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    Old Town Bar & Restaurant

    3.6 (466 reviews)
    ModerateAmerican, Bars
    Open 11:30 am - 12:30 AM (Next day)

    Old Town Bar & Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    OLD TOWN BAR & RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Old Town Bar & Restaurant

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    Ingrid S.

    I've always liked this place so it's a shame that so many things have changed and gone downhill so fast. After much discussion and indecision a group of us decided to come here for brunch/lunch on Saturday. There were 3 of us in the party and our third person was still walking over. We asked for a table and they seated us in the first booth near the door. We decided to order drinks while we waited. Which I guess there was some confusion if we were allowed to just order up from the bar because it's right next to the table but we still ordered from the waitress. We got our drinks and were discussing what to order and what not. It was about only 5 minutes of us sitting there and for some reason our waitress changes to another one and she seems very irritated with us. She loudly exclaims that if our friend isn't here in another minute that we would have to LEAVE. Completely caught off guard by how rude she was we decided that we would leave even though our friend was now across the street because I've honestly never been treated so rudely at a restaurant or bar in my life. We went up to pay the bartender because honestly I didn't want her to get a single dollar of tip. If she needed the table immediately (there was no one waiting for a table) she should have said 'we have nowhere for you to sit and eat and enjoy your time here so get the fuck out'. That would have been at least more honest. Went down the block to Pete's Tavern where they were absolutely lovely with us. *Beers on tap btw have gone up to $10 now in case anyone is wondering. And a tuna sandwich is the same price as a cheeseburger. Make it make sense.

    Gerald H.

    After having lunch and walking back to Subway station, I came upon a cool looking neon sign that caught my eye down the street. Don't let the dark windows and the blue taped signage on the front doors and windows to deter entering - they are open. For me, I was just there for a taste before heading back on the subway. The bartender - kind of like a Seth Rogen doppelganger - was very friendly and welcomed me. After having a nip - which was PACKED with energy, I also ordered a dessert - a key lime pie - which was good. Would like to try their food at some point.

    James R.

    The Old Town Bar is a pretty reliable place to find a "comfort food" lunch. I usually order the fried chicken sandwich and have found it to be very good as well as the accompanying fries. Service is quick and friendly. The bar has a an "old fashion" bar theme which I find interesting.

    Liverwurst sandwich
    Roman K.

    I've been passing this place now for years, finally stopped in for a late lunch. We, my son and I decided on this because it had Pierogies, Hotdogs and Liverwurst sandwich on the menu. Walked in and WOW what a throwback to 1892 - 12 foot high tin cielings, wood panelling, looks like original light fixtures with original one inch of dust. There were few people sitting at the massive bar. We seated ourselves in one of the booths. The place felt very comfortable. In few minutes our waitress arrived with the menus. I ordered the Liverwurst sandwich and he ordered the Pierogies. In a minute or two waitress came back - no Pierogies (: he orders Mac & cheese balls - out of those also (: (: He finally settled on BLT. Both sandwiches came with either potato salad, coleslaw, FF, or onion rings (up charge). Well, the sandwiches, nothing to write home about - the end Go, just to revisit great, great grandmas' hang out

    The urinal photo on the menu kills me EVERY TIME
    Ryan T.

    Its exactly what the name is. You got iiiite food, with straight up service, cheap liquor, and you gtfo. I thought it was pleasant. Not a lot of people when we went in. The bartender chick was cool. The menu has historical notes on there including glorifying that it has the oldest urinals in use to this day in the state and possibly country. I thought it was hella funny that they had a picture of the urinal ON THE MENU HAHAHAH - that deserves one star alone. Which is why I rated it 4 and not 3. Another cool thing is that they use a dumbwaiter to ring up the food.

    guacamole and chips
    Emily G.

    The upstairs is a very nice space for a small event. We had around 70 colleagues there for a happy hour and it was definitely crowded and VERY loud, but it was fun. There was food on the standing tables and the main serving table: Guac and chips, pretzels, and later they brought out buffalo wings. Everything was pretty good bar food! They had great seasonal decor with a fall theme, which was a nice touch. Highly commend the service that night because despite the heavy crowds, the servers were all sooo friendly. There was no open bar for upstairs; rather the servers come to you one by one and if you don't have a drink (or are nearly done), they ask if you want to order something else.

