169 Bar

Though Chinatown is largely bereft of bars, this dingy dive serves as a scuzzy sanctuary for downtowners hunkering in the area tenements. 169 is more festive than the average bottom-feeding bar, with lush foliage, deep red-and-black booths and swimming fish keeping watchful eyes on the leopard-print pool table. Come early weekdays, and 169 is pin-drop quiet; however, the scene grows feverish late-night, when bands plug into amps and DJs crank speakers ‘til last call.

Editor's Tips

Save Money:: Head in before 7:30pm for $3 Yuengling pints, $2 shots and well cocktails discounted $3.
Fun Fact:: Decades ago, 169's frequent fisticuffs earned the dive the nickname "Bloody Bucket."
The Extras:: Hungry? Head down the block to Handmade Noodle Shop (144 East Broadway) for juicy pork-and-chive dumplings or steaming beef noodle soup.

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User Reviews (35)

ambiance	83.33000183105469% positive	“The decor is warm and inviting with a New Orleans charm, the music is always perfect for the occasion, with a DJ that is awesome.” “The staff is unbelievably rude and the atmosphere is pretty gross (and I have been to a lot of dive bars).” “don't know if it's new owners, or new bookers, but the atmosphere was cool.” “really cozy, great lighting and laid-back, no more loud, crappy rock bands.” “friendly, warm atmosphere filled with an entertaining garden area, pool table, dance floor, and lounge area.” “also it gets really trippy and fun as you get buzzed because of the interior design and seriously sometimes, the artists are so talented.”
drinks	84.61999893188477% positive	“the music performers were also awesome, i dont think there is a bar in the city that has so many unknown yet really freaking great performers, they must really spend a lot of time going through demo kits picking out the best, one after the other, and it o” “Real good vibe, great DJ, and live music, creative drinks, friendly staff” “Even your most loyal friends will leave frustrated after shelling out $10 at the door and sitting in a dirty bar for 3 hours.” “best bar in nyc” “huge help-yourself ceramic water tanks on the bar along side sangria glass jars, I counted 10 different infusions, banana rum was my favorite last night but the orange, strawberry and pear vodkas also rocked., the bartender let us try all of them in littl” “wouldn't mind as much if they had good drink deals but they don't.” “There were plenty of people in the audience that might enjoy live music, but because of their "POLICY" which serves no real purpose in my opinion, we hauled our stuff there and hauled it right back home again even though their bar was 1)promoted on our si” “I've been coming to this bar for years, the new owner has really changed everything, apparently he's a life long muscian from New Orleans and and has really brought that aesthetic and his understanding of music to what was once a dark hole of a bar voted ” “The drinks were fairly priced, and the musicians performing were really good!” “If you're looking for a bar that doesn't cater to annoying wanna-be hipsters, this is it.” “Do yourself a favor and search "169 bar scam" on your favorite search engine.” “not a band friendly bar” “169 Bar is the most honest and awesome bar I know of, they are very cool to everyone, great vibe!”
food quality	100.0% positive	“Got some good chinese food right on the corner too.” “good crowd, it no longer smells like fried food, and the music always rocks.”
overall	100.0% positive	“It's a good place for after work and way after work, at any hour it's a real good time.”
service	73.33000183105469% positive	“The staff is a bunch of a holes, that don't even like music.” “The staff is unbelievably rude and the atmosphere is pretty gross (and I have been to a lot of dive bars).” “many people have said that the waitstaff is very rude.” “The staff was nice and I really dug the musicians.” “The bartender at this place was so awesome.” “The staff was real professional and cool, the promoters were both great, and the crowd was real receptive.” “Real good vibe, great DJ, and live music, creative drinks, friendly staff” “not a band friendly bar” “Friendly staff.” “And most importantly, you can have conversations with people and hear them, good music levels !” “friendly, warm atmosphere filled with an entertaining garden area, pool table, dance floor, and lounge area.” “huge help-yourself ceramic water tanks on the bar along side sangria glass jars, I counted 10 different infusions, banana rum was my favorite last night but the orange, strawberry and pear vodkas also rocked., the bartender let us try all of them in littl” “There were plenty of people in the audience that might enjoy live music, but because of their "POLICY" which serves no real purpose in my opinion, we hauled our stuff there and hauled it right back home again even though their bar was 1)promoted on our si” “Type of place where people pay $10 to see their friends play a bad show and then leave promptly after the show is done.” “The staff is cool as sh*t...i came to see a friends band and hung out all night, got loads of buy backs, every one got wasted including the bartender we ended up siging Karyoke till”
value	100.0% positive	“huge help-yourself ceramic water tanks on the bar along side sangria glass jars, I counted 10 different infusions, banana rum was my favorite last night but the orange, strawberry and pear vodkas also rocked., the bartender let us try all of them in littl” “wouldn't mind as much if they had good drink deals but they don't.”
wait time	100.0% positive	“I've been coming to this bar for years, the new owner has really changed everything, apparently he's a life long muscian from New Orleans and and has really brought that aesthetic and his understanding of music to what was once a dark hole of a bar voted ”

