My wife and I were looking for a casual, relaxing place to enjoy some good cocktails and hopefully some decent food, and Black Crescent went above and beyond our expectations. In my experience it's not easy to find a decent cocktail, even in Manhattan, and the ones we got here were well above average -- perfect, actually. But what really surprised us was the food. While the menu seems to be an unassuming list of usual pub fare (a burger, a chicken sandwich, a hot dog...) the preparation was fantastic. The spicy fried shrimp was so perfectly done; light and crispy, not a hint of greasiness, with an excellent spicy cream sauce, and sprinkled with freshly chopped scallions. Delicious! And the smash burger was equally good. On top of all this, we were served by the owner Reynolds himself, who, as many others have pointed out here, is just a complete pleasure and all-around good guy. He really took great care of us. Can't wait to go back! read more

Great neighborhood bar with excellent, knowledgeable bartenders, and a little kitchen that puts out simple and tasty food. As well, an actual happy hour that will save you money. Highly recommended! read more

The place is small and looks like a typical old LES bar. Inside is pretty hip but also a bit run down. They only have a couple of high tops and a bar. We went for the happy hour and ordered a lot of oysters. Oysters were fresh but they were really really small and after we ordered 2 dozens and some other customers in the house ordered they were out of oysters.. bummer. We also tried the fried banana which was my mistake. Breading wasn't done right so skin kept peeling off and it was just really odd. Happy hour drinks were also a bit expensive so even if the oysters were cheap, the drinks made up for it and our check wasn't too expensive. The servers were really nice though. read more

Black Crescent - HH oysters - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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This place has bears. The hears that you want to be around. Unless the lights are off.

Came here on a weekday night for oysters and was happy to learn they have happy hour prices for oysters all night until sold out! their oysters are delicious, we had some beers and fries too. bartender/waiter were so nice and friendly. will def go again! read more

The Black Crescent bar was a great experience for my friends and I. The ambience, service, and friendship from everyone was fantastic. We arrived too late to savour their food menu but they were kind enough to give us some snacks to go with the wide assortment of drinks. Overall we had a wonderful time and I highly recommend the Black Crescent to all who enjoy the exquisite nightlife in NYC. read more

Genuinely disappointed that I never came here while living a few blocks away - such a great spot! Happy hour is great, solid $2 oysters with all the fixins and possibly the best backet of waffle fries I've ever had? There are a decent amount of drinks on happy hour too but any other cocktail is only a few bucks more. Great service, great little bar and atmosphere with a lot of tchotchkes but in a fun and quirky way. read more

Hella dope spot. Black Crescent is everything you'd like in your average neighborhood and personable bar. The bartender (mercedes) was super accomodating to me and my guest and our requests, while also being highly knowledgeable of our spirit-based tastes. The owner (Reynolds - who is also funny if you get the chance to chop it up with him) was super accomodating and seemed to be friends, or make friends, with everyone in the eastablishment. Thus, making it a very homely vibe. DRINKS: The old fashioned was smooth and excellent and their version of a Manhattan was strong and spot on. FOOD: The east and west coast oysters were fulfilling, and bbq wings were satisfying and had a bit of spicy kick to distinguish the flavor... Well done Black Cresent! read more

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Black Crescent opened earlier this year to surprisingly little fanfare. Not that it wasn't well-deserved; when the dishes are concocted by Dustin Everett (who spent extensive time working in the kitchens with John Besh) and the cocktails are dreamt up by Michael Reynolds (formerly of The Beagle, The McKittrick Hotel, and Booker & Dax) it was almost guaranteed to be a success. A few friends and I wandered in on a Saturday evening, looking for a spot to get a drink or two before a later dinner. I don't know what exactly what I was expecting prior to entering, but it bore no resemblance to the cocktail bar I had concocted in my mind. Black Crescent sports a dark, wood-based interior that forgoes any pretenses. The decor is practical and pared down, with several tables meant for groups, a few stools against the bar counter, and plenty of standing room. We managed to snag seats at the bar, where we were greeted by the mixologist and handed menus. To say that the drinks available here are tempting would be an understatement. Why not try the Rosemary Pimms, highlighted by lemon, cucumber, and honey, and served on the rocks? Or a simpler Delta Bravo, with gin, lemon, honey, and yuzu, served tall? While there were less than ten options printed, it didn't make the decision any easier. At the end, I asked if I could have the Confederate Officer, with the bourbon swapped out for gin, a request that the bartender was willing to fulfill, if not before telling me (with a wink) that it wouldn't be quite as good. And the drink? An expertly crafted concoction that highlighted the sweetness and freshness of peaches, mint, and lemon, all served on the rocks. The gin was subtly layered in so that I barely even noticed it, and yes, this was one of the few cocktails that I had no difficulty finishing. Black Crescent also offers a solid happy hour that runs until 8PM, which features dollar oysters and discounts on a few drinks. While they do call themselves an "Oyster Bar", don't skip out on the cocktails offered as well; the former may get you through the door, but the latter will encourage you to return. read more

