I have mixed feelings about this place. Have been here several times over the past three years to see performances by various friends who sing or write music. That is about the ONLY reason I would go to this bar. They really seem to be holding on to this image of what they were in the past. Now the crowd is touristy and old and the drinks are annoyingly expensive. They also require a two drink minimum and a cover. The cover is just unnecessary. As far as the minimum, I would likely have two drinks regardless so it just seems stingy and like they are micromanaging your table. I do think they have a lot of talented artists come through and the decorations are neat but overall wouldn't recommend. read more

Four Stars for this piece of music history. The Bitter End, ironically, is where it all begins. It's a grungy, dirty, old-school New York bar with a mediocre sound system and a tiny stage, yet it feels so right for watching new artsits play their first New York gigs. Some of the real greats (e.g. Bob Dylan) have had their start here, which hopefully includes a few of my friends whom I've gone to see. Yes, I was that tall guy screaming "I LOVE TOMMY AND THE TIGERS" before they broke up. Good thing Tom and I are still friends. Much more about the experience than the venue itself. Which is defintiely a good time. read more

I hate this place. Went to see a friend perform w his band ( Reckless Place )and as soon as I stepped foot inside I wanted to go home. First nice thing was, the guy outside DID let me cut the line once I told him my friends' band was on and I needed to get in, second nice thing was seeing my friends play. Other than that, the place is extremely small for how many people they let in ( fire hazard much? ) it was over crowded , had people literally climbing on me to " get past" , B$!@H we're all trying to get past!!! Way too loud, some guy that deemed himself keeper of the gate was choosing who he let into our out of the " sitting area" causing a huge blockage by the front at the bar. Once past this ogre he warned us we better not stop in the sitting area and keep moving to the back. Once in the back there's another " siting area" conveniently blocked by a " standing area" Fine, let's get a drink to at least make this bearable, nope... Ogre says no way to walking over to the bar for drinks and "stay back there or else" look goes along with it. As soon as the set was over you would have thought a bounty hunter came in and I had warrants. I couldn't get out of there fast enough. Never again... unless Reckless Place is performing . read more

"The oldest rock club in New York City" must have a very cool history of having some of the best names in the business performing here, which they do. The walls are plagued with posters, photos and lists of some very heavy hitters in the past forty plus years. On this night I saw: Megan Light, Chip Greene, The Josh Dion Band ($7), Downtown Harvest and Sunday Morning Chameleon. As a very talented friend of mine said about the music industry, it is "not about talent but good luck when a performer makes it" All of the acts I saw this night were fun, exciting and had stage presence. Each could be a next "big act" but as it is, you will only catch some of them in places like "the bitter end". The place is essentially a big room, bar and stage with tables: the kind of place you see as a smoked filled room in the days when this neighborhood was for the avant-garde. The price of everything, admission, beer, drinks all very average. They do not serve any food but you can bring in anything you want to eat: no problem. I actually ran up the street for a couple of slices in between acts. The place was busy until the last band. The staff seemed friendly even though they had to negotiate around a packed crowd to get your drinks. "It is what it is" kind of place. Go have some beers, see some great acts for cheap and relive a period of time when the village was the "cool scene". read more

My band played here recently and I had read some Yelp reviews that were less than flattering so I was a little worried about how the night would go. But it was a success! The sound guy was there on time and was super-professional, the staff were much friendlier than I had expected, the booker was helpful, and our friends said we sounded good. A lot of people in the Yelp reviews complain about the cover charge and two drink minimum, but that's how a lot of jazz clubs and comedy clubs work. It cant be such a bad business model, considering the place has been in operation since 1961. Two drinks on a Friday night after work is not a terrible idea... We would definitely play there again and would also see music there. Oh and it was stinking hot in the city and they had effective air-conditioning! read more

It's okay. Great sound quality, great bands, standard $10 cover at the door. The waitresses are rather pushy with the drinks. I can totally understand a one drink minimum + cover but two?! Per set?! I know it's a great location and all but that seems a little excessive. Also, the bathroom situation is nuts. 2 single occupancy bathrooms for a place that gets this crowded?! Have fun standing in line forever. The place itself though has great music and the drinks aren't terribly overpriced considering it is a music venue. That bathroom situation really needs to get taken care of though, and stop being so pushy with the drinks!! It's obvious that you're just trying to fill seats and make money. I get that you're a business, but at least try and have some class.. read more

I was here a few weeks ago. Never had been before. I was there to see a friend's friends band. I like the size of the venue, it's not too big and not too small and not overly loud. There really isn't a bad seat in the house. The two drink minimum is standard operating procedure, but the drinks I had weren't that awesome. The service was a little awkward. If the band is good, make sure you get there early to get a table, just be ready to have some drinks. read more

