Sophie's is the last honest bar in the East Village. It smells of spilled beer, old wood and the faint scent of something true. Melancholy pervades, yet the air feels strangely charged with possibility. From the ancient jukebox in the back, Lou Reed's voice drifts out low and unhurried (Velvet Underground days). Poems crowd the ceiling, art lines the walls and playing on the soundless TV near the bar, The Andromeda Strain. I'm in a fugue state, transported back to the 1970s, to an East Village resplendent in its peak glory. read more

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WORST BAR EXPERIENCE EVER. Same night as another review. I was harassed by the woman bartender after clicking "no tip" because I was going to tip in cash (they have a sign saying cash tips) and she yelled at me and dumped my drinks out IMMEDIATELY without allowing me time to grab my cash. Was told there was a $20 min so ordered a 3rd drink ($28 total). She then yelled at my other friends and continued shouting out lies and humiliating me in such an inappropriate and unprofessional manner. Horrible experience and my whole group of 7 of us left right away. Will never go back and hope no one has to experience this either. Spend your money elsewhere. They are entitled and plain out RUDE. Seems like this is a common reoccurring thing, especially towards women. I have never experienced something so bad. read more

Went for a drink and got a beer, it was a $20 minimum. I got 2 more drinks and took them to my friends, I didn't tip cause the bartender didn't do anything and she came around the bar, grabbed my friends drinks and poured them out. She poured mine out as well. They still charged me $30 AND I DIDN'T GET MY DRINKS. That's absurd and she kicked me out. read more

We love a good dive bar. Not much to say when you find a good dive bar. Sophie's speaks for itself. Stumbled across it and grabbed a quick drink before heading out for the night. Cheap, no frills, fast ass service and exactly the kind of spot you hope to find when you're not reaaalllly looking. Will definitely be back. Two drinks for twenty dollars hairs??? YES PLEASE. read more

the one bartender is not mentally stable. she was yelling at people all night. freaked on me for ordering a beer then when i asked if she was okay she smiled and said that she was high and that it's not me it's her and started calling me boo. then she comped my round. when i closed out i gave her a 30% cash tip because i read reviews lol and she was so happy that we did a shot together. Atmosphere is good otherwise. other bartenders seemed cool. avoid her if you can. or just go somewhere else read more

Had the worst experience of my life with the two female bartenders behind the counter on a Saturday night. DO NOT GO HERE IF YOU ARE A YOUNG WOMAN AND WANT TO HAVE FUN. Was with a group of six girls and we all ordered drinks, but they literally laughed at my friend when she hesitated giving her order because they weren't listening and then laughed in her face. We sat in the corner and were having fun, maybe being a little loud and this same woman turns the music down and then shouts over the crowd and calls out my group saying we were being too loud and need to take it down. She humiliated us in such an inappropriate way and we were astonished. She could have came up to us and said something but instead called us out in front of everyone and then the other bartender came over to eavesdrop on our reaction. So many other patrons came over and said how out of line this was. Whoever is the owner needs to do something about these women. It was so unpleasant and we were all so disgusted with the humiliation ritual she subjected us to that we left. Will never come back and will forever discourage people from going after that. Hope karma does it job. read more

Place is a dump. It's a dive bar but not a good one. The bartender is extremely rude and suspicious. We sat at the bar and saw her charge different prices for the same drink. Very strange and she was very aggressive read more

Absolutely a must miss. As stated in essentially every other review, the bartenders on weekends are on some power trip tryna demand tips for poor service. As a bartender myself, you can't give attitude then refuse some beers to customers for not tipping when you j insulted them. I tip extremely generously being in the industry so it's pretty rare I don't want to leave one. Considering this place was pretty packed, I could name 20 bars by Tompkins I'd rather go to. If you are planning any typa night in east village, certainly avoid this place. Based on the amount of poor reviews it doesn't seem like this joint reads em but if management comes across this yall gotta get rid of that main bartender she runnin your place into the ground lmao read more

reading the bad reviews on the bartenders here makes perfect sense after my visit :( if u wanna have a good night dont go here. save urself from the wrath of a rude bartender and go somewhere people will be happy to see you. got kicked out for being the only sober person in my party bc i wouldnt buy a drink. luckily i know other bars that will let me hang out with my friends while they drink but this was just a sad experience read more

I wish I read these reviews before coming here. The bartender was beyond rude when my friend asked for water. A regular at the bar offered to get us some because "she hates serving anything free." Put out a self serve water station. It is incredibly irresponsible to serve alcohol but deny people water? Upon realizing the waters were for us she dumped them out and started yelling at us that we are grown adults and should ask ourselves (no we couldn't clearly?) and said something along the lines of "you hate me so much because you know you're going to be like me in 20 years you won't be young forever." This was our first exchange with her and we never approached her with anything but respect. I don't know what demons she's fighting but that was incredibly odd and inappropriate read more

