Botanica Bar

Doesn't Recommend

AbusedPatron

Joined 3 years ago

Nice Bar, Abusive Bartender. There is a part-time bartender at this bar who abuses customers to whom he feels inferior. All I did was ask for a drink from a bartender, (considering that is his job) but my request was met not only with impatience and attitude, but with verbal abuse. He called me a stupid b**** for thinking that I could ask for a drink before the person next to me (even though I had sat down before that person), and told me that I was cut off (before he even served me my first drink of the night!). I did not insist on being served, but instead left the bar area to see some friends in another section of the establishment, when after 20 minutes he came out from behind the bar, stood within inches of my face, and screamed at me to leave the bar. I explained that I had done nothing wrong, and only asked him, THE BARTENDER for a drink, but he grabbed me by my side and pushed me towards the door, where the bouncer told him to relax for being out of hand. He shot the bouncer a disdainful look, and quite literally threw me out of the door. Now, I am only 5 feet tall, and weigh just over 100 lbs, so the force left me crumpled like a doll on the steps outside. The bartender, though laughably small himself, outrageously abused his power, and physically assaulted me. In my opinion, he should be arrested for his insane and inappropriate behavior. He is about 5'5 with a helmet-shaped MULLET. What a total JERK. I only wish I were able to enjoy the atmosphere for more than 15 minutes before the bartender decided to single me out and attack me.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Chill out with the whole crew at this hip, supersized dive.. Neither edgy enough for the Lower East Side nor cheesy enough for Bleecker Street, Botanica offers a happy medium. A DJ blasts a fittingly eclectic mix of rock and hip-hop from a small booth in the front window for a crowd of low-key and low-budget hipsters. Through its overriding darkness, the semi-basement bar's multitude of mismatched furniture is barely illuminated by a couple of candle-bearing Virgin Mary statues and funky sconces. Well-loved, threadbare armchairs line the worn brick walls, and a separate back room offers enough couches and chairs to seat a small army--or a big birthday party.

Hits: Bartenders dole out stiff well drinks and cheap draft beers with speed, efficiency and minimal attitude.

Misses: Despite its considerable size, during prime-time hours crowds tend to slam the bar area, clogging the main room even when the back room is virtually empty.

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cwhitcas

Joined 5 years ago

Please Don't Go Here.. This bar is one of the only bars in the area that I can stand. The music is excellent. The bartenders are cool. The drinks are cheeeeeeeeap. Happy hour is the best around. I don't need this getting ruined by a bunch of yuppie a$$holes, frat boys, and general gangsta types. Stay out if you fit any of the above catagories, if not come by and have a drink at the best bar around.

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alicemcg

Joined 5 years ago

Always reliable and always cheap!. I have never posted on citysearch, but looking at the small number of reviews for Botanica I thought that I should tell you about this little gem. Botanica is one of those bars that feels like home. The bouncers are friendly. The dj plays what you want and the bartenders are very liberal with the drinks that they make. No matter who I come with to Botanica, it never disappoints. I recommend this bar to anyone who is looking for good times with good people.

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suebee610

Joined 7 years ago

Old Favorite. Been going here for years. Nice people, fun music and a great place to meet friends after work. Keep it a secret.

Doesn't Recommend

Drink_Club

Joined 8 years ago

HOSTILE CROWD, MUSIC TOO-LOUD, FAGGEDDAOUDIT!. Sartre said hell is other people. He must not have visited this bar. THIS is hell. Bad music at ear-splitting volume. A crowd of college students slightly less friendly than Al-Qaeida at a Bar Mitzvah, and slightly less cliquey than the Bush family circle. An off-bar couch-filled alcove could be comfortable.All they'd have to do is keep the volume up for the boneheads in front, and down for the drinkers/talkers/shmoozers/lovers in the back. But they spoiled it! If anything, the back room is LOUDER than the front. There's just no getting away from it. Thinking of coming here? Have a prostate exam instead. It'll be more fun. --Drink Club is a roving group of Manhattan drinkers

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meechie

Joined 8 years ago

Favorite New York Bar. Haven't been here for a couple of years and discovered it's gone through a management change ... and boy it needed it!! New bosses seem to have kept the things that made the place great, while getting rid of the bad elements. It's a lot cleaner and the crowd's got younger but Happy Hour is one of the best around (and they do late night Happy Hour from 1 till 4). Great for a quick drink or for spending the whole night listening to the fantastic D.J.'s. Hot bartenders too!!!!!

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97trojan

Joined 9 years ago

botanical garden of fun. I discovered Botanica several years ago, and have found it to be consistently one of the best bars around. The drinks are reasonably priced, music is great, and most importantly, the crowd is contains zero princess attittude.

I would avoid on weekends.. it can get too crowded and the hipsters can take over. But after four years, its still the perfect place to have drinks and a chat with good friends.

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particle24

Joined 9 years ago

first a gem. then an old friend.. Like that golden-dive walk down that you stumble upon at 3am on a saturday, botanica will spring from the nyc earth; your first time there is a vertiable dive-deflowering. After that: this place continues to be consistently amazing whether u use it to start your night or to chill there for hours. Great value! Great crowd! great background noise. Beware, however, of the occassional chad qua hipster.

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alienate

Joined 10 years ago

don't go here.. this is by far my absolute favorite bar for after work. they've got brooklyn brown on tap. yum. can't stand it on weekends. waay too crowded with hipsters.