Bar 288
(212) 260-5045
288 Elizabeth St
(at Between Houston Street and Bleecker Street)
New York,
NY
10012
40.7245
-73.9932
Neighborhoods: Downtown, NoLita
What People Are Saying About Bar 288
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Newcomers wonder about the function of the extensive collection of vintage bar crockery serving as focal point of the bar's decor. The Tom & Jerry, from which 288 derives its nickname, is a warm brown liquor and egg-based Damon Runyon-era cocktail, served but one day around the Yuletide, in bowls and cups such as the ones displayed with obvious pride. Now that you're in the know, walk in and act like you own the place.
The Draw
Rizzo, the resident feline, is undoubtedly the master of the joint. You'll have to deal with her dipping a curious nose in your drink, but on a lazy afternoon, who cares? At night, the space crowds up quickly with the baseball-cap crowd, but a relaxed 4pm tipple at the long, warm wooden bar often proves to be nothing short of nirvana.
User Reviews
judydemarco
January 04, 2008
My boyfriend and I have been coming here for years. Last night, we came here for a friend's birthday with a group of people. One of my girlfriends ordered a drink from the bartender and he berated her for checking her cell phone. She was just checking to see if someone had called her, and explained this to him, but he still went off on her. I still can't comprehend it...it was out of nowhere and the rudest thing I'd ever seen from a bartender. Like he just felt he could because he'd worked there for so long. It was so uncomfortable, and so unnecessary. This wasn't an old-school NYC attitude from a genuine New Yorker. This was just flat out arrogance from someone who, for years, had served us. It was really disheartening and unfortunately we won't be back.
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asparagusschwartz
December 24, 2006
Nicest bartenders around, guinness tap, PBR cans, snack mix, cats running around, films on the big screen...a breath of fresh air in manhattan. Sometimes can fill up with knuckleheads, but have some beers and take off when it gets crowded.
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bargoer212
July 26, 2004
I think this place is also called Tom and Jerry's. The artwork is cool and its worth stopping by to what's its changed to, but that's about the whole decor unless you like punch bowls used for "Tom & Jerry's" aka egg nog from what I have heard. As you can see I have spent a lot of time there and its a great place to tie one on early...
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