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Value 5/5 Taste 5/5 Service 5/5 Presentation of food 4/5 Appearance of the establishment 4/5 $1.50 Oysters @ night read more

"Park yourself here at 5 pm...." I had a small gathering for birthday drinks here and it was the perfect spot for it. Actually, this place is so cool, I don't really want you to go here. People, drinks and tasty food. *Quality happy hour! Not leftovers of old wine, rail liquor and stale beer. We are talking about Old Fashioneds, Gimlets and 99 cent oysters! * Long Happy Hour -- til 8 pm! *Dark and cozy *Outstanding bar masters fix the drinks right each time. Good for small groups and unpretentious evenings. read more

Happy hour mon-sun 12-1am is so nice. In addition to the regular happy hour. Very cozy and intimate. Mostly 80s music. Bartenders are nice, rugged looking hipsters. I would come here for intimate gatherings, not for large groups. read more

Awesome bar with rockstar staff. The bartender who serviced me last night was incredible--so kind, remembered everyone's order, and could make a million drinks a minute. They do not skimp out on alcohol in their cocktails and I was very appreciative of that. Somehow the drinks still taste great though. Love the space and the vibe--the Black Crescent sign is in Stranger Things font which I found cool. Also was a huge fan of the music. Lots of bangers but they added a tasteful mix of indie (think Peter Bjorn + The Strokes) and even some New Order. Got so excited I texted my friend who came right over too. Will definitely be back, hopefully to try some food too! read more

Black Crescent is a laid back, non-pretentious cool joint. We were the first to arrive and felt like King and Queen to pick whatever seat we desired. We sat the bar to see the bartender work his concoctions. While they did not have a fruity cocktail special, he offered to make me something to my liking: an orange bubbly. Nice hospitality there. I do wish they had more choices for a light drinker like me. One of the main draws here was their happy hour (6-8pm) $0.99 North Shore oysters. Mmmmm mmmm! they were good. Cold, fresh, slightly briny and plump. Only served with a lemon wedge and mignonette. We could have easily ate more if we didn't have dinner next. A must get! read more

They leave the door open on a 40 degree night. Let their bartenders be rude and talk down to customers. The waiter was great and nice, but this off the clock bartender decided to talk to my group in a obnoxious and entitled way about a door stopper. He then proceeded to mock me and my clothes when I made a complaint to him in his customer service. I work in the service industry and there is a way to talk to customer. I have never made fun of a customer or berate them over a door. Just because you work at a bar doesn't give you free reign to be a jerk. Will not be returning and will advise my friends not to as well. read more

I know many people loved Alias, but despite many times thinking I had to go to a seemingly neighborhood institution, I had frequently stopped in to look at the menu before concluding I couldn't see the reason why to go. I was intrigued when Black Crescent revamped the space and have been looking for the right opportunity to swing in for some oysters. What Black Crescent has done is illustrative of the best aspects of the Lower East Side's current transition. In some respects, many will lament the demise of the more affordable hippie-esque spots like Alias; on the other hand, the neighborhood is gaining increasing access to well-curated delicacies delivered by wonderful and knowledgeable staff in more upscale environments. Our server was well-versed in oysters and described all of the items we asked about in eloquent fashion. During happy hour, North Shore (Long Island) oysters are available for $.99 each, and they are delicious. Our favorite oysters are from the west coast so we sampled the Kumomoto ($3.50/ea.) and the Steamboat ($3/ea.), as well. they were all extremely fresh and delicious. There is a happy hour drink list as well, and prosecco is available for $9/glass. This was a perfect spot to grab a drink and oysters before dinner, and I hope to be back soon. read more

