"Old School Dive, Ready for Your Late Nights" Parkside Lounge is the kind of bar that reminds you why you moved to New York in the first place. And days of old in the LES when it was still grimy and edgy. Serious old school rock bleeding out of the speakers, a pool table, photo booth and more. This is a great stop towards the end of your night. What's to Cheer * Cheap beer and strong drinks * Authentic staff that has lived through experiencing the rougher human side of New York * No bs fellow patrons * No pretentions What's to Jeer * It's loud * Sticky floors * The bathroom's seen some battles, If you want polished and precious, keep walking. Otherwise, stop here. read more

I lived in this neighborhood in the 1980s, and this bar is almost exactly the same! In a good way lol. Went there with my Saints fan son to watch a football game and was pleasantly surprised. read more

Parkside Lounge - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

Parkside is offers friendly bartenders, good music and a dance floor in the back. My friends and I wanted to go somewhere after doing a booze cruise earlier in the evening. We stumbled into Parkside by chance. The doorman was friendly, the bartender on duty was friendly as well. I want to say that we walked into a gay night, which lightened up the place. The music was great, everyone ordered drinks and migrated over to the dance floor in the back. We all had a great time! I would return if ever in the area. read more

Staff is vicious, not sure what I did to upset them. Came here on a Thursday with some friends, it's a cozy space, but the bar wasn't very occupied. The bartender ignored us most of the time then when we finally got their attention and ordered, they gave me the wrong drink. I tried to explain them my order and they said I could leave if I didn't like what they serve. So we left and won't return. While we were waiting to order we checked out the back room area. Apparently have events back there but looked pretty dead to us. Tried asking questions about it with another staff member back there as we're musicians. They said events were rare because the booker struggles to try and make money with performers with a large social media following-only. Not really a community space. Too bad, that's probably why it's empty. read more

Wet noise- the most 'inclusive' gay party in lower manhattan, if you are a white cisgender man. Myself and my two friends, an Asian American male, an African American woman and a Native American trans woman arrived at 10:10 for the white noise party and were granted entry. We were granted entry. As we were about to enter, on of the promoters came our, looked us up and down, and said that actually, nevermind, "the party is sold out." It was an entirely valid excuse, until 3 separate parties of white men also decided to enter, unticketed, and were immediately welcomed and ushered in. We were told, we weren't the "vibe". Three queer locals, who frequent the bar on a weekly basis, were not the ideal demographic to the bouncer of this party. Unfortunately we did not reflect the image that the party wanted to project. Say it to our face. We were too black, too Asian, too female, too trans, to enter. The parkside lounge was always a safe and welcoming space for myself and my friends, until we weren't. read more

Best bar, cool music, great prices and drinks. Shows in the back but there's a pool table up front so always something to do. Lots of friendly locals. read more

The owner here was obnoxious and downright nasty. Why people come here is a total guess to me. Staff all have attitude and treat customers horrible. I will never ever come back here again. read more

I adore Parkside, although I'm biased because it's a New Orleans bar and one of the only places I can go to cheer for the Saints and hear Dr. John. They play a really eclectic selection of music and I'm always shocked when I hear something you wouldn't expect in the wild (I've even heard ska!). It's a little like traveling to another place, which obviously is such a rare luxury now *cries in COVID* I came to watch the playoffs in their outdoor seating area and had an amazing time. I really miss that Sunday football vibe and it was alive and well here (who dat?!). They have two TV's inside the bar windows facing the enclosure, sound was great, space heaters strong. The structure is open completely on one side and in other spots throughout, so there is plenty of airflow. Staff are also exceptional, so friendly and going the extra mile to keep customers safe and happy. On the nights I went, they had the most dapper and personable bouncer managing bathroom traffic and keeping the sidewalk clear for customers and pedestrians. They're doing it right here! If you're lucky you may catch em on a night when they're serving red beans and rice. Gonna eat a place twice. read more

Parkside Lounge - Red beans and rice during the Saints game! Who Dat?! - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

Great dive bar with exceptional service in the East Village. They also host some great performances and dance parties. I don't live in the East Village, but I always feel like the East Village is home when I visit Parkside Lounge. read more

I showed up with my SERVICE DOG, papers and all, for a drink out. The bouncer denied me coming in with my dog, and when I said this is a service dog and I have all her papers, he said "I don't want to hear it" and told me to leave. Absolutely unacceptable - and illegal. I have been coming to this place for ages with friends. I will now never return here. read more

Classic dive bar on the lower east side. Live music in the back often. ALl kinds of people, friendly vibes. Been around a long time .