    Wings and rings.
    Joel S.

    Finally made it to this iconic bar. We stopped by for lunch. It was quiet. The space is like something out of a movie. It's so dark that you can't see the menu without a flashlight. I had been in the mood for a Guinness and was finally able to score one here. My brother indulged his Ballantine beer fetish. We have been looking for a solid place to eat chicken wings. The wings here were among the best that I have had in Manhattan. They were crispy and the sauce was balanced. The sauce was a bit mild. The onion rings were on point. Fun lunch at a historic bar. Definitely go back for a drink or three. .

    Dark and full of stories.

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    This place is special - everything is great. Service, food and vibes. I am a regular and am glad it remains low key.

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    Old New York pub with beers on tap. Some interesting options but pretty standard. Fine for some place to get out of the cold nearby.

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    3 years ago

    Got a Moscow mule that was kinda nasty and tiny for 17$. Way overpriced, girls bathroom was absolutely disgusting. Def wouldn't go back

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    Page 1 of 12

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    Valerie

    Valerie

    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    My wife and I took our kids (10 and 16 year old boys) to this place on our last evening in NYC. We…read morewere looking for a place that had a nice ambiance and good food. Ambiance: This place has a nice ambiance, definitely very "New York" -- dark (you can't see how dirty the floor is) and loud music (maybe too loud). We sat upstairs (we had a reservation) and of all the people on the top there was a party of 4 (us), a party of 8 (all dudes celebrating something) and the rest of the tables were on a DATE - which I thought was funny. Service: We were served by Ann-Marie who was so delightful. She was kind, super nice, and took the time to speak to us (which is basically how we figured out she wasn't a native New York City person). She gave us good food suggestions and we were very happy with our selection. Food: Here is what we ordered * Steak Frites: My two boys got the steak frites and I have to say the steak was awesome! I had a bite of each of theirs and they each ordered it differently (one Medium Rare/Medium and one Medium) and they both were prepared PERFECTLY. The fries were overflowing. * Caeser Salad with Salmon: My wife got the salad with Salmon (they only have a few salad options) and she enjoyed it. * Prawn and Crab Risotto: I got this and I have to say it was VERY bland. I wouldn't get this if you are looking for taste. I had to put salt and pepper on it to make it have any semblance of taste. Value/Price: I would say this is not over priced but it is not cheap either...bill is attached. I would recommend it to folks who are looking for a good place to either go out on a date or a family type meal.

    Came here for brunch and had a decent time. The place wasn't too busy, likely due to the crappy…read moreweather, so we were able to sit there for a while after our meal concluded. Service was good. We had the fried chicken Benedict and the crab cake Benedict. I was a bit confused when I saw that each Benedict dish only had one poached egg - shouldn't it always be two? I guess that's shrinkflation (plus inflation) for you. That bent said, the crab cake was actually really big and filling. The side of potatoes were really delicious. Would I come back for brunch again? Very unlikely. But, it does seem like a pretty "safe choice" if you need a last minute reservation for a group.

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    Valerie
    Valerie
    Valerie

