Katana Kitten is so satisfying. Just a few minutes from the subway, we walked in around 5:45 on a Friday worried we might find a wait, but to our pleasant surprise, they sat us at the bar immediately with no issues. I hate having to leave your name and wait with no clue if you'll be able to eat there or should get food somewhere else, so that alone might have ruined the experience. I would stop here first but have a backup plan, and if you can get seated quick, this place is 10/10 on food and 10/10 on drinks. The decor is stellar as well. Lot of movie posters for American movie classics but in Japanese. Very fun. Even Ahnold made the walls. For food, we shared the nori fries and popcorn chicken. We made the fries deluxe, which more than doubles the price, but you get it topped with a curry sauce, bacon, and fried egg. These fries are a meal unto themselves. So delicious and filling. Really amazing. Fries elevated to a surprising degree. The chicken is solid, too. They serve it in a fun movie theater style popcorn dish. The food was way more filling than we expected, so those two dishes were enough for two of us to share and leave full and happy. The drink list is quite large and unique. My standout is the hinoki martini. It's a gin/vodka martini with a little sake and sherry added to balance it, and it is perfectly balanced. The flavors are spot on, and they serve it in a playful box of ice with sides of olive and onion for you to choose your own garnish. This is one of the best martinis I have ever had. Worth the visit alone. I had to sample another, so I went with the sour cherry crush. It is a slightly sweet, slightly tart whiskey based drink. Very refreshing. I can't decide if I enjoyed the food or drinks more. For a place that is on the list of best bars in the world, you never know what you're going to get. And this spot is so chill and welcoming. All the staff we encountered were attentive and nice. read more

This is a fun spot with a great vibe, and the ambiance is easily the highlight of the experience. The cocktails were well made, but I found the menu a little limited. I would've liked to see a few more citrus-forward options that aren't bitter. My favorite was the Ichigo Fizz, and I'd definitely order that again. We also tried the cucumbers, which were good but nothing that really stood out. The biggest disappointment was the service. Our bartender wasn't particularly friendly, and it took away from the overall experience. I'd come back, especially if I could get a table and try more of the food, but I left feeling like the service didn't quite live up to the atmosphere. read more

Loved the vibe, drinks were good, service was fast, and the popcorn chicken was absolutely fantastic! read more

Katana Kitten - Popcorn chicken - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Stopped in here for happy hour. They have a small happy hour menu. The peach drink was pretty tasty and unique. They also have Japanese beer. Cool vibe and seems like a fun place to hangout. We sat at the bar and got good service. read more

Katana Kitten - Peach julep - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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This was another one on my long go to list. Definitely went into the wrong entrance to an unknown building and had to course correct We got there relatively early on a Friday evening around 630, so there was plenty of seating. The lighting had a red hue that complimented the decor, which was very Japan forward. It's had to describe. Reminiscent of a scrap book come to life. We served pretty quickly and my drink (Sour Cherry Smash?) was so good. I had a taste of my friends Paloma which was potent. I had a second stop to make so I had to exit shortly there after but I would love to come back. read more

Katana Kitten - Sour Cherry Smash???? Whatever it was, it was great - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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have been meaning to go to this bar for two years now, and finally was able to! I loved the cute quirky ambience and the general vibe. Been craving a highball for a while and this scotch ginger and apple scratched that itch. I was hesitant to get it at first as I'm not usually a whiskey person but the bartender assured me that it was not bitter at all. My friend got the matcha grasshopper which was delicious! It was like a milk tea Cons: expensive!! The total plus tip for two drinks was 50 dollars. read more

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My friend and I came here as an early evening birthday celebration and it was quite crowded when I arrived. I was able to get a very small table upstairs, but thankfully the hostess saw how cramped I was while waiting for my friend, and mentioned that bar seats had just opened up at the end of the bar, so I was able to move there and it was much more comfortable. The space itself is really kitschy and cute with Japanese memorabilia everywhere and lots of dark wood accents. They have a good selection of cocktails, along with some small bites. My friend got the deviled eggs which she thought were really good. In terms of drinks, I ordered the melon-lime soda and she ordered the kinkan kick. We both really enjoyed our drinks and the bartender was attentive and friendly. I'd definitely come back again! read more

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Katana Kitten is a Japanese-American cocktail bar in the West Village that opened in 2018 and quickly became one of NYC's best. It's earned major recognition, including #27 on The World's 50 Best Bars in 2023 and #42 in 2025. Upstairs feels like your classic cocktail bar, while downstairs is basement-style drinking with cool ceiling lights. My favorite drinks so far are the Kinkan Kick and the Shiso Gin & Tonic. Both are very balanced and crushable. Katana Kitten is part of the Cocktail Kingdom Hospitality group (the same team behind Superbueno), which makes perfect sense once you're there. read more