Visited Parkside Lounge to have a few beers with a friend on his birthday. It's a dive bar, but it also has a stage/venue in the back. It happened to be open mic night, so there was some entertainment to be had. We sat at the bar. They have a decent selection of beers on tap, mostly from local craft breweries. Prices were relatively low, and the space was quiet. But it was a Tuesday, which might explain why it was so empty. Fortunately, happy hour runs til 8pm. read more

Who goes to see a musical at a bar and gets two free drinks??? ::points to self:: In my pursuit of plays via Show-Score, I end up in strange places seeing weird things. Not today! This was choice! The Lounge has quite a large performance room in the rear. That's where I saw "Wild Women of Planet Wongo". Standing-room only, fully immersive with lots of audience participation. Your ticket comes with a free drink ticket with the chance to win prizes during the show. If they ask you to volunteer for the intermission activities... DO IT. Great production values and some surprisingly catchy songs. So much fun! The front is kinda like a sophisticated dive... the pool table is too well maintained to make it a true dive. Foosball table, large screen tv with sports-ball, electronic jukebox, & Ms. PAC-MAN round it off nicely. Two booths, high-tops and a full-length bar to sit at. Roomy. I wish this was my neighborhood bar. read more

See all

$20 credit minimum and vaccine passport? In May of 2022? Really? I get that this was needed a while ago but this might be the only LES bad still requiring. What happens in ~3 months when all the passes expire? Aggravating. read more

This is my new spot. Drink specials are the best in the neighborhood and the staff is always so friendly. This is my type of dive bar. It's gritty enough and clean enough to suit all my dive-bar needs. They have enough space so you don't feel crammed in but it still feels cozy. They also have a pool table in the back and they put on shows in another room, what else would you need? I haven't been to a show yet- but that's on my list of to-dos. See you again next weekend Parkside. 5/5 read more

See all

I went to Parkside to see a show (that had a $10 cover), but was disappointed that they were hosting trivia night as well. It was very loud while trying to focus on the performance when the music from the bar was carrying into the performance space. I also think it dragged crowds away from the performance which is crappy for the person singing and the people who paid to be there. I'd suggest not scheduling two events at the same bar on the same night. On top of that, for a dive bar it was pretty pricey. All in all this was no place to write home about and I definitely won't be going out of my way to return. read more

It's everything a bar should be. -Great, funny bartenders: Treat 'em right and they'll buy you one back. -Cheap drinks (for NYC): $3 PBR on tap, if you can swing an extra dollar or two, there are several quality brews; $5 well drinks; good happy hour specials. -Games: Pool is the main reason I come in here. $1 games on a decent table. I love the graphite cues, most of which have a good tip on them...and there's almost always some good competition. Friday nights especially. Sadly, since it's right by my apartment, I tend to stop by as I'm stumbling home drunk, and I don't play so well.* They've also got Ms. Pacman, Space Invaders, and foosball. -Good jukebox: surprising variety, a lot of classic staples, and sometimes the crowd goes on a salsa kick. -Live music: I actually came in here a couple times before realizing that there's a pretty big room in the back with live acts almost every night. I saw a "band", I believe named Lady Ga-Ga, that consisted of two girls in lingerie, one of whom was very talented on the piano and had a beautiful voice. It appeared that the other girl's only purpose was to dance around in lingerie (no small contribution); at one point she turned on the record player and played "Ace of Spades" by Motorhead, and danced around some more. When the piano player/singer announced their last song, she confessed that they had planned at least 4 more, but they were too drunk to continue. If you don't think that's a great act...get some new taste. There's just a great vibe at Parkside. Sounds cliched, but you're going to run into all sorts of characters, of all different ages. Don't be scurred. Say hi, make a few new friends...no one's going to give you a hard time. If you want to come in by yourself and get shitcanned, that's not a problem either. *Yes, I am inserting this disclaimer so if you happen to beat me, I can still claim to be better than you. read more

Wonderful staff and friend / enthusiastic crowd. Was there for a queer country music night and it was packed with awesome folks of all kinds. read more

Parkside Lounge is what a bar should be. Bar tenders are personable and attentive on a Tuesday early afternoon with a party of two. Live performances of music and spoken word poetry open-mics occurs in the rear. Oddly upon entering there was a musty odor of a dive bar. Our bar tender, Alicia is very personable, warm, attentive, down to Earth and very cool. Happy Hour Good drink prices especially for NYC for well drinks and beer. Price is reasonable for my Cosmopolitan and for my friend's beer totaling under $20.00 (including tax and gratuity). Games Pool, foosball tourneys, Ms. Pacman, alley ball, darts, and a photo booth for old fashion good clean fun (without the use of smartphones, and no tech gadgets for your face to be glued to the screen). With all these games it is hard not to be competitive with friends in a rowdy state or to be playful with your significant other. Music and Performance Venue A juke box is readily available for background music. Parkside Lounge's website has a calendar of events for bands, poetry open-mics, and live performances. They readily provide a working PA system to project one's talent be it in spoken word poetry, music, or comedy. Beneath the bar counter there are hooks for purses and bags rather than to uphold on one's lap. Dive bar yes, but there is never a dull moment spent at Parkside Lounge with all the merriment options. read more

