My friends and I stumbled upon this bar after eating dinner in the area. We went at 7PM on a weekday, and there weren't many people there. HiLot is a chiuqe bar with plenty of seating, moody red walls and drapes, and the occasional disco ball or two to set the tone. All in all, the vibes were immaculate, and perfect for taking pictures! Their drinks are pretty good. They have a pretty streamlined cocktail menu which switches out from time to time, along with a list of wines and beers. I got the matcha martini which was honestly a bit too strong for me, but tasty nonetheless. My other friend got the Amanda drink, which was citrusy and refreshing. It's the perfect place for a girl's night out and a prime yapping environment. Definitely check them out, and have a fun time! read more

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Drink was good if the right person makes it. Aaron behind the bar (hate, glasses, tattoos) is RUDE and a gaslighter. I went to complain about a martini (that should have been vodka base not gin). that tasted like no alcohol was in it and it was all the olive juice. He tasted the drink, said it was gin, then we said it should be vodka, and he played dumb. He's rude. Shouldn't work there, at least not in the hospitality industry. read more

Absolutely adorable bar, great drinks, friendly bartender, could not recommend this place highly enough read more

HiLot - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Cute place but never coming back. We had a reservation for a party of 5. Got a teeny tiny little table and had to beg them to let us add a chair or else we literally couldn't fit. And then!!! At exactly 1 hour in we wanted to see the menu for another drink. When we asked they said they actually had to kick us out for another reservation coming in. Im so confused by this cause I've only had to leave if I didn't have a reservation... and there were parties around us that I knew were there before we got there. It sounds a lot more like poor planning on their part.. read more

HiLot - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Went here for a private party. It was a cute vibe with nice couches and speakeasy vibe. Had 2 drinks, one was a tropical drink with gin and an espresso martini, they were both well made drinks. I would return if it was in the area read more

This place has a super fun vibe and decor! Great for a date or friend catch up. I met a friend there at 7:30 on a Friday without a reservation knowing we might not get in, but the host was super nice and let us have a table that wasn't booked until 8:15 so we could squeeze in a drink - really appreciated that! The cocktail list is large and creative so you'll definitely find something you like. Obviously on the pricey side but no more than any other Manhattan cocktail bar. Drinks are well made and service is great. Worth checking out! read more

HiLot - Can't remember the drink names but they were both good! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

We stopped in here for after work drinks and it was a dream. A pseudo speakeasy, you step through an unsuspecting door into a gorgeous old hollywood style bar in the middle of New York. The glassware has a vintage vibe but the cocktails are modern and fresh. The waitress was knowledgeable of various cocktail options and bartenders get to be creative with a rotating menu. The Kaluga caviar service at $115 is a steal for NYC and the grilled cheese was a guilty pleasure. The bathtub in the bathroom is a fun twist. We can't wait to come back. read more

HiLot - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Cute atmosphere, but service was awful. Seated for 2.5 hours, waiter came by once. We asked before sitting down if we could bring a cake, waiter said yes. He then proceeded to just bring out the un-cut cake (after we asked) with no plates or cutlery. ???? Then, they charged us $20 for bringing a cake, without telling us. Excuse me??? You didn't even give us a plate! Also it took us 15 minutes to be seated despite having a reservation, and the drinks were mid. Don't go read more

Loved the bar and host was able to seat us pretty quick with just 2 even tho they were a little busy. We were waiting to get into Joyface and this was the perfect pre game spot. Love the drinks & seating arrangements perfect for chatting with your date. read more

HiLot - Updated hiLot menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Overall rating: 4.9 I am absolutely obsessed with this place, even though it was soo expensive. Come when you have money. For 4 cocktails with tip, it was ~$110. ‍‍ That said, this is my vibe. This is Brooklyn, in Manhattan the staff was soo friendly, so accommodating & just so cool! And not the cool in an annoying, condescending way, but rather quirky cool. I liked how it wasn't too crowded and it was very chill. Granted I went on a Wednesday. The lighting is very sultry, manageable and a great spot for catching up with friends, going on a date or chilling solo. Will definitely be back & highly recommend! But! if you're looking for a "bumping, social party scene", this isn't it. Please don't ruin our chill vibe here & take the party/ very loud talking elsewhere. read more