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Black Crescent is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. I always spend time in the East Village when I am in town and having a quality seafood option is amazing. It's small plates and epic cocktails at the moment but word is the menu will be expanding soon. The inside has this vibe like the inside of a ship. It's nice when a place shows commitment to executing an idea to its fullest without it becoming cheesy. Black Crescent is exactly such a place. I will be returning every time I am back in the city... read more

Black Crescent - Citrus Cured Scallops. I never mess with raw scallops but these were so on point! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

HAPPY HOUR ONLY SPOT! The place charges $8 for a pint at least for the IPA on draft and serves it in a tiny mug glass. One would think for a dive in LES that price should warrant a pint glass rather than the tiny pour of a mug that fits 8oz on a good day. 2 IPAs with tip was 20 bucks for a grand total of 15oz being generous of beer. Service was fine. That said, menu looks yummy and spot as a cool vibe. Would love to make this a neighborhood spot but non-HH prices for what you get doesn't make sense. However, good spot for HH but there are a 1000 better deals in way east LES. Would not recommend. read more

Black Crescent - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

I wish I read the reviews before my friends and I stopped by last week during our trip to NY. This really bothered me about my trip to NY. It seems like a recurring theme that the owner of the bar is an absolute douchebag. I've never seen a more Jekyll and Hyde attitude from bar staff and the owner. When we first walked in, the owner welcomed us like you've been a customer forever. Beware though, it's a front. We were standing our own business, when the owner walks up behind us and is instantly unhinged that we were in his way. Literally starts berating us and embarrassing us in the middle of the bar. To be honest it was a bit unsettling as we were caught off guard by how disrespectful he treated us. It all came out of left field. The tone is set at the top by the owner. You've got other reviews where the bartenders are rude, and you've got other reviews where the owner treats you like trash. What I know is that this lack of customer respect is a common theme in the reviews and a sudden attitude change by the staff is common. Hence good reviews, but a common theme of the owner randomly disrespecting people for some minor triggering moment. I would recommend never coming back here. There are many more places in the NY without the owner treating you like you are some garbage with the privilege of being in his bar. read more

I'm in love. Walked into this place, found myself in a cozy, dim atmosphere. Complimented exceptionally well by Motown and funk tunes. Ok, what?! The setup is like a bar, which is okay. I was expecting more of a lounge. The bartender Charlie was very nice. I opted for the BC punch, which is a punch of the day. All I remember is that it had rum, cognac, & soda water in it. Strong & sweet flavors at the same time. Loved it. And I don't like carbonation, but the soda water cut down on the strong flavor of the cognac. Definitely a hipster feel, which isn't my scene. But won't keep me from dropping in here & there. Winning. read more

A great go-to for cocktails, happy hour, and not to mention $1 oysters at happy hour! It's never too crazy crowded and the bartenders and servers are all low on the crankiness level. I recently tried some of their food for the first time and really liked it, too! We got the chicken wings, waffle fries, and bang bang shrimp and though the portions weren't huge, the flavors were great and hit the spot as we guzzled drink after drink. They were also cool with one of our party bringing in a birthday cake and candles, which we appreciated! read more

Black Crescent is a highly underrated destination for happy hour oysters downtown. There are several spots well known for their $1 oysters in the city. From Maison Premiere to Mermaid Inn, you almost have to take a 1/2 off work to get in line and ensure you get a table to partake. Here, it's a much more manageable scene with nice people working the room, good beers and cocktails, and of course, a solid bill of fare as well. Happy hour runs from 5-9pm Sunday - Wednesday, and 5-8pm Thursday - Saturday. Lots of time to enjoy one of the finer things in life, doused in mignonette and paired with a crisp adult libation. read more

Unfortunately, this review is based on the service at the Bar. I just left here to go to Pig and Khao which has AMAZING service. The bartender with the man bun made my Moscow Mule with FLAT seltzer. It was hard to drink, I only had a few sips from it. My boyfriend had told him politely that it didn't taste well. The bartender had to repeat the "3 ingredients" to me. I know what a Moscow mule was, but he had pointed to a plastic bottle of Seltzer that was sitting in the ice bin behind the bar. He didn't offer to make me another drink. Instead, I had asked if he can make me an LIT. (The drink was so horrible, I needed something sweet/refreshing to cleanse my pallet) His response was "we don't make LIT". I had asked him if he had any juices (for example: cranberry or OJ) and his response was "we only have Tito's and Kettle One". Great response. He had an "I don't want to be there" attitude, and guess what, so did I. I left this place immediately and I won't be coming back here TLDR; Don't make a Moscow mule drink if you don't know how to make one, let alone if you don't have ginger beer. read more

