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    2nd Floor Bar & Essen

    4.1 (103 reviews)
    PriceyCocktail Bars
    Closed Closed

    2nd Floor Bar & Essen Photos

    2ND FLOOR BAR & ESSEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed
    Happy hour specials

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    Julie T.

    Was headed to dinner on the E side and wanted to pre-game and found this gem!! Found the deli obviously first and had read entrance to bar was on 75th. Found it but wanted to take a pic as I thought it was attached to the deli. Once upstairs, was blown away. Awesome old speakeasy vibe. Drinks were impeccably created and service with a smile. Will be back to try their HH half a sandwich with a drink?! Brilliant!!

    BlackBerry cocktail x Manhattan
    Dana L.

    I really enjoyed this cocktail bar. The ambiance was great. Cocktails were well made. Went in as a walk in on a Saturday night and it wasn't busy. We found the hostess to be a bit rude but the hospitality from other staff was great.

    Food menu
    John W.

    The nonchalant, yet still well lit, entrance, set the stage accurately. This bar is so humble and unassuming, yet wildly innovative both on the cocktail and food front. Our server was eager to help, fast, and attentive without helicoptering. The drinks, especially the Mai Thai, were clearly crafted with care and had layers of cool flavors. We only had the deviled eggs, but if they were any indicator, the rest of the food will be quite good. On my list for a return visit! The bathroom area is instagramable, btw lol.

    Jane G.

    Based on the Yelp reviews alone, I was excited to try 2nd Floor Bar & Essen, and thoroughly let down. Let me first say that the drinks, food, and service were all good, but I just found it underwhelming. For my first drink I ordered the 'Fountain of Youth', which was supposed to taste like Cinnamon Toast, but just tasted sour and was unappetizing. My second drink was great: the Gypsy Prayer. Unfortunate name, however. As for light bites/snacks, the Franks in a Blanket (a hot dog chopped up) was excellent. The Gefilte Croquettes were mediocre, expensive, and I was only served two microscopic ones. I get that they're affiliated with a deli, but I do wish there were more vegetarian options. It would've been nice to partake in their fantastic happy hour deal (half sandwich + cocktail for cheap), but every sandwich contained meat. The ambience was lacking in character, in my opinion, and the booths were pretty uncomfortable. Not the worst, not the best, just not what I was expecting in the slightest.

    Pineapple drink with egg white
    Annie N.

    Cozy little bar located on the second floor, honestly after trying two other cocktail bars in this area I highly recommend this place. The hostess/waitress was nice and drinks were good.. I wanted something refreshing but didn't like banana so maybe he was the manager? Came by and asked what I liked I said strawberry but I guess they didn't have so they made me a pineapple drink that had cinnamon and egg white which was pretty good. Food was a miss for us..: the mini hot dogs was too salty with the sauerkraut and the fried potato was rubbery... l assume it's supposed to be potato chips but it was rubbery and you could literally bend it and it wont snap... maybe stick with the drinks when you come?

    a view of the bar
    Lizzy L.

    Love the intimate, cozy vibes of this UES bar! We wandered in after an early Friday night dinner (around 7:30pm) and there were only two groups at the booths and a few people at the bar; otherwise it was quite empty. They have a great selection of creative cocktails. While there are no mocktails listed on the menu, the bartender is able to create tailored non-alcoholic drinks.

    El Niño
    Sabrina P.

    Staff was really accommodating to my party size and friendly. I really like their cocktail selection. The atmosphere is great if you're with one other person or even up to 5 people since they have large booths. Was easy to get seated around 8:45/9pm ish on a Saturday evening. I got the El Niño and really enjoyed my mezcal drink! I would definitely return!

    Banana boat & somewhere in nowhere
    Anna N.

    The drinks are great, except for the one my boyfriend tried. He got the Banana Boat, a mixture of rum and banana with some absinthe and vanilla extract thrown in. I'm convinced it's named after the sunscreen brand, because it tasted exactly like sunblock. That one was a dud. However, I can recommend anything from the stirred/spirit forward menu. I had the Somewhere in Nowhere, which was their take on a mezcal old fashioned with a hint of chili. There's barely any food here, but we split an app of Frank's in a blanket. Basically a dressed up hot dog with everything but the bagel seasoning. Supremely delectable mustard

    Jonghan L.

