(212) 243-4940

204 Varick St (At Houston St)
New York, NY 10014 40.7285 -74.0052

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Neighborhoods: SoHo, Downtown

SOBS.COM

Years in business

Established in 1982

Hours:

Mon-Thu, hours vary depending on shows

Fri, 5pm-4am

Sat, 6:30pm-4am

Sun, 12pm-4pm

Last updated 5.10.11

Category:

Nightclubs, Bars & Clubs, Restaurants, Singles Bars

Payment Methods:

American Express, Diners Club, Discover, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Brunch

Cuisine:

Caribbean

Bar & Club Type of Music:

Reggae, Funk, Soul & R&B, Hip-Hop & Rap, Latin

Bar & Club Special Features:

Romantic Nightlife, Specialty Cocktails, Live Music

What People Are Saying About S.O.B.'s

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Background – The name stands for "Sounds of Brazil," but this nicely sized room, decorated in full bamboo tropical regalia, showcases everything from Trinidadian calypso and Jamaican reggae to Cuban salsa, samba and the latest in Afro-pop. It also pulls in big-name performers, old-school and new, like bossa nova queen Astrud Gilberto, R&B smasher Angie Stone, street poet Gil Scott Heron and the hip-hopping Beatnuts. – – The Experience – The kitchen offers decent fare and the drinks are appropriately fruity and exotic, encompassing mojitos and margaritas, as well as…

Editor's Tips

What to Eat:
Their menu has worldly choices that range from South American to Meditterranean, with a definite penchant for fish-based dishes.
What to Drink:
A long list of isle-inspired cocktails pack a fruity punch.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. recommend getting there early to get a good view of the stage, as well as ordering sangria and the 'volcano' chocolate cake.
  2. Keywords to watch out for 100% Brazilian fun: Carnaval, forro, samba.
  3. It is one of the most fun places to go dancing, eat great food, and/or listen to live music.
  4. Friendly atmosphere, Exotic mood, Great food!
  5. The logistics were simple, your help made the party easy to plan, and everyone loved the music and atmosphere!
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. recommend getting there early to get a good view of the stage, as well as ordering sangria and the 'volcano' chocolate cake.
  2. highly recommend the crab cakes, swordfish, and pork chops.
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. The food was pretty good and the drinks were strong.
  2. The tropical drinks and fabulous server had me smiling all night.
  3. Going to any performance is a great way to spend the evening, especially considering there is excellent food and drinks as well.
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. The food and entertainment, as well as the staff was excellent and we do plan to go back in the future.
  2. The food was tasty and affordable at $15-25/plate, the sangria was delicious, and the place wasn't too crowded that night (probably due to weather), though it filled in later.
  3. The food was pretty good and the drinks were strong.
  4. Overall a good place to check out if you're into tight music and good food.
  5. And the food was delicious.
  6. And the food is also tight, they have a good menu with dishes from a lot of different places.
  7. It is one of the most fun places to go dancing, eat great food, and/or listen to live music.
  8. Friendly atmosphere, Exotic mood, Great food!
  9. The food is amazing.
  10. highly recommend the crab cakes, swordfish, and pork chops.
  11. Going to any performance is a great way to spend the evening, especially considering there is excellent food and drinks as well.
  12. The food and service was excellent.
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. And the food is also tight, they have a good menu with dishes from a lot of different places.
  2. She made great recommendations and knew a lot about the menu.
overall
87.5% positive
  1. I'm definitely recommending you to anyone who needs a great place to have a party.
  2. This is a great place to hang out.
  3. Overall a good place to check out if you're into tight music and good food.
  4. like to go there when my favorite artist is set to perform, it's not a good place to socialize or drop in.
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. Overall, service was great, music was amazing and we will definitely be back!
  2. The food and entertainment, as well as the staff was excellent and we do plan to go back in the future.
service
100.0% positive
  1. The music and dance scene is actually pretty good, however the service is, without exception, the worst I, or anyone in my party has ever ex.
  2. Our party coordinator was a true professional & SOBs staff treated us like old friends - they couldn't do enough.
  3. The service was really great.
  4. it's some oThe staff is genuinely friendly, and genuinely like being there.
  5. The tropical drinks and fabulous server had me smiling all night.
  6. Overall, service was great, music was amazing and we will definitely be back!
  7. You have genuine people who just love good dancing and good music.
  8. The food and service was excellent.
  9. The food and entertainment, as well as the staff was excellent and we do plan to go back in the future.
  10. Peter, the general manager, is really friendly and helpful.
  11. The place was pretty crowded but the hostess was friendly and sat us immediately.
  12. We had a great time dancing and drinking and the staff was awesome!
  13. The place is huge and the people there are cool.
  14. One of the biggest reasons I keep going back is that the staff and the patrons are so friendly.
value
100.0% positive
  1. The place is huge and the people there are cool.
  2. The food was tasty and affordable at $15-25/plate, the sangria was delicious, and the place wasn't too crowded that night (probably due to weather), though it filled in later.
  3. She was very helpful and gave me a good price.
1 Star Rating: Poor