Vibe was nice and the drinks were really great but we had this rotund bartender that was extremely rude. Maybe he was just having a bad night, but I wouldn't tell anyone to go here especially when there are so many great bars in the lower east side. Didn't try the food but what I saw looked tasty! read more

Dude...where did my review go? I came here with R on my birthday, they played old school hip hop, which I love, but went back here with J and they were just playing some oldies. Good cocktails....I usually get Double Haul, because I love Tequila. read more

We stopped by after wandering around on a Friday night. This is a low key bar that has a couple of tables and a bigger bar area. Definitely a no frills kind of place, but they've got a great happy hour oyster menu. We ordered a few oysters each, the waiter gave us good recommendations. I think it was $1-2/oyster in happy hour! This has a nice lowkey atmosphere, I'd recommend this for a casual date spot or happy hour casual location. read more

My wife and I are always seeking out new and exciting culinary experiences. And cool, fun, nifty haunts to drink beer or cocktails. If you can combine them, it's a plus+. I had a business reason to visit Black Crescent and the proprietor had graciously invited me back to enjoy his establishment. Having sought out a new burger joint, we headed to 10th & Ave C but during the wait for service I recalled Black Crescent and before any order was placed and any water was placed, we excused ourselves to the barkeep and walked the 15 minutes to the corner of Rivington and Clinton. And what a corner it is. A whirling dervish of activity and people rushing about entertaining anyone who takes a moment To. Just. Look. at the frenzy of frenetic activity. Once you step inside the rustic woody interior of the small open space of the bar/restaurant, the generous cornered windows allow for a more silent perusal of the spectacle of the neighborhood. My wife discussed with the server a sweet martini type drink and after he in a most NY manner defined a martini vs what my wife wanted, he had the bartender design something with like 5-6 different ingredients. It was most delicious, TWICE. I had the light pale Pilsner on tap and on the Happy Hour menu. After 24 East Coast oysters, $1.00 each, we were provided with Bang Bang Shrimp. Crunchy, succulent and richly flavorful and a solid hint of heat. They were a perfect kick off into the burgers, one signature and one vegetarian option. Both small sized and delicious; we split them and shared the taste. The inside setup is a combination of 4 tops around the periphery and a nice center floor group high top good for up to 8, possibly 10 in a Party. The ample bar corners opposite the windows. All seats at the tables manifest a great street view. I repeat this because this is a real neighborhood. And the view is essential to the charm of the place. Kudos to Jamie, an attentive and engaging host and server. We will be back. read more

Who knew they had the best mac'n cheese ever! Not to mention fried cheese curd!! I left so so happy! And happily buzzed from a killer martini:) read more

Food/drinks taste of great quality and taste, portions are small. My wife and I actually went and ate a full meal at a nearby Spanish restaurant. One thing that threw me off was that they don't have hot sauce when requested for the oysters (i'll have to bring my own in the future lol). Service was awesome, provided by Carlos - looks nothing like a Carlos as he'll tell you himself lol. The main dish took pretty long to come out (busy night), but he apologized for that and hooked it up so that more than made up for it. - Oysters: Oysters were only a buck for happy hour, can't beat that. We ordered 2 dozen. Only the North shore are available at that price, they were fresh and on the smaller end. - Peruvian: great tasting, strong flavors - BC punch: light citrus taste w/ alcohol, served in a large double shot glass - The general: great for whiskey fans read more

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3.5 stars. Can't beat the relaxed and local vibes here along with great happy hour. Drinks taste great so can't complain there. Only thing that pissed me off was the punk ass bartender giving attitudes to everybody patrons sitting by the bar. Making fun of ladies' choice of drinks (cosmo = "what are you, my depressed aunt?") to looking pissed off and tapping his finger on the table as some guy was making a game time decision on drinks. This just made everybody uncomfortable at the bar, and I'm sure the owner does not want that (he was leaving as we came in) Get rid of the guy, and this place is gold. Other bartenders seem to be cool. read more

