I am reviewing what it is - a dive bar. This neighborhood is gritty and full of energy and the bar fits right in. Strong drinks (vodka soda $7, PBR $3). Is it clean -no. Will it have a specialty cocktail- also no. Will you get a strong drink and play pool with strangers yes. The music is loud but still able to have a conversation. The bathrooms are colorful but seemed fairly clean. Opens at 3 no food but there are some options near. This bar is part of the Lady Gaga east village history. So 5 stars for what it is a dive bar that accepts anyone and serves up a good drink. read more

Welcome to the Johnson's - Vodka soda - Dive Bars Near Me - New York, New York

The almost extinct true dive bar. Great atmosphere and cheap prices. Don't expect anything more than what you get. read more

Welcome to the Johnson's - $3 PBR, cheap everything else - Dive Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Went in with intentions to buy drinks and play pool but got kicked out for trying to use the bathroom. Staff was so so rude, came up to us in line for the bathroom and told us we needed to leave if we weren't buying drinks. Asked us where we were from, we said Brooklyn, and they said "Why the fuck are you here then". It's also a Tuesday night, so it wasn't like we were kicked out to make room for others. There was barely anyone there, the ones who were looked under 21. Ridiculous I'm never coming back here. read more

100% my vibe. A cozy cool dive bar. Truly nothing special yet I loved every moment of it. You can't beat $3 PBRs. Also the bartender was playing Men I Trust so I was immediately sold. read more

Welcome to the Johnson's - a decorated christmas tree - Dive Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Extremely disrespectful and rude upon first interaction. The bartender immediately started yelling at our group to quickly order drinks or we would be kicked out. firstly, we had just arrived hadn't even had a chance to sit. secondly, they were no way near their closing time so the rush had no justifying. Some of the people in our group had to use the restroom upon arrival prior to ordering their drinks and that apparently was very upsetting to the ill mannered bartender. And when, even though we shouldn't have had to, we rushed to order drinks he asked us where we were coming from. Not even focusing on our orders he seemed so eager to receive. Once we explained we had come from another place close by that had too long of a line, he immediately screamed and yelled for us to leave. Bar hopping, which we didn't even do, is very common in manhattan so I'm not sure what justification he felt. He obviously wanted us to leave his very empty, shall I say, bar. The two groups there were very creepy older men and highschool boys. If you are gonna get so upset for bathroom usage; maybe check ids better before letting 17 year old boys in. Or hire a kinder bartender, a job solely focusing on costumer service. I don't understand how this was ever recommended as a good place to anyone at any time. read more

I have had Welcome to the Johnson's on my yelp list for a while, so went by when in the neighborhood. It was ok. The bartender was awesome, the people were nice. Otherwise, it didn't stand out from any other dive bar. If in the area, I would come back, but don't know that I would make a special trip. Drinks are cheaper than other places, there's a nice pool table in the back. Otherwise, it was pretty 'fine.' read more

Cheapest dive bar left in all of NYC with $3 cans of PBR. It looks a lot like an old frat house basement. The bartender on Sat evening was very friendly. They also have water jugs at the far end of the bar. No food is served here, but they apparently do allow you to bring in outside food. Make sure you bring your ID. They ID everyone, even if you look 60 years old. There is a $15 credit card minimum, but with such cheap drinks, better off just paying in cash. I remember many years ago they used to have a jukebox and played punk rock, but now they only seem to play pop music. Only reason why I can't leave them 5 stars. Otherwise, great dive bar and always filled with unique characters. read more

don't really know why my friend took me here of all places. I asked for a Moscow mule and they said they could not make fancy cocktails. Never really looked at a Moscow mule as a cocktail before but it's all about perspective I suppose. Instead I threw back a few tequila pineapples as god intended. The plastic on the sofa reminded me of the olden times in Poland. I left for a reason ! read more

Welcome to the Johnson's - Back panel wall and seats - Dive Bars Near Me - New York, New York

A very interesting ambiance. I went in and immediately disassociated. Looks like a basement you are sure you were once in but can't pinpoint where. Prices seemed okay but I got extremely claustrophobic in the dark cramped space. Not my scene, but I'm sure it might be for someone else. read more

