Good local eatery with a full bar and large menu. Wrap-around porch is lovely to sit out on.

After a long hike at Harriman we found ourselves having to wait an hour for the train so stopped in Characters for a beer and pizza. The thin crust pizza was good - had the veggie pie with chunks of broccoli. Didn't have my favorite stouts or porters - Guinness? How mundane! I tried something called Defiant, a lager with great taste. The bartender and staff were very attentive. Uh oh, train's here! read more

Characters - Veggie pie - Bars Near Me - Sloatsburg, New York

I had a party there recently the service was terrible.. young kids that didn't know what they were doing..tables didn't get all the food that was expected and had to wait.. the deposit was not taken off even though they said they did.. it just didn't add up from the receipt.. when I approached the owner to try to understand she was nasty and curt.. needless to say I would not have another event there and will not recommend any friends to hold an event there either. read more

Always a great time at Characters! Top Notch all the way!!! A+ Food - A++ Service and the bartenders are always AWESOME!

How would I define this restaurant? Is it Italian? Is it Irish? Is it a sports bar? The answer is that it's simply a hodgepodge of what makes a restaurant live up to its name - character. The menu ranges from Italian thin crust pizzas to Irish bangers and mash. As for the food itself - it's fair yet flavorful. Nothing really to write home about but worth mentioning for a few well-known staples. Their Irish Chicken Curry has a wonderfully subtle essence of sweetness, curry and spices. And their pastrami Reuben was loaded with flavors and cooked perfectly. All-in-all 3 stars (maybe 3.5). read more

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When my husband turned 40 I had a surprise birthday party at Characters for him in the party room upstairs. The food was fantastic and the staff was amazing! Ten years later, there was no other choice where I would have his 50th party... Three months later our friends and family are still raving about how DELICIOUS the food was (Jenny exceeded our expectations with the amount of food we had - thank you!). Cathy and Kristen worked the party and the service was EXCEPTIONAL! The bar upstairs is convenient and absolutely beautiful. The chicken wings were so.. good we just had to have them for Super Bowl (AWESOME). We will continue to make memories at Characters (and can't forget our favorite bartender - Dennis) and consider this our "favorite" place in Sloatsburg. read more

Perfect after snow tubing dinner spot! Great appetizers, drinks, and Irish fare...... also great for kids. We will return!

To put it simply, this place was bad. The waitstaff was rude. Our party was split up, despite having the ability to seat us all at another table large enough to seat us all. When asked why we couldn't be seated all at one table, we were ignored. We were sat at 8:30 pm ordered at 8:35 then got our food at 9:30. Not once did anyone speak to us in between. So, the food took around an hour to arrive despite the dining area being nearly empty. The food was cold on arrival. It had arrived after several smaller parties who had been seated after us had already received their food. It really didn't make any sense at all. I wouldn't want to go again because while there was an "eclectic menu" it was really just a hodge-podge of mediocre food. Maybe some items would be substantially better, but if I was forced into going again, it would only be for appetizers and the bar. read more

We went here for the first time tonight. We usually go to Rhodes but wanted to try some thing new. So glad we did. Will definitely be coming back. We were very pleased. Servers were really attentive and nice. Lots of tv's. Cool atmosphere, and the food was delicious!! My bf got the shepherds pie which came with a big salad and he said it was really really good. I got the salad lovers salad with giant shrimp. Well , it was huge. For the price!! Huge perfectly cooked shrimp. Lots of greens ,, apples , walnuts and cheese. It was delicious. I had to take half it off it home. They did not rush us, and we sat and talked as long as we wanted. The music coming from bar area was great and we had a really nice evening. One of the coolest places we've been to in a while. read more

After a 10 hour drive, my wife and I were pretty hungry for some hearty food. It didn't feel like there were many choices at the time, but when you're that hungry, you're just grumpy. So we pretty much decided to go here because it was closest to us. We were greeted by Victoria, our friendly waitress. She informed us what foods they were known for, which things were made from scratch, etc. She was very helpful and polite. She even waited for me to come back after I left my cell phone on the table and proceeded to drive away! Anyways... I got the fish and chips, and my wife got a BBQ platter. The fish was fresh and delicious. You could tell it wasn't a box of frozen cod nuggets. The breading was crispy and just right. They had homemade tartar sauce as well, which had a really refreshing dill taste to it. My wife gets full really fast, but I think she enjoyed her experience pretty well too. We ordered the Irish curry fries as well, which were amazing. Don't forget to order those. In summary, this restaurant met our expectations in every way. We wanted good, hearty comfort food, and friendly service, and that's exactly what we got. If you're looking for some warm, feelgood food, this place has it. read more