The Bitter End played a dirty trick on the public. It told the New York Times there would be a free concert in honor of its proprietor Paul Colby who passed away at the age of 96. The doors were to open at 6:15 PM, June 23, according to The New York Times and Facebook posts. What they didn't tell people was that the room would be filled to near capacity with invited guests by 6:15 whom they let in earlier through another entrance. All they said in print was that seating was limited. At 6:15 the man at the door told us "No seats, Standing room only at the bar." The general public was composed almost entirely of seniors, people you would gladly give your seat to on a bus or subway, people with arthritis, back and leg problems. Many had to stand outside for an hour or more, waiting for those doors to open. The concert was excellent but in no way justified this false advertising and elder abuse. read more

Every time we tried to go to this place-2 nights in a row-they told us they were closed or closing. It wasn't even that late! Were they really closed or was it us? If I have to question that you get 1 star! If they were indeed closing, it was too early, and you still get 1 star! read more

Pros: Venue for local talent. Cons: Cover + two drink minimum per show. Staff is quite rude and demanding. read more

If you live in NY, this place might not be a big deal, but for an out-of-towner, I had a great time at this small club with a big place in music history. I didn't see Bob Dylan play here, but I could imagine him doing so. The night I visited they had three or four sets....with each band bringing something unique and memorable to the table..including the artist getting a little to irritated with the more than occasional clinking of glasses and bussing of tables....I can't comment on the food, but the drinks kept a coming..... read more

One of my good friends played here and it was a blast. This place is small, historic and fun. I really don't think you could go wrong, musically or otherwise. read more

Nice venue to be dragged to watch your friend's boyfriend's friend's band or whaatever. Drinks aren't too pricey, and the musical acts are usually not TOO bad ;) read more

I love this place. It's one of my favorite places to see live music. It has a great sound system. Rock On!!!

Last night my daughter and i were at The Bitter End and thoroughly enjoyed listening to the songs and music of Julia Gargano. She was absolutely magnificent. Beautiful voice, original music and a warm and friendly audience. The waitress was attentive and the employees cordial. I am so pleased that we stopped in and we will definitely be back. read more

Terrible service from the staff. Woman with short grey hair was incredibly rude when enforcing the "4 person at a a table" rule. Also was rude to me when enforcing the 2 drink minimum, since I was drinking a non-alcoholic drink and wasn't ready for another one yet. Bad experience overall, which sucks because the actual venue is nice. read more

GREAT history at this bar, I don't come here for the drinks. A few bands I know have played here, and I haven't been to a better small/bar-type venue. The atmosphere is incredible, with lots of tables to take in the show; there is also plenty of standing room off to the right of the stage. Not much dancing at the shows I went to, even though the bands were awesome, but that doesn't take away from the experience. read more

LAMEFEST 2011. There was actually a guy there with his shirt unbuttoned to mid-stomach. And he wasn't being ironic. Need I say more?

I went to this place with great expectations. I have always been fascinated by the history og Greenwich Village and places like these. I don't know what I expected really. I mean, all places must change. And the bitter end can't be like it was in the sixites, when Ginsberg and Dylan used to hang out there. My expectations were not right, but I still loved it! I think that Bitter End is a very interesting venue. It's a great place for concerts, the people that work there are very friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere is great to. This is a very good place for talented new artist. I'll definitely be back! read more

I hadn't been to the Bitter End since my early college days, and I have to say that it is still awesome. I went to go see a band play called the Swift Technique. They were awesome.. and so were all of the other bands. It was only $10 to get, which was awesome and drinks weren't very expensive. Another great thing is that it is 18+, so if you're not 21 you can still go and enjoy some music. I'll definitely be coming back to see some more shows and maybe bring my little sister. read more

No food except chips here, and we had a couple of beers. However the waitress told us they do allow ordering delivery, which was interesting. Come for the musical numbers though, which were hit or miss, but still fun to watch. Nice place to hang out with friends overall. read more

This is a review for people going to see The Moth at this venue. I lined up at 5:45 pm (doors open at 7) and was about the 20th person in line...more like 10th if you don't count all the people who later joined their friends (I swear the lines grow as much in width as they do in length). I couldn't get a decent table facing the stage and opted for a bar stool on the side. No complaints, though, since I actually got to sit. Once inside, don't even think of trying to save seats or space for someone who plans to come later (my friend was turned away). I doubt anyone who lined up past 6:30 got in. $7 cover (best deal in NY?). No one bugged me to buy a drink. Overall this venue is fine as long as you have the patience to stand or sit in line for 60-90 minutes (or can con a friend into doing so) and don't have claustrophobia. Not my favorite venue for The Moth, but still worth it :). read more

Great bar for live music. Generally an oldercrowd than the rest of Bleecker but it's a great place to sit with a drink and enjoy some pretty great musicians. The biggest issue is the size of their bar. I understand this plae is a classic older bar, but the bar is too small and doesn't have many selections. read more