Parkside Lounge - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

See all

First comer since it relocated to East Houston. I don't remember much about the old spot, but I like the new spot more. Less seats and tables. A banquet and seats at the bar in the main room. The back room can be used for private events and performances. This evening, I came here to listen to very entertaining, laughable, live music by singer/songwriter/guitarist Daniel Tighe. Also, I thoroughly enjoyed the gin and tonic made by the bartendress. I overheard other gals in my party say they enjoyed their cocktails too: amaretto sour and vodka tonic. If their drinks were like mine, then I'd say cocktails were just sweet enough that you can't taste the alcohol/booze. Delicious. Then, the booze sneaks up on you. Lastly, there a self-serve water dispenser. Single woman's bathroom was clean (on a Wednesday night). There's a working photo booth too. read more

I don't leave reviews or anything of the such but if i could give ZERO stars i would. The lack of communication and disrespect was appalling. Staff there is rude and unwelcoming. Friends and I were forced to leave over his assumption that we weren't going to pay for anything. Other then how i looked or dress why would he blatantly say that to my face in front of other. I was going to make a purchase as to why i came in, but after being publicly ridiculed I no longer wanted to. To make it worse slurs and other comments were made and even by the customers as well. Customer stating that she knows the owner and basically agreed with how the worker was talking to me. If the owner allows customers and workers to be disrespectful to others then something is obviously wrong. read more

Looking for a good dive bar? I highly recommend the Parkside Lounge. They've got a great deal on Happy Hour and sometimes depending on the night you can catch different shows in their backroom such as burlesque, comedy, music, etc. They've got a pool table, TVs for sports lovers, and a video game that I can't recall (Ms. Pac-man?). Check 'em out! read more

Good venue. Friendly staff. All good. Nice party room. Adding characters here as it has to be 85.

This is the WORST bar I've ever been to in Manhattan. The bartender took my friends drink away, and my friend simply asked "hey just curious did you take my drink or did someone else?" The bartender comes back and slams an empty drink with only ice cubes in it and said "this is what was left of your drink when I took it." When I told him we had no issue paying for another drink he too MY drink that was over half full and poured it out. I know that this is a dive bar but I'm so shocked at this behavior. They were extremely rude when we were calm about the situation. Ended up leaving and will NEVER come here ever again. Don't ever come to this establishment. Picture for evidence :) read more

Parkside Lounge - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

I believe it's important to support small businesses and especially music venues. They all took a big hit the past few years. I and 5 other people came to Parkside to listen to music/support the artists and to support the venue. Note this is after the mandates were lifted in NYC. You no longer need to show your passport to get in bars and restaurants. Parkside is one of the few venues that apparently are CHOOSING to continue to enforce this. Bad business move for sure! The staff was rude! I get it they are doing what they were told. Sadly, me and the 4 other people with me will no longer be supporting this venue. read more

I LOVE THIS DIVE BAR! There is none better if you want to have an experience you will not forget! I think the bartender is so HANDSOME toooooo. This place is the BEST!! CHEERS!!! read more

The white male manager with the accent was EXTREMELY Racist, hostile and condescending. After leaving a networking event, we walked into this establishment to get a couple shots as we waited for a friend to get an Uber since it was after 11pm. Everyone knows nyc hasn't been as safe. He asked for ids and we complied. He asked for the third id to which she responded, one second because she needed to pull her wallet from her bag. He immediately got disrespectful and assumed we weren't making a purchase because she was the one person getting an Uber. He started making yapping motions with his hand to mimic me as I tried to advocate for us and explain that he had the wrong idea and therefore there was no need to be disrespectful. He even slipped in a few insults and slurs. Told me that he doesn't need our money and to get out. We asked him if he has sisters or aunts he would want to see be able to get home safely as we did our friend. The response was that he didn't care!!! This is what is wrong with the city now, no community or will to protect one another. As three young women, it shouldn't be an issue to stand somewhere for 3 minutes to make sure someone gets home safely. And if a purchase was required, then that should've been mentioned respectfully right away. This is exactly why I don't like going out in nyc anymore. All these establishments constantly make it hard for black people to feel welcome and safe. read more

I had a great time attending Homeroom v.5's Halloween Edition at Parkside Lounge. The place is on the divey side but the vibe of the place is laid-back and unpretentious. What I love the night I went was the music. It's 90's inspired, sprinkled with a few current hits ranging from Janet Jackson,The Fugees, and INOJ to Bruno Mars, Solange and Chance. The main area gets packed so I recommend getting your groove on in the back room. There is a $20 credit card minimum so bring some cash. Or just have your friends venmo you so its easier to meet the minimum. I thought drink prices here are standard in most big cities ($10 for a gin & tonic). Parkside Lounge reminds me of a couple of my favorite hang out spots back home. I definitely would be a regular if I lived in the city. read more

