Sophie's
(212) 228-5680
507 E Fifth St
(at Between Avenue A and Avenue B)
New York,
NY
10009
40.7248
-73.9841
Neighborhoods: Downtown, East Village, Alphabet City
What People Are Saying About Sophie's
The Editor
Karen Hudes
Citysearch
The Scene
Once located around the corner on Sixth Street and Avenue A, this long-standing neighborhood favorite still has its original oak bar, now worn down past the polish to a fine grain. Weeknights, the space gradually fills up with a young, hip crowd, and weekends, it becomes a roaring spot for local habitues to kick off the evening or hang out all night.
The Draw
The jukebox is renowned for its brilliant homemade mix CDs and knowledgeable selection of indie, punk and soul. Additional entertainment includes the in-demand pool table and the popular, rifle-equipped Buck Hunter video game. Drinks are refreshingly cheap, if not quite refreshing--the canned juice in the mixed drinks has an aluminum tinge, and the McSorley's ale is lightweight--but options such as the nutty Newcastle provide a solid alternative.
User Reviews
catsanddogs
March 10, 2009
Although not for everyone - thank god - Sophie's is indeed an old fashioned, unapologetic, dirty, grouchy, poetic, genuine NY dive with its own subtle code of conduct and cast of characters. There is room for everyone here, but no one is going to go out of their way to make you feel welcome - or unwelcome for that matter - when you walk in the door. But if you give it some time, you're likely to feel the warm and comfortable vibe that quietly floats around this place.
read full reviewpophops
June 09, 2008
Sophie's looked like it was on the chopping block for awhile there but it seems to have been saved from the plight of becoming a Wine Bar. That's real good news for a city that seems ever homegenized and less and less interesting. Sophies is really one of the very few remaining East Village (hell, city-wide) bars that is the real thing. Yeah, it's a little raw at the edges but it's authentic. Perhaps there aren't enough people left in NYC who appreciate what a bar should be, and that's a crying shame but for those who don't want to smoke a hookah, or play Rockstar, or god forbid sing Karaoke, Sophie's is a living breathing reminder of what the East Village, New York, and all great places should be.
read full review
yankeesandbeer
July 14, 2005
Sophie's is the place to grab some cheap pitchers and hang out with friends. If you're young and looking to meet people I recommend Fridays or Saturdays, otherwise the crowd can be a bit sketchy but you gotta love it anyway. The jukebox is in pretty high demand and the bathrooms aren't so hot but it's what makes us love the place.
read full reviewThe Details on Sophie's
Save Money:
There's no happy hour, but a pint of McSorley's is always $3.
When to Go:
Choosing a place for a casual first date? On low-key weeknight evenings, this is a good spot for conversation and a playful game of pool.
Smoking Permitted:
No
