I was so happy we stopped in here. We were waiting for a table at the Fat Radish (see review) and stopped by to have a glass of wine and oysters. Even though we're are familiar with freshwater oysters in Florida, Jimmy and I had never gone to an oyster bar that had so many different selections. Carmine was are server and he was just awesome. We were only there for a short time but he was so knowledgeable and attentive. We ordered a dozen oysters and a glass of wine. It was such a great start to the evening. The atmosphere was so quaint. Had a nautical theme and low lights. Snuggling up to my fiancé on the lower bar seats was nice. Highly recommend going! read more

Bar Belly - Yummy oysters and a glass of wine to start the night right. - Jazz & Blues Near Me - New York, New York

oyster happy hours are definitely must do! the staff here are very friendly and veey cute outdoor vibe read more

Bar Belly - Jazz & Blues Near Me - New York, New York

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I love airplants, succulents, and live jazz. They had all three. The Ridley trio was a delightful surprise for a Tuesday evening. Servers were sooo accommodating. There were several obnoxious tables around us. The place was super crowded because apparently a promotion that Leadbelly ran with TravelZoo was about to expire so there was a mad rush to redeem the vouchers. So the restaurant was understaffed, slower than usual, and out of a few offerings. But still very generous in their efforts to seat everyone. A tourist couple next to us was extremely rude. They returned their dozen East Coast oysters saying "this is a joke! these are not oysters, they're snails." Another couple near us also returned their oysters. Apparently people who don't usually get oysters are expecting those giant phlegmy tasting China Buffet type Pacific oysters. gross. Well -- the servers handled these hostile voucher diners with a lot of grace. I was impressed. As for the oysters--they have a nice selection each day and a good happy hour list. Cocktails are alright. Sweeter and icier than my preference, but good. I loved the scotch eggs here before. And the avocado and crab toast was yummy. These are small plates though--don't expect entree portions. read more

I don't know why the rating is so low but maybe selfishly good for me cuz I can always get in without a wait. It's definitely on rotation as my top 3 fav bar on the LES. Bartenders, Jed and Genesis, are awesome. $1 oysters for HH. Solid old-fashioned. Live music on F/S. Cozy. All amazing! read more

Excellent place with great eats. I try to go for the happy hour any time I'm in town on a Saturday. Their $1 bar cat oysters are amazing--small, sweet and tasty. Specialty drinks are crafted perfectly. The bar up front is lively and the seating in the back is very intimate. Very cool and eclectic crowd. Live music some nights and very friendly staff-you can't go wrong. read more

I came here after midnight with 5 friends and we were blown away by the quality of service we received!! Plus the drinks were outstanding. It's not easy to find such a solid experience so late at night and our server Rachel was so incredibly gracious and lovely. We'll definitely be back!! read more

My husband and I stopped in here before heading to a show around the corner. We were pleasantly surprised by the chill vibe, it almost felt as if we'd gone back in time a bit. They had live music, which was a nice added touch. We each ordered a drink - I had the Young Mula and he the Darkest Stormy. Both were super enjoyable and refreshing. We also ordered the lamb sliders, and while small, they were full of flavor. Before we left I ordered another drink and they didn't have the right ingredients to make it, however, the bartenders were really nice and made my husband and me a small cocktail on the house. read more

Bar Belly - menu cover - Jazz & Blues Near Me - New York, New York

I came here with a friend of mine on a Thursday night during their happy hour in order to have some of their oysters before we were heading to dinner in the neighborhood. We had seen this place after dining at the Icelandic joint Skal nearby. It is located across the street from the Fat Radish and shares a kitchen (I think) for their hot food. Their happy hour oysters were Barcat and Malpeque (both east coast) that night which means $1 each. A great deal. We split a dozen of the HH oysters and had one each of their other offerings (that night's selection consisted of: Ninigret, Montauk, Shigoku and Kusshi). We sat at the bar (though I don't think you have to in order to take advantage of the HH deal) and had a couple of glasses of wine with our oysters. Our oysters came out within 15 minutes of ordering them, which was perfect. In the meantime, while we were sipping our wine, they had freshly popped popcorn for us as a free bar snack. I love that! The space itself is very nautical in its theme. With weathered white painted wooden walls and white washed cement covered brick. My friend and I loved their bathroom set up, too. Just a neat space. I definitely want to go back another time to try some of their other food, and of course for more oysters. read more

