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    Hard to Explain

    4.5 (51 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Hard to Explain Photos

    HARD TO EXPLAIN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Romantic
    Classy

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    Caroline W.

    Got the yuzu sour and sweet teddy when we went Thought the concept of the bar was super cool and that it all had similar base flavorings. Thought the yuzu flavor came out really well in this cocktail and also really enjoyed the small details of the candy on the cocktail too. Thought the bar tender was super sweet and friendly. She was great with helping us pick drinks we thought would be best. Decor in there is also super cute as well and has a nice cozy vibe to it

    Cocktail
    Rachel G.

    We happened to be walking down the street and decided to pop in for a drink. It's a small space with a long bar and cute decor. They serve a variety of sake cocktails, natural wine, sake and Japanese beers. We ordered the sake flight and natural wine flight, which included three tastings for each. Both flights were good and quite different. We also tried a sake cocktail that was similar to a Negroni. The bar serves some snacks and light bites to accompany the drinks. They also have matcha on weekend mornings. Great spot to grab drinks before or after dinner.

    Hojicha Mirin, Cameron Obscura, and Ma-Chet Baker.
    Cindy Z.

    Just like their sister bar, Steight providing various sake and shoju based cocktails in a cozy Japanese speakeasy. We came between 6-7pm, which was happy hour so we got 10% off all drinks too --win! All of the drinks are Asian-inspired with tasty and refreshing notes. I had the Bitchy Mangoes ($21) and Hojicha Mirin ($18). I enjoyed the mango one more, but highly recommend the Ma-Chet Baker ($21) and Falling for U-Bae ($21) if you want something super tasty. These two come in a bowl and tastes exactly like a latte. You can hardly taste the alcohol (which is dangerous) and it's so fun to drink. Great vibes for a date night or small hang with friends since it's a small space.

    Ariadna S.

    My best friend introduced me to this spot in January. Very small (in the best way) and intimate bar with amazing selection of Japan inspired cocktails. We loved every single one. The bartender was fun to chat with and answered all the questions I had about the cocktails. One of the places I will be returning to once I'm in NYC again.

    Haidar H.

    This is a must every single time we come back to New York. We absolutely LOVE Hard To Explain. The staff is awesome, the drinks are awesome and the place is an absolute vibe. Just be sure to get there early and don't be rude when ordering or waiting for a drink. There's one bartender and they're working as fast as they can.

    Jennifer N.

    The drinks were so easy to drink and I like the asian inspired menu. It was like a dessert and after meal drink in one. My favorite was the ube cocktail. I liked my friends drinks too which were matcha and something tall i forget the name. This would actually be such a cute date spot, very intimate. Wasn't a fan of the bathroom though, could barely sit down on the toilet because my knees were touching the wall

    kurobata sausages (get it with the mustard)
    Ceci C.

    Unlike its name, it's really easy for me to explain why I will be coming back to this bar! They have a happy hour special that runs from 5-7PM, and lets you have 10% off any drink! Hard to explain is an intimate speakeasy type bar that seats about 10 people, and allows for people to stand as well. It offers a wide array of unique asian cocktails, a lot of them sake base, and served in a variety of cute glasses! I got the fall special, falling for u-bae, and it came in the cutest teacup. It tasted dangerously good, like an actual milk tea, and was a favorite among me and my friends. The cafe purr-isa was also really tasty, which was their take on an espresso martini with sake. We also got some kurobata sausages to share, and they were super tasty! The bartender recommended we order it with the mustard because it was a special kind, and it definitely did not disappoint! All in all, definitely check this place out if you're in the area! The happy hour deal is worth it, and their cocktails are unique and tasty!

    Cafe Purr-risa   Would you Mirin-me?
    Kati B.

    My favorite way to discover new bars and restaurants in NYC is to utilize the Seated app. This time, it really did not disappoint! After choosing the walk-in option, we made our way to Hard to Explain bar in the east Village. This place is so non-descriptive that we accidentally walked by first, giving it a subtle speakeasy vibe. It's a very tiny bar with limited space but we were able to snag two folding chairs just sit in the back of the room. Their cocktail and liquor options are super unique and all delicious. They use a guest bartender system, with each of the drinks being developed by somebody new. Many of the drinks, many items, and decor are Japanese themed and I particularly love trying the Nisshin-Shurui Sudachi. This is definitely a bar that I want to return to and I've already noted their sister bar/speakeasy to try as well!

