Great cocktail place. A few seats at the bar and a few tables . The staff know their craft. Their specialty cocktails were great too. Plus the traditional. Must visit if in the area for a nice pre or post dinner drinks. Cash only. read more

Service was honestly disappointing. My boyfriend and I came in about an hour and a half after opening, and at first the atmosphere felt cozy and welcoming. We were having a great time until a couple of women came in who seemed to know the male bartender. I went to use the bathroom, and within less than two minutes someone started knocking impatiently. I immediately said it was occupied, but a few minutes later she began banging on the door while I was still inside. I understand waiting for a bathroom can be frustrating, but there was another bathroom downstairs, and the way she handled it felt extremely rude and disrespectful. She continued waiting right outside the door until I came out, which made the whole interaction uncomfortable. Regardless of whether she knew the bartender or not, guests should be treated with the same respect and the space should feel welcoming for everyone. Even my boyfriend felt uncomfortable with how the situation was handled. Unfortunately, because of this experience, we wouldn't come back. Hopefully the staff can work on creating a more inclusive and comfortable environment for all customers :( read more

Me and my girlfriend love it here!! We originally stopped by because we saw it was lgbtq+ friendly AND owned and we're so glad we did! It's super cute with a nice speak easy, intimate, lounge-y vibe. We met the owner who was so welcoming and friendly- he said the space is meant to encourage conversion with the music being lower and the setting being more intimate, which we loved and felt. Their happy hour is great (4-8pm I believe?), with $10 drinks that are well made and pretty strong. We will be back! read more

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Absolutely bizarre and rude experience at Upstairs Cocktail Bar. A group of six of us came in on a Saturday night and the bar was oddly silent with barely any music, which already made the vibe uncomfortable. Things got worse when two of us went to the bathroom and the bartender started aggressively pounding on the door yelling that it was "one person at a time." Later, two drinks were accidentally spilled at our table and instead of handling it like a normal bartender, he loudly yelled across the entire bar that we had to "apologize to the whole bar," then proceeded to shout at us and kick us out. He even took a full drink away from one of my friends while everyone in the bar stared because of the scene he created. It was incredibly unprofessional and honestly one of the rudest interactions I've had at a bar in NYC. If this is how they treat customers over an accidental spill, I would avoid this place read more

Delightful speakeasy hidden spot! Wasn't a fan of the cocktail I ordered but the vibes were great!

Cute quiet speakeasy. It's cash or Venmo only. Nice spot to hang out with friends. The decor is nice and feels cozy. Prices weren't bad either. I'll stop by again if I'm in the neighborhood. read more

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Note: Can't remember exact details for drinks outside of them being quite tasty. Went here a while ago after a diner nearby at the hard to pronounce but delicious Kasthamandap. A friend recommended this bar as I think a friend of his is the bartender. It's quite small and up some blue lighted steps. The bartender was friendly and had a boatload of liquor for the small space. He asked if I wanted one from the menu or if I wanted to pick an ingredient. I decided to customize so I asked for an amaro based drink that had no Aperol. The drink had some bitterness with a touch of sweetness and it was tasty. They had a drink made with fresh ginger syrup and I think whiskey? We got a second one where he got the same thing and I got something else from the menu. I think it was the Paper Plane and it was tasty also. Good extensive liquor selection and the prices are fine for a fancier bar. Regarding the other review, yes it's tiny. I didn't find it loud and the music was super quiet. No smoking I noticed and I have just about zero tolerance for cigarette or weed so I would have been able to tell as I certainly wouldn't have liquor if I had a headache from the smell. You sure it wasn't another bar nearby? Low 4 read more

Upstairs Cocktail Bar - Cocktail 2. Paper Plane maybe. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Queens, New York

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TLDR: Dick's last resort in Jackson Heights! Upsides: The entrance is above UFC and is lighted. There are at least 15 to 20 seats. Some stools at the bar and several chairs. You can have a conversation and hear the person next to you speaking. There is a cute backdrop of books if you like that kind of ambience. My friend recommended me this place, so I was so excited to try it so I could tell her how much fun it was. And yes, there was dancing when I was there last Thursday. Romeo Santos was playing, and there were ladies dancing Bachata, to be specific. This is what I observed. **I could see that due to the owner's response that he definitely had a different experience that I had.** The only way to find out if it's true is to go there, have a drink, and report back with your Yelp review. Why I won't return: Downsides: It's cozy. There's not much room to pass right at the front to get to the very back. Think rush hour on the 7 train express. There is secondhand smoke. In specific, I see the owner lighting up a cigarette inside while introducing himself. I wanted to mention this, because my hair and my clothes smell like smoke. I am alerting those who have an asthma or anyone who doesn't prefer not inhaling any smoke while enjoying their drinks. **There was smoking inside even if the owner denies it.** The drinks are okay, not strong. They are priced at $14 a cocktail. There is minimal lighting if you like to take photographs of your drink. Photos or selfies may need extra lighting. The owner Lee had decided without my consent to make me a drink. He didn't even consult with me. This is not professional. I am not sure why he presumed that I wanted dealer's choice without confirming with me. That caused great discomfort. At that point, I was still perusing the menu. There is a clear lack of direct communication. At no point was I given the opportunity to verify approval of his request. At no point did I say I wanted "dealer's choice." What I had to learn from this is that when you disagree, it's possible to still listen usually, but not here. His ego took over, and he got so defensive that he felt compelled to call me names for not enjoying the drink that I didn't ask for and then threaten to kick me out for handing the rest of my drink to my friend which is my call. It was absolutely bizarre. I cannot safely recommend this place. If you prefer being spoken to in a patronizing manner, and you like roasts, especially when you are taking the lashings, then this is truly the place for you. Here you will find unwitty banter and utter contempt. I have warned you. read more