I took the day off from work to hang with a friend visiting from out of town and he told me about this charming little restaurant and bar. They had a wide variety of lunch specials including the chicken pot pie and shepherd's pie which we both found very tasty! If you do get to dine here, you MUST get the bowl of chili! We had TWO bowls of this during our lunch it was so good. read more

Good family atmosphere, super welcoming staff and decent service. Everything is pub food and there is a great room that is a big space for parties. Restaurant holds great events to support local activities and fundraisers! read more

We have been here on a few occasions. When it gets busy, service is a tad slower, but ALWAYS friendly. Bartenders in particular are super friendly, it's almost disconcerting (in a great way!). We have sat in the restaurant and the bar. Never had a bad experience with the food. It's not a Michelin rated place - but that's not why you go to a bar, is it? The pizza is thin crust and tasty. Wings are tasty. Loaded tots are REALLY tasty. But again, the friendly service? Makes up for any wait time, in my opinion. read more

If you're looking for a spot to slip away to for dinner, happy hour, late night antics or even for just a drink or two Characters is your place. Great staff, bartenders are great people!! Food is top notch from their sizzling steak to their appetizers. They have a touch tunes jukebox to listen to your favorite music as you throw back a few cold ones! read more

Character's food and unmatched service is the reason they have so many regulars from all over. They cook their food fresh and although that can occasionally make the wait longer, it's worth it. I've seen reviews about food taking too long and I would just like to point out you're at a restaurant, not the McDonald's drive thru. There's not a lot of bar and grills that are this tedious about their food being fresh and that's a huge plus in my opinion. Good people, good food, awesome environment. read more

Don't come here if you just got off a hike -- you'll get dirty looks and poor service Edit: friends at the restaurant had much better service and enjoyed their food. Review is specific to the bar read more

Had the angus NY strip steak tonight and it was very disappointing. Ordered it medium rare and it was served very well done. Dry and tougher than an angus steak should be. I don't send food back and don't expect bad food to be taken off the bill. Sent the steak back to the cook, thanked the server for her great service. Paid the full bill, left a generous tip but won't ever try their steak again! read more

food was good, we were in here for two hours. almost no one ate during the time we were there. staff were friendly, but incredibly slow. i understand we did have a party of 5, but it took 45 minutes to get our drink orders, and even longer with food. they took so long to get cream for coffee that our coffee got ice cold by time it was here. personally i would recommend this restaurant for the food, but if you don't have an hour or two to spare then i will not recommend. read more

We'll give it three stars because the food and pricing is generally good, the waitress service is better. The water glasses, for years, have had to be replaced because improperly washed. One time we got up and left because each glass had lip marks on the table. The chicken is hit or miss, either very good or rubbery. Bathrooms clean. read more

We had been there once before & had hamburgers that were huge & delicious. Based on that visit, we returned. They have a $10 lunch special & I had chicken francese with pasta. Both were bland & tasteless. There was no seasoning or spices in either one & the the pasta had too much oil. My wife had shrimp & her food was also bland & tasteless. We agreed that we would not go back at all, unless all we got were hamburgers. It's a pity, since the place is somewhat small on the first floor, but nice. The staff is friendly & efficient, but the chef needs to discover seasonings & spices, so the food would be more appetizing. Maybe others like the food, but we will stick to their hamburgers; if we ever return again. read more

Thank you to the staff and management at Character's. My wife and I have always enjoyed dining at your restaurant (and are especially fond of Victoria). After booking your party room for lunch following my wife's funeral, I surprised you with a guest count of more than twice what was planned for. You quickly made the entire restaurant (both floors) into a party room and accommodated my guests with speed and compassion. We've since received many compliments from our guests on both the quality of the food and the service. You went above and beyond for us and we are very grateful. read more

Very nice customer service. Food was good. I woukd Recommend this place. Pot pie was good.

Really great place to gather your family. Nice menu with some traditional Irish fare. Nice wait staff and a very welcoming feel. I would recommend! read more

Food was very good. The service was extremely slow. Try the fish and chips. Appetizers came out fast food took a while. Shocked they didn't offer bread at the table. I really wish that there was accommodation for shellfish allergies. read more