    Bar
    Marianne F.

    Cute dimly lit speakeasy, interesting cocktails, very limited space, quite pricey but great for one drink

    Su C.

    What a hidden little spot! I've been here twice and both times were great. 1st time - we found this place after dinner, and did not have a resy. There were 4 spots reserved at the bar for a resy coming in later, but the bartender was kind enough to let our party of 4 sit there for a drink before they came. She was attentive and provided some great recs based on our usual cocktail/liquor preferences. She was the only bartender for a Saturday night, but she was killing it! 2nd time - also walked in without a resy. We sat by the entrance (there are a few seats away from the bar), and made it in time for happy hour which is 5-7pm! Drinks: cafe purr-isa, b*tchy mangoes, Bojo Do Luar "Doralice" (orange wine). Ambiance sort of resembles a speakeasy with the dim lighting, cozy feels. Not a full bar- they serve sake, wine (and natural wines!), craft beers, seltzers, and mock-tails. They also have bar bites/snacks. Highly recommend for a date night or catching up with a smaller group of friends!

    Ma-Chet Baker Latte
    Jacqueline Z.

    A hidden gem! This bar has happy hour from 5-7 PM. Cocktails are $2 off (there's also discounts on other drinks but I don't remember what they were). It's a very small place with one person bartending (the bathroom is also very small). How were, the dark ambiance paired with the industrial lighting and blues/jazz music makes it nice and cozy. Despite being the only person working, the bartender was very friendly and accommodating to everyone who was there. This place specializes in drinks using Japanese spirits. I ordered the Empress X, which was a lychee and floral drink (really good and light). I also ordered the Ma-Chet Baker Latte, which looks like a matcha latte. It is creamy and delicious. If you told me these drinks had alcohol, I wouldn't believe you! I really recommend both of these. I felt like this place was special because of the drink and cocktail selection. These aren't your typical classic cocktails and each one is unique.

    Bar interior
    Anjolika B.

    Really cozy, intimate bar with great vibes and a Japanese influence. There aren't too many seats but the space is so cute. The drinks were all really well crafted. I especially loved the matcha cocktail (I forget the name). It's like a matcha latte in cocktail form, what more could you ask for?

    Anastasiia D.

    It was my first time there, but I loved it! This's so small, but really cozy place for meeting with friends or dating

    Cafe Purr-risa

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    6 months ago

    Great vibe, and the cocktails looked amazing. I prefer my spirits straight, but their cocktails were very tempting.

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    3 years ago

    Great ambience, wonderful music, and delicious drinks. Records playing creates a warm sound!

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    Ask the Community - Hard to Explain

    Are there any non-alcoholic cocktails here for a friend who is 3 years sober?

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    The Woo Woo - Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls

    The Woo Woo

    4.4(344 reviews)
    2.1 miTheater District, Midtown West
    $$

    Who knew a random Tuesday could feel like such a vibe? From the moment you walk up and give the…read morepassword to get in, you instantly feel like you're part of something special. The whole experience is fun, a little mysterious, and honestly just exciting. The inside is just as stylish as the staff--everyone fits the energy perfectly and makes the night even better. And the food? Surprisingly really good, not just an afterthought like most spots like this. Definitely one of those places that turns an ordinary night into something memorable.

    The Woo Woo is loud and touristy--and honestly, that kind of sums it up…read more They market it as a speakeasy, which... technically yes. You need a password (easy to find online), and you go through a hidden door down a staircase. But it feels more like a novelty than anything else. NYC has way more iconic speakeasies, so this isn't somewhere I'd go out of my way for more than once. Nothing wrong with the vibe--it's Times Square, so you already know what you're getting--but it's definitely a one-and-done kind of spot. The drinks are good and super fun, but they're very extra (smoke, presentation, all that), so between that and how packed it gets, it can take a while just to get one cocktail. Didn't try the food. Overall, go for the pics and TikToks--it's perfect for that. I'd recommend checking it out once, but I don't really see it being a repeat spot.