We walked to Manhattan from Brooklyn and we're craving a nice cold beer. My wife's cousin looked up some places and really wanted to try this place. (He lives in NY and said all drinks are expensive and saw this has a drink and shot special). It reminded us instantly of back home. So much that we all ordered Pabst- except for his wife, she ordered a mixed drink. Nice comfy little place. It woulda been nice to play a game of pool. We would come back. Prob best place I drank in NYC. The drinks were actually made good read more

See all

This place was cool for about 3 years after it opened. Now it's soft and sad. There are 10 other dive bars within a stones throw of this place that are down. Go to them. Don't go here. read more

Welcome to the credit card theft. I came with my daughter and her friends last night. She gave the bartender her credit card, which was then returned to the wrong person. Shortly afterwards, there were fraudulent charges on her card. When she texted the bartender today to ask for the owner/manager's contact for help in dealing with her credit card company, she got this response: "So the guy who misplaced your card is the manager, that's the thing :/ it's happened to me before tho, you just have to call your bank and dispute the charges and they give you the money back Sorry again for the headache not sure how else I can help" No responsibility taken, no apology call or anything from incompetent manager. STAY AWAY! read more

I went to welcome to the Johnsons for the first time tonight. The bartender Eddie was so welcoming and accommodating, I would definitely recommend to my friends for the cheap brews. read more

Welcome to the Johnson's - Dive Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Admittedly, not my vibe at all, but ended up here for a friend's birthday. Don't try and order prosecco, or even wine lol. But they make a special drink called the painkiller which is like a frozen slushy type pina colada which was ok! And they have lots of PBR, Modelo etc. Noise level was like a 7/10. I had conversations with people, but had no voice the next day. The music and vibes were really fun and great-not too crowded either, but lively which was nice! Deff recommend if you're looking for a true NYC Dive read more

Not a place to take your mother--my favorite bar in LES. 2 dollar PBRs. If you order the frozen Painkiller, make sure you have a friend to shove you into an Uber later. Coolest bartenders in the city--John and Erica, you have my heart forever. read more

Welcome to the Johnson's - Dive Bars Near Me - New York, New York

$2 PBRs. 'nuff said. There's a review which mentions a woman being assaulted by the owner of the bar though, I'm wondering if that person was the owner, because if so I would definitely not be supporting this spot. Cheap drinks aren't worth people's dignities, man. Be better!! :/ Beside the $2 PBR & possibly gross ownership: this bar barely qualifies as a dive bar, in the sense that it's that much more grimey lol. read more

A dirty dive that I love! There's a pool table, tons of kitschy art and always cheap beer. There's plastic wrapped couches! Yikes! And for Halloween there was the creepiest collections of clown art covering the walls and even the ceiling with a three dimensional clown. I don't know what it is about me but I always end up and creepy clown bars. Come here for cheap drinks, fun tunes and a taste of LES. read more

Welcome to the Johnson's - Creepy clown art! - Dive Bars Near Me - New York, New York

It was a warm November evening. The streets reeked of poison and hope. It was the day after my girlfriends birthday. The angels burned us with a deep longing for cheep booze with a whisper of chaos. Alas, Welcome to the Johnson called upon us. $5 mixed drinks. Can't miss. read more

Thank god this place is still open. As someone else said "Not a place to take your mother" but emulates the essence of a good bar -- Cheap shot+beer, good music and pool table. Just got to fend for yourself! read more

Cheap. Dank. Videos. Good crowd. Pool. Couches. Dive. Go. Here. Bring a video tape, maybe they'll play it. It's that kind of spot. read more

Top quality. Love the frozen drinks. The bartenders are cool. Couches to sit on. Drinks reasonably priced

Definitely one of the weirdest bars I've been to. Really embracing the "Shitty Dive Bar" aesthetic here... Two dollar PBRs (let's be real here, that's what they're worth), and a one-dollar pool table. A bunch of couches, and weird pictures on the wall. It all has the feel of the basement of that weird uncle of yours. All odd and retro, to the point where paying for the pool table involved putting coins in the slots, and then having to go ask the bartender why only three of the billiard balls came out, only to have a patron grab one of the cues and jam it into the hole where the balls come from in order to wrench them out. Seems... honestly? Seems about right. We got exactly what we paid for. For better or worse. read more