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I made a reservation at HiLot on Saturday night and was promptly seated when I arrived at 10:45 pm. The menus is filled with delicious drink options that priced at normal NYC rates from $18-$25. While the drinks on the menu looked delicious both my friend and I decided to get espresso martinis, which weren't on the menu but they were happy to make for us. Our drinks were delicious and had a peppermint flavor to them, which was a fun twist on a classic drink. HiLot is going for living room vibes with fun decor, and menus that double as photo albums. The service was a bit slow but we enjoyed our time and were glad not to feel rushed out. Overall, great vibes, and a good place to start off the night. read more

HiLot - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Updated May 2023: came back to check out their new food menu, picture attached. I am an Oyster Lover and it's rare to not find me at an Oyster Bar. These Oysters will have you smiling from ear to ear, they are delicious. In addition to the Oysters, had to try the Scampi and Chips, and yes British chips aka fries. These are chips you can't have Just One! It's impossible. The scampi is delicious too and you will not be disappointed. Beware the mushy peas has horseradish, I refrained from trying that but my friend loved it. If you have been hesitant to check out this gem, GO, and try the food. read more

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Went here for a special event. Enjoyed the setup of place had great ambience and service was overall good. Enjoyed the fries, grilled cheese. They also had deviled eggs and salad! read more

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Amazing decor, service, and slightly pricey drinks of good portion. The menus come with some tongue in cheek flair but have extensive options to try. Worth it for the area, especially as you wait on late friends. Make a reservation in advance if it isn't early afternoon to ensure you get a table or access. read more

HiLot - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Loved this place! Posting the menu because I always look at menus before I go places so I figured I would pay it forward haha :) Ps. We had great service and I loved my drink, the And Wanda! Beautiful place. read more

HiLot - Food menu (as of 04/2024) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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One of the coolest bars I've been to in a minute! Fantastic interior, very cool vibe. We love a good speakeasy. The drinks are fantastic-- I had their version of a Paloma, which is lit on fire! Right next to joyface, shares the same owner. We will be back! read more

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A really fun addition to the cocktail scene! Definitely worth stopping by and checking it out! They have a fun menu with cocktails and champagne list. They also have a pdr in the back as well. Staff was great and hospitable! read more

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For the price of $20 per drink, I was expecting a fun yummy drink....but it tasted like a something I would make my freshman year of college

our server was sO so nice cool and polite, invited us in and served us slightly before they closed, then whoever was in charge of closing was extremely rude in the way they told us to get out.. it's not my fault you served us drinks late! trying to not to let the attitude of one worker turn me off to the place entirely. but rn i have no desire to go back ever! left with a very very yucky negative feeling read more

Aesthetically beautiful. I love NY and this place is one of the reasons why. Drinks were great. read more

HiLot - a glass of water on a table in a dimly lit room - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

I was nervous going out my first time in NYC - the people that work here are super nice and the atmosphere is really pretty inside

Fantastic speakeasy with one of the best ambiances I've seen. Nice, comfortable seating that let's you just relax. But most importantly, they back everything up with excellent cocktails. The drinks are pricey, but overall the experience is worth it. Recommend making a reservation so you don't have to pass the coolness test at the door. read more