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Very cute bar with a very comfy vibe. They also have food if you're looking for a quick bite. Visited the night of New Year's Eve and they had champagne and 2026 hats for us when It was about to hit New Year's. The service was really good and everyone was really kind. We had two drinks to end the year. Fun place to spend your New Year's Eve or a night in general. read more

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Ever since I came here for the first time last year, this is slowly becoming one of the places that I need to go to when I visit New York now! It can get pretty crowded during the evening/night and they don't take reservations so expect some wait if you do decide to come. It can get pretty crowded and loud but the ambiance is pretty nice in my opinion. I come here mostly for the cocktail drinks since it's so good, especially their highballs! A lot of their cocktails are Japanese-inspired, which is why you'll see lots of their drinks similar to some Japanese drinks. I tried a couple of their bites here last year and it's pretty good so I would recommend trying some if you did want to take a bite. Overall, this is a really good place to go to hang out with friends or to enjoy your time with some great drinks and food! read more

Katana Kitten - Hinoki Martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

I have wanted to try Katana Kitten for a while. I stopped in on Thanksgiving weekend, with the hope I could grab a seat with most of the Tik Tok crowd back home in North Carolina with their families for a few days. As luck would have it, they had a cozy seat open for me, right above the staircase. I didn't feel claustrophobic in the seat, even though there was a party seated directly behind me. I recently came back from Japan and have been feeling nostalgic for all things Japan, which led me to Katana. The first drink I had was the Meguroni #3. I had high hopes for this drink as it contains umeshu and shochu. However, this drink fell flat for me. It didn't taste like much of anything except alcohol, which was disappointing. I had the grilled cheese to eat which was much better than I expected, with seaweed mixed in. As a vegetarian, there's not a ton of food I can eat here. For my second drink, I had the shiso gin and tonic which was herbaceous and refreshing. What really stood out to me was the friendly and attentive service, which reminded me of the standard of service in Japanese bars. In New York, we mostly don't hold the same standards for customer service, even in expensive establishments (how do we fix this?). The vibe of the bar was cozy and chill. It wasn't very loud, but lively. Every seat was taken but it didn't feel overwhelming. The dim lighting and 80s music playing were a nice touch. There are two bathrooms located on the upper level which were pretty spacious, all things considered. There is a downstairs area that I did not venture to so I am unsure what is down there. Overall, while I was not super impressed with the drinks, I did enjoy the hospitality and food. I would come back and continue to try other drinks in hope of finding a favorite. read more

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Interesting cocktail bar. Came here on a Thursday evening with another couple. We couldn't get seating at the main bar section, so we were sent downstairs into the basement. The basement, unlike the upstairs section, is brightly lit and seems more like a dive bar of sorts (except with table service). We ordered cocktails before heading out to dinner. They were all well done, though I'll say that my toki highball hit the spot. Very nice and smooth. read more

Loved the vibe at Katana Kitten! It's a very popular, trendy cocktail bar that was very dimly lit, but made the experience that much more unique! Got the Snowcat special cocktail that was in season, and while it was the most unique drink, it was not my favorite... The nori fries were quite good! Would definitely come again and recommend to make a reservation! read more

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Amazing vibes and spectacular drinks! I got a refreshing umeshu soda and my friend got the delish pandan matcha jawn. Think this wld b a super fun spot for a chill date and the snacks look good too. Excited to return! read more

Katana Kitten - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

A really vibey spot for a drink, we came in for one drink before another dinner reservation. It was packed on a Thursday night and they ended up seating us at this tiny Harry Potter like cupboard area. I was happy to be sat but you definitely are not able to enjoy food in that spot (though food is run by you up the stairs). We seemed a bit forgotten there but did get to finally order drinks. We waited about 20 mins for them to come out so we lost a bit of time to enjoy them but they were some of the strongest drinks we had all night. I had one with this foam on top which was fantastic and my husband got the famous drink in the box with all the different liquors in it. Overall really cool vibes, would love to come back for some snacks or with friends. read more

We stopped at katana kitten at the end of the night for the fried chicken. Unfortunately our server forgot to put the chicken in so we never did get that. The inside is super cool, the drinks are good. Bummed about not getting the chicken and then it was last call so couldn't put it in when we realized it wasn't coming. read more