This bar, for lack of a better word is shitty as hell. Yes I know it's a dive and to stay true to the aesthetic it is dark and grimey and dirty but that's not even my gripe. My coworker and I would come in here after work because we would be too dressed down for other bars. I feel like the bouncer was an asshole the times we went. After being a little intoxicated and I was waiting in front of the bathroom, the bouncer who was standing up next to the bathroom door told me I was skipping the line because he had to pee... another time we tried to go in the bathroom together and was told we cannot go in there two at a time.. a guy and a girl I get it for obvious reasons but don't most girls go to the bathroom together when out?? read more

Welcome to the Johnson's - Dive Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Fascinating. My friend describes this place as "a living room from the 70's that someone just died in". It's not that it tries to be creepy exactly but it achieves creepiness by trying to be normal. You just have to see it. Cold beer, nice bartender, fun crowd. Has to be experienced. read more

Wow now this place redefines diveness in a dive bar. Located in my favorite east side of the city, we stumbled into this bar while waiting for some friends. This place has definitely some really wierd/interesting ambience and setup. Here are few of my observations about Johnson's - * Drinks are cheap * Tons of interesting people * Some really interesting family pictures on the walls close to bar * A couch at one corner where you will be tempted to sit down. Take my advice avoid it and you will thank me It is a good place to kill time and get drunk before to other places in LES. read more

Keep the black light at home folks. You don't want to see what's lining these walls and caking the floors. Hell, the bathroom in all of its putrid odor is visually remarkable for its amateur graffiti layout and a miracle it even has soap. The appeal is the drinks. Lots of them, for cheap. Do not be surprised if the crowd around you is not only younger but more hammered than you are. If you're amazed by the prices, I suggest you join in the debauchery and parlay some $2 PBRs, or their fantastically priced well cocktails. You can sit on the couches, but beware of what was sitting there before you. Also, there's a pool table that many folks on a busy night will jockey to play. The table has more stains from spills than BP does in the ocean, but in patronizing this place you shouldn't really care. Welcome to the Johnson's. The consummate dive bar of the LES faithful. Some things just never change and this is a place where you can escape the pretension and enjoy the atmosphere of a dingy, basement-like, aromatic (in the nicest way possible) spot that will never lose its charm. read more

Let me preface this by saying I love dive bars. I can appreciate the dirty ones. I didn't use the bathroom here btw so I can't comment on exactly how dirty this one is. What I hated about this bar was the "vibe" and the crowd. I've never felt less welcome at a bar. As soon as we walked in, people were pushing around us with sour expressions. Some really shady looking drunk guy almost fell on us and gave us dirty looks. It seemed super cliquey like everyone was a regular. Some dude was passed out by the pool table. Then some other guy walked in, started yelling and immediately removed his shirt. Wtf? Maybe I wasn't drunk enough or maybe you need to be a regular to feel comfortable here. I couldn't finish my beer fast enough. Btw, I look like I belong in a dive, I didn't walk in here dressed like Elle from Legally Blonde (although that shouldn't excuse rudeness) but I just mean it wasn't like I looked out of place, this bar just had a weird, unfriendly vibe. Oh and don't let the old reviews fool ya - the clown stickers (my main reason for coming here) are gone from the mirror. read more

I don't get the low reviews. You're here for $2 PBR. That is the only reason why you're here. If you wanted something else, you would go somewhere else. But instead you're here. For cheap beer. Not ambiance. Not service with a smile (though my bartender was nice enough). But beer of the variety that you can get 2 cans for $5 and either spend your night pounding that swill (PBR is swill, which is totally fine on the right night), or as a starter to save you money at more expensive bars. So get over yourselves? Yes. Get over yourselves. read more

After enjoying Full Bunny Contact we wanted to chill for a moment before moving on. This YELP find was perfect and was exactly as others described. Be careful as you may walk right past the entrance which is slightly hidden by scaffolding. A fun time, great people watching. Beware of the plastic couch! You may stick to it and never see daylight again or you may get poked by a renegade spring. We got some cans of pbr, took in the scene, then were on our merry way once we detached ourselves from the plastic couch. read more

Always a solid time. Especially if you snag a seat on the old, vintage sofas. It basically looks like the basement in Wayne's World. 80's wooden panel walls. Couches covered in clear plastic (good for avoiding any spillage). Of course, there's PBRs galore. And the prices are CHEAP. A much needed spot for a neighborhood full of some less casual (and super crowded) bars. There's pool. There's vintage VHS movies playing on the small tv above the bar. Totally laid back spot. I had half a bagel with me - no problem. Completely unrelated: La Caverna is across the street. Bad memories. Ew. read more