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New favorite happy hour spot! I organized a happy hour meet up at Bar Belly for a group of ocean professionals and everyone loved it! First of all, for those who are eco-minded, not that this place is straw-free/plastic-free! They also have a partnership with the Billion Oyster Project, a nonprofit group that is working to bring oysters back to NYC's waters. Second, staff are excellent. Tommy was very helpful in planning our happy hour and we will be back. Third, excellent cocktails for $8 at happy hour! There was a special event the night we were there, so drinks came with free tacos. There was addicting free popcorn as well. Stylish and cozy space. Young and hip crowd. Highly recommended. read more

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I love this place! My date, and I stumbled upon this place on Valentine's Day, and I am so glad I spotted it. The ambience is very dark, and jazzy. Dim candlelit lighting which I thought was very romantic. The Staff is extremely funny, and kind. They make you feel welcome. We sat at the bar, and started off with a couple of drinks. My date ordered some beers, and I started with a glass of Chardonnay, and two or three Smoke Signal drinks ( Orange drink with salt on the rim of the glass ) let me start off by saying the Smoke Signal cocktail is the best cocktail I've ever had in my life!!!! So Delicious with the perfect amount of smokiness, a slight sweet flavor hits your palate, and the salt on the glass balances the sweet, smokiness perfectly. Take it easy on this drink! It will definitely have you feeling nice & tipsy. I can't wait to go back just for my smoke signal cocktail. The Bartender is so cool, down to earth, and very skilled in making cocktails. He knows his stuff; therefore you will not be disappointed. You get a small bowl of complimentary popcorn. Even the popcorn was delicious. The only reason why I didn't give 5 stars is because the food selection is limited, the hostess at the front informed us about their sister restaurant directly across the street "Fat Radish" for more food options. He also recommended the crab gratin which I did order, and man was it delish! He was super sweet! Such a Beautiful person inside & out. Thanks for the friendly environment & great drinks!! I will be back!! read more

Bar Belly - Chardonnay - Jazz & Blues Near Me - New York, New York

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This place has awesome cocktails and food! Great vibes, very chill and not pretentious. Good for groups and celebrations. Expensive, it's NY. Decent service. read more

Bar Belly - Jazz & Blues Near Me - New York, New York

The oysters are delicious. The bartenders are very good at what they do. The cocktails-- I wish were a little bit stronger :) but they are very tasty! Great atmosphere and lighting too! read more

I unfortunately had a HORRIBLE experience here. I came for my friends birthday. We were seated at a table, but the waitress (Caucasian with a French Accent) asked to move us to a different, less comfortable table after about 45 minutes. Her rationale was that other folks with reservations were coming as that she needed to make the table available. In the process of explaining this, the waitress was extremely condescending and unprofessional. We were made to feel as if we didn't belong at the bar, and it didn't help that we were the only Black/ Latinx group in the bar. I absolutely won't return, and certainly don't recommend it for other people of color. read more

I LOVE this bar. It was one of the first that I went to when I moved to New York and it has held its place as a favorite. Awesome happy hour, great live music & DJs, and a welcoming atmosphere. The bar itself is standalone but Tommy (owner) is the man, for lack of a better word. The cool uncle you've always wanted (I have a cool uncle, but'ye get it) read more

I came in by accident (Thursday night 12/1//16) and immediately loved the ambiance of the place. I was still kind of working and waiting for my partner, So I had a drink; House wine $11. I had missed happy hour and wasn't really hungry But by the time my partner came we both immediately noticed how attentive the staff were. Seriously from the bus boy to the owner (I assumed she was) Because of this alone I'll be back. It's a plus that they have jazz, I don't know what all these non New Yorkers are uptight about. Its a cute spot and the service is a on point. Get your panties out of a bunch you're not in Hollywood, Loosen up read more

