngggggg bar with friendly staff and standard drinks.
Although it is listed as a lounge, I am not sure that is what it really is. Perhaps I am a bit old fashioned but a bar is a bar is a bar. They do serve food but the only thing ordered here besides some standard cocktails was apple pie a la mode. The a la mode was fine but not sure what was up with the pie. Shades of Entemann's me thinks.
Good very old fashioned sort of place to meet and hangout...for cocktails. Maybe bar snacks sometime.
Absolutely gorgeous inside! I loved the decor and overall atmosphere. However, it was way too packed on a Thursday night to be able to enjoy oneself. I was constantly moving around to avoid people passing by. Prices seemed average for NYC - $7ish for a beer. I would love to go back at a less crowded time...any day/time suggestions?
I like this place for after-work drinks with a small group of people. The bar menu is great (chicken wings are excellent), and there's quality beer on tap.
The service is kind of spotty, though. I can't figure it out - it might be that they are understaffed, or that they don't know how to handle the rush times, but more than not I'm looking around from one of the back tables to get the server over. This only happens when you're not sitting at the bar - the bartenders are awesome.
I'd like to give Lillie's another shot NOT during happy hour when it's swarmed with obnoxious dudes in suits. I dig the Victorian decor, but it was really noisy and the music selection was irritating -- Lady Gaga, Britney, etc. I had hoped, given the old antiquey vibe, that the atmosphere would be more subdued....but no.
Also, they are out of a lot of the wines on their list -- one wine the bartender even admitted he'd never seen in the bar.
The menu looks decent, so maybe I'll come in for lunch some time when it's more mellow....the black-and-white marble bar is really pretty.
As an international man of mystery I am always on the hunt for new places to make contact with foreign operatives, plan a coup, eliminate rival men of mystery, drink in the afternoon, and carry on other shenanigans of a mysterious nature. I can now add Lillie's to my list of such places.
Lillie's Victorian inspired decor transports you from Manhattans flatiron district to the gray, misty streets of 19th century Dublin in an instant. The perfect setting for espionage.
Plush red velvet upholstered seating, perfect for enjoying gin and tonics, canoodling with sexy model types, or garroting a potential rival and not having to worry about covering up pesky blood stains.
The marble topped bar, sleek and cold, a more than capable surface to rest your martini or to slip a roll of micro-film to a fellow agent.
The large tables towards the back are the perfect location to enjoy their fabulous spinach dip or hand off a top secret dossier.
The bartender on duty during my afternoon sojourn possessed just the right amount of attentiveness and mind your own business, it appears he can be trusted.
Whether you're planning a secret rendezvous, executing a dastardly double cross, or you just want a gin and tonic and some spinach dip mid-afternoon Lillie's is up to the task.
Lillie's was great for a meet-up with friends on a rainy Friday evening. The place gets PACKED. Didn't try the food. But the bar is long enough and bartenders friendly enough so that you're never waiting long for a refill. It's got a nice upscale vibe for what's basically a bar in lounge clothes, but at the same time, has flat screen TVs for whichever game you're looking to catch and a jukebox for whatever tunes you're hoping to hear. We even snagged a table after when some guys graciously stepped aside and let us have it; nice to know that chivalry is not dead.
Lillie's is such a fun bar! I don't know how I haven't been here before...it's got a great Victorian theme, vaulted ceilings, lots of seating, and a great Union Square location. This place is great for after-work drinks or for a date, or even for bringing out-of-town guests.
Super-cute!
I would have given this place 4 to 5 stars if it was not due to the fact that I vomited right at Lillie's after having the vegetarian quiche last night. I was in no mood to party right after.
PROS:
For starters, it is a very nice place. You can dress casual and dont feel out of place here.
Great selection of beers - especially the hard to find Frambaise Lambic - its a raspberry beer.
The waitress was a sweetheart
High cushion seats are comfortable.
It is good for groups and just hanging out. I have been here a few times, only for drinks before, and everyone liked it.
CONS:
Not much here except for the fact that I ordered the Vegetarian Quiche and it changed the outcome of my Saturday night.
At first glance, it looked good. It had chunks of fresh vegetables. I should have been suspicious. Most quiches I had in the past were very rock solid (perhaps reflecting it has been in the fridge for some time).
This quiche was very soft, almost runny, but never the less, delicious.
