(212) 620-5220

305 Spring St
New York, NY 10013 40.7261 -74.0085

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: SoHo, Downtown

SWAYLOUNGE.COM

Last updated 8.31.09

Category:

Bars & Pubs, Nightclubs, Bars & Clubs, Restaurants, Singles Bars, Lounges

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Bar & Club Type of Music:

DJ - Rock

Bar & Club Special Features:

Romantic Nightlife

What People Are Saying About Sway Lounge

Featured Review

Patrick Heig

Contributor

With its red lighting, chandeliers and Moorish arches, Sway has a sexy, exotic feel. There's no cover charge, but everyone is frisked for coolness by the doormen at the velvet ropes, and not all pass muster. Those who do are virtually guaranteed a good time at a full-on, anything-goes party, the kind where your new shoes get ruined but wearing them was the least of the many bad decisions you made that night. Most people don't show up until 1am, and leave, often with a stranger, when it closes at 4am.

ambiance
70.0% positive
  1. “The music is always fun regardless of the night, and there is no better place to sit back and do some people watching.”
  2. “great decor, chilled scene.”
  3. “The DJ occasionally veers into annoying '80s pop, while the attractive atmosphere could support more ethnic music.”
  4. “what awaits inside, if you even get through the incredibly rude and nasty people at the door, is nothing but more rude bar staff and musty/dusty decor.”
  5. “The music is always great and although the atmosphere is chic, it's down-to-earth at the same time.”
  6. “not uppity--like the trendy clubs with minimialist decor.”
  7. “Drinks are pretty average for NY - but the pint bottles of Bud Light (sounds silly I know) are fun - and the bottle are different and look pretty cool.”
  8. “used to be a really fun place where friends could meet up and enjoy themselves.”
  9. “so if you're looking to chill & have fun, you won't like sway.”
  10. “love the decor, the music, and the people watching.”
drinks
84.09000396728516% positive
  1. “If you like yummy drinks, a balanced co-ed mix of hotties and awesome music then Sway is where your going tonight.”
  2. “The first room with the bar has plenty of big maroon seats and music quiet enough to talk.”
  3. “Not only does he know how to make our drinks the way one could dream of but he's good to crack a joke and has the best smile and laugh on the planet!”
  4. “love the fact that you can actually hear great music here and the drinks are affordable and there is no cover charge.”
  5. “His service is quick, his drinks are good, and he's hot too!”
  6. “Great drinks, great crowd, great music!”
  7. “Sway is a great place to drink and dance your cares away any night of the week.”
  8. “The bartenders never shy away from making a good stiff drink and some of them have become very inventive with the libations.”
  9. “Great crowd, great music and good drinks.”
  10. “Why get a drink anywhere else, it's free to get in and Steve is the best bartender around town.”
  11. “The crowd looks good, drinks a lot and dances like they just don't care!”
  12. “Unfortunately, the doorstaff actually kept the place too quiet, as the bar was pretty slow at 2.30 on Saturday night.”
  13. “had heard that there was a bad door policy before going, but funny thing is, the four times I have been, the door staff and the bar staff have been great!”
  14. “There are good looking people, drinks to be had, incredible djs, and the people that work there are all gems.”
  15. “The staff is friendly and it seems more like home than it does a bar.”
  16. “This is my favorite bar/club in the city.”
  17. “The bar is a good value and uncrowded, and the barmaids are friendly and refreshingly prompt.”
  18. “Amazing music and the best cocktails in the city?”
  19. “what awaits inside, if you even get through the incredibly rude and nasty people at the door, is nothing but more rude bar staff and musty/dusty decor.”
  20. “Generally speaking, I am easy to please - with three requirements - good music, hot girls, and an easily-accessible bar to quench my neverending thirst for alcohol.”
  21. “The bartenders were nice , but the drinks are expensive.”
  22. “If you want to stay in line, pay a fortune for a bad drink (watered down and all) and then being insulted, then please by all means go there!”
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. “Dance all night long or sit and chat with friends and enjoy the delicious libations?”
  2. “If you like yummy drinks, a balanced co-ed mix of hotties and awesome music then Sway is where your going tonight.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “anyway, whether its the glam-hop kids on mondays, the suits on the weekend, or the hipsters on sunday nights, i think sway is good place to go for anyone looking to just let loose and have a good time.”
  2. “Sway is a great place to drink and dance your cares away any night of the week.”
  3. “on its best nights, everyone dances, everyone has a great time, everyone goes home either happy, with their closest friends, or with someone new, and theres a feeling of "man, things got just a little CRAZY in there" like the entire place could collective”
  4. “It is, however a good place to go if you have a big group.”
service
73.08000087738037% positive
  1. “what awaits inside, if you even get through the incredibly rude and nasty people at the door, is nothing but more rude bar staff and musty/dusty decor.”
  2. “The bar is a good value and uncrowded, and the barmaids are friendly and refreshingly prompt.”
  3. “The black bouncer was just as rude.”
  4. “The bartenders never shy away from making a good stiff drink and some of them have become very inventive with the libations.”
  5. “Great crowd full of people out to have a good time and dance- not at all snobby!”
  6. “The staff is friendly and it seems more like home than it does a bar.”
  7. “His service is quick, his drinks are good, and he's hot too!”
  8. “Music's still great and it's mostly cool people inside.”
  9. “Extremely rude staff, unfriendly - a similar feeling to a prison.”
  10. “One of Sway's greatest assets (and I stress the word 'ass' in assets) is their amazing staff.”
  11. “The music is always fun regardless of the night, and there is no better place to sit back and do some people watching.”
  12. “That was back when they still had free Red Stripe on mondays and the people at the door were still kinda cool(the bartenders were always jerks).”
  13. “The bartenders, women and men, are probably some of the best eye candy in the city.”
  14. “Perhaps when one has a BMI in the obese to quite obese, it leads to treating people blatantly rude.”
  15. “Unless you can get the entire back, there is really not enough room to have a decent (10+) group of people.”
  16. “If you're looking for a rockin' place to hear great music, see great looking people, and have a blast.”
  17. “The music is awesome and the bartenders are so nice.”
  18. “Why get a drink anywhere else, it's free to get in and Steve is the best bartender around town.”
  19. “this place usually draws beautiful people, but last night, the girl at the door was turning down the more attractive types for their shorter, fatter counterparts.”
  20. “Bad music, rude service and they threw my friend out of her B-Day party even though she paid a fortune to reserve a room!”
  21. “The bartenders were nice , but the drinks are expensive.”
  22. “There are good looking people, drinks to be had, incredible djs, and the people that work there are all gems.”
  23. “...talk about rude door staff.”
  24. “had heard that there was a bad door policy before going, but funny thing is, the four times I have been, the door staff and the bar staff have been great!”
  25. “love the decor, the music, and the people watching.”
  26. “bartenders were really friendly, dj was spot on.”
value
87.5% positive
  1. “Good scene, great DJ, decent prices.”
  2. “love the fact that you can actually hear great music here and the drinks are affordable and there is no cover charge.”
  3. “The bar is a good value and uncrowded, and the barmaids are friendly and refreshingly prompt.”
  4. “The bartenders were nice , but the drinks are expensive.”
wait time
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “Dance all night long or sit and chat with friends and enjoy the delicious libations?”
  2. “His service is quick, his drinks are good, and he's hot too!”
  3. “Unfortunately, the doorstaff actually kept the place too quiet, as the bar was pretty slow at 2.30 on Saturday night.”
1 Star Rating: Poor