05/10/10

best bar in nyc

Contributor

dont listen to these bands...this bar is a jewal in nyc...these musicians are stupid losers

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03/30/10

Absolute A-Holes, Horrible to Bands-DONT GO HERE

by bigfan090

Upon entering this club, there is a nice feel, but BANDS BEWARE! On a rainy night, if you don't bring the minimum, doesn't matter what you say....they will send you home, no play, not even pay to play. You get a firm..."sorry that's our policy-not my fault" from the sound guy. These people are not about the music, they're not even interested in the people you did bring and the drinks you bought yourself. Even if there are NO other bands on that night, you will not even get to set up if you don't bring the minimum. It says on their website that your show may be delayed or canceled....but REALLY? No one else in NY does this...It's one thing to not bring enough people and then never to be asked to play there again....BUT to not even be allowed to set up and play? There were plenty of people in the audience that might enjoy live music, but because of their "POLICY" which serves no real purpose in my opinion, we hauled our stuff there and hauled it right back home again even though their bar was 1)promoted on our sites and 2)never verified in email communications when we booked the gig about the policy. Now mind you, we are actually a very good band...schooled, tight, fun and appropriate, but I hesitate to ask if they even listened to the music at all. This BAR REPRESENTS EVERYTHING THAT IS WRONG WITH MUSIC TODAY. BE WARNED....STAY FAR FAR AWAY.

Pros: none
Cons: everything

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02/02/10

not a band friendly bar

by Tom Luxem

This is another one of those clubs that can't draw a crowd. So there solution is to solicit bands to play in the bar as long as they bring at least 10 of their friends that pay the cover.

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08/05/09

There are well over 169 resons to avoid this place...

by zeffer555

I could gladly list over 169 reasons not to go into the 169 bar...but I don't have to. I will simply mention the only 1 thing that matters...it's bogus.

Skinhead criminals run the joint and the cops let them get away with it.

And the women who work there gag on you know what 24/7...but not yours.

Give this place not one single dime.

Pros: None.
Cons: Evertying about the place is bogus...

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06/24/09

Biggest scammer of musicians & fans in NYC

by NJrocker1

I'm completely blown away by how many positive reviews there are for this bar. Most of them must be from the owners and their friends. Do yourself a favor and search "169 bar scam" on your favorite search engine. You will read the real horror stories about this place.

Here's their scam in a nutshell: they overbook bands (we're talking about a dozen bands in one evening). Then your band will never get to play that evening unless you bring enough people. So if 9 of your friends showed up to see you play at 8pm, chances are they won't let you go on until midnight at the earliest, if at all. Even your most loyal friends will leave frustrated after shelling out $10 at the door and sitting in a dirty bar for 3 hours. The place has multiple booking agents too.

Avoid this place like the plague!

Pros: Your band can definitely book a gig here
Cons: You won't get to play and your friends will lose $10

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169 Bar

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What People Are Saying About 169 Bar

Joshua M Bernstein

Contributor

Editor's Tips

05/10/10

best bar in nyc

Contributor

03/30/10

Absolute A-Holes, Horrible to Bands-DONT GO HERE

by bigfan090

02/02/10

not a band friendly bar

by Tom Luxem

08/05/09

There are well over 169 resons to avoid this place...

by zeffer555

06/24/09

Biggest scammer of musicians & fans in NYC

by NJrocker1

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