Katana Kitten - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Always wanted to come here and it did not disappoint! The drinks were QUITE strong so you definitely get bang for buck. Music was enjoyable - love an alternative playlist and our waitress was checking in regularly without hovering too much. Would love to come back and try their food menu! read more

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Okay so I was taken here with a group of friends, the appetizers are to DIE FOR and their cocktail program is so tight and so elite. Try your best to get a table downstairs it's an entirely different vibe ffrom upstairs and honestly I prefer it. The owner is often times downstairs serving drinks and talking to customers as well read more

Fun bar with cool aesthetic and drinks. We didnt get to try the food. We came on a weekday and had a 20 min wait for a table. Things were pretty crowded down in the basement. It definitely had a bit more of a dive bar feel than I was expecting. But the drinks were excellent! Cool place to go for after dinner drinks and hangout. read more

Katana Kitten - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Came to Katana Kitten after work for drinks and a bite! The vibe was great and it was a fun spot to unwind with friends. Drinks: We ordered a Whisky & Coke, Ginger Beer, Matcha Grasshopper, and Melon Lime Soda. Melon Lime Soda : This reminded me of Ramune melon soda, not too sweet, refreshing, and had a strong vodka kick. Matcha Grasshopper: Such a pretty drink with crushed ice (my favorite!) and red bean on top. It tasted very matcha forward and I could barely taste the alcohol. Will definitely order this again. Food: Teriyaki Smash Burger: A bit disappointing. The pineapple was an interesting idea, but the acidity didn't really work for me and made my tongue tingle in a weird way. Once I took the pineapple out, it was better, but without it, the burger tasted pretty standard. The nori fries, though, were super crunchy and a great portion for sharing. Sticky Soy Garlic Wings: Not my favorite, maybe because I'm used to Korean-style wings. They were still crispy and decent, just not what I was expecting flavor wise. Overall, I'd come back if I'm in the area to grab drinks and chat with friends :) The atmosphere is really nice and aesthetically pleasing. If I order food again, I'd probably just stick to the nori fries to share. read more

Katana Kitten - Sticky Soy Garlic Wings + Teriyaki Smashed Burgers - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Such a cool spot! The vibe here is effortlessly fun, you can grab a funky, creative drink while enjoying fantastic music that's actually at the perfect volume for conversation. It's the kind of place that works perfectly for both a date night or hanging out with friends. The cocktails are inventive and beautifully made, and I have to mention the fries -- crispy, flavorful, and just plain addictive. Katana Kitten definitely lives up to the hype. Wish service was more friendly tho. read more

Cute but tiny bar. Amazing service and even more amazing drinks. The hostess is kind and accommodating and the bartender was knowledgeable. I will definitely be back! read more

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Super cool ambiance. The basement was so loud. The martini was pretty good but it was difficult to consume. Would recommend. read more

Katana Kitten - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Fun and cutesy spot with a focus on fusion cocktails! We were able to get in right away and get a table for 5 in their downstairs area (the space is a lot larger than it looks). Service was prompt and attentive even despite the large crowd! It is pricey but on par for a cocktail bar in NYC (approx $20/ drink). We shared the nori fries (big hit), popcorn chicken and the deviled eggs. Awesome ambience and fun lighting throughout! read more

Katana Kitten - Nori fries - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Classic divey downstairs izakaya. Think out-of-season Christmas lights, stickers on walls, and polaroids. Plus tasty drinks that are sure to get you buzzed. Service is friendly though a little slow. Start with a creamy matcha grasshopper to ease you in and then get a melon lime soda to ride the green wave. If you're in the mood for whiskey, you can't go wrong with the scotch ginger & apple or the best friends. To absorb the alcohol, get the nori fries and popcorn chicken both of which are large portions. The popcorn chicken is also served in a popcorn container which is a nice touch. If you're forced to spend money on an overpriced cocktail, let it be at Katana Kitten. Grab a drink and catch up with an old friend, the vibe is all for it. read more

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Great vibes for catching up with friends! Felt like a laidback cocktail bar/ nicer dive bar. We loved the Shiso Gin & Tonic, and the Panda Fizz as fun, sweet cocktails. The Best Friends and Toki Highball were on the stronger side but also good. Servers were attentive to filling water glasses and grabbing new orders, but we didn't feel rushed or pressured to order more. As for small bites, we loved the Nori Fries. Karaage calamari was crispy and delicious too, but the servings were pretty small. The grilled cheese was a flavor bomb but also on the smaller side. I'd definitely come back here to catch up with friends over fun drinks. Six drinks and three dishes ran us about $200. read more

Katana Kitten - Nori fries & Calamari - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

