Aside from the Hostess that night, the service and ambiance, and not to mention the food! Are all Top Notch at Employees only. There was a small line on a chilly NYC night but after waiting about 15 minutes or so me and my gf were able to get inside. The Bouncer at the door was a tall friendly gentleman named Sean who made our experience that much more pleasant. We were both very hungry and were dying to try some of the menu items. However when we arrived the hostess told us there were no tables available for seating although more than half the tables were empty and unoccupied. She also said there is no waiting list so we would flat out would have to wait "over an hr" to get seated. We were leaving the bar discouraged, and told Sean the bouncer the situation and he said he could "make something happen for us" which meant him going inside to speak to somebody. Needless to say, that Hostess did not know what she was talking about and was very incompetent. She even tried to hurry us out of the table at the end of the meal. Thanks to Sean we were seated in the very first two seater and started ordering food and drinks right away. -For Appetizer: we got the hand cut Steak Tartare which was served table side as the waitress has to mix the steak and egg together with the capers etc. it was served with salad and crunchy bread crostini . -Entree: We both shared the Beet salad and the rainbow Trout with capers which comes with a nice little fresh citrusy salad! Honestly if you're here and don't want to spend that $88 porterhouse steak get the Rainbow trout! So light and fresh and equally as filling. Both dishes were super refreshing and the Amelia paired so well with the citrus notes of the fish and salad. The side salad was a divine pair that came with crunchy sweet apples and the capers with the fish were all So good!. I would definitely come back here for those dishes alone! -The music choices were decent, however wish there was more space for dancing. The whole bar area is so crowded. Also keep in mind the drinks are all almost $20 depending on what you get. Definitely not an affordable spot. Final thoughts, I would give this place 5 stars if it wasn't for that rude Hostess. I'll have to return so they can have another shot at getting 5 stars hopefully that hostess will not be present. read more

Employees Only - New American Near Me - New York, New York

bar in the front, seated tables/more restaurant in the back. drinks have nice concepts, but what we tried were well made but flavor wasn't there based on how they were described. service overall was friendly. read more

Employees Only is a speakeasy, cocktail bar, and restaurant located in the West Village. Ranked #15 on North America's 50 Best Bars 2024 and #47 on The World's 50 Best Bars 2022, I was excited to finally experience it. We ordered a selection of their drinks and some bites to share. In terms of price and taste, I found them to be quite decent, with their classic cocktails being particularly well-crafted. If you can secure a reservation, it's definitely worth visiting for happy hour with friends. read more

Employees Only - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Didn't have a reservation, but fortunately we came early enough that the line for the bar area wasn't too long. The establishment is split between two areas - one for dining and one strictly for the bar. The bar area is crowded, and it's very likely you won't get a seat. Therefore, be prepared to stand. The Amelía was good. Very light on the alcohol taste. Very much reminded me of a blackberry lemonade, but it was light and refreshing. The bartenders seem to know what they're doing. They don't measure anything directly but taste each drink to make sure they have the proportions correct. The staff are amazing. Very nice and came to check on us in terms of how we liked our drinks. There is coat check. Since the area is small, they'll make you coat check any big bags. read more

Employees Only - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Used to be a regular here. I opened my card for 4 of us. I had 4 drinks and was charged for 24 drinks. I was just asking my friends if they had all those drinks and the manager Frank just gets super upset and makes an entire scene for just asking my friend if they had the drinks and goes hysterical. I don't know you can get god complex for managing a bar. But hey this one proves me wrong. If you go there don't check the bill twice and pay. If you don't Frank will humiliate you. read more

Employees Only is another one of the top 50 best bars in the world, so we were intrigued by how good the cocktails are. We made reservations to be seated, but they are not necessary as you can just sit in the bar first come first served. As we were short on time, we just grab a reservation off Resy as it was not that hard to get (for weekdays, more planning ahead is required on weekends). My friend and I shared the bone marrow poppers as it seemed to be highly recommended, as well as the Amelia and Ginger Smash for the cocktails. The bone marrow poppers were rich, with a buttery pastry at the bottom. It goes really well with the food. It was $16 for 3 pieces, but we opted to add 1 more piece for $4 so that we both can have 2 pieces. The Amelia was quite fruity and strong, while the ginger smash has a nice touch of spiciness from the ginger itself. The ginger smash is prepared super well - definitely a drink high up there if I were to rank all the cocktails I have tried in my life. You can barely taste the alcohol in it! Service is decent as water refills are frequent and the waitress was patient and explained the menu in detail. One thing that I caught off guard with a not so great first impression was the bouncer in front almost refused service to us just because I was wearing shorts, -1 star. Nowhere did they say I need to wear long pants to get seated. He made an exception that because we have a reservation for dinner, we can sit inside, but no if we want to sit at the bar. If they really want to enforce that, then update the website please? read more