Chill spot with great Happy Hour! M-F 5-7pm $1 oysters and $8 cocktails, $8 glasses of wine and $4 beer. The oysters were delicious, fresh, briny with little to no grit. They're served with a mignonette, horseradish and lemon. The Mojito was crisp, refreshing and not too sweet. The bar has a very classy, laid back vibe to it. The decor feels like you're at a local beachside bar in Southern California. Dozens of small candles are peppered all throughout the white wooden walls. The night I was there they had 2 gentleman playing guitar that reminded me of strolling through Paris. Quite nice! I tried the lamb meatballs which were a bit bland and under whelming but everything else about this place was on point! read more

Bar Belly - Jazz & Blues Near Me - New York, New York

I came into bar belly last night for an event promoting Yola mezcal. Not knowing what to expect, I was so amazed by every aspect of this place. The decor and whole ambience is well decorated and cozy. It was definitely a later crowd because people started pouring in around 10:30 and began dancing to the fun music that was playing in the back ground. Most importantly the drinks were absolutely amazing and the bar tender was so friendly and nice. We had the kiss yola and mistletoe cocktails as well as another one with coffee liquor and eggs and beer (sounds weird but it's not). I should also say that the popcorn is to die for. Overall this place is a hidden gem. A little pricey but hey it's New York read more

Bar Belly - Kiss yola - Jazz & Blues Near Me - New York, New York

Not only is this a great and fun bar on the LES, but the owner Tommy is also one of the kindest people I've ever met. I lost my jacket there one Friday night, and Tommy went far above and beyond to help me get it back. Amazing customer service and hospitality. I highly recommend Bar Belly if you're looking to have a good time on the lower east side. read more

Amazing drinks, perfect vibe, great music to dance to, kind staff. My favorite spot !!

It's a 4 on weekday nights (and for oyster happy hour), and a 2 on the weekends. I used to live across the street and took numerous friends, fellow Yelpers, and the occasional date here over the years but I never really felt like making it a super-regular spot. Great cocktails (the Happy Hour special is highly recommended) and a pretty good wine and beer selection. Most of the food is good to share with a group, especially the oysters (just get a dozen, 6 is never enough). I liked the avocado toast and truffle 'fries' (they're more like truffle oil-drizzled potato wedges), as well as the Scotch egg. The peeky toe crab was also fun, but I don't always go with crab eaters.They're now serving the fat Radish burger, but for $19, you're probably better off with just oysters. It looks like they're no longer doing trivia, which is great because it wasn't a good trivia experience. It's too narrow of a bar with difficult seating (small tables and stools) and some of the other teams were cheating (and also found themselves uproariously funny). It's filled with similar clientele late nights on the weekends, so I recommend showing up early for happy hour then peacing out. read more

Lead belly is an awesomely cute place on the LES and Chinatown border. A group of friends and I went for the happy hour special. Since it was a Saturday, it was one of very few places that had $1 oysters and drink specials. The place had just opened for the evening so it was relatively empty when we first arrived. It began to become more crowded as we were leaving. The lighting was nice upon entering. The decor earthy and the music was at a good level to have a nice conversation. The waiter had already set a few of our friends up and he approached us to tell us the specials for the evening. We ordered a few different appetizers and everyone was pleased with the choices. -The Scotch egg -Truffle fries -Bacon wrapped Brussel sprouts The menu isn't huge. Perhaps because the oysters are the real star of the show. We ordered about 4 dozen and they were fresh and very good. One order appeared to have smaller oysters that were a bit sweeter. The wait staff was attentive and friendly the entire time. We will definitely be back for another happy hour! read more

Let me preface this review by telling you that I really wanted to like this place! The bar itself was great - warm environment, very cute decor and live jazz. The service - AWFUL! My Tuesday evening there was possibly the worst service I've experienced in Manhattan, and at $13 a drink - I think that's pretty unacceptable. The waitress (wish I knew her name) was the worst! We, a party of 4, each ordered a drink and sat at a table in the back. Waited. She brought us 2 drinks. She needed to be reminded of what the other 2 were, and came back with them - 1 of which was incorrect. Next - 2 of us ordered drinks. We waited. We waited some more (at least 15-20 minutes). We asked her where our drinks were and she assured us that they were on there way as if the wait time was not out of the ordinary - no apology. She brought 2 drinks over - 1 of which was incorrect. Separate bills for drinks and dessert? We asked for the check, gave her our cards and then she brought over another bill for the dessert. My friend gave her a $20 to pay for her $13 drink, and the waitress didn't bring her change until asked. I'm sorry - did you really think you deserved a 53% tip? read more