    Photos
    The Woo Woo - Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls

    Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls

    The Woo Woo - A speakeasy bar in the basement

    A speakeasy bar in the basement

    The Woo Woo - The end of the bar. Pay no attention to that small TV.

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    The end of the bar. Pay no attention to that small TV.

    Dear Irving on Hudson Rooftop Bar - Gorgeous sunset

    Dear Irving on Hudson Rooftop Bar

    4.3(387 reviews)
    1.9 miMidtown West, Theater District, Hell's Kitchen

    Beautiful rooftop bar on the west side. It's dark and cozy inside; invites intimate conversation…read more The cocktail selection is great, a wide range of tart and tangy to sweet and smooth. The service at Dear Irving is top notch, they are reliable and quick. They understand the difference between providing privacy and providing assistance. Great date night spot.

    As I've said previously, I try to avoid midtown. It's congested and touristy and the restaurants…read moreare usually just not that great. But Irving on Hudson is an exception. The view is gorgeous and sweeping. The service is attentive and professional. The drinks are sophisticated. I ended up here because I saw a video about their gin and tonic. Sounds simple, but it's one of my favorite drinks, and I'm always looking for someone who can do it well. I ordered their "dear G&T" and it was a fruity, complex riff on my old favorite. I also got the foreign forage, "a bourbon smash with a mint zing." It was also a delicious take on a classic. They have several types of cocktails, all broken down by spirit and flavor profile. They also offer a lot of spirits made in New York State. They have cocktails with earthy notes, fruity notes, fancy martinis, and a section boasting limited edition and special spirits, if you're "feeling fancy" and wanna cough up 35 bucks instead of 20 or 25! They have a bar snacks menu (sliders, nuts, and the like). I had their thick cut fries and they were light, seasoned, and tasty. I couldn't stop eating them. Midtown or not, I highly recommend this spot, which also has a couple other locations, including Gramercy.

    Photos
    Dear Irving on Hudson Rooftop Bar - Caviar toast

    Caviar toast

    Dear Irving on Hudson Rooftop Bar - View from the balcony

    View from the balcony

    Dear Irving on Hudson Rooftop Bar - Christmas Eve

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    Christmas Eve

    Pocket Bar NYC - Sharknado Sangria & Complimentary Popcorn

    Pocket Bar NYC

    4.7(343 reviews)
    2.4 miHell's Kitchen, Midtown West
    $$

    Small cozy with intimate vibes. Yet the bar will surprise you with its funky handles. The…read morebartender's sweet, service is good and the prices are typical for midtown. They have popcorn too. I really enjoyed their music, not current but just might have you singing along

    SUCH a cute little bar! Came out to "investigate" yesterday around "Happy Hour" time (note: there…read morewas no actual happy hour here) around 5-6pm on a Friday. It IS a small bar, but there were only about 4-5 folks here already, engrossed in a conversation at the bar that anyone could join. I quietly took a seat at one of the 3 tables on the plush high-top bench and the lone, friendly bartendress was immediately attentive (I was greeted the moment I stepped through the door!). Now, there's no ACTUAL liquor here, ONLY the beer and wine on the small menu, so don't try asking her to whip you up something not on the menu. Luckily for me, there was a fruity sangria special, so I opted for that, served with a decorative shark adornment and a metal straw, and was immediately given a little bucket of popcorn to accompany it. Now, this is part of the reason why I wanted to check this place out. Fresh popcorn is my weakness. Bars that give free snacks with drinks are top tier in my book. You could probably lure me into the back of a white van with a signature red and white filled popcorn bucket. So I sat, and I sipped, and I munched, and I listened to the conversation from the others, and the bartendress, god bless her, would check on my bucket and refill it any time it got low. Now I'm really a mixed drink girly, but the vibes were SO cool here that I would most definitely come back. :D Also note, there's cool little padded seating by the window that I noticed that would be great for people-watching outside.