Then as I was talking with my two friends, I felt sick. Very sick. Sweaty and then constant runs downstairs to vomit.
(Perhaps I should have had the flesh dish - like my friends had and would not have had this regurgitating moment)
I informed the nice waitress and she tried to remove it from the bill but could not do it due to manager. I was in no mood to argue. I just wanted to rush home and sleep.
After this experience, I dont think I will come back for the brunch special.
So would I come back again? Yes, strictly for beer!
We came here from Heartland Brewery today after an awful attitude with their staff. Your staff and service 'Rock" the beer and bar grub was awesome and without the '"Tude" this is a great place to relax with Friends.
really love the decor in here! and location in union sq is super handy.
also if u dig an irish/english breakfast this place is great! bangers, spuds, eggs pudding, sausages and toast the whole shebang.
love it!
This place is too cute! And it's actually lit so you can see people! Totally bar/loungy which I love, but has a good mix, not pretentious douche bags, although an occasional few may pass through.
The bartenders are chill and nice too! You can actually get their attention without them totally ignoring you, or acting like you're interrupting them from doing their job... which is to serve you!
Anyway, I digress.... I'd definitely go back. Enjoy!
Lillies was great for brunch! I came here and had the lillie's salad with grilled chicken on top. My boyfriend had the chicken sandwich. The bar tender was extremely friendly and had the west ham united soccer game on TV which was fun because he loved talking about it.
The inside is really pretty - the bar was actually shipped from Ireland and was bought from a castle! All the fixtures and stained glass reminded me of an antique store.
I would definitely go back and try the Irish breakfast...it looked amazing.
Wow. I really dug the Victorian decor here. The high ceilings made me forget momentarily how expensive real estate is in Manhattan. I actually felt I could BREATHE in the bar. How nice!
I visited on a Wednesday night, and I was pleased by the crowd. Lots of professionals ranging in age from late 20s to 50s. It seemed pretty chill. I didn't encounter any of the obnoxious types that others reviewers mention. I also thought the service was attentive and nice. Overall, I really liked this bar and felt it's like a hidden gem among the typically trendy Manhattan stuff.
There are those bars whose magic is wholly lost sans the effect of multiple and effortless visits. Lillie's is just such a venue. This is the kind of place, one senses, where a non-specific, sepia-toned set of memories representing a happy hunk of carefree existence could forever be set. The cracked gold lettering above Lille's high antique doors - situated directly under my new digs - reads: 'Celebrate Friendship the Old-Fashioned Way'.
And celebrate we did - an all-in-all successful, if not somewhat trying move; the close of a roommate's soul-slurping contract with The Man; the Fourth of July; Wednesday evening; Thursday night. . . for Lillie's, in addition to being addictively convenient, is inviting in all the ways you wish for your neighborhood pub to be - spacious, hospitable, inexpensive; serving Kopparberg and Magner's ciders for the ladies, a modest-but-eclectic palate of European ales (all maxing out at $6-7/pint) for the gents, and full Irish breakfast ALL DAY LONG for the non-believers (in addition to standard pub fare) while sports montage inoffensively on the tube, and nostalgic jams occupy the speakers (gently at happy hour; more aggressively during the night).
Aesthetically, Lillie is a girl after my own heart: lofted ceilings, cracked gilt mirrors, crimson-sheathed booths, and luminescent , saucer-eyed Victorian portraits that connote the Haunted Mansion. Five stars; many happy returns.
The bar is stuffy in appearance and air quality. Everything on the menu is overpriced, plus there's waitress service at all of the tables.
The one redeeming factor: the best glass of Guinness I've ever had. Maybe even worth the $6.
this is a great after work spot. although it can get a little crowded, the bar tenders are very friendly and always kept checking up on us to see if we needed another drink. just put your empty glass on the bar and push it toward them, and as soon as they walk by they are there taking your next order.
another great thing about lillies is the appetizer sampler. a great deal- $20 for any 3 appetizers and it seems to be a full appetizer portion of each. the spring rolls are delicious and the plum dipping sauce was so good that i kept dipping everything else on the plate in that sauce too. the mozzarella sticks are good, your typical sticks. the chicken fingers and the honey mustard are decent but unimpressive, so next time ill probably choose a different third option for the sampler.
the decor in this place is interesting. i liked looking around at everything on the walls. there was one picture of a blond girl though that looks a little creepy like shes going to jump out of the frame and start a horror movie. so just dont stare at that picture too long!