    What a hidden gem in the UES! When I heard there was a speakeasy in the UES I went: there's no way its going to be great. But when I came in here on a Thursday night (pre-Corona) with a group of four at 7pm, I knew I was in for a speakeasy with creative drinks and awesome ambiance! The bartenders are true artists. They make a mad good moscow mule, old fashioned, as well as their specialty cocktails. Waiters were really informative in terms of matching the right drink for what we were thining of drinking that night. These bartenders are mixology kings who can really make whatever you're up for that night. Menu also was quite expansive, at least ~20 specialty drinks and cocktails? There's also a deal for a drink and a sandwich for ~$20. Otherwise, standard cocktail pricing for manhattan. I just love how this place is hidden behind a diner and that the drinks were spectacularly made. i know I'll be coming here more often since its so close to home!

    The Upper Eastsider
    Kaitlin P.

    First time here I had the Maya Made and the Upper East Sider which were both refreshing. Drinks are on the pricer side for cocktails but the place is a good atmosphere for a date night or quieter place to grab drinks.

    Eastern Trader

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    3 years ago

    This place is fantastic! Great service, ambiance, and cocktails. One of our all-time favorites.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - 2nd Floor Bar & Essen

    Review Highlights - 2nd Floor Bar & Essen

    I was going to the 2nd Ave Deli with my girlfriend and saw a sign outside about their new upstairs bar.

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    Record Room

    Record Room

    4.2
    (140 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    Every time I venture here, I leave w/ my limbs hurting and happy…read more Super dope spot that's a little snug but you will find enough room to shake ya groove thing. ALWAYS make a reservation. As I said it's a snug spot. Definitely make reservs if you want a table. After a certain age I realized I may need a seat. LOL. If you like old school hip-hop, R&B, salsa, soul, funk...This is your spot. You may see me there.

    The Record Room is EVERYTHING you see on social media and more. My experience exceeded my…read moreexpectations. The ambiance nice, cozy, and intimate The drinks are worth every penny The music was not too loud and I went on a night (Thursday) that I knew alllll the music and could sing along And service was on point. Two things you should know before going. The first they are a stickler on punctuality. You need to be on time for your reservation if not you will lose it. In addition they will send you about 5 reminders leading up to your visit. The last one being 30 minutes before your arrival. In addtion you only have 90 minutes at a table . And when the 90 minutes over.... its over, however you are welcome to stand. The second thing, this is not a let's get lit hookah kind of spot. Very GROWN and mature. You sing along with the people next to you ...you vibe. This is great for a person who wants a nice lounge vibe, great drinks, great music, and mellow crowd. It goes without saying....I WILL BE BACK!!!!!

    Photos
    The Recipe:
Cognac, Golden Raisin, Bright Citrus Oils, Comforting Spice
    The Recipe: Cognac, Golden Raisin, Bright Citrus Oils, Comforting Spice
    Moscow Mule: 
Vodka, Comforting Spice, Citrus, Wildflower Honey
    Moscow Mule: Vodka, Comforting Spice, Citrus, Wildflower Honey
    Record Room

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    R40

    R40

    4.4
    (237 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$$

    I didn't realize they had separate brunch and dinner menus, and most of the items I originally…read morewanted were from the dinner menu. However, after trying their brunch, I am 100% coming back for dinner! Everything we ordered was incredibly good and well seasoned. Steak & Eggs (5/5): Cooked to a perfect medium-rare, super juicy, and well-seasoned. The sauce pairing was spot on. Croque Madame (5/5): A unique take on a classic! They served it wrapped in a crepe, and all the elements paired together beautifully. Blueberry Crepe (4.25/5): A solid dessert. While it wasn't anything groundbreaking, it was still delicious and well made. Absolutely love that they are also dog friendly! Can't wait to return to try the dinner menu