So I came in on a long Friday night I was having and was so happy they let me charge my phone!!!!! I finally got my girl Allison to respond and turns out all my girls had dead phones! Brandon the dreamy bartender let me and all four of my girlfriends get some juice for the trek home...... The spot: Cozy tribal decor crossed with that Disney ride pirates of the Caribbean.. Food: oysters I like drowned them in hot sauce and then chased them with sailor jerry shots!!! The crowd: un-judgy and super chill.... The drinks: they come fast in strong. INSIDER TIPS: THEY SELL PLAN B... I actually can see my friends needing one so good to know ;) read more

A real top notch spot! The drinks are great and the food is fantastic! Their cheese curds haunt my dreams. When I bite into them, it's almost like I'm at a dive bar in the backwoods of Wisconsin in all the best ways. The bartenders are hilarious and welcoming. Just don't act like an entitled dirt bag and you're gonna have a truly great experience. This place is a shining beacon amongst all the fuckery that is COVID. read more

Decent cocktails, average price for the neighborhood, solid old jams, and throw back films, but the bar service can be very spotty and I live within a few blocks so it should be a local bar. Maybe a better bar if you know the bartenders. I hate to admit I'm someone who doesn't leave reviews but the experience here has always been less than expected. There are many a time the bartenders are more interested in speaking with their friends/regulars as opposed to paying attention to bar goers looking to order a new drink (and making the bar more $$) or take an order and then come back 15 minutes after clearing up water cups. If you want a simple drink, this place is not worth the hassle read more

This place is not worth it. Stood at bar for 10 minutes with no service, was not busy. Bar tender seemed drunk and was busy speaking with customers. No service at all. Yelp states there is food but that is incorrect. Atmosphere was not inviting, overall would give this a D grade. Went next door and had a much better experience. read more

Their empanadas are to die for! They aren't even an empanada place but they make them so yummy. They make great drinks too and while their beer selection is minimal, it's all quality. The staff are a fun group of people, very friendly. They play old movies on a tv by the bar. Most people go in groups but you can go alone and read a book, I do. read more

Great service, vibe, drinks and service! Love the happy hour options, especially the oysters. Highly recommend!!

My office had our holiday party here for the first time. We were 17 people. Service was fantastic. Drinks were amazing and not watered down like other places! Food was hot and freshly prepared to order. A must have is the huge pretzel that easily feeds 3! Can't wait to celebrate here next year!! read more

I've lived in the hood for 5 years, I've come here once a year bc every time I've come the staff had been horrible. I kept trying, once a year to see if it's gotten better. Came here my 5th time, and nope, staff, managers, they are all worst then you can imagine, I recommend never coming here read more

I absolutely fucking love this place. The food is fire and I'm pretty sure being funny and attractive is a credential to work here. Love the staff, love the food, and the ambiance is cute af. read more

I will let my experience speak for itself. My friend and I got drinks at the bar, and found a spot to stand by one of the windows. All of a sudden, we heard a very loud voice behind us. Michael Reynolds (MR), Black Crescent co-owner, carrying two plates of food: YO! Startled, we move aside. MR, still in a loud voice: YOU'RE STILL IN MY WAY. Me: You could say 'excuse me.' Do you work here? MR: No, I'm the owner, and I can kick you out. Me: Wow, is this how you speak to customers? My friend and I find another spot to stand. A few minutes later, MR approached. MR: Did you want me to say 'excuse me'? Me: Yes I did. MR (now in my face): Well, excuuuuuuse me! Me: Well, it's a little too late for that. MR tries to grab the drink out of my hand and screams in my face: YOU CAN GET THE F*CK OUT OF MY BAR AND DON'T COME BACK AGAIN! The bouncer tells us we need to leave. My friend and I are standing on the sidewalk outside of the bar, and MR gives us the finger from inside the window. (Note that MR is about 3 times the size of my friend and me, so his aggressive behavior seemed really threatening during our brief altercation.) I wouldn't recommend a visit here unless you want to risk being the victim of his bullying and power trips, or witnessing a similar scene. Read the other reviews, I wish I had; this is a pattern of behavior. read more