Such a beautiful ambiance! The vibes are great for friends and/or a fun date. If you are looking for a place to get more "cozy" and quiet romantic I wouldn't say this is the place but if your date is very chatty and vibrant then perfect! Coming early isn't suggested because your table will not be ready (we came 20 minute early) because each table has a time limit so I would suggest trying for the last one (10/11 pm) if you are trying to end then night here. The drinks were well made and the caviar special for Valentine's Day was tasty! It was actually my first time trying caviar! One bathroom has the famous bathtub in it (which is a why it maybe hard to get in due to people taking their time in there to take photos) so if you just have to use the bathroom for it's true purposes...do go into the other. Cocktails were a bit pricey: ranges $18-$25ish but as stated well made. I will be coming back! read more

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A really fun cocktail bar with an interesting menu. A good place for a date, as it's not too loud and the ambience is fun and low key. I had two drinks, can't remember the name's unfortunately, but they were really good! One was the take on the pina colada and the other was the only fans themed drink. Would definitely come back! read more

We did not have a reservation and walked in. They did not have space for us- so we said okay no big deal, and walked next door to Joyface (sister bar). The hostess followed us into Joyface and said a space opened up for us. We went back and sat at a table. We were a party of 5, but one of our friends came to meet us. We squeezed around the table that we had - not disrupting anything, asking for extra chairs, etc. The waitress then came up to us and told us we were infringing on the table next to us, even thought we were occupying the same space we were as a group of 5. She told us our options were to kick someone at our table out, or leave. A friend in my party paid the bill and got up to exit after our rude interaction. The hostess then came up to me and told me that a tip of less than 20% is not decorum. My friend tipped 17% after the interaction. I did not pay - my friend did. Why is she saying this to me??! She said this in front of the new table that was sat down, they heard the whole thing and we're not impressed. Cool space - unprofessional staff! read more

Drinks are good, service is a bit slow and often rude. I went once with some friends and asked a few clarify questions about the liquor in the cocktails and it seemed like I was mocked and demeaned for the questions. read more

I really wanted to like this place! I was drawn to it because of the decor and the story of it being made in honor of the owner's relative. But my friends and I agreed the mood was less "inviting living room where you have conversation" and more "snooty." It didn't feel inviting. It had the ambiance of someone's warm, cozy living room, but it didn't have the feeling to go with it. I loved our waitress, but the overall feel of the place was off. It's just another bar New Yorkers go to drink an overpriced cocktail. Also there's no food served despite a kitchen being in full view on your way to the bathroom. read more

Really wonderful experience. Truly a considerate staff, attentive, hard working and understanding. I cannot recommend enough.

This is NYC at its best. Ben & Co are exceptional hosts. Drinks were unique and delicious. Atmosphere was perfection. An East Village gem.

One of the most unique lounge/cocktail bar experiences I've had in NYC. It felt like we stepped into a very chic members only club of the 1970's. The decor is so authentic and specific. From the booths, to the bars, to the bathrooms, to the menus and the list goes on and on. It's an intimate, warm and inviting atmosphere. The exclusivity is warranted given the well-thought-out design and vision, but couldn't be less pretentious, due to the friendly, helpful staff who enhanced our experience at every turn. Its reservation only, so plan your evening accordingly. Perfect for grabbing a pre or post dinner drink and for a night out. Once you're confirmed for your table, they send you an entry code. Their booking service/team was very attentive. Everyone in our party was impressed by the quality and creativity of their signature cocktails. It's easy to get drunk rather quickly because the drinks are delicious and strong. NO FOOD ON THE MENU, so plan accordingly. I'll definitely be back. read more

Service is horrible, came with two reservations and was told we couldn't sit together because it would have "ruined the experience for everyone else if two groups that knew each other sat next to each other". The bar proceeded to be half empty for the next several hours and even though we had open tables next to us all night they continued to refuse to allow us to sit next to our friends. We offered to do the $200 and 20% tip requirement for the larger party reservations and they still denied to seat us together. All in all one of the worst service experiences I have had. Would not recommend coming here if you have more than two friends in all of New York City because it will "ruin the experience for everyone else". They proceeded to allow a dog to sit at the bar and allowed other customers to move tables. read more