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There was a bartender serving free drinks to customers at the end of the bar closest to the door. This made me feel very uncomfortable. The place was bit over crowded as well which made it difficult to move around read more

I tried it today for the first time and now it is one of my favorite bars in New York. Their cocktails are amazing! My absolute favorite is Amelia - vodka based, with blackberry puree, not too sweet, very well balanced. My second choice is Melody - gin based cocktail served over large ice cube, very botanical, but again, not too sweet, which I loved. For someone who prefers sweeter drinks - Fraise Sauvage should be a great choice. And for the mezcal lovers - I would recommend Ready Fire Aim. I loved the ambiance of that bar as well as their cocktails - very cute bar, I am sure it gets filled very fast during the weekend. I highly recommend that place to people who are looking for a good quality bar with a marvelous selection of cocktails. read more

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Was able to get a table on resy an hour before on a Sunday night. The back area for reservations are for dining and are literally side by side. Would have preferred to sit by the bar, but it was fully occupied by walkins. The space was very nice elegantly decorated , nice fireplace for the warm weather and incense, which were a nice touch. The drinks were good. The food was better. Surprised by the chicken schnitzel. Really good with a salad on top and mashed potatoes on the side. read more

Employees Only - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Went on Saturday night. Will go back a second time Does not live up to the hype but it does draw a crowd and a line Drinks 4/5 Espresso martini The best I've had but the price..., Billionaire cocktail I as good, but the bourbon/whiskey alone that went in it was subpar Food 4/5 Gnocchi truffle Refreshing carrots and beets salad Service 2/5 Aloof bartenders. They ain't busy but you are not getting your card even if you ask 3x The gnocchi with truffle was small but came out really fast Price 1/5 $22 espresso martinis Ambiance 3.5/5 The dinning area is in the back. A little to dim lit. And the music would have been nice if it was 1 level down. Not overly crowded, which I like Cleanliness 4/5 Did not use the WC so can't give it full stars for cleanliness and that's the only reason read more

Employees Only - Billionaire Cocktail - New American Near Me - New York, New York

One of my favorite bar programs in the city (its LA outpost is equally good). I forget its name but had one of the most memorable cocktails I've tried in years, featuring raspberry and cream cheese. It was like sipping a raspberry filled dark chocolate in the best of ways. read more

Cool space with nice drinks but as far as "ambiance," not a place worth waiting in line for. Crowded, bright lights, outrageously loud music. Was expecting something totally different. read more

I couldn't visit this place my first time in New York so I was determined to come here the next time. Employees Only is well-known for being one of the top bars in the world with locations in LA and even Sydney, Australia. I've read their book and have always held it in high regards so I was excited to finally check it out. My first drink was the manhattan ($18) which was delicious and just like how I've made them myself at home by following the recipe in their book. The difference in their Manhattans is that they use grand marnier which just mixes so well with the spice of the rye. My second drink was the lazy lover ($18) which intrigued me because of the jalapeño-infused green chartreuse. It's a pretty packed bar at all hours during the day or night and the bar area can be especially crowded with standing room only. The vibe is cool and you will meet many people from all walks of life. read more

Employees Only - Manhattan ($18) - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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The bartenders insisted on doing shots with us and ended up charging us $100 extra for their drinks. Worst place ever.

This spot delivers incredible quality. You get your money's worth in size and taste with every dish. The clean flavors really shine through. Every worker was excellent and remarkably adaptable. This place earned my recommendation. read more

I came to this place and the first night I had a really good time, although at my own table I was singing and they told me to be quiet while I was there with my friends. I still managed to enjoy it. The next day I came back with my friend, who is a dark-skinned person from Mexico, and they didn't let him in because his appearance "wasn't what the place expected." On the third day I decided to go back for the music, and once inside they kicked me out because I talked to a waitress to ask for a table to sit down. To get a table I had to speak with the manager because the doorman treated me very badly. Even though the place is nice, the way they treat you is horrible, as if you weren't worth a single cent. Be careful read more

Been going to this bar when in from out of town for the last 10 years. Excellent cocktail execution and creativity. Ambiance is simple with low lighting that makes it feel intimate despite always being crowded. If you want to get in right away, be sure to be there when they open. Any other time is a crap shoot. If you are someone who goes to a bar for the quality of the drinks, this is a must on any NYC trip. Drink Recs- Amelia, Fraise Sauvage, After Midnight, EO Espresso Martini, Strangers Punch (if clarified milk punches are your thing) read more

