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On The Rocks

3.8 (311 reviews)
Closed 5:00 pm - 4:00 am (Next day)

On The Rocks Photos

Business Info

ON THE ROCKS ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Intimate
Classy
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - On The Rocks

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Reviews With Photos - On The Rocks

Cindy W.

This place offers a great selection of whiskeys. I enjoyed the spin on my old fashioned, but my bf's tasting flight was a bit of a sticker shock! The bar is pretty small..so get there early and don't go with a group.

a shelf full of liquor bottles
Divya V.

We were looking for a nice cocktail bar to enjoy a drink on a late Friday night and we happened to pass by On The Rocks and decided to give it a try as we liked the vibe! On The Rocks is a whiskey bar with minimal seating and gives a very intimate yet classy vibes. The bartender asked us what kind of Whiskeys we liked and curated a cocktail for us. I got the Suntory Whiskey which was paired with club soda and my friend got a Dark Rye on the rocks. It was a limited edition drink that blended classic Kentucky Rye rich with oak, spice and dried fruit notes, paired with port vine for the added sweetness. My friend and I are not usual whiskey drinkers but our drinks were very smooth and we loved our drinks. Despite poor reviews on Yelp, I'll recommend to give this place a try as they have a wide range of whiskey selections and are open until very late!

Incredible sherry cask springbank
Casey P.

I had an incredible time here, but I'm also obsessed with scotch so I'm exactly the audience! This is a small, intimate whisky bar, where you'll likely be sitting at the bar with one or two bartenders. This bar is definitely targeted at whisky aficionados, if you don't like whisky, skip this spot. All whiskies here are premium and are priced accordingly, cheapest 2oz pour starts at $25. My recommendation if you're a noob: - ask the price before getting a pour - prices can be extremely high as some of these bottles are super rare, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. Don't be too proud to specify your price range. - note that you can get pours by the oz if you want to try more things - ask for help if you need it, bartenders were willing to give suggestions

Jocelyn L.

I do not like whiskey, however, with that being said I found this to be a pleasant experience. I came with some friends who were whiskey drinkers and they also had a good time. We all did a 3 tasting flight. The bartender seemed very knowledgeable. He took the time to speak with us individually to understand what we like, our flavor profiles, and our overall preferences. Then he would step away to take inventory of what he had on the shelf to curate a tasting flight for us. Granted, if you know exactly what you want, you do not have to go through this process, but I found it to be exciting. The bottles are also set up in front of you so you know exactly what you're drinking. This is not a place where you come to take shots, but you sit, taste, enjoy your alcohol and the company around you. While I wouldn't go back by myself, I may take a friend who does like whiskey. They have a huge selection to pick from. Also if you're not into drinking straight whiskey, they will make mixed drinks with whiskey. They do not serve food so be sure to eat before hand or make a reservation elsewhere for after like we did.

Mike F.

The best whiskey bar in Manhattan. Quiet and quaint, bartenders have amazing service of over 400+ whiskeys from around the world and price points.

Eagle Rare 17 and William Larue Weller

You need to be a bourbon/whiskey/scotch enthusiast to admire and respect this place but if brown liquid is your jam then this is your place!!! My hubby and I had a PHENOMENAL experience here! Lawerence (may or may not be the right spelling) saw to all of our needs and our night consisted of Eagle Rare 17, William Larue Weller, Russell's 15 year, Wild Turkey Generation, and Willet purple top 8 year. Cannot recommend this spot enough...but you need to KNOW and enjoy your brown water to appreciate it! Thank you for a great date night in NYC

Daiki N.

Best bar in the world. They have decent amount of selections and some are rare and always better to get consulted feelings and they pick up the best one for you.

oh it's on
Marie-Madeleine G.