Been coming to this historic nyc spot for years. It's been a bar for something like 150 years or something. The artwork is great, the music is great (except for the winehouse) and the lady bartenders are so sweet and badass. Fun fun fun staple read more

I've never felt so disrespected at a bar before. The main woman bartender at Sophie's Bar was incredibly rude and unprofessional from start to finish. When I asked if she could add juice to my drink, she gave me attitude right away. She asked which juice I wanted -- I said I didn't care, then changed my mind and said pineapple. She snapped at me, saying, "This is why I asked," and then deliberately poured the juice all over my hand. Later, while I was quietly sitting at the bar, she came up and told me to get up because those seats were "saved." It's a bar, not a reservation-style restaurant, but I still said "no problem" and began gathering my things. Before I could even stand, she got in my face and told me again to move, saying "your privilege is unhinged" -- completely unprovoked and inappropriate. As I was leaving, I asked her name so I could file a complaint, and she began berating me even more. She sprayed soda water on my hand with the soda gun and then accused me of writing a review based on her race, which had never been mentioned or relevant in any way. This was one of the worst interactions I've ever had with a bartender -- uncalled-for hostility, physical disrespect, and completely unprofessional behavior. I will not be returning, and I sincerely hope management addresses this unacceptable conduct. read more

Love Sophie's. Some of the best folks work here. They're a good bunch. A solid neighborhood bar with solid NYC bartenders. No nonsense.

Bartenders and bouncers are incredibly rude. My friend and I tried to use the bathroom together (and just like a review down below written a few months ago says) she screamed at us from across the bar "one person at a time the sign is at eye level" to the point where the entire bar went silent. It felt like she deliberately tried to humiliate us, and the sign was NOT at eye level and it's a dark bar -- an easy mistake to make when you're a new customer. Then, when we went to go get water we were told "nope! you can go across the street" and the bartender completely disregarded us (we had already bought drinks at this point). To top it off, when we were paying for drinks later on, one of the bartenders rudely exclaimed "So no tip?" at us -- when we were actively pulling out cash to tip her. We've been here twice -- and it was the same two female bartenders both times. Easy to say we will NEVER be returning here -- probably the rudest and most disrespectful way I've been treated at a bar (we were paying customers and had a table). Also, the two bartenders were laughing about us and drinking behind the bar. Very unprofessional and not a good look. I would never recommend this bar to anyone. read more

The vibes are so so great and the drinks are fair for nyc. But I've been 4 times, and every single time one of the two female bartenders is arguing with a customer. I waitressed for many years, I'd say I drink/eat out often, and I've ever seen service employees have so much beef with their customers. Huge power trip. read more

DONT ASK FOR WATER! Apparently, asking for water after you've paid for 3 drinks is a sin. Never coming back, piss poor attitude and customer service. read more

Bartenders are extremely rude. My friends had been there for over 30 minutes, so we waited at the bar and POLITELY asked for water and immediately were yelled at and told to leave and that water is only for customers, which we were. Hello????? Are we okay like what's going on I'm so confused read more

I have never met ruder employees. The bouncer was extremely rude and the bartenders were even worse. This bar is supposed to inclusive but the bartenders did not support this vibe. I am very disappointed. read more

Bartenders are buns DO NOT GO... trust me they'll waste your time. Don't bother waiting

Bartenders are incredibly rude, as other people have already said. Visiting my friend and the city for the first time, and as we were walking in the bathroom the bartender deliberately embarrasses us by screaming across the entire establishment "one at a time as it says on the 3 signs at eye level" as we were walking in the bathroom. Loud enough for the place to go silent. It is not a common rule, so i didn't even think to look for any signage! So if you are an individual with a disability that requires assistance DO NOT COME HERE. Ruined the vibe tonight. I'm never inclined to leave reviews but i am very taken aback by the treatment tonight. read more

Owner kicked us out for not buying drinks when we had bought 4 drinks. When I was counting the drinks we ordered, owner came over and picked up 3 out of 4 drinks i pointed to and reinforced that we were kicked out (while holding 3/4 of the half full drinks we ordered in her hands). Was 1 full hour before closing and they allowed another group to sit in our place read more

To say the least, this place sucks. Even more so, the bouncer tonight did not let my girlfriend in, saying "that girl is too drunk". Disrespectful and ignorant behavior. When she was no where near the point of intoxication. Horribly handled, unprofessional bullshit. read more