03/22/11

Brunch was a SOB

by NeriG

Wanted a brunch spot for my bday with a cool vibe, good music and tasty enough food. Unfortunately SOBs was not good. Of all the things we ate I would say half of them were boardering on gross. My girlfriends Salmon came out raw, my food was cold, and things on the menu they force you to buy (Pre Fixe) did not come out as described. The chicken I ordered promised collard greens, when I asked why my dish was served with another vegatable they then told me they ran out. I am pregnant, so I couldnt take advantage of the all you can drink Sangria, instead i ordered juice which they charged me for. Rediculous. Also the live music was good but in between VERY short sets they played the most snoozy dental office jazz that was lamer than lame. Its a Bazza Nova brunch. Play some salsa, latin jazz or anything that doesnt put you to sleep! Service was TERRIBLE. They were understaffed (and our server was NEW) and the manager stood at the front twiddling her thumbs the entire time not stepping in to help. With so many amazing choices for brunch in the city i was so regretting my decision to try SOBs. I wasnt expecting the best meal of my life since its a music venue, but I was expecting cool energetic vibe, edible food and decent service none of which we received.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/31/10

World Music & Food at its Best.

by JBRs

Over the last few years since I have lived in the area I have gone to SOB's maybe 5 or 6 times. Each time was for either a Hip-Hop or Reggae show but they do cater to all sorts of world music. Only on two of my visits was I adventurous enough to grab some food and both times I was surprised at how amazing the food was for a music venue. Me and my girlfriend got the island sliders and they were fricken amazing. And on the other occasion we got one of the best fish tacos I've had since moving to the city from Westchester. I would definitely go back for dinner one night.The service was good as well! If your into new music,a great atmosphere, and discovering up-and-coming hip-hop acts before they blow up, Sob's is worth the visit.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

08/10/10

Bhangra Night!!!

by rchase

We chose S.O.Bs for our singer's 40th birthday party. (by the way,,she barely looks 30: > )We had performed at a hindu wedding awhile back, fell in love with the music and decided to search for a place that provided just that..Well, SOBs was perfect!!! Not only did they play great music but they gave lessons too!! We had a great time.

The food was good, the service was EXCELLENT! We were treated like stars!! thanks to our wonderful waitress Edine, Cyrus and manager Peter, and most of all Sophie who helped put together the whole thing including a delicious red velvet birthday cake with sparklers,,the night was a success.We had our own little VIP section. It was really great!

I only wish the prices were a Teensy bit lower, but thats expected in the city. I highly recommend SOBs for dancing , dining and lots of laughter!!! If you'd like to see the pictures of our night, just look up Paris ny entertainment facebook fan page,,,im not plugging the band,,,im just letting you see the pics!!!

4 Star Rating: Recommended

07/13/10

Bossa Nova Brunch

by Natasha B

Sunday is my time to really relax before the week ahead and going to the Sunday Bossa Nova Brunch was the best way for me to do that. The brunch was more than just going to spend money on food; it was a way to kick it with my friends and feel the tropical island vibe. As soon as I drank my first sangria and ate my starter, the assorted empanadas w/ red pepper dip, I knew I was coming to S.O.Bs every Sunday. The Feijoada, Brazil’s National Stew of Pork, Beef & Black beans dish, the chocolate and banana empanadas, unlimited sangrias and live Brazilian music made me feel like I was right in Sao Paulo. Seriously, it’s not a Sunday if you’re not at the Bossa Nova Brunch!

  • Pros: Food & Live music
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/27/10

Great Live Music

by Wayne B Charles

This is my favorite spot in all of Manhattan. I especially like the monthly Solvillage Showcase hosted by Eric Roberson. He's a unique performer and always adds a bit of humor to the show.

The food is delightful and they pour generous drinks. The only drawback is the venue is rather small and if you don't reserve a table you will have to stand the entire show.

  • Pros: Live Music
  • Cons: Small Venue, Site Lines

The Details on S.O.B.'s

Place Categories:

  • excellent food
  • just love good music
  • great place
  • genuinely friendly othe staff
  • really great service
  • fun memories
  • just love good dancing
  • memorable event
  • helpful general manager
  • good entertainment
  • favorite artist
  • helpful peter
  • excellent drinks
  • best spot
  • full marching band
  • pretty good scene
  • really enjoyed energy
  • amazing sparklers
  • loved chili salmon
  • bother favorite artist
  • best venues
  • delicious sangria
  • fabulous server
  • nice look
  • highly recommend swordfish
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