Okay, so I'm not an alcoholic. I just want to start there. But I do enjoy a beautiful whiskey. And a lovely space to do it in. Add in people who KNOW their whiskey and don't mess around and you'll find a VERY pleased M&M. So let's begin. I'd like to mention that I'm a bit of a whiskey snob-- sorry not sorry. I love whiskey. Particularly bourbon. But I'm not adverse to trying different kinds--whiskey is so varied that it brings its own little world with it. Enter On The Rocks. Just from eyeballing, there are over 300 different whiskeys. Stop me, I'm in awe. There's Japanese, Scottish, American. And those are just the ones I tried. 3oz for base of 20$ depending on the availability and rarity of the whiskey. So if you don't like whiskey or you're not willing to experiment, kindly see yourself out before you even enter. I'm not going to go on a tangent because this is a place you need to experience yourself. By the way, this is STRICTLY a whiskey bar--no food, just whiskey in all its glory. The ambience in here is everything I love--low lit, close quarters but very cozy. No fluff, nothing fancy, just whiskey. I'm going to end this review with some love. Two of the best bartenders I've ever had the pleasure of engaging with were on that fateful Saturday night. Patrick and Lamar-- thank you. For the shots, for the knowledge, for welcoming me with open arms. I cannot wait until our next encounter. And best believe I will be bringing company. Or not. Either way, I'm coming back. Ipromise you you'll want to as well. As always, happy drinking! M&M

Kristy L.

3 stars for a 'meh' way too expensive, kind of sarcastic / rude vibe bar in Manhattan. This place was packed when we arrived. We were greeted by the bartender who not so nicely explained that they do not have a menu because they change their bourbon / whiskeys so often so let him know what you like and he'll tell you what to get. Uhm, okay I understand the menu thing, but the tone of voice was not needed. He gave my husband an attitude when he asked if he could move to see what he had so he could choose. The one prop I'll give them is that they're very reasonable when you want to taste something, they give you a sip without charge. But I guess it's because their pricing is WAY higher than other local bars, lol.

I live in Los Angeles. The 1st time we stumbled on this gem, we wanted whiskey. Found it on yelp. I wasn't too sure about it. Let me tell you, this place is amazing. They welcome you with open arms. It's a great chill vibe. They ask you several questions to get an idea of what you like. Everyone is so freakin cool. I learned so much about whisky. It's help me at home with hosting my friends & family. 1 year later I'm back in NY & we had to go back. The same experience. It's a must each time I visit NY. I rave so highly about On the Rocks. Can't wait to go back.

This whiskey recently shook up the ASCOT awards and I've wanted to try it. I was very happy that the bartender recommended it to me.
Christopher D.

Spectacular whiskey bar in Hell's Kitchen with a robust and diverse selection of whiskeys from all over the world. The bartenders really know their stuff, which is helpful considering that they don't have a menu. They can either suggest spirits or cocktails for you after they learn more about what you like. A MUST if you're into a whiskey, but please try to be a little more adventurous than ordering Macallan or Blanton's on the rocks. You'd be missing the point of going here.

Whiskey selection

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Excellent selection of whiskeys. Great atmosphere and extremely knowledgeable bartenders.

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3 years ago

Great whiskey drinks but be prepared because you will get roasted by the bartender. Lol.

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Ask the Community - On The Rocks

Is there tequila here?

No, sorry, the bar's focus is whiskey, rye, bourbon, scotch, etc.

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Review Highlights - On The Rocks

Space/Atmosphere: Cozy (small) place that is great for smaller groups that want to spend hours talking.

Mentioned in 12 reviews

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Local 42

Local 42

4.5
(45 reviews)
0.4 mi

Ok if you wanna ball on a budget and be in midtown come here! $9 for a freaking burger? Unheard of…read moreanywhere in the city unless you know a guy. The mozzarella sticks said 5 of them but we got four of them. They were good none the less. ::bathroom alert:: Very clean bathroom. I was very happy about this because I had just ate. There was tons of soap, it smelled nice in there. The beer and shot special under $10 in the city? Haven't seen that in awhile. The beers are super cheap here as well. They feel like old NY prices! Can't complain. They have four booths in the back maybe it was three. I did notice one of the hanging lights was from an 80s pizza hut joint. Letting you know now the paper towels for your face at the table felt like jail toliet paper, very rough. The bar doesn't have bar stools with backs! You either need to get one or two tables by their mini kitchen, very hot there not recommended for preimenopause or menopausal women or one of the booths. This is a great bar they played 60s music a lot. Heard some weird al too! Very random and fun place to be. The bartender was nice as well as security! Try the burger! Worth the $9!!