Great drinks and a perfect price point. Rachel took care of a full bar and we had an amazing time

Great dive bar with couches with plastic on them. $2 PBR and free pizza on the bar. Loses stars from me because the Couch in the back literally had springs poking thru and lighting was horrible . Also, I'm obviously not the age demographic and was getting a little vibe from the staff because of it. The bartender actually was concerned I wouldn't drink $20 worth to start a tab on my card. Seriously? Great jukebox tunes and pool table. Bathroom was gross. read more

Welcome to the Johnson's - Had to lighten this picture up because of the ambient light - Dive Bars Near Me - New York, New York

See all

What a sh×t show this place was but I had a blast! You can't beat $2 PBR special. Interesting crowd and you will meet friends here and have so much fun. The theme is trashy American 50s. Plastic on couches really take their theme home, but who cares it's all good! I would come back here for another seedy LES experience with friends. read more

There's dive bars.... and then there's Welcome to the Johnson's! The toilet pictures pretty much sum up this place- dirty and dingy. The most fascinating part is that the bar TRIES to be like this! These owners are genius because somehow they've successfully made a cheap bar like this a place where people actually want to hang out. You walk in this place and immediately think you're in an old frat house. Bad lighting, dirty couches, old refrigerator where drinks are kept all = Welcome to the Johnsons. I give this place 4 stars because unlike other bars, this one purposely tries to recreate your grandma's basement. They're not trying to act like this elegant classy establishment. People who go here know exactly what it's like and know what they're gonna get. If it is your first time there, make sure you bring low expectations and several one dollar bills for the lukewarm beers. read more

Welcome to the Johnson's - This pic pretty much sums it all up! - Dive Bars Near Me - New York, New York

We came here for a friend's birthday on a Tuesday night. The venue is ok. I feel it's sticky everywhere. It looks kinda cool and hippie. We all had some beers there. The price was pretty good. The pool table looked nice but there were too many people to wait for it. The bar tender was friendly and the juke box looks cool. read more

You know how sometimes you just don't want to leave your living room and go to the bar? Welcome to the Johnson's understands that, and embraces it, to keep you the happiest customer you can be. And let me tell you, it's working. Located in the East Village, this local dive has been labeled Lady Gaga's favorite bar in the city, and it's no wonder as to why. There's a homey feel when you enter, alongside a lot of decor (I visited a few weekends before Halloween), and there's just no pressure for you to do what you need to do -- drink and hang out with your buds. You can even play pool if you're so inclined, or flirt with the random hipsters who made their way out of Williamsburg to Manhattan (joking -- sort of). With cheap drinks and mellow vibes, it is just what I'm looking for in a bar. Will definitely have to come back sooner rather than later! read more

Total dive, but I loved it. Looks just like some of my friend's houses from the 80s, complete with family portraits on the wall. They had $4 tequila rose shot specials, which Mo P. downed, and their wells were $4 as well. Great place to go in between our speakeasy priced drinks to even out the wallet. They have a pool table, video games, and a big stack of VHS tapes too. read more

Welcome to the Johnson's - Pool table - Dive Bars Near Me - New York, New York

We are from Chicago, and love unique local bars. We were just walking around the Lower East Side which was a ghost town on a Monday. JOHNSONS totally caught our attention. The sign outside saying DEVILS WAITING ROOM made us laugh and the atmosphere and attitude drew us in. The decor was unbelievable, so unique. They were playing a vhs tape of Alfred Hitchcock's movie "Vertigo" which was playing on a tube TV. There was a a Vintage/creepy vibe going on for upcoming HALLOWEEN. Which was cool! The Bloody Mary, Kate made me was "made with love" and a unique mix of ingredients that made it one of the best Bloody Marys I have ever had. The "locals" and the bartender Kate made it a kick ass NY EXPERIENCE!! You must go, maybe we will see you there cuz we will definitely go there next time we're in NYC! read more

See all

good drinks, cheap beers! no frills here so don't come if you're not down for that. personally i don't mind and neither do my friends because it's kinda what gives the place its vibe. it's cash only below $20 i believe? so be ready for that read more

They absolutely have some low price drinks. All mixed well drinks are $5 and the place is totally drive. But it can get really crowded with some terribly drunk and obnoxious people. I would come back for some cheap drinks. read more