We came here for a friend's going-away party this past weekend - although we missed happy hour, we still were able to experience the atmosphere and the food a bit. Overall - the space was narrow as mentioned in other reviews. We claimed a small square (called a "floating table") and ordered two whiskeys (probably came to about $40 already).... and then got the cheese plate because the waitress thought it was her favorite thing on the menu even though she had no clue what cheeses were included. For $12, there were three microscopic slices of cheese, a dribble of honeycomb, three honeyed walnuts and ONE apricot. Seriously..... While Im spoiled when it comes to my bar spots and drink prices, I have to swallow my indignation and remember this is a fancy-pants place in Manhattan. The waitress, although clueless, was really sweet. The space was inviting and cozy, and we only got stepped on once or twice by runners and other customers. Recommendation: Come for happy hour, sit in a loungey-area, and maybe have a beer instead of their specialty drinks... read more

I met up with some friends after work before we headed to a concert. I tried the oysters, the grilled cheese, the truffle fries, and had a whiskey ginger to drink. The food was absolutely delicious and the drinks were really good. The place is somewhat spacious for New York so small-medium sized groups can be seated here. The decor is cozy with suitcases packed in a shelf and vinyls against the wall. The waiters were attentive. Cozy place to meet up with friends or a date. read more

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Disclaimer- we were there 5pm to 8pm. Not exactly prime fun time. Place was entirely empty so was severly lacking in atmosphere. Drinks were ok as were staff. Food was really tasty; fries, asparagus, oysters & scotch egg. Will defo come back at a more socialable hour to see what all the fuss is about. read more

A cozy spot, good for catching up with a group of friends. The dollar oysters are alright - they do own up to the dollar price. However, their peach sangria is very refreshing, especially in this summer heat. Scotch eggs are delicious, truffle fries are extremely thick cut but definitely hit the spot. NOTE: if you come in a larger party, they automatically add in tip without any forewarning - shows up on your final bill. I came in a group of ten and ended up paying double tip because of this. But when I realized this a few hours later, it was already too late. The service received in alignment with this guaranteed tip was also ATROCIOUS. We waited a good twenty to thirty minutes before having to flag down the waitress, which we had to do every single time we wanted a drink or order food. This is unacceptable, especially if you are going to give yourself a secretly guaranteed 20% tip (of which was not noted to me before seating, after seating, or noted on the menu). read more

5/5 would recommend. Stopped in on a Friday around 830. Cocktails. Beers. Popcorn. Intimate. Live music. Beautiful live music. Lovely date spot or a stop in with friends. read more

Everything here is delicious. Great for happy hour and beyond. Kebobs are perfectly cooked. Juicy and divine. (Lamb and chicken both.) Potato tamasomething was to die for. I had to stop myself from licking the plate. read more

A great oyster spot with a well heeled clientele on a Saturday night. There was a line to get in by 1 am. The popcorn that the bar serves is delicious. And so are the avocado toasts constantly being churned out by the guy behind the bar making 'em. They also own Fat Radish across the street. read more

Terrible service, poor drinks, and a place that doesn't make sense. Waited 20 minutes for our oysters and the order is nowhere to be seen. We realized there is only one guy shucking oysters and our order is far behind. The cocktail list was not impressive at all, mostly vodka drinks..bleh. Plus the drinks are barley spiked. The service was terrible, there were about 4 bartenders that could not keep up with the order of pitchers and cocktails. Never again. Don't go. read more

When I told my boyfriend that the bartender sprayed a cocktail in my eye by mistake, he made fun of me for the rest of the evening. But, that's what happened. So, why the 4 stars? Well, first off, it really was an accident. The shaker got suction-stuck and when it popped open, some kind of fiery lemon juice splashed in my eye! The bartender was extremely apologetic and gave me a drink on the house. The drinks are fabulous! I ordered the Giant Peach - it's a combo of some kind of peach flavored liquor and champagne. There are other secret ingredients which I'm not privy to, but it was delicious. There were two birthday events that night - one for my friend, and another for some other girl. I didn't know the other girl, but her friends were extremely nice. They mingled a bit with our party, which was nice. It's a small venue, so you're likely to get a bit cramped. My solution for cramped bars? Drink faster. read more