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    Monkey Bar

    Monkey Bar

    4.3
    (506 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    Monkey Bar became one of my favorite Midtown restaurants because its modern history ran almost…read moreperfectly alongside my years in New York. I arrived in 2008 with very little, and when Graydon Carter revived the restaurant in 2009, I was beginning a rise of my own, first at a large global bank and then, to my astonishment, at one of the city's most powerful investment firms. The suits were daily, the walls were gold, and the pressure was so consuming that even success could feel like a form of attrition. After a few years, I moved to a smaller firm with Southern roots, where the culture was more humane, the work gave me greater autonomy, and I produced some of the strongest results of my career, even within an industry still governed by fear, greed, and status. Inside, the red booths, low lighting, generous spacing, and hand-painted monkey murals made lunch feel ceremonial without becoming stiff. The room was timeless and handsome, with polished service, quality food, and the subtle assurance of a place where you could be proud to bring someone important. I especially remember sitting in one of those booths with two mentors, each only a few years older than I was and therefore close enough in vintage to feel relatable, trustworthy, and genuinely within reach. One had entered my life after I left the larger firm and helped me understand an earlier chapter that had also ended abruptly and, at the time, felt deeply unfair; the other had guided me through the smaller firm where I finally found a more sustainable way to work. Over that long lunch, I introduced them, we discussed several promising ideas, and for a moment my career seemed to have reached the point where relationships, experience, and opportunity were finally converging. One of those ideas consumed an extraordinary amount of my time and energy, and I believed it might become the foundation of my next chapter. Instead, the arrangement eventually turned on me, the role I thought I had earned never materialized, and the business itself sputtered. My professional life, financial footing, and pride all collapsed just as COVID was beginning. Then Monkey Bar closed in 2020, which made the ending feel almost unnervingly complete: the restaurant, the city, and the version of myself built around New York finance all went dark at once. For years, I experienced that ending as devastating and unfair; now I can see it as wisdom delivered through an unnecessarily rough process. The restaurant's later revival by a Chicago hospitality group feels fitting because it still honors tradition and ceremony while allowing the old forms to evolve into something healthier, looser, and more current. I have not been back since that lunch, but a return now would feel like visiting the museum of my past, not reclaiming a life that asked too much, gave too little, and finally lost its hold on me. Even now, I remember Monkey Bar as a great Midtown lunch in a memorable room, surrounded by the residue of old ambitions and the gratitude of having survived them. The cocktails were sharp, the service was impeccable, and the dining room carried that glamorous old New York energy without feeling trapped by it. I remain deeply fond of the place, partly for what it was and partly for what it witnessed. Some restaurants become attached to a chapter of your life, and Monkey Bar holds mine with unusual grace.

    The truffle monkey bread while a total carb and calorie bomb was delicious and left a lasting…read moreimpression. It featured a crispy, sugar-glazed exterior and a soft, chewy interior, topped with truffle cheese and served with a truffle butter dip; the pairing was superb, and it tasted great both on its own and with the dip. For the main course, I ordered the miso-glazed black cod. The flavor was flawless, and while the portion was small (which was acceptable), the pool of broth accompanying it was completely unnecessary; it was inedibly salty, so what was the point of serving it? After finishing the fish, I was left with a plate full of broth, rendering the plate unusable. Plus, it was overpriced; for this dish, you're better off going to Strip House Strip House remains the undisputed king of this dish in New York. A friend ordered the chicken parmesan. It was just average. Another friend ordered the short rib stroganoff. The flavor was decent, but it was far too rich and heavy. As someone whose palate is split 50/50 between Western and Chinese cuisine, I could manage only five bites at most. If you have a palate that prefers 100% Chinese food, proceed with caution on this dish. Friends ordered sides of mac & cheese and mashed potatoes. These are dishes originally meant for low-income Americans to fill up on cheaply; there's no limit to how good they can be, but also no floor to how bad they can get. Both were on par with the average quality found in upscale restaurants. Honestly, these are two dishes I would never order myself. To sum up: the atmosphere was great. It's also hard to get a reservation; the place was packed when we had lunch at 2 PM. Aside from that monkey bread, I didn't feel like anything else justified the price or offered something you couldn't find elsewhere. I don't quite get the hype. Perhaps I just didn't order the right dishes; maybe next time I'll try the burger and the steak.

    Photos
    Spicy Shrimp scampi
    Spicy Shrimp scampi
    Truffle Monkey Bread (~$35)
    Truffle Monkey Bread (~$35)
    Truffle Monkey Bread

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    Truffle Monkey Bread
    Friedman's

    Friedman's

    4.0
    (3.4k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Don't always believe Yelp reviews--especially coming from a Yelp Elite--so let's set the record…read morestraight! First off, just a quick note for anyone looking: this restaurant is not halal. Aside from that, we had a fantastic experience here at Friedmans Herald Square near Penn Station. They were playing Hilary Duff music, which was such a fun touch since they often match the vibe of whatever is happening at MSG! They even had special Hilary Duff mocktails. The atmosphere is super sweet and cozy. The restaurant was empty when we first walked in, but the second we sat down, it completely packed up! The waiter was very friendly, and even though they weren't able to split the check at the table, they did provide an itemized receipt to make figuring it out easy. The food was great overall--the Mac & Cheese bites and the corn were especially good! We also tried the cheesecake and molten cake. Plus, the neighbors sitting next to us were so sweet. A wonderful spot with a fun vibe!