Employees Only - Amelia, a classic favorite and the After midnight, a delicious cocktail combining flavors that i wouldnt think fit but man do they work. - New American Near Me - New York, New York

This place feels cozy, intimate, and has great vibes. I recommend finding a corner seat at the bar for the perfect balance of people watching while also being able to hear the people around you. The drink menu is extensive and from what I was able to try all incredible. The staff were very friendly and the service was attentive and fast. This is the place to get an interesting cocktail you haven't tried before and not go with a classic you can get at any bar. They will do it right. The cocktails are expensive but not inexcusably overpriced for New York standards. read more

Employees Only - Menu - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Popped in for a drink while waiting for our table at another restaurant - it's crowded and loud. I felt underdressed - but we managed to snag a seat at the bar and had one drink. They were delicious. The espresso martini is a whopping $21 but I think it was probably the best espresso martini I've ever had. I'll be back for that drink. read more

Employees Only - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Good vide, decent cocktails, slightly slow service. Bone marrow poppers were really good. Bacon wrapped lamb chops were oily and terrible. Would not recommend. read more

Employees Only - Bacon Wrapped Lamb Chops - New American Near Me - New York, New York

I used to consider this one of the best spots in Manhattan and came here often when the founding team ran the place. Unfortunately, the service no longer reflects that reputation. The staff and doormen were obnoxious, and a $10 tip was added without my consent. It's sad to see what this place has become. Time to move on. Farewell, EO read more

(Weekend experience) Employees only is basically a small congested bar with a room in the back where the dining experience takes place. It has a speakeasy vibe to it, but be ready to squeeze through 50 people to get to your table. The drinks were strong and delicious, and the food was shockingly delicious. The service was a little delayed but if you saw the line outside you'd know why. Overall it was a cool experience that you should try out for yourself at least once. read more

Waited in line for about 30ish minute on a Thursday night. A little bit loud and hard to hear over people, but great vibes and drinks. read more

Employees Only - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Their drinks were alright. It's super crowded inside. Definitely not the place for me. I'm brushing against people trying to come in and out of the bar. Makes me feel uncomfortable BUT I'm sure some people don't mind. I got a table there so I was not mixed in the crowd brushing against everyone. But I'd say I won't come back here again. Especially because we waited on line and it's not really worth the wait read more

Impeccable service! Amazing food! Outstanding cocktails! No wonder they won #1 cocktail bar many times over!

Guy at door is horrible. Waited over an hour and had so many people go ahead of us. He is so rude and this place sucks.

I have been coming to Employees Only for years and will continue coming. It's one of those places where the food, the drinks and the service is all top notch and worth every penny. This time I brought friends from UK here for dinner. We had some amazing drinks from the menu, and even one that I asked for that wasn't on the menu, but bartender made it for me and it was delicious (Brandy Alexander) We had the bone marrow appetizer which was heavenly and I had the pork chop for main course and man that was one of the most tender and flavorful pork chops ever. For dessert we had cheese cake and poached apple thing and both were absolutely melt in your mouth good. The place is always loud and you're dining very close to the next table, but even that doesn't diminish the experience. read more

Was visiting from out of town and heard great things about this place online so decided to grab drinks here after having dinner nearby. Our server was rude asf and honestly just killed the vibe. We came in planning on getting an app and drink, after her just being short and not very personable we decided against an app. She responded to that by saying I can give you 45 min here, after we made a res and heard the bouncer saying we were the last reservation time. With lots of tables around us, I did some further research and read that your suppose to order food if you get a table, if that was the reason she was so rude we would have happily ordered something but she didn't. I will say drinks were great, but doesn't take a lot to be kind and our server definitely lacked manners ! read more

Great cocktail menu -- very inventive. Good atmosphere in the bar area, and eclectic decor in the dining area. The food was also quite good. The arugula salad with preserved lemon vinaigrette and hazelnuts was awesome! Excellent vinaigrette. (I think you could read all of my yelp posts and never once find me raving about a salad.) The chicken schnitzel was excellent as well; the side of mashed potatoes was good too. My friend's dinner also looked and smelled awesome, though I forget what she had. read more

Long lines that did not move but the cocktails were worth it. Once inside, you're faced with an overcrowded bar but once we fought to the front and got our cocktail orders in, we hung at the bar to order a few more. Each cocktail was a unique concoction of ingredients you won't find elsewhere and the drinks were tasty! I'd come here again for sure. read more