I must thank Jenny and her crew at Characters for the amazing job they did for our Hiker-Biker-Skier Christmas Party Dec. 8, a large, hungry and rambunctious group of 60 people. The buffet dinner we arranged was beyond expectations in quality and quantity- Penne Primavera, Steak Teriyaki, Chicken Piccata, Broiled Salmon, Salads, etc. All the dishes were of the kind of quality you would expect for a made-to-order individual dinner. Beyond that, the service our large group received was extremely professional-- energetic and efficient, without giving the feeling of being rushed. The staffers were always there to meet our every need, from bringing more glasses of water, to closing up and moving a few large tables to yield more dancing room. (Yes, we were able to bring in our own musical entertainment, for whom the staff were quite accommodating.) The atmosphere and decor were warm and inviting, reflecting the century old legacy of this rambling country inn. A bonus: it is located convenient to downtown Sloatsburg, Rt. 17, and a NYS Thruway exit, ~1 mi. All this, at a price so reasonable that at first it had us suspicious. Yet it proved true: you _can_ get great food, great service, and attractive, comfortable surroundings without breaking the budget. Thanks to the obviously professional catering skills and strong kitchen at Characters, our affair was a tremendous success. Based on our own feedback, we are sure to be back again next year, if not sooner! Now I am looking forward to trying their regular restaurant fare, which has many fine choices on it, including some specialty dishes that reflect the best features of the Irish culinary arts. I think I'll start with an authentic Shepherd's Pie (I'm sure it will put to shame the cafeteria version I endured through grade school!) See their menu at www.charactersrestaurant.com. Whether you have a large group to feed and entertain in style and on budget, or you're looking for a reliable quality restaurant for a quiet, intimate dinner for two... be sure to talk to Jenny at Characters; you won't be sorry! read more

Amazing food service and atmosphere. Family friendly and they really take care of you whether you're a first tie customer or a regular, and they have a lot of regulars which says something about the place. You won't be disappointed!! read more

My boyfriend and I often go to characters for a quick bite. The food is very good, but the managers are not very nice. Last night My boyfriend, His little brother, and I went to Characters. We had to wait 45 minutes for appetizers when it usually takes 15 minutes. We were left with bread for 35 min and the waitress had checked on us once. When we tried canceling our orders, because it took to long and the appetizers were cold the manager threatened to call the cops on us and didn't give us our money back. The service sucks just like the owners attitude! She was very rude when our parents confronted them and the owner said to mind our business when we asked questions. read more

Came here after kayaking. My friends and & I sat bar. Service is great, waitress is very friendly. She is up to speed. As soon as we walk in she took took our drink order. We had fish sandwich, Shepard pie, Ruben sandwich, french onion soup, cheddar cheese soup and onion. We emptied the place. Highly recommend this place if you are near the neighborhood, especially when you are heading home from Woodbury read more

Food was fine. Waitress was fine. Several small issues that, when combined, tell me to go elsewhere next time. Sorry, review is a bit long. NO HOSTESS upon arrival which is OK. The waitresses passing by as we stood in the entrance without so much as a word like "someone will be right with you" rubs me the wrong way. Ignoring people who come to your place of business is rude and bad for business, regardless of your position. SEATING was odd. Dining room was more than half empty (Saturday 8 PM) but we were seated between an occupied table and a low partition wall, in a tight space. No big deal but could not get comfortable. DIRTY DISHES were being "dropped" into an open bin sitting 2 feet behind our seats. The foul smell of dirty dishes piling up behind us was unappetizing and unsanitary. Again, dining room less than half full, why leave DIRTY DISHES RIGHT NEXT TO WHERE CUSTOMERS ARE EATING? This was disgusting. Also, having the tray sitting on a pedestal in a doorway which is a fire exit is bad judgement. OTHER STUFF . -- ordered a bacon cheeseburger without lettuce or tomato, did not get the bacon but got the lettuce and tomato. -- asked to have food wrapped up to take home, waitress said "their fries don't travel well". It was more of an effort to make the statement than to actually put them in the take-out container with the other food. I am being petty but it all ads up. -- just a pet peeve of mine, if you are working on a restaurant floor, as a customer I don't want to see your cell phone. I can go into several reasons why. -- asked for the check, received it right away but then the waitress disappeared to take my credit card. Finally paid and upon leaving, no hostess or anyone to say " goodnight" or "thank you". Minor issue but it shows you the culture of this place I wanted to give a better rating but could not. My opinion is that the management means well but operates with their best interest in mind, not the customer's. read more

Food is great here, can't go wrong with the burgers! The staff are very friendly and fast. We go to eat at the bar once a week and the pizza deal on Thursdays is great. Always a friendly crowd and good music to listen to while eating. read more

Tonight was our first time at Character's and it was a great experience. The food was great and our server Julianna was polite and attentive. 10/10 service. read more

I am giving this place five stars based on the fact that their buffalo chicken wings are the best around. Large crunchy wings, always perfectly cooked and served with a really authentic buffalo sauce. Kind of a local yokel bar scene.are usually just take out the wings (separate from the sauce of course) we have eaten in the dining room also. And their shepherds pie is really good and most of the food there is decent. Owner is really friendly too. read more