I am sorry Lillie I wanted to love you. Upon walking in this place is a breath of fresh air in Union square. A bit off what I would call my beaten path. The atmosphere is great. I would give that alone 5 stars. Come here for drinks and some conversation and you are looking at a 5 star meeting place. Once the food hits your lips though... it becomes another story. Salt is good, but if thats the only place you are trying to get flavor from it just may as well be a salt lick. Sadly thats what we got. So go for drinks but stay away from the kitchen !
I rarely like anywhere at much as I liked Lillies. Everything about it was wonderful. First of all, they serve brunch till 4 on a Saturday. The decor was beautiful, I love the Victorian look with the ornate wood, gold frames and red velvet seats. The Irish brunch I had was delicious and I even got to try something I never had before- black and white pudding, a kind of sausage. They had a great selection of beers, friendly staff, and they even switched the channel so we could watch a football game. The red velvet benches looked so comfortable- I will definitely be parking myself there next time I go back. The ceilings were high and it wasn't too crowded (although it was 4pm). One great detail was the faucets in the bathroom- have never seen the dish that mixes the water from the hot and cold faucets before it hits your hands. Loved this place and will definitely be going back!
Cute establishment - i think the victorian decor is overrated but the beer menu is curious enough. I only wish our waitress was more knowledgeable to tell me the differences among all the choices...hopefully she's learned by now. The appetizer sampler is a good deal for happy hour too - 3 for $20.
Popped in for lunch, reasonable bar prices and friendly staff. Steak sammich was very tender and came with the best french fries (chips) I can remember having here in NYC in 10 yrs. Homemade chips!
I must return for egg & chips, fish & chips....etc. Now if only they made some mush peas!
Cute blonde sever too
I liked the selection of beverages. I mean who has Chimay - yeah! It was quite the scene with an interesting crowd of mostly young people in suits. Um, ok. The design is very unique, the staff ok. Wasn't a fan of the fact that they try to slip one on ya with the automatic addition of 20% gratuity while leaving an extra line for tis. I'm sure the intoxicated are often thrown off. Not a very respectable thing to do to your customers, oh well.
Please note: this is for the those working there alone... didn't really give the place a long try.
Last week was sent on a secret spy mission by a friends who found out they were both dating the same guy... he was rumored to be at lillies (with friends? with another girl?) they wanted details. As soon as I sat at the bar and explained my purpose, the staff was beyond happy to help me out. We tracked down the guy, had the waitress speak to him and figure some stuff out.... they even comped me my glass of wine. All in all, well above the call of duty. Will I return? absolutely! Bonus points for having a good looking and fun staff.
I went here for lunch with my boyfriend because he works near by. The decor borders on tacky, but probably seems much better at night time and after a few drinks.
I had a burger and fries. The fries were amazing. The burger was OK, but for $10 for the meal was totally worth it.
The place wasn't too packed so I can't comment on the crowd.
How often do you get to describe a bar by saying it is "Irish Pub meets Victorian Lounge"? Maybe not so uncommon in the U.K., but this is definitely a first for me in New York. If you have had similar experiences, fill me in - I am a fan!
Lillie's has a polished, but relaxed feel to it. I was happy with the beer list - and my husband was happy to discover that they serve Magners, which is almost always on the menu where he hails from originally, but not carried in many of the bars in NYC that we have been to.
I decided to branch out and try a couple Belgian beers that I had not tasted before. I was impressed with both. I was also impressed with the choices available. I was less than impressed with the fact that they were out of 3 or 4 beers on the menu, but because I was determined to try something new and didn't have my heart set on one in particular, it didn't bother me as much as if they'd told me my drink of choice was not available. My friend ordered a glass of Chardonnay and she seemed content with it, although I wouldn't call their wine list extensive.
The noise level was a little higher than I like, but the atmosphere was otherwise fabulous, and the staff was very friendly to us. Plus we snagged a cozy corner table in the back which boasted a red velvet bench on one side. Nice touch...
I can't speak for the food, but if the yummy french fries we had are any indication of the other pub fare, then I will happily go back to sample more.