    Came on a busy Thursday morning at nine am. Got a decaf iced vanilla latte and a nova Benny and the…read moreMac and cheese. And lemme just say the food came out sooo quick. The Benedict was so delicious. I've never had it on a crispy hash brown type before. It was good and a massive portion. Mac and cheese was alright, though I would probably opt out of it next time. I was so full I totally forgot to drink my latte but the latte was good too. Ambiance was nice clean and very busy.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
    Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
    Vanilla Cafe Latte

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    Vanilla Cafe Latte
    La Pecora Bianca

    La Pecora Bianca

    4.2
    (615 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$

    This is a great place for italian food. It has an upscale feel and friendly staff. The white lamb…read moretheme is recurring in the decor. We got their garganelli, tagliatelle, and ravioli pastas. For dessert, the iconic tiramisu. Garganelli- This has a nice, arugula pesto sauce that has a rich garlicky finish. It's enhanced with roasted mushrooms and sharp pecorino. Tagliatelle- You get a rich pork and beef bolognese. The house made pasta is cooked to perfection. Pretty satisfying! Ravioli- This is a light, seasonal dish with pumpkin, brown butter, and sage. The sauce complements the sweet pumpkin and the brown butter adds a nuttiness. Tiramisu- This dessert was too cute to eat! It was decorated with a meek looking model of their namesake lamb. Nobody wanted to ruin its face so we slowly ate this from the outside in. The espresso it strong, complemented by the creamy marscapone layers. Textures and flavors were perfectly balanced. Great experience overall!

    I thoroughly enjoyed the meal (I wasn't paying so I am blissfully unaware of how much this cost)…read more Highlights included the burrata (super soft and fresh, loved the caramelized apple), the vodka rigatoni (fresh, chewy, and so creamy, but it doesn't beat Il Corallo's), and the tiramisu (absolutely decadent, the marscapone flavor was so strong). Ambience was lovely, as is the case for most nyc italian restaurants. The walls were paneled with mirrors and white/coastal teal wood so it was super relaxing.

    Photos
    Dining area
    Dining area
    Vodka pasta
    Vodka pasta
    Lavender Spritz

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    Lavender Spritz
    Miss Nellie's

    Miss Nellie's

    4.5
    (216 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    A must visit while in New York when going to the theatre or just looking to have a great dining…read moreexperience. Miss Nellie's has beautiful decor and charm. Very comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. I ordered the Filthy Martini. So good! The blue cheese stuffed olives were delicious. Brunch Menu. My main dish, I went with the double smash burger. Upgraded the fries to parmesan truffle fries. It was delicious! I would like to come back again, especially to try the dinner menu. Overall, great experience, and very satisfied.

    We had some time to kill before a jazz show at Birdland, so decided to check out Miss Nellie's…read more From the street, the space looked dark and moody with a speakeasy vibe. Stepping in, this swanky atmosphere was confirmed. Miss Nellie's is quite spacious with a front and back bar. I enjoyed a birthday pour of Johnnie Walker Green, served over a large rock that was stamped and embossed with the venue's logo. So cool! My wife enjoyed an "Above the Clouds" craft cocktail - with a butterfly pea-infused gin. The presentation was elevated by an artistic bubble applied over the cocktail that dissipated into vapor with the touch of a finger. The bartenders were friendly, knowledgeable, and outgoing! They made sure that I was well taken care of for my birthday. It was such a great experience that we returned for another round after the jazz show. Thank you for the hospitality Miss Nellie's!

    Photos
    Fun room decor
    Fun room decor
    Smoked French dip
    Smoked French dip
    Inside seating

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    Inside seating

    Old Town Bar & Restaurant - tradamerican - Updated August 2026

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