Great atmosphere, great food, and great prices! Went there while on vacation in Ring wood. The place was packed and the bar tender was on his game. I got the tuna melt and it was delicious. Also tried fries ravioli which was OK. read more

Was told to go to the bar while waiting for table stood there for 15 minutes well being ignored by the bartender watched him doing shots which is friends well ignoring us we left went to Rhodes much better place much better service read more

Delicious, high quality food that is not overpriced. Their pizza oven makes great bar pies. The banaffi dessert is phenomenal. Best wings in Suffern, if not Rockland. Staff is incredible -- very friendly and attentive. Highly recommend to everyone. They also just redid the inside and it looks amazing!! read more

Characters is a wonderful place with a ton of local character. My fiancé and I met my brother and his wife here for drinks on a Sunday night and really thought it hit on all marks. The bartender (Jim) makes a great cocktail and was extremely attentive. I really liked that they carried local craft beer on tap that was served up just right. There were plenty of screens to watch the game on and the fans were all locals that had been there a time or two. If you're coming from upstate and looking for a good place to stop before you hit NJ, Characters is a great watering hole. read more

Characters is certainly a favorite of mine. We've been coming here for about 4 years. It is a nice, quite establishment with friendly people and there's a lot of character here. The food is ok. The chicken tenders and pizza are my favorites. The prices are very reasonable for what you get. Love to play Quick Draw too. The bar tender is friendly read more

Fantastic food, great service and super friendly regulars! Order the Irish curry fries...you won't be disappointed.

I'm not sure what Jade, Kevin, or Tee are talking about, but this place is atrocious. I never knew I could leave a restaurant thoroughly disgusted, unserviced, and disappointed, until my group of friends, and I decided to stop in Characters. By the way It's Ironic that this restaurant has zero character. First of the theme of this place is nothing special. Pictures of some historical things, a couple of devils plaques, and a dimly lit area doesn't make it anymore distinguishable from the average Jersey Diner. And no I didn't see the fire place, but I'm sure if I did it would make me jump for joy!!!(Sarcasm). Secondly the food was okay. It wasn't to die for, but it wasn't crap either. Again it was average, No identity nothing that stood out. We had four dishes, and most of them could of been served at Houlihan's. Lastly the service was by far the worst experience I've ever encountered in my life. Never in my life have I sat down to eat, and not have a waiter/waitress come, and give me a glass of water. Instead the four of us sat down for 15 minutes Looking at the menu with empty cups. When the waitress did arrive there wasn't any "Hello how are you?", or "Thanks for coming what can I get you!". No it was a rude "What do you want?". We put our order in, asked for water, and then began the waiting game! I'll give you the time line like this..... 5:10 we arrive and are seated. 5:25 Placed order, and asked for water 5:35 Got water 5:43 Got Bread 5:57 Got out appetizer (Garlic bread, and yes it took 30min to make garlic bread with cheese) 6:25 Asked the waitress where our food was(Again yes one hour of waiting) 6:30 Finally got our food So yes it took an hour to get our food, and any interaction with our waitress had to be from me calling one out so I can get a refill of water and Question our food. And when we did get out food there wasn't an apology for how long it took. Hell there was nothing said at all. Out dishes were just placed in front of us in a gesture that might as well say "Well here is your bowl of fuck". Again there was no interaction with the waitress, any waitress. Only time we saw one again was when we wanted the check. And paying that almost took another 15min. And just in case you all think " I was rude" I said please, and thank you for any service I was given while there. So all in all Food wasn't terrible, but you would get better service if you were an Arabic person in an Airport then you would while at this Restaurant. I would give it zero, or negative stars, but yelp forces me to give it one. P.S. For lovely service they received a 63cent tip! read more

This was my first visit here. It was a Thursday at 4pm after a hike. I figured it wouldn't have any customers but it was somewhat crowded for that early hour. There were plenty of seats in the dining area but I sat at the bar, for a long time. Do not make plans afterwards because service is slow. My order wasn't taken until 20 minutes later. It would had been faster if I took a whole table for myself. Although Sherry was nothing but pleasant, the wait was unbearable. The higher priced alcoholic drinks take priority over the simple lunch which now became dinner. When the food finally arrived, it was plentiful with the fries and cole slaw to supplement the Signature Characters Burger. I enjoyed my meal while listening to mostly 60's tunes with one 80's tune thrown in and watching various sporting events. I liked the onions, otherwise the meal was bland. The bartender was mostly absent while dealing with refills, conversation and gambling addiction with NJ Lottery Quick Draw numbers. I had become very familiar with my watch that day read more