After looking at their Whiskey list, I would happily go back and sample those as well... :)
Hope you give it a try!
This place was supposed to open in November 2008. That didn't happen. Why? I hate when people equate things they don't like to Nazis, but it's largely because of Nazis. Bureaucratic, power-obsessed New York City governmental Nazis.
Even though the penny-poor New York City government could have reaped countless thousands in taxes from this operation since November, they opted to forgo the fundage and make life miserable for the proprietors for months. They finally got their license. Or licence, as the English and Irish call it. Now all is well with the world.
Lillie's is a fantastic, gorgeous, Irish-Victorian establishment. I would be there every night if I could. But I can't because I made babies. And my wife would grimace much. "Come home!" she'd say. And she's the boss of me.
Regardless, it's a wonderful venue with countless quality beers on tap. No Miller Lite, if I remember correctly. And that's a really good thing.
Nice menu. What we ordered we enjoyed. What we drank made us wind up doing karaoke down the street.
My only complaint? The TVs. TVs are to meatheads what fire is to moths. But the crowd didn't bother me. I was simply happy to have a wonderful pub in the immediate vicinity of my domicile.
One day I will sleep here.
It's a long narrow room with a beautiful high ceilings, chandeliers and a smallish wide space in the back with tables. Most of the crowd is in the front, trying to impress each other at the bar. The music is super LOUD, so it's difficult to have a conversation. (I asked the waitress to turn it down... at least in the speaker closest to us. She answered: "WHAT?") The beer selection isn't bad, with Blue Moon on tap and a nice variety of Belgian beers. The barfood was pretty standard, though the $20 assortment plate wasn't bad for 3 people. (We had several of them.) Service was efficient, though not effusive. All-in-all a just okay place that, like many, would be much improved if they'd just TURN IT DOWN!! --Drink Club NYC is a roving group of NYC drinkers
Okay, so I'm not a stalker but I've sorta been stalking this place. The first time I'd walked by, I was drunk and I was completely surprised to find something like this. It seemed like an antique store and even in my inibriated state, I knew I'd come back. The cincher was the Oscar Wilde quote scrolled onto the full glass window looking into Lillie's.
Forward a couple of weeks.. I could not go back b/c I wasn't quite sure where I'd seen the place. And a coworker who used to live down the block asked me if I knew anything about this place. I knew exactly what place she was talking about but again, could not figure out where it was. She told me it was on this block and for the last few weeks, I've come by about once a week to peek into their window and check up on their progress.
And then TONIGHT!! despite having checked earlier this week and still seeing the "Opening Soon' sign up, I decided to walk by on my way home from the gym. Imagine my surprise, when I saw people smoking outside and as I approached saw the place completely packed. Now, it's not quite as charming completely crowded. And I'm not going to give everything away but here are some highlights: an antique wood carved bar that undulates the length of the room and antique chairs/furnishings shipped all the way from Belfast.. It's somewhere in between being in a chateau and one of those historic European bar. I almost wish they'd do the "we only allow as many people in as there are seats" policy adopted by PDT/Bourgeois Pigs and the likes so those in can fully appreciate the beauty that has been brought together by the owners.
So, if you've never ever taken anything away from any of my reviews, listen to this: RUN, don't walk to this new bar.
My friend read about Lillie's recently opening and having a huge amount of imported beers on tap, as well as aussie rules and rugby on the 'tube'. Thought we'd try something new.
Both of us were delighted at the ambiance and reasonably tasty bar food. I personally liked the hodge podgery of lights that decorated the high ceiling (think chandelier here, lantern there, etc.) The beers on tap didn't disappoint, I had a Scottish beer (Twisted Thistle) which I would say was tasty and unique. I also like the fact that it is Scottish and I rarely see Scottish beer on tap.
http://beeradvocate.co...
We also had the artichoke dip and my friend described it best: not too much cream and had a higher spinach to cream ratio than most.
The salads and desserts were decent as well.
The music was a great mix of upbeat and eclectic but still went well together (Killers, Modest Mouse, The Cure, Fat Boy Slim, Moby etc. )
Crowd seemed down to earth and I'd say the attire was slightly dressier than casual (we went there on a Sat night). Wait staff was really friendly and helpful as well.
$3 glass of sangria
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Private Tastings!
Neighborhood: West Village
Somehow my memory of these places is always…