    My friend and I decided to come here for dinner - they have both indoor and outdoor seating (the…read moreoutdoor seating also be a vibe; it is in the back of the resturant). The staff was super friendly and checked in on us pretty often to make sure that we were doing okay. -Arroz Negro: This dish was pretty unique - the prawn was very tender and the flavors were good. -Empanada Basket: HIGHLY recommend this; their empanadas was really good and a good size as well. You also get to try all three of their empanadas with this so highly recommend this -10 oz prime black angus skirt steak: This was actually pretty solid steak, it was a solid medium rare (which is what we asked for) and the flavors were really good as well. -Fries: The fries were okay, not my favor but I always need a side of fries. Overall - solid dinner option, highly recommend checking it out if you are in the area.

    Photos
    R40
    Focaccia
    Focaccia
    Interior

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    Interior
    Little Rascal

    Little Rascal

    4.3
    (44 reviews)
    2.8 mi

    We hosted a party at Little Rascals in Greenpoint and it could not have been more perfect. From the…read morevery first planning conversation, the team was organized, attentive, and genuinely excited to help make the event special. The space itself is stunning -- open, light-filled, and airy, with a beautiful outdoor patio in the back that was absolutely ideal for our celebration. Our guests moved effortlessly between inside and out, and the atmosphere felt festive without being chaotic. The bartenders were fantastic. They were friendly and creative, making fabulous drinks, and on top of every drink order. The waitstaff matched that energy perfectly, anticipating our needs before we even had to ask. The food buffet was delicious, keeping everyone happy and satisfied throughout our time there. What really set this experience apart was that the owner was present the entire time, personally making sure everything ran smoothly. That level of care and attention made all the difference. You could feel it in every detail. If you're looking for a place to just have a drink, or eat a meal, Little Rascals in Greenpoint is the place to frequent. And, hosting an event there, they treat it like it's the most important party of the year -- because they actually do -- look no further. We couldn't have asked for a better experience.

    Great bar for cocktails and food in greenpoint. Has a patio in back outdoor. Right on Franklin ave…read more Service is amazing. Interior is booths and tables and cozy's has lovely art of puppets back illuminated by light from a famous Turkish artist. The food is amazing. Wagyu burger and fries the fries come in this metal tin that keeps them piping hot they are the thick cut fries. The burrata breakfast amazing! You can't go wrong here. It's a must and usually super packed . Go and enjoy!

    Photos
    Mezcal
    Mezcal
    Interior front
    Interior front
    Bar

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    Bar
    Jungly

    Jungly

    3.9
    (96 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    Whenever we plan work events, I usually take lead. For this particular outing, our entire team was…read morelooking to hold a celebration for achieving a major milestone. The biggest question then became, where to go? We needed a place that was relatively easy to get to that would hold close to 100 people. Jungly was a contender for several reasons - it's location, size, vibe, and menu all seemed to check off. It also helped that I had done business with the owner previously at one of his other spots. It seemed like the natural choice, so I went ahead with the booking. Jungly is located in LIC - it's a pretty convenient spot as its close to the LIRR and the subway. Parking can be a challenge, but luckily I found a spot only a block away. The space itself is nicely set up - walking in you're immediately greeted by the bar area with dining areas both to the left and the right. Due to our size, they closed the place to the public and we were able to freely roam the bar area and one of the dining rooms. In addition to standard tables, they have some lounge space and high tops by the bar. The vibe is somewhat modern - a black/grey color scheme paired with neon and golds. It looks like the space could easily be converted to a club-like atmosphere. Since we were here for a private event, the food was set up buffet style - we chose three apps, four mains, and two sides. Ultimately, for apps we chose pita bread with dips, steak tacos, and shrimp tacos. For mains we chose fried chicken sliders, smashed beef sliders, cacio e pepe, and roasted chicken. For sides, we got fries and Brussels sprouts. In general, all of the food was tasty; the strongest dishes were the tacos, fries, and the chicken tacos. The tacos were generously filled, the fries were the crispy skin style, and the chicken sliders were nice and crispy. The weakest for me was the cacio e pepe - not much flavor and just not really a standout IMO. My communication with management to set up the event were a little staccato, though in the end everything worked out. For the most part, my communication with them was consistent in the days leading up to the event. Service the night of the event was overall good - they were very accessible but I found that they could have replenished the food a little faster in response to the rate it was being taken from the buffet. The bar, on the other hand, was great - both in service and variety of liquor available. Overall, we had a great event at Jungly. They were professional, fair, and delivered on the goods. I would definitely consider hosting another event there, or dine here on my own.