I loved the atmosphere! It had a hip/jazzy feel, and the seating was arranged in a way that created little intimate cubby-holes for couples. Great place to take a date for drinks after work (especially if they like oysters). The cocktails are all very different and interesting, though on the expensive side ($13) - my favorite was the Tequila Rose (a spicy cocktail with a splash of beet juice in it). The oysters were also delicious, though definitely on the expensive side as well. Around 8pm they had some live music, two guys on the guitar and tambourine/drum. It was super chill and really added to the vibe of the place. Atmosphere/vibe: 5/5 Food: 4/5 Drinks: 4/5 Price: 3/5 read more

Creative......unique........ice cold oysters and Vodka! The girls loved the specialty drinks and the DJ's tunes We'll be back! read more

I guess I am not cool enough for this place...that is the vibe I got from the staff there, who seemed more interested in hanging out with one another than is welcoming me to the new place. I'll give it another try I imagine, because it seems like it will be fun, but only if the tone is set right by the team there. read more

Props for so much: the shabby chic decor, the fact that they have a Happy Hour on Saturdays from 6 - 8, the awesome bathroom, their drink special for the night I went (rum, lemon, cranberry juice, cinnamon, honey, and cloves; it tasted like Christmas), and the amazing music they were playing! Honey, play Hall & Oates as I walk in the door, you've got a friend for life. I didn't get to try their food, save for their deliciously seasoned complimentary popcorn, but any place that has a Scotch Egg is a-okay in my book. read more

Bar Belly is such a fun, unique bar! The live jazz music is great and they make such inventive and enjoyable drinks. We went there on a really busy night - they had a party of 25-30 people in the back buying multiple huge punch drinks - and their service was still incredible. Our waiter still treated us very personally and even ran after me as we left the bar because I had left my card behind. I would highly recommend Bar Belly for intimate drinks or larger parties. read more

Came here for a birthday party one Friday night. We snagged a table at the front so we had enough space to hang out and talk. It's a small place but with an upscale, classy oyster bar feel. The bartenders were very quick and attentive but while the drinks were decent, none of them really stood out to me. That said, the music was nice and I enjoyed the overall vibe of this place. I think it would be good for a small group looking for a mellow place to hang out and chat. read more

I have no idea how this place actually makes any money other than they must sell a ton of drinks late at night. We used this place for drinks while we waited for our dinner reservation at Mission Chinese which is up the block. The place is very cute, understated and hard to believe its located in Manhattan. I felt like we were transported to the country. The menu is VERY limited. The specialty is oysters which we didn't have since we wanted something light before our dinner. We had some nut mix dish with cut up Nam bread. They said it was a Moroccan dish. The spread fell off the bread and it was unimpressive. The drinks were fine but nothing spectacular. It is inexpensive and a great place to wait for dinner at Mission Chinese. There is zero pressure to leave and we thought the service was great. read more

You walk in and you are immediately surrounded by beautiful people. Then you hear a song. You start dancing although you have no idea what song is playing. That is just how dope this DJ is who is nestled in the corner of this bar. The bartenders are also artists here. They know just want to add to make an incredible drink. The Leadbelly also serves food that comes from the Fat Radish. One word, YUM. Truffle Fries? Yes, yes, yes!!!!! Definitely a place to hit when you are in the Lower East Side!! read more

We hosted our welcome drinks event at Bar Belly after waiting / postponing due to COVID-19. Tommy, Federico, and the entire team went *above and beyond* to make our event so special. Our family and friends were raving about the delicious food and jazz, and everyone loved the specialty cocktails, which is a big part of why we chose Bar Belly. Every time we're there we have such a great experience. It's a very popular place but the staff make it feel like a neighborhood spot, always welcoming. I cannot say enough great things about the Bar Belly team! Thanks for making the kickoff to our wedding weekend one of the highlights of the entire wedding. read more