In town for Friday night, Yankees vs Dodgers game. Saturday found this bar near our hotel. It's a…read moregood ole fashion divey bar. Clean. Someplace I would frequent. $4 draft beer Local 42 blonde. Your typical bar food at great prices. We stopped in for one beer early in the afternoon & returned later for food and the bartender greeted us with a "welcome back" I will return

Photos
Every one was better than the next. Worth every penny.
Every one was better than the next. Worth every penny.
Local 42
Local 42

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The Flatiron Room - NoMad

The Flatiron Room - NoMad

4.3
(1.2k reviews)
1.3 mi
$$$

We were pleasantly surprised that we were seated near the stage since they were reportedly all…read morebooked when we made the reservation. Depending on how long guests stay sometimes those seats are available as a first come first served so we were lucky. Our server was great and she explained the menu. I opted for the chefs menu which did not disappoint. Every course was thoughtfully prepared and delicious. It was fun to try everything including their starter course of three items. The oyster miso was quite a stand out for me. All of the fish prepared was delicate and lovely. The Parker rolls were soft and a nice complement. My friend who is less adventurous with seafood opted for their shrimp tempera roll, which was as good as you could make a shrimp tempera roll. Well prepared as well as their charcuterie board which we could not finish after everything. It was a memorable night I won't forget with nice entertainment and great staff. My partner held my hand as we walked back to the hotel which never happens. Quite a night thank you!

Went here for a casual get together with some colleagues when I was in NY. The Jazz vibes were…read morehonestly the reason to pick this place. It's a low key establishment from the outside but once you are in it feels a lot more trendy. The stage is right in the front and all the tables can get a good view of the stage. The music can be loud at times and the ambience is more on the dimly lit side but still a great spot. The service was great, and the drink selection was cool too. I would definitely pick from the selection of speciality cocktails. I got the smoked old fashioned (or similar) and that was potent, Smokey and delicious. We also got a few bites to eat. Other than the tuna tartare (didn't feel fresh) everything we got was nice - nigiri combo, kimchi fried rice, kings toast.... Nice drinks, nice atmosphere, good food and great service!!

Photos
Live jazz and blues
Live jazz and blues
Shells & Bones: Escargot with bone marrow flan!
Shells & Bones: Escargot with bone marrow flan!
Have you attended one of our famous Whiskey Tasting Classes?

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Have you attended one of our famous Whiskey Tasting Classes?
Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde

3.8
(1.7k reviews)
1.3 mi
$$$
Private events
Free WiFi

Went there for my 21st! Loved the decorations, felt really fun and interesting. There was a DJ…read moreplaying music, only complaint is that the music didn't really fit the vibe but I appreciated it anyway. Server was a sweetheart, really relaxed and didn't seem stressed or overworked, she was able to talk and not sprint around the restaurant. Food was delicious, didn't LOVE the broccoli-avocado appetizer, it felt bland but it was still a nice refreshing starter. Ordered the truffle gnocchi, AMAZING! So cheesy but not overwhelming. My mom ordered the beet salad. Not usually a fan of beets but I really loved the sauce (balsamic) and it was actually very good. I ordered all 3 mocktails and didn't have a complaint about any. Not overly sweet but not "dirty". Bathrooms are down a few hallways, not too hard to find tho. Overall, loved it. Definitely felt more like a bar than a restaurant.

As someone who has spent my entire career in hospitality, I don't impress easily-but Oscar Wilde…read moreBar exceeded every expectation. From the moment I walked in, I was captivated by the décor and ambiance. Every corner has been thoughtfully designed with incredible attention to detail, creating one of the most unique and immersive bar experiences I've ever had. The level of intention behind the design is truly second to none. The cocktails were outstanding-creative, beautifully balanced, and expertly crafted. Every drink felt purposeful and showcased real talent behind the bar. Despite the venue being absolutely packed, the service remained warm, personal, and genuinely attentive. Bartender Juan was exceptional, and manager Andrii led by example with true hospitality. I initially had a seat that wasn't ideal, and without me saying a single word, they noticed. As soon as a better seat became available, they proactively offered to move me. That simple gesture spoke volumes about their awareness and commitment to guest experience. It's easy to deliver great service when a room is half empty. It's much harder when every seat is full, and that's exactly when this team shined the brightest. Bravo to the entire Oscar Wilde Bar team, especially Juan and Andrii. Experiences like this remind me why genuine hospitality is an art. I can't wait to return.