    Went there yesterday for brunch and it was pretty empty. Joined my friends at the table and it took…read moreus awhile before the waiter came to check on us. It was crazy that they only had 1 waiter to handle everything, they should've at least had 2. We placed our orders and he was pleasant and apologized for being slow. The music was good, it wasn't loud, we were able to have conversations and not yell; it's a pretty place. Was a bit disappointed at their "buffet" it's your basic continental breakfast, it wasn't worth it. The steak and eggs was delicious.

    Photos
    Jungly
    Jungly
    Jungly

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    4747 LIC

    4747 LIC

    4.3
    (93 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    Had a really pleasant dinner at 4747 LIC. The food was delicious and the vibe was great. We sat…read moreoutside and enjoyed the nice weather, which made the experience even better. Our server was polite, though I wish they checked in on us a bit more--but it didn't take away from the overall atmosphere. We ordered the clams with white sauce from the specials--absolutely on point, and the toasted bread gave it an extra kick. We also tried the lobster roll, which was a bit pricey, but still very good. The Branzino we had was also fresh and delicious. Overall, it was a great night out with a couple of drinks. Definitely a spot I'd come back to.

    Came here with a friend for weekend brunch. They do have $28 bottomless mimosas but we don't drink…read moremuch so deferred from it but probably something to consider if you like mimosas. We got a few things and felt like they were mostly just ok. Not bad! But not the best we have ever had. The French toast was covered with a healthy amount of whipped cream. Sweet but on the denser side - not very airy. The burrata was nice. My friend seemed to like it a lot especially with the red wine reduction. I think it was fine. The lobster roll was also fine. The lobster pieces seemed to be on the tougher side. Overall, convenient and nice spot for brunch if you're in the area. I wouldn't go out of my way to try it, but the service is nice and relatively quick at least when we were here. You can opt to sit in our outside.

    Photos
    4747 LIC
    Skirt steak
    Skirt steak
    Belgian Waffle

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    Belgian Waffle
    Shaken not Stirred

    Shaken not Stirred

    4.2
    (58 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    The place has a nice atmosphere and the drinks seem interesting, but unfortunately, the service at…read morethe bar really took away from the experience. The bartender, the one person who should be welcoming and engaging, came across as rude and lacked any charisma. On a Friday night, good energy behind the bar makes a huge difference, and that was completely missing. I ordered a margarita, which is one of the simplest and most common cocktails to make. I asked for it really sweet with plenty of salt on the rim. Instead, it came out barely sweet and with almost no salt. For a $17 margarita, I expected much better. I've had to return the drink because I've had better margaritas for $12 at other places. While waiting for my friend, I had to wait with a glass of water because I didn't trust the way they made the drink. The bartender told me I either needed to order another drink or move, which felt unnecessarily rude and unwelcoming. To be fair, the food was good and the space itself is nice. However, the bar service left a very poor impression. There are plenty of more affordable places where the staff are friendly and make guests feel welcome. Unfortunately, based on this experience, I wouldn't recommend this place. Give this place a 6.5

    Came here on a Wednesday night for drinks with friends and had a lovely time! The inside is dimly…read morelit with a few tables along the side and is a perfect place to catch up with someone or for a date night. All the drinks were creatively served and not too sweet. I tried the SnS Pornstar which came with sprinkles on top and was my favorite drink of the night. It was super refreshing and light. I also tried the cotton candy which comes with actual candy and the drink was also refreshing and surprisingly not too sweet. Service was great and would come back here to try other drinks!

    Photos
    Exterior
    Exterior
    Shaken not Stirred
    Shaken not Stirred

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    2nd Floor Bar & Essen - cocktailbars - Updated July 2026

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