12/04/10

Dangerous spot for Women

by jms534

The vibe here was great in the beginning. However, I arrived alone, and the bouncer wouldn't let me in. I was polite and just waited for my friends. Hours later, when I was in, I went to use the women's bathroom. There was a man in there when I walked out of the stall who I accidentally hit with the stall door. The man asked why I hit him and the bouncer blamed me, later asking me to leave. I was so disgusted that the bouncer advocated for a man who was in the women's bathroom, who then almost locked the bathroom door on me. I felt threatened. Another bouncer then told me I had to leave as I was intimidating. He was about 6'5". I'm 5'4". I was so upset by such injustice. I've never had this experience in all my nights out. I hope people boycott this place. It was a terrible experience.

1 Star Rating: Poor

05/22/10

Rude and Stupid

by sirene84

$40 credit card minimum and there isn't even an ATM in the place. When I ordered my drinks and handed the bartender my card he informed me of the minimum and I said I'm not going to get to that. He grabbed my drinks and threw them out. He didn't even tell me where I could get cash - made it really easy for me not to patronize that place.

  • Pros: decent music
  • Cons: rude staff, $40 credit card minimum
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/26/10

Best Lounge on the East Coast

by lindeberg39

I have been going to Sway Lounge in Soho for the past 5 years. It is THE place to go in my book. The waitresses are sexy and your drinks are brought to your table in the blink of an eye. The bartenders, women and men, are probably some of the best eye candy in the city. The young lady who manages Sway is always ensuring that everyone is having a good time. Customer service at a lounge? Unheard of before my visit to Sway. The DJ pumps out hit after hit which does create a problem at times. Dance all night long or sit and chat with friends and enjoy the delicious libations? Amazing music and the best cocktails in the city?The conundrum never ends. Sway is a rare gem amongst dull gray stones. Don't be intimidated by the door policy because it is strictly enforced. And, to be honest, I absolutely love that. It's NYC. If you don't come out looking like you should be invited into the hot spots why should you be? The place is packed full of the hottest girls and guys in NYC. Takes me back to the days when going out in NYC meant something. Sway is definitely following that heritage and tradition. I look forward to the weekend so I can get my good times rolling at Sway! Cheers to Sway Lounge for making NYC nightlife a wonderful and unique experience!

  • Pros: Gorgeous cocktails, waitresses. and ambiance
  • Cons: The party ever ends
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/25/10

My Favorite Bar!!!

by abslnthe

This is my favorite bar/club in the city. I have fun every time I go there. The crowd is different every night of the week, but every one is just there to have a good time. The bartenders never shy away from making a good stiff drink and some of them have become very inventive with the libations. The music is always fun regardless of the night, and there is no better place to sit back and do some people watching. The staff is friendly and it seems more like home than it does a bar. I couldn't think of a better place to see my friends or go out for a night on my own, but regardless of who I am with, the night always winds up being fun, crazy, and just a little bit on the edge.

  • Pros: Great drinks and good music!
  • Cons: 
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/25/10

great time

by blowyurself

every time i go here i have a great time!

  • Pros: strong drinks

The Details on Sway Lounge

Place Categories:

  • great music
  • best place
  • beautiful people
  • good yummy drinks
  • rude door staff
  • great crowd
  • best monday nights
  • unique experience
  • incredible dj
  • rude bar staff
  • enjoy delicious libations
  • refreshingly prompt barmaids
  • all good sway
  • great chilled scene
  • big group
  • not like apparatenly sway
  • bad drink
  • rude service
  • annoying pop
  • fun pint bottles
  • not so bad saturday nights
  • best cocktails
  • even bother wouldnt
  • nice bartenders
  • great decor
Advertisement

Featured In

Recent Reviews In Manhattan

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

The Carriage House

219 East 59th Street,, New York,, NY

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

La Zarza Lounge

166 First Ave, New York, NY

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Broadway Comedy Club

318 W 53rd St, New York, NY

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Katra

217 Bowery, New York, NY

Advertisement