It was raining like crazy, so me and my friend were looking for refugee as we waited the rain out. I remembered wanting to check out this place when I noticed we were only two blocks away. Came around 7pm, and everything was chef's kiss. Beers $5-$6, pool table, jukebox, and even Pac-Man-- what else do you need? Such a cozy dive bar, exactly what we needed on a rainy day read more

Sophie's - Pool table - Dive Bars Near Me - New York, New York

"Classic East Village Dive Bar" This place excuses every classic trait of an East Village dive bar, which is becoming a dying breed - cheap prices - plenty of taps - pool table - juke box - No drink menu (and that's a bonus) The lighting m, clientele and staff personality gives this place an authenticity. You'll find people of every type and even other countries here. The only downside is who is working can change the tone a bit and some staff should maybe dial down the attitude. read more

Bartenders were so rude! Simply asked for a couple drinks and got an eye roll and a sigh as she walked away to make them, then when she came back I tried to finish ordering and she said "order your drinks all at once next time" when I literally tried but she walked away with attitude before I even could. Actually the worst customer service ever! I literally never write reviews but had to just to say how awful it was. read more

Crazy bartenders, they were drunk and asking me how much my drinks were..... isn't this your job????? She called me a hoe when asking and a bxxitch, verbal assault much? read more

Was having a great night until I was verbally assaulted ordering drinks for a few friends. Unprompted with no malintent. I should've known to leave immediately upon being scoffed at for ordering a drink. Strangest experience I've ever encountered at a bar. They seemed to derive pleasure from attacking my friends. I'm thankful for every single negative review because I left this place questioning my sanity. Glad I'm not the only one taken aback from my experience... worst bar experience I've encountered in my life read more

The worst most rude bartenders I've ever encountered. I wanted a water and they proceeded to give me a shot of water to then be followed by the bartender stopping the music and informing everyone to not order water. This is firstly, illegal to not serve water when an establishment is serving alcohol and secondly, it's trashy as fuck - who wouldn't want to be serving water to their patrons who are buying alcoholic beverages. I don't know if it was Sophie herself serving us, but I truly couldn't believe an employee would risk their job with their attitude. I think HR should have a stern talking with all their employees. These miserable low life's are never getting mine or my friends business again It also smells. read more

A group of friends and I came here and we're having a very nice time to start. We ordered 2 pitchers of beer for ~10 people and sat at a table. A friend of mine went to the bar to ask for some waters, and the bar tender cursed him out. Literally "f*ck you", and ignored him. When he asked another bar tender she then brought them over and physically shoved multiple people in our party while doing so. My boyfriend was cursed out when asking for the bill, and being the decent person he is still tipped her very well (I used to work as a bartender so we're big on this, especially on busy nights!). I realize I probably shouldn't have, but I tried to approach her about it, and just say hey you seem really stressed maybe step out for a cigarette or something and take a minute for yourself. She, of course, cursed me out and then came out from behind the bar to scream in my face which was appalling. Luckily we were already on our way out. Having worked in the service industry for years, this is just not how you treat patrons. Your job is to make sure people are happy, and especially make sure they're hydrated and have access to water when they need it. Seeing other reviews about this kind of behavior and can only assume it's the same woman. I will absolutely not be returning here, and advise that others do the same unless you like your drinks with a side of harassment from the bartender. The bouncer was incredibly kind about the incident, and seemed sympathetic to the experience as I was walking out. If the manager reads these reviews from myself and others, handle this bartender problem. read more

Let me start by saying this, I've been to this bar multiple times of the years and I don't leave Queens. Ever. This is the most at home dive bar outside of Queens I've been to in the lower east side. So let's start off with a couple of things. The vibe is immaculate. We love a low lighting bar, with a full on actual jukebox in the back. You want to play pool? You got it babe. There's definitely pool in this bar. Atm? Convenient, very easy to tip your bartender with this setup. Want a cold beer? Screw that. You're getting a crispy cold PBR in a pint. Who needs better than that? I can't think of anybody. Service? Out of this world. It's incredible how nice everyone is in here. They will take care of you till the end of your night. So overall, 5/5, Eddie P this one is for you. Eddie, listen. It smells like a classic New York dive bar. I don't know what you're talking about, have you ever been to a New York dive? I'm starting to doubt that. If you've never walked into a New York dive and don't know what that smell is, it's called home. Comfort, good beer, great people, and everyone is a bit off their rocker, cause you're in New York this is how we are. In conclusion, come to this bar, get a beer, and enjoy yourself you're in New York. read more