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Great place with great drinks at great prices. Tough to beat. Upstairs Cocktail Bar is a lovely addition, not just to the block, but to the neighborhood overall. Jackson Heights is not in need of another sports bar, which is why a cocktail bar/lounge is just the vibe the neighborhood needs. Upstairs already resides on a pretty hip block; you've got Japanese Izakaya, great Thai, Japanese desserts, funmakase, and korean fried chicken. All that was missing was a great cocktail place. Walking up the stairs, you're already put in the right mindset before you ascend to the 2nd floor. The decor of the place is pretty relax. You'll find it dimly lit with books and art. It's intimate, but spacious enough to usually snag a seat. It's great to come with a date, but if you roll more than four deep, you may have trouble finding space together. There's seats at the bar, small two-person tables against the wall, and lots of sofa space in the back. The cocktails are straight-forward as opposed to the typical 20-ingredient monstrosities you find at "fancy places". Separated into two sections, there's a classics side and there's a seasonal side. Mocktails are also a possible go-to if you're more of a teetotaler. Overall, Upstairs is where I wanna go after a long day at work, or if I just need a place to think, or if I'm looking for that 2nd place to go after the first on a fun night out. It's tough not to enjoy yourself while you're here. Note: Cash Only. read more

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I rarely go out for drinks in Queens, just because there's so many more options in the city, but this place is definitely one to try. I've been here two times, the first I was able to snag a seat at the bar and the second time I had a lounge seat. However, wherever you sit, the service will be great. The cocktails are $15 each (at least last time I went) and it's cash only. The place can get noisy because it's a small area, but I never felt claustrophobic. The bathroom is well kept and while they don't serve food, they are plenty of places to grab a bite in the area. Definitely recommend this place for anyone looking to have a drink here! read more

Such good drinks, such a great place, it's a hidden gem and you have to go! The drinks are amazing and it's such a cool little neigj7spot, I love it! read more

absolutely disgusting service tonight. just moved to the neighborhood and went with my friend, who's a regular here. we went in and out our stuff down on a pair of chairs. as we went to get a drink from the bar, a group of four, younger white gay men walked in. one of the owners [white] ran over to our stuff that was in the chairs and physically started to move it to other seats. when I [latino] began to walk over, the white owner said oh I'm just clearing it because there's more room for them to sit. TF?! needless to say, I didn't order anything and will never be back to this racist establishment. I have never been treated like that in a place and I'm from Florida where they openly hate Latinos. support them if you like, but that was my experience. I'd go to Icon before I ever went back here read more

We had sushi in a restaurant downstairs and came up here after for a few drinks. The bar was very lovely and the bartender was great. The bar is cozy but has nice decor and the drinks were great. We would def come back here again. read more

Upstairs Cocktail Bar - Entrance to the bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Queens, New York

- located upstairs from USC - awesome and personalized service - awesome decor - cozy and dark-ish - relaxed cool environment and music - bartender and owner really cares about his customers and business - small but delicious drink menu - creative drink menu as well read more

What a cozy space. This is an idealistic setting for an evening cocktail or to just hang with friends in a non pretentious environment. Fabulous drinks. Look for the blacklight lit stairs to the right of the restaurant. read more

Upstairs Cocktail Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Queens, New York

Nice speakeasy type bar. Not too many tables so you want to get there early. Service is attentive and friendly, just be a little patient if it gets crowded. There was 1 bartender/server. We stayed for one round. Cozy spot. read more

This is such an amazing addition to the neighborhood. A much needed speakeasy cocktail bar. The owner Lee and his wonderful staff make this place like no other. They truly take care of you! Thank you Lee for your wonderful service and the memories we share together (if only I could remember them lol). read more