    Photos
    Pocket Bar NYC - Sharknado Sangria! 3/5. IG: @amei.eats

    Sharknado Sangria! 3/5. IG: @amei.eats

    Pocket Bar NYC - Popcorn and Cabernet

    Popcorn and Cabernet

    Pocket Bar NYC - Greek White Wine

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    Greek White Wine

    The Rum House - A rum and tonic

    The Rum House

    3.9(714 reviews)
    2.1 miTheater District, Midtown West
    $$

    Been wanting to check this place out for YEARS... I finally have. It was really small. It looked so…read moremuch bigger to me in pictures. This is not a bad thing, I was just surprised. Regardless, I love the dark decor. Its not loud or anything, just a more relaxing environment for drinks where you can actually speak to each other. They have a huge selection of drinks, not too much to eat but there's plenty of restaurants in the area to handle that for you. The popcorn did smell good though. It was also the end of Happy Hour when we arrived. My husband got the 'Hot Buttered Rum' and I got the 'Escape' which was Bacardi 8yr Rum, Coconut Crème, Pineapple Juice, Sweet Vermouth. The drinks were STRONG. They are also pricy but the Hot Buttered Rum was part of Happy Hour so that helped. The service was super friendly, knowledgeable and quick. I would come back or recommend if you are in the area. It was a nice little place and glad I finally tried it.

    Loved this place! They had live music on a Tuesday evening and the drinks were awesome. Got the…read morehotel nacional which was just a lovely level of sweetness - some pineapple and apricot and a mixture of light and dark rum served with lime and a luxardo maraschino. So classy. The ambiance is fantastic. Classy. The live music definitely makes it! Not a ton of seating, dim lights, feels historic!

    Photos
    The Rum House - Rose & espresso martini before the show

    Rose & espresso martini before the show

    The Rum House
    The Rum House

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    Dutch Freds - Pork Belly Bao Buns

    Dutch Freds

    4.5(2.3k reviews)
    2.2 miTheater District, Midtown West, Hell's Kitchen
    $$

    The Chicken and Waffles Benedict alone is basically worth the 5 stars. When I saw that on the…read morebrunch menu, I knew this was a place I needed to try. My one note on the dish would be to use thicker, Belgian style waffles. Otherwise, they were absolutely incredible. One of the most delicious chicken and waffle meals I've ever had. My wife had the BEC and said it was extremely cheesy and delicious. Her only request would've been ketchup and hot sauce that wasn't Tobasco. Both of us would love to return here though. The service was great. They were very attentive and welcoming. The environment is like an Irish Pub mixed with a diner and I mean that in the best way. I can't wait for another chance to eat here again.

    I came here with my husband to celebrate my birthday. We did make reservations and I am so glad we…read moredid. It was very busy at 5pm on a Saturday so reservations suggested. My husband started with the 'Paradise Found' drink which was koch elemental mezcal, passionfruit puree, pineapple, agave, lime. He loved it. He said it was very strong but one of the best drinks he has had. I got a 'Pom Pom Fresca' which was Pomegranate, blackberry, mint, seltzer. It was super refreshing. For an appetizer, we got the 'Chili Crisp Shrimp' which was Drizzled & Served with Spicy Ginger Chili Sauce. These were delicious; especially the sauce. For an entree, I got the 'Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese' which was Roasted Tomatoes, Vegetable Stock of Onions, Garlic, Celery, Carrots, & Herbs. Served with a Buttered Grilled Cheese Dipping Sticks. It was just okay - nothing more, nothing less. The cheese was not melted and it was all just okay. My husband got the 'Smashed Burger' which was two 3-ounce Angus Beef Patties, American Cheese, Onion, Buttered Bun with Smash Sauce. Served with French Fries. He loved it and thought it was great burger. This place was pretty pricy. I don't think it was worth the $90 something dollars we spent. The service was quick and friendly. I don't know if I would go back. If I could give it 3.5 I would, but for now I will stick with 3 since the grilled cheese and soup could be have been better.

    Photos
    Dutch Freds - Inside

    Inside

    Dutch Freds - Mousse and cheesecake

    Mousse and cheesecake

    Dutch Freds - Bar

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    Bar

    Hard to Explain - wine_bars - Updated May 2026

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