Old-school dive bar with character, good drinks and tunes, as well as a great performance space in the back. We came for a special event (my brother's theater company was doing a special Halloween reading of Poe and Lovecraft). I did not expect they'd have such a classy little backroom with round tables, atmosphere, and everything. Our waitress was great and kept the drinks flowing unobtrusively during the reading. I tried one cocktail--a mad concoction of absinthe, bourbon, and bitters, and it was pretty good. There's a pool table, photo booth, and fun front area that keeps the locals happy. read more

Love me a good ole dive bar. To die for bloody mary.. yeah really, but they run out cause the mix is so darn good.. spicy, dark, lots o garnish.. mmmm good! excellent beer selection. Good times ;-) read more

Parkside Lounge - Awesome bloody mary ;-) - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

I played here tonight! I sat in on baritone sax with The Drunkard's Wife, because I had met them at the Halloween parade the other night; considering that I didn't know any of the tunes, I did pretty well: stayed with the key, and ended each tune with the band. It was kinda like an audition. Parkside has some excellent acts here; it's definitely a bar I'd drink at if I still drank. But yeah, like the late St. Mark's Bar and Grill, they don't serve food. read more

See all

I really don't know why I came here. It showed up on my Yelp and looked great so I recommended it to the friend I was with. I had to look at the photos again because I couldn't believe that we were talking about the same bar. People have loved this place on Yelp but I didn't! It's simply not my crowd. This is a divey bar that would be a spot for my dad and his friends to meet for a Guinness. This isn't the spot for a young female and her girlfriends. The drinks were overpriced and I felt uncomfortable the whole time. It's off the center of EV so quite a hike from the main drag. Save your soles from the long walk. read more

Great place along Houston. This place is awesome and has that whole "feel at home vibe". The beers are cheap and the drinks are awesome. These bartenders know how to mix drinks. They have a few cool amenities such as pool table, photo booth and even a phone charging station. Nothing sucks more than being drunk with a dead phone. Definitely gonna come back here again. read more

Parkside Lounge - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

See all

I moved to the LES in mid-March and have been on the hunt for a reliable dive I can go to from time to time. While there are no shortage of bars in this part of town, most are either very crowded or very pricey. This spot is a breath of fresh air. The happy hour prices are unbeatable and there's ample seating inside as well as outside. The bartender is super friendly and they have a decent selection of drinks. What's not to love? I think it's safe to say I've found my neighborhood spot. read more

Love this place. Frequent quite often. They are quite liberal with the pours, and the bartenders are hilarious. They have whacky shows out back from time to time if you're into that type of thing, and fomr foosball and a pool table. Overall... good place, good drinks good people. read more

Parkside Lounge - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

A great bar that veers toward the divier end of the scale. I came to watch some burlesque and drink some beers and I was served well on both fronts. Beers on tap range from the fancy to the hipster low-brow, so my buddy was able to have a PBR and I got a Abita Lemon Wheat. There was room to talk and sit and the noise level was acceptable for conversation. But raccous yelly conversation, not intimate date conversation. And there's a foosball table, when you're done with conversation and you just want to be awesome for awhile. read more

Parkside Lounge - Thanks, Uplifting Bathroom Grafiti! I needed that. - Music Venues Near Me - New York, New York

Service is blah. Also they have been turning the place into a gay bar if that's your thing but it lacks any musical or entertainment value.

I came here with a friend of mine on a Thurs night, and it was dead. The sign was kind of reminiscent of the Park in Chelsea, but that's where the similarities end. It's okay in my book because of the affordable drink prices. Perhaps next time when I'm in the LES! read more

This was my first stop on a beer marathon, and I did not feel the need to stay longer. First of all, I do like the space; there is a lot of room even when it gets very packed. However, my beer, which was a Shiner Bock, had an off taste. I tasted as off the line was not clean. No thanks. I admittedly had a short experience here, but I will need a strong reason to come back. read more

I'll keep this simple. On its face it might seem like your average dive bar, but there are some great features about Parkside that you should know: 1. The bartender (at least on a Wednesday night) was a class act. No attitude at all and probably the nicest and most pleasant bartender I've had in a bar of this type maybe ever. 2. The trivia on Wednesday night is really fun! Sure, there were only a few teams playing and half were with my group of coworkers, but the host was funny and the questions were hard but not infuriatingly hard. 3. The bathroom was surprisingly very clean for a bar bathroom! Beyond those three things, what more could you ask for from a casual bar in the East Village? I'll definitely be back once the trivia bug strikes me again, or maybe just to chat with the gentlemanly bartender. Either way, it's not my last time at Parkside! read more