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Went here after having dinner at Kitchen 79 nearby and it was a great decision, it was a very small, intimate venue with a very hospitable bartender who was super friendly. Will definitely go back when I get the chance. I ordered an old fashioned cocktail and it was great! read more

Updated: been back a few times now and it's still great. Tell Ly the bartender, the types of things you like in your drink and I'll make a custom one just for you, but it's not. They finally have a menu now to. Their cherry soda is great, but then again, so is their Manhattan. read more

Upstairs Cocktail Bar - Some trippy stairs that lead up to the Upstairs Cocktail Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Queens, New York

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Great cocktails in a really cool space. Mellow vibe, a great place to have a conversation, and nothing else like it in Jackson Heights or Elmhurst. read more

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Such an unexpected place located literally upstairs on the 2nd floor of a building. I really liked the stairs area leading up to the bar with the white light and graphics on the wall - It heightens your excitement to get into the bar. Once you step inside the bar, it's a very cozy and intimate place with cool vibes. The cocktails our group ordered were good but generally pretty strong. The server there was super friendly and attentive in bringing us water all throughout our visit. It gets pretty crowded so if you're going with a group you might have to wait a bit to get a bigger seating area. read more

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Really fantastic drinks, a cute space, and Lee and Alan, who I think are the co-owners, both seem like great guys! It's also in a location conveniently near some great food spots. I will definitely be back! read more

I am so happy this exists in the neighborhood. The cocktails, I had an old fashioned and the blueberry old fashioned, are incredible. It's small, but the space works and is smartly utilized. The bartender/owner, Lee is friendly and so funny. The place is so well decorated and just a perfect space to have a cocktail or more.... There is also a rack to charge your cellphone! read more

The best cocktails in Jackson heights! Cool speakeasy vibes, incredible drinks, and the coolest bartender you'll ever meet. This place is a must if you're in the neighborhood and looking for a drink! read more

Upstairs Cocktail Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Queens, New York

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Upstairs Cocktail Bar is the bar that I've always dreamed of having in my neighborhood. It manages to be intimate, classy, and fun without being pretentious or obnoxious in any way. The vibe is very relaxed and welcoming. The decor is eclectic and unique and adds to an overall sense of comfort, almost as though you're hanging out in your friend's living room. That friend in this case happens to be Lee, the man behind the bar. Lee is the friend you never knew you were missing in your life. He's a great host, a fun storyteller, and an amazing mixologist. He makes the only perfect martini I've ever had in this neighborhood, and my friends who have ordered other cocktails off the menu have loved them as well. The bar offers an extensive range of liquor options, from well known brands and high-end single malts to samplings from lesser known local distilleries. I would definitely frequent this place more often if (a) I had unlimited wealth, and (b) it didn't take me a week to recover from my visits here. It's well worth it though, and I definitely plan to be back soon! read more

Awesome bar. Great drinks. Great bartender. You're going to want to come here again and again for a local haunt. It's an amazing place to chill on your own or bring your best buds! read more

Upstairs Cocktail Bar - Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Queens, New York

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Great cocktails, really beautifully mixed and served (lovely presentation/glassware) and very tasty. Reasonably priced. I tried a martini and an old fashioned both were delicious! Staff was kind and courteous. You should go! read more

Happy hour it's well over priced a 12 dollar drink cool place but come on dude ur drinks aren't that good read more

Upstairs Cocktail Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Queens, New York

This is a great place. I absolutely love going. The service is always top tier. The attention they give to their cocktails is undeniable. A true speakeasy experience. Every time I go It is always a respectful and friendly experience. read more

Amazing spot-- looking for aesthetic setting and speakeasy vibe? This is it! Love the Manhattan drink. And the bartender, also owner, can strike up a great conversation. Sassy guy, too! Even though I'm not a local I look forward to becoming Upstair's patron. read more

Upstairs Cocktail Bar - Entrance to Upstairs - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Queens, New York

I was asked to leave tonite due to an incident with a friend of mine a few weeks ago. I feel extremely apologetic and I must admit the bartender handled it with class. I will respect their wishes to not return but also I want to apologize for any incident that made the staff feel unworthy. This is a great bar with great cocktails and I only wish them the best. I'm sad because I was hoping for this to be my new fave local. All the best! I hope no hard feelings. read more

I live in the neighborhood, & didn't know about this little gem until a year after they opened ! It's truly the ONLY genuine cocktail bar in the area. The vibe reminds me of a boutique hotel bar read more

Great cocktail bar in Jackson heights- really like the vibe and has some of the best drinks. Cool space and nice for drinks before or after dinner :) nice addition to the neighborhood read more

awesome to finally have a local watering hole, although that's really underselling the space. it's a really cute, modern, well decorate little nook that's great for a date or small groups. the bartender/owner is friendly and clearly excited to be there, but not overly intrusive if you're the only ones in the space. the drinks were great. really nothing bad to say, hope this place thrives. read more