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

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.

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

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!

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!

Marianne F.

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

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.

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!

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