If you're looking for a vibe, Employees Only is where it's at! Highly suggest making a reservation. If you're going to do walk-ins, there may be a wait depending on what time you go. When you walk in, the interior is pretty narrow as you'll walk into the bar and all the way in the back is full restaurant service. The drinks from the atmosphere are great! I've had drinks here but finally had dinner and the food is spot on. What I ordered: - Bacon Wrapped Lamb Chops with Salsa Verde (must get!!) - Steak Tartar - Roast Eggplant Ravioli: Herb Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, Ricotta, Sage, Brown Butter, Pecorino - Whole Rainbow Trout Frisée Salad with smoked Trout, Capers & Lemon read more

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Employees Only is a whole vibe. It's probably one of my favorite bars ever as I've also been to the LA and the now-closed Miami locations and I always have a great time. It's dark and moody with an old Hollywood feel. They have a tarot card reader at a corner table and burlesque dancers at midnight on the weekends. They're known for their cocktails and the bartenders here go through a rigorous training with many levels over many years. So you know they're good. Most people come here for the cocktails but I'm telling you not to miss out on the food. I always order the Hand-Cut Steak Tartar as soon as I sit down. They'll mix it tableside and it's absolutely exquisite. I can also recommend the Bone Marrow Poppers, Cavatelli with Spicy Pork Sausage, Arugula & Shaved Fennel Salad and Ricotta Gnocchi with Roasted Shiitake Mushroom. I'm a fan of the Besos Calientes cocktail but they can also serve up anything you desire. Due to the small interior and how crowded it gets this is not the place you want to come with a group. You really have to come here to understand what an experience it is and I highly recommend you do. read more

Made reservations few days before. Arrived on time. Checked ID. Passed the bar area and sat at the back. Cosy setting. Staff came quickly with water and took our cocktail orders. Cocktails were nice. Also got a couple appetizers king trumpet mushroom and lamb. Both are very good. Server refill water promptly. Nice comfortable place with delicious food and drinks. Price not bad at all. Recommend and be back! read more

Cramped and pricey if you order a martini ($25) not on the menu. There was little standing room but the music wasn't bad! I got the fraise sauvage which wasn't too sweet which I enjoyed! Bar staff were friendly though! read more

I'm glad I got to try this place cause I always saw a long line each time I've walked by. But if you go on a wednesday night, it's not too bad. It gives speakeasy vibes due to its nondescript entrance. The drinks are good but on the pricey side. And it's not the best place for large groups, it's a tight squeeze at bar area so hard to walk by and there's only one bathroom. So my friends and I (party of 8) only stayed for one drink. read more

Really enjoyed this place! Came at around 7 on a Thursday and we were allowed to stand at the bar and order drinks while we waited for seats to open up. Our favorites and I mean we were very impressed by these drinks were the Ready Fire Aim and Billionaire Cocktail. Service was quick and pretty much handed you a menu when you walked in so you didn't have to flag down a bartender. read more

Great iconic bar in Manhattan (west village)! It has been rated one of the world's top 50 bars and the cocktails do not disappoint. If you want to impress a date, friends or someone visiting I recommend taking them here since they have great drinks, a good ambiance, and it also gives you that nyc speakeasy experience. If you want to eat make sure to make a reservation for a table in advance as well. It does get pretty busy at the bar but you can walk in and grab drinks at the bar if you don't grab a table and aren't planning on eating. My favorite is the ready, fire, aim drink which is Mezcal based :) read more

Employees Only - Ready Fire Aim (left), truffle fries, sail away (right) - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Door guy was soooooo mean. I simply asked how long the wait was and told him it was my birthday and he told me to "save my tears" when I literally wasn't even crying and told him I was in line waiting already. He was unnecessarily rude for no reason when it's not even a fun place to go to. Take your business somewhere else. Not worth it read more

Okay, so here we go... Service: 9/10. Make sure you make a reservation; you will be attended with a host. Bartender: 7.5-8/10. Yes, they were VERY busy but, the drink served were quality drinks. Food: 8.5/10 We ordered a special and some appetizers. So good! The perfect blend of savory and sweet and I literally can not complain. Overall experience: 9.5/10. I really enjoyed my experience here. Everyone's was nice and people were really taken care of; despite the short staff. If you come here; you will have a great time. Definitely recommend read more

Employees Only - Steak Tartar and French Fries - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Really cool speakeasy style bar with excellently made cocktails. I recommend showing up right before opening to line up in order to get a seat. The drink I got had an unexpected licorice taste which I'm not a fan of, but my friends espresso martini was soo well made. The cream on top was top notch. read more

Employees Only - Billionaire Cocktail - New American Near Me - New York, New York