We love the Saturday open mic, and we take the kids there in between their classes. Good value (no food menu but you're allowed to bring other food in) and the kids like seeing various acts. read more

This is a great place to see live music, though I wasn't crazy about the band the night I went. It has a divey feel and gets kind of busy, but it seems I never had to wait too long to get the bartender's attention (probs because I kept buying whisky sodas- man did I blow through a lot of money that night!). I had a great time, and I will definitely be going back read more

What a blast! Came here with a bunch of friends on a Monday night and saw a great all night jam session. The bar was crowded but everyone was friendly and music was awesome! I will be back! read more

I went here to see a friend doing an open mic. The drinks were pricey, and they ought to have a better selections. Bathrooms were TINY and sketchy. I felt like I was in a damp basement the whole time. read more

the vocals were low, and it got crowded at passageways because there wasn't anywhere to stand.. but otherwise this place was great. the bands we saw were really good and the bartenders were really sweet which is unusual because chick bartenders are usually rude to other chick patrons. i also really liked how the tables were right up against the stage. i will definitely check out live music here again. read more

The Bitter End is a good venue for live guitar and vocal performances. I have been here several times when my boyfriend or his friends happened to be performing there. However, I think the acoustics could be slightly more subtle and the box office people need a serious lesson on social skills. I brought a friend who seemed shy and wary of the guy sitting in the box office back in January, and she was right to be because he assumed that because she was quiet and reserved she didn't talk, when in fact she did, and stereotyped her because of her culture. Though the bitter end usually makes a strong effort to distribute positive vibes (literally and figuratively) it does NOT in the box office 'department'. read more

I played this room the other night, and I must say it's one of the best sounding places I've even been to. They also have a beautiful grand piano to use. Everyone there treated us great and it was an overall good vibe. Add that to the great history this venue has, and it's a winner. read more

A truly great live music bar. Staff is polite an attentive. Drinks came fast. Didn't find ourselves saying "where's the waitress" a single time. She was on it. Decent beer selection. Not a lot a craft but there's decent selection of good stuff. This place just has a great feel. Great sound. A solid concert pub. read more

Nice chill place, you would usually go there to support your friend's band or you are a connosiuer of live music. My favorite group, Bound by Subtance is the house band so I don't mind the $5 cover and 2 drink minimum. Drinks aren't expensive either...$6.50 for an alcoholic beverage! read more

Saw this pretty good band last night called, "The Flying Turtles." The place is world famous. What more is there to say. Check it out.

It may be one of the best venues for up and coming live acts in NYC, but the staff are sometimes very disrespectful to the costumers. It didn't happen to me but I saw the doorman on Sunday treat many polite costumers disrespectfully and make fun of about 5-6 people who came in. One person even left because of the doorman's attitude and how he was disrespectful about where he came from. read more

The Bitter End is one of the best places to see live music in the city, and over the years has served as the stage to some of the most legendary acts in music history. Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel just to name a few. The wait staff is always attentive, and you get an opportunity to hear all different types of music played back-to-back all evening. Even if you don't know the band or artist playing, you never know what you will discover. read more

What a disappointing experience we had here last night. Walked in just for a drink, had to pay the cover anyway. Okay. The place smelled like straight up MOLD. Okay. I ordered a glass of Chardonnay, and it tasted super old. Like it was fermenting. Not okay. Just drank my Jameson instead with a water back, and asked for the check. She took the wine off the bill, which I expected. But, be aware everyone! THEY CHARGE A 15% gratuity on ALL CHECKS. It's not posted anywhere, it's not defined on the check, and they do it at the bar! We were a party of 2 for one round of drinks! WTF. NOT OKAY. read more

Seeing Alex Balderston kill it w the Big Boys. Watching Steven Tyler kick it at a bar tickles me.

The employees at this venue are by far the rudest people I've met at any establishment. If this keeps up this will be the downfall of the Bitter End. The waitress spoke to me with complete distaste and even came off racist as she gave a Caucasian guy the same 4 seat table she ordered me to get up from, by the end of it I didn't feel like buying my drink much less staying for the rest of the show. New management and employment needed here-fast read more

A no frills venue to spend an evening ONLY if there is a really good group of rock bands playing. I suggest visiting the Bitter End's website so you will know the music lineup in advance. Usually on weekends, there is a cover to get in and this place is definitely packed by 10pm. I usually get here around 8pm just so I can snag a premium table and sometimes the warmup bands are better than the bands that perform later. To occupy a table, there is a 2-drink minimum per person. Obviously the drinks are over-priced and it costs me $18 to have 2 blue moons bottles plus tax & tip. Between the huge speakers and the crowd, this place is always super loud so don't forget your earplugs. read more

Pretty small venue, but great for seeing some small acts. Not the greatest beer selection, though I guess you go there for the music and not the beer... read more