My partner and I came here for drinks after dinner and got seated in the downstairs area. The upstairs seemed to have more of the typical bar layout while the downstairs felt more like a restaurant vibe. The downstairs had a bit more lighting, spaced out, and we had table service. The decor was nice and I enjoyed the more chill atmosphere of the downstairs. I got a matcha grasshopper while he got a melon-lime soda. We also got the popcorn fujimi chicken to share. Both drinks were pretty delicious. I really enjoyed my matcha grasshopper, it was like a little dessert drink. The melon-lime soda was nice and fresh. I ended up getting 2 matcha grasshoppers bc they were so tasty. As someone who is pretty lightweight, I didn't feel tipsy from the 2 matcha grasshoppers so they must be pretty light on the alcohol if you prefer something lighter. The popcorn fujimi chicken was not bad, it had some sweet and sour chili sauce to add some extra flavor but I didn't feel strongly about it and would rather try something else next time. Overall, it was a nice experience and a good vibe. read more

Katana Kitten - Melon-lime soda and Matcha Grasshopper - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Busy bar in the WV with a cozy interior. Service was attentive and nice here. Drinks were okay and small bites were not bad. Popcorn chicken was good and would order that again. It's a decent spot but nothing crazy, would return for a casual drink. read more

Katana Kitten - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Super cute vibes in here. loved the cocktails. got the fries with katsu sauce and popcorn chicken. read more

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I live in ATL and wish we had something like this back home! It was such a fun place that serves really good drinks. Our group was looking for alcohol and matcha and the drink I got had both - matcha grasshopper. Service was very good, refilled our water glasses and often checked in on us if we wanted another round. They also have food but only came here for drinks. The music did get aggressively loud but there's so much to see on the walls filled with Japanese movie posters and art. Truly one of the coolest bars I've been to! read more

Katana Kitten - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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I actually like this spot. It's a NYC/Tokyo mix of a bar, imho. Cute drinks and food choices. Definitely a young adult vibe and I'm here for it. A great spot for late night chats and nightcaps with friends. Wish they had a spot like this in EV. read more

Ambiance wise this place is a great dive bar for hanging out and catching up with friends. I was really looking forward to the highly regarded nori fries. In my experience they were just okay and I didn't find the Japanese curry sauce to be a great pairing. Drinks were also just okay. Service however was excellent! read more

Katana Kitten never misses! Every thing we ordered last night was fantastic. The Mini Teriyaki BLT was packed with flavor, the Sesame Salsa Macha Edamame had just the right amount of kick, the Sticky Soy Garlic Wings were perfectly crispy and delicious, and the Katana Kitten Grilled Cheese was incredible comfort food with a creative twist. The cocktails were just as impressive. The Ichigo Fizz was sweet and refreshing, the Sour Cherry Crush was perfectly balanced, and the Peach Mint Julep was one of the best cocktails I've had in a long time. What really made the experience memorable, though, was the staff. Ronnie and Joa were outstanding...friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely fun to chat with! They made great recommendations, kept the drinks flowing, and created the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stay for another round. :) read more

Matcha grasshopper was fire!!! It tastes like matcha chocolate or something. I ordered two! read more

Katana Kitten - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Great service and drinks, happy hour until 7. It may be overhyped though, non of the cocktails really stood out to me.

Loved this spot - best service and drinks. Monday night still crowded but got a seat at the bar. I would like to return one day. Thanks for the girls who suggested it for a good martini. read more

Katana Kitten - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Good music. Good vibes. The drinks were too overpriced. We paid nearly $45 for both drinks. read more

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Alcohol that doesn't taste like alcohol? Sign me up. Some of the cocktails taste like candy and melon soda. The food is amazing. The grilled cheese with a hit of seaweed was so good. It's always a vibe in this place Highly recommend read more

Dive bar vibes, lively crowd, fried foods, typical bar drinks. There is some Japanese inspiration at Katana Kitten but it's undeniably American. They have some posters in Japanese and they sprinkle the occasional Japanese seasoning, like Nori on the fries, or some Japanese liquor in your drink, but that's it. The drinks were ok, fried foods were good until you go home and feel a bit sick. I think it's a good mix into the bar scene in the village, but I don't really have a desire to come back. read more

This place never disappoints - Great vibe, friendly staff, dive bar feel, dim lightning, good music with Japanese inspired drinks and bites. They have 2 level of seatings - We went on Saturday Eve and luckily got a table right away on upper level. We ordered few drinks and nori fries to eat. Drinks were great as always - definitely recommend this place to hangout with friends. read more

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