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The Gem Saloon

4.2 (321 reviews)
Closed • 11:00 am - 3:00 AM (Next day)
Updated over 3 months ago

The Gem Saloon Photos

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THE GEM SALOON ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Trendy
Moderate noise
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - The Gem Saloon

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Buffalo Chicken Bowl
Claire S.

I have to say that the Buffalo Chicken Bowl exceeded any expectations I had when I popped in here for dinner. The ingredients were all fresh, and I love that the blue cheese comes standard on the side. I would order this meal again if I returned--it's filling and perfect for a hot day. I sat at the bar, and the bartender was great. I never went without water and she made sure I always had what I needed. The atmosphere is casual.

Inside and ceiling
Rebecca M.

Stopped in for a quick lunch and was surprised by how delicious and reasonably priced the lunch specials were. The double smash burger and fries were perfect. The grilled cheese was very tasty and the spinach was fresh and perfectly seasoned with garlic. The food was better than last time and we will definitely be back. The bar area and restaurant were clean with friendly and efficient staff. A great place to go for lunch or a drink and snacks after work.

Trixie burger
Cecilia L.

Met a friend for lunch here today at 2pm. The place is pretty big between outdoor seating, dining room, bar, and upstairs seating, and it was pretty empty at that hour, so we had no wait to be seated in a booth by the bar. Since we haven't seen each other for a while, it took us a while to look at the menu, but our server was so patient waiting for us to catch up and let her know when we were ready to order. I was impressed by all the vegan items on the menu as well as items that could be made vegan. It makes it easier for a vegan and non-vegan to enjoy a meal when we can both have a delicious filling meal! My friend got the roasted tomato soup, and I got the Trixie Burger with fries. The soup comes in a bowl and is a decent size for a lunch (even though it's on the starter menu). She enjoyed it and said it satisfied her soup craving. The Trixie fell apart as I ate it, but that's a good thing because that's how I know it's housemade! Normally when places have a vegan burger, it's spicy, so I was happy to see it wasn't spicy at all. I loved the flavor of the burger and the fresh greens and cucumber on top was the perfect compliment. The bun was soft and held it's own with the burger being filling. The fries were so crisp and perfectly salted, and the portion was enough for the two of us to share. Our server was great checking in on us and letting us keep chatting throughout the meal and the food was delicious and filling. I would totally come back next time in the area.

Bellini
Kim O.

I'm happy to see there are still reasonably priced restaurants with good service and decent food around. They are becoming increasingly hard to find. Met some friends here for brunch. Their brunch menu is pretty much what you would find at any restaurant that serves brunch (steak and eggs, burgers, pancakes, etc). The only exception is that you get one complimentary drink with your brunch which was nice. I had the Bellini and while it tasted good it didn't have any kick to it. For my entree I had the Whiskey Burger which was delicious and cooked to a perfect medium which is how I like it. The truffle fries that were an extra charge was well worth it because they were delicious! Our waitress was amazing - she was patient as we asked for a million substitutions to our orders and checked on us often. A solid place that I wouldn't mind going back to again.

Raj S.

Great location . Nice ambience . Lots of options to drink and eat ..went for a party here and it happened in top floor . Service was good . Food bites were good . Some of the small bites were average . Some with bruschetta and cheese . Wish there were rest rooms in all floors . Had to go 2 floors down and the restrooms were small .. overall a good experience . 4 stars ..

Lisa E.

Absolutely loved Gem Saloon, a huge place with a bar that encircles the middle of the space. So you have the large bar area, small booths, and lots of standing room. Rustic, but neat & chic décor..this was once Rodo Bar which closed mid 2014 , a neighborhood staple for 27 years.! Gem Saloon has been here since 2016, the owners of Phebe's & Penny Farthing.(I'm trying to recall if the space was Bookbinders in the early 80's) The nicest bartenders & staff, our group was able to chat with Joan who is an owner. We were there as a group but the Happy Hour seems extremely generous Mon-Fri. 4-8 pm with a vast selection of wine/bottles/drafts/Seltzers & Cocktails. Additionally, each weekday has it's own drink special. If you have a group, you can plan a great little party and have the area sectioned off & food platters spaced out. The drinks were excellent, made well, in proper glasses, with proper garnishes. I lived in the neighborhood in the mid 1980's and this would have been my go to bar. At that time, there was little around. The Della Rose, Maker's Mark w/ fresh blackberries is a standout. One thing, it is loud ! I'd add some softness to the ceilings to keep it a bit more conversationable.! I look forward to returning sometime soon.

Chili Nachos with beautifully melted cheese! Soooo good!
Ellen F.

I've been in the neighborhood for a few years now and seem to keep coming back to this place. The food is and has gotten so good! We're talking, best wings in town and epic chili nachos! They let the cheese melt and almost get crispy on the nachos. Like WOW good! The drinks are frigging solid too! I'm a bit of a cocktail snob. I don't drink just anything (I wish I could but as a yout 'quoting great Joe Pesce' I overdid it). I like a good, shaken Vodka Collins. I'm happy to report, my drink is always gooooood! I've tried their pink sangria and it's yum too! The staff is always so kind and friendly. They smile when they come to your table or if you're at the bar, you feel welcome. I love that they seem like my friends rather than staff. I prefer the regular tables over the high top booths. My short legs always fall asleep from dangling or because of where the bench hits the back of my legs. Anyway, yesterday it was raining, they gave us a low top table and had the windows open. It was simply amazing!

House-Cut French Fries
Mandisa N.