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Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde

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Blue Bar

Blue Bar

3.4
(195 reviews)
0.7 mi
$$$

(This review is concerning the Round Table restaurant section of the Algonquin- part of the issue…read moreis it's really not clear where the Blue Bar ends and the Round Table begins! It's all the Algonquin, so..) It's a rough realization to learn that one more former New York institution has slightly fallen from grace. The Algonquin is storied and imposing, with a history that should demand respect- at least, it used to be. Now, it's another cool building in midtown that you could easily walk right by. I visited tonight for a quick dinner before a show; nothing extensive. The food was ultimately fine (overpriced) but the service was poor. From the two people sitting at the front desk who didn't bother to pause their conversation to direct us when we walked in, to the server who walked over and literally said "Hi. What do you want?" when we sat (ourselves, by the way) to the gentleman by the door who never looked up from his phone as we left, my overall impression is a burnt out and disinterested staff who has absolutely no interest in even pretending to care about an atmosphere of hospitality. My partner's burger was good, well cooked; my turkey sandwich looked like something that had been purchased from a suburban deli and cut into triangles. (I was unimpressed that for $32, they couldn't even spare the expense of a nice ciabatta and instead stuck with WonderBread style Country White.) The French fries were good, and there were plenty. I will credit the fact that once we moved sections to escape a noisy table neighbor, a second waiter attended to us who was much kinder. I was, however, slightly bemused when I asked for a side of mayo and got handed an all-but-empty Hellman's squeeze bottle. Overall- confusing is the word. If you're a New Yorker fan, stop by for a cocktail and fries- but be prepared to seat yourself.

This is the replacement for both the old Blue Bar and the former Round Table Restaurant…read more Even though the two former venues have been combined in theory, the resulting space is much smaller. The old Blue Bar was much larger, had a separate entrance, and far more blue, everywhere. The new one has just a faint streak of blue neon above the bar. The old Round Table had two rooms. The drinks are good but the quality of service from the bartenders varies greatly. Some are friendly and helpful, others not. The grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup was excellent, but a tiny portion for $25.

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Blue Bar
Turkey club
Turkey club
Hamburger

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Hamburger
Tanner Smiths

Tanner Smiths

4.3
(2.4k reviews)
0.5 mi
$$

The bartender Josiah was great! He was very knowledgeable about the spirits and made great drink…read morerecommendations! The ambiance was just what you want for a speakeasy just with a more inviting entrance. Their menu is also designed like a cute little newspaper. I came alone after seeing a show! Glad I stopped in!

We had scored an awesome street parking spot and there was no way we were giving that up, so hubs…read moremade sure wherever we ate was within this area. We reserved for a quick bite at Redeye Grill before catching Dog Day Afternoon on Broadway, but as soon as we walked up, some bouncer told us they were closed for a private wedding reception. We were dazed and confused because how was I able to reserve online? But the real plot twist was that it ended up being the best thing that happened. We actually stumbled into Tanner Smith's thinking it'd be the typical, boring bar-food spot. Nope. They first sat us at a hi-top by the door, but that wasn't our vibe, so we grabbed seats at the bar instead. Best decision. Our bartender, Josiah, was absolutely killing it. My cocktail had passion fruit, so of course I asked my usual question: "But is it real passion fruit?" He just nodded in agreement and that told me everything I needed to know. That drink was legit and had nice strength. The food was great too. My fish tacos were packed with fresh fish, the guacamole and salsa were chunky and full of flavor and hubs enjoyed his pastrami sandwich. I have no clue when we'll be back in Midtown, but one thing's for sure- we're sitting with Josiah again.

Photos
The setting from the entrance
The setting from the entrance
Double Smoked Cheeseburger
Double Smoked Cheeseburger
Gluten free bun

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Gluten free bun

On The Rocks - lounges - Updated July 2026

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