I've been going to this bar for 8 years, and recently I had the most appalling experience I need others to be forewarned. To make a long story short, I was threatened to be "slapped like a bitch" by a patron at the pool table, so I calmly let the bouncer know this man was potentially violent. Afterward the bartender B came to me and started interrogating me, saying I didn't understand the board clearly. She was so combative I tried to quickly resolve the situation and said never mind, apologizing to HER. Then my friends tried to reason and tell her the story, and one by one she called this some "Me Too bullshit", called my friends a homophobic slur, and kicked out all of my party one by one. The worst part is she assumed my whole party was white (we weren't), and made it into a racial issue. Accusing us of causing a scene because it was MLK day, when we simply were warning the bouncer, not her, of a potentially violent person. It was actually devastating as a woman to be silenced for simply seeking help when my safety was threatened. I hope this person gets help and never does this to anyone else, because this bar is now a place of trauma I can never return to. read more

It's my friend's birthday tonight, we've had a rather chill night and wanted a night cap for which we've come to Sophie's for many times before. My roommate's girlfriend is in town for the birthday and they haven't seen each other for a while so outside of the bar they hugged. We then walked up to the bouncer and he told us we're not getting in with that "drunk ass girl". Just because she hugged her boyfriend. He then proceeded to threaten us when we tried to reason with him, and we were just saying she wasn't drunk she just was hugging him because she hadn't seen him in a while. As a bartender I tried to reason with him further and he continued to threaten me saying "Come do something about it. Come Show me then." And then got up from his seat and started approaching me in a threatening way as I was walking away. I guess my review is just letting you know to not act like a normal person outside of this bar or else they're not gonna let you in. read more

Went here Saturday night. I didnt leave a tip because I was low on funds. Bartender said "try again" began yelling and accusing me of things. I left a tip, walked away. Then had my half beer taken by another bartender because "I didnt tip" earlier. I was walked out by security soon after, as I just sat with friends. I wasn't confrontational, it just seems like people who work there are miserable. Its a shame. I liked Sophie's. read more

I ve been to Sophie's in 1989 and I m amazed it's still holding on ! Shame for bad reviews. I guess some bartenders are nicer than others. I can't review the place as a client as I only passed it when it was still closed today. Back in 1989 I experienced an amazing atmosphere which has kept me nostalgic read more

As other people have been saying, the bartenders are literally the rudest I have ever encountered in my whole life, like straight up stopped the music to scream at my friends and also laughed in my face and my friends when we ordered drinks they didn't make??? Claims "we're a dive bar sweetie we don't make that" mockingly and then offers to make something else on the fly, then turns to some other patrons, literally crap talks us to them, and laughs in front of our face?? What kind of dive bar has a $20 card minimum and 20% -35% tip options... it's embarrassing girl. If you are old and like a place where everyone is rude to make themselves feel better bc they work in the dingiest bar ever this is the place for you read more

Would have been a great place, chill dive bar vibe, except for the extremely unprofessional Saturday shift bartender. Tall white guy bartender was sooooo rude completely out of the blue. Never had such a random and rude encounter with a bartender. As a bartender myself I was mostly just confused why he was acting so weird??? Lose lose situation. Management should really do something about this, because it genuinely ruined the experience there. And it cost significant business, as my party of almost 10 people left after only our first round of drinks.... Odd business model, seems like self sabotage, but I guess that's up to management to decide. I only checked yelp the next day but it seems like a lot of people have had problems with this same guy. read more

Judging by the rest of the comments and reviews, you already know why I'm here. This bartender lady and you know which one I'm talking about is a nut case, I'm not even joking. She literally made a scene out of every situation. It started off when my friends were ordering drinks by the bar and then she yells at them telling them to "get away from those drinks!" That another customer had ordered. Then she yelled at me about the pool table after she ask me a question who was next and as I was trying to tell her but she just spazzes out, and I just walk off, then she cuts out the light to the pool table and says "no one can play until he leaves" and then she grabs security to put me out WTH! aye I guess this bar likes negative reviews, Make sure to check out google review too about this place. I'm going to copy and paste this there too. And lady if you see this, go to therapy please read more

Really chill place with a pool table in the back! A lot of seating and easy to get a drink late on a Saturday night. We'll drinks are super cheap- $6. Very much recommend read more

Sophie's - a man playing pool in a bar - Dive Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Best downtown bar. Real and unpretentious. Really knowledgeable and friendly bartenders. One of the last places in Manhattan that is neither a frat-boy-financial-advisor-bar or a trying-too-hard-hipster-bar. During Santa Con, they had a sign outside declaring that people in Santa costume were not allowed inside. My kind of place:) read more

save your time and don't come here! as the other reviews said, the bartender is fucking crazy. one was drunk and charged the wrong amount for our drinks and the other was crazy. i tried going into the bathroom with a friend and she STOPPED the music to verbally assault us over the microphone in front of everyone, calling us "stupid f*cking h*es" for a whole minute for not knowing that it was one at a time, which is not a common bar rule. Honestly so embarrassing and unecessary, will never be coming back. read more