Love this place for their daily drink specials and happy hour. It seems to be popular with the after work crowd and can get pretty busy. The staff I've interacted with have been very friendly. Drinks: I wasn't too big of a fan of their margarita. The espresso martinis and daiquiris are good. Food: The portions of their fries are insane and they are really good! I wish there was a little bit more to the lemon garlic shrimp but I wasn't too mad at it.

Megana V.

came here for happy hour and the drinks were 5/5 and food was 3/5. got the aperol spritz for $6 and the hh is from 4-8 which is more generous than most places around the area!! tried the buffalo mac and the nachos. wish the nachos had more topping. buffalo mac was really cheesy but chicken in it was soggy. overall super worth for drinks and will be going back for drinks.

Chicken sandwich
Lorrie H.

Stopped here for lunch recently. Menu had a decent variety to choose from. I ordered the chicken Tuscan salad and my husband ordered the grilled chicken sandwich. Service was good and food came out pretty quickly. The salad was very good. Chicken sandwich was tasty although the slaw on top was a little messy. Overall a good place to stop in and grab a bite to eat

Gem Classic Nachos
Puspita E.

Food/Drinks: I absolutely love the food at Gem Saloon and have even come here multiple times in the past month. The Gem Classic Nachos are a must at every outing and I love how it is deconstructed. The hand-cut fries are absolutely delicious and perfectly salted. Their burgers remind me of a well-made Big Mac if that makes sense. Their skillet mac & cheese is also very comforting. The prices are reasonable and their happy hour/lunch special prices are even better! Everything is made of the best quality. Service: Every server I've had has been some of the kindest servers I've ever met. Each of them is attentive and has kind tones. They checked up on us a reasonable amount and were willing to make any substitutions or accommodations for those who had allergies or couldn't eat certain things. The food came out at a decent time and we'd always leave in under an hour. Ambiance: The vibe during the day is very different from the vibe at night. Truthfully, I really enjoy the ambiance at night as there are more people and more chatter. The lights are off and each table has a candle which makes it feel more romantic and calming. The vibe during the day is a lot quieter and emptier as most people are at work or school during that time. Both times, the restaurant uses minimal lighting which I personally like. Go based on your preferences!

Two Draft beers! Kona and Coney Island Pilsner

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6 months ago

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7 months ago

Yummy happy hour margs !! Just kinda crowded when we went. Would go back for happy hour for sure

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2 years ago

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5 months ago

Always an awesome experience. Servers are super attentive and the food is excellent. Our go to brunch spot.

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11 months ago

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2 years ago

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5 months ago

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3 months ago

Grace is chilll and she was a good waitress. This place is a gem. The food is very good.

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2 years ago

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9 months ago

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10 months ago

Great service and food! The smash burger was perfect and the fries were amazing. Highly recommend going here if you are in the area!!

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2 years ago

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Business owner information

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Jo B.

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The Gem Saloon Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - The Gem Saloon

Do they serve outside this time of year? (December)

Yes

What is their current happy hour and is it only at bar?

What is their happy hour?

4-7 half priced drinks

Do they serve beer towers?

No the do not

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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4.5
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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!!

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

High Bar

3.5
(20 reviews)
1.2 mi

Great experience overall ... with a decent view of the fireworks show.... Drinks were overpriced…read moreand the DJ's music was a bit too over the top. Not the place to bring someone who may forget who they came with lol . The service was mediocre at best.. and there were not enough seats inside to accommodate more of the crowd..

This place has so much potential it's honestly a little offensive that it's not living up to it…read more Like... you walk in and you feel like something should be happening. The energy is right there, hovering, but it never actually lands. It's giving "almost iconic" but not quite--like a party that never fully starts. And that's what gets me. Because this bar could EASILY be that spot. The kind people plan their week around. Where are the themed nights? Where's the drama? The chaos? Give me a reason to come back on a random Wednesday. Do a city-event tie-in, a holiday takeover, literally anything that makes it feel alive instead of just... existing. Because right now it feels like a missed opportunity wearing a cute outfit. BUT--let's talk about the one thing they absolutely did not fumble: the view. The VIEW??? Insane. Genuinely stunning. The kind of view that makes you pause mid-sentence and remember you're in New York and not just spiraling in your own life choices. It's carrying the entire experience on its back, respectfully. So yeah. I'd come back... but mostly for the view and the potential. If they ever decide to actually do something with this space? It could be dangerous (in a good way). Until then, it's vibes... just not fully realized ones.

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Caesar Salad, Cod Fish Tacos, Tuna Tartare
Caesar Salad, Cod Fish Tacos, Tuna Tartare
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As I've said previously, I try to avoid midtown. It's congested and touristy and the restaurants…read moreare usually just not that great. But Irving on Hudson is an exception. The view is gorgeous and sweeping. The service is attentive and professional. The drinks are sophisticated. I ended up here because I saw a video about their gin and tonic. Sounds simple, but it's one of my favorite drinks, and I'm always looking for someone who can do it well. I ordered their "dear G&T" and it was a fruity, complex riff on my old favorite. I also got the foreign forage, "a bourbon smash with a mint zing." It was also a delicious take on a classic. They have several types of cocktails, all broken down by spirit and flavor profile. They also offer a lot of spirits made in New York State. They have cocktails with earthy notes, fruity notes, fancy martinis, and a section boasting limited edition and special spirits, if you're "feeling fancy" and wanna cough up 35 bucks instead of 20 or 25! They have a bar snacks menu (sliders, nuts, and the like). I had their thick cut fries and they were light, seasoned, and tasty. I couldn't stop eating them. Midtown or not, I highly recommend this spot, which also has a couple other locations, including Gramercy.

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Caviar toast
Caviar toast
View from the balcony
View from the balcony
Christmas Eve

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Christmas Eve

The Gem Saloon - bars - Updated July 2026

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