Ava Penthouse Lounge

(212) 956-7020

210 W 55th St (Penthouse) (Between Broadway and 7th Avenue)
New York, NY 10019 40.764384 -73.981348

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Neighborhoods: Clinton, Midtown

AVALOUNGENYC.COM

Years in business

Established in 2002

Hours:

Daily 5pm-4am

Last updated 1.12.12

Category:

Bars & Pubs, Bars & Clubs, Lounges

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Club Special Features:

Specialty Cocktails, Outdoor Seating

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Ava Penthouse Lounge

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

Most people impulsively race for the windows at this retro-licious duplex lounge atop the Dream Hotel. A view to the south overlooks the "Late Show" studios, and across the way, high-rise terraces swaying with singles who party this way every night. A stylin' DJ-spun scene that could easily become pretentious--with a roped-off sidewalk and "Reserved" signs on tables--is instead warm and inviting, with low striped banquettes and modern wood paneling. Giggling tourists bring an out-of-town sweetness, while tough guys in suits will help ladies score a seat. When the weather is fine, the upstairs…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
Ask for the Key lime martini--a $13 knockout.
Know Before You Go:
If your heart is set on the terrace, call ahead to make sure a private party hasn't reserved it.
What to Drink:
A complete menu of specialty cocktails like the Key Lime Martini and Harvey Wallbanger (Absolut Citron, Absolut Mandarin, OJ and Gallian liqueur) are available.
Know Before You Go:
If your heart is set on the terrace, call ahead to make sure it hasn't been reserved for a private party.
Food Served:
An upscale assortment of appetizers, small plates, sandwiches and salads are served.
ambiance
90.27999877929688% positive
  1. “Great space with awesome views.”
  2. “City views, DJ parked and spinning, bartenders cool.”
  3. “It is very trendy and the views are amazing.”
  4. “good decor.”
  5. “decent view.”
  6. “There's no cover, no bouncer giving you attitude yet you get great ambience decent music and spectacular views no matter where you are.”
  7. “Very nice place great view”
  8. “The view is nice.”
  9. “view is nice, but this place is overrated.”
  10. “don't know if the view is magnificent, or the drinks fantastic , but I do know this place has got way too much attitude.”
  11. “The views are fantastic and we really felt very S*x and the City ish (there were 4 of us!)”
  12. “The view is beautiful but the service is horrendous, they must only hire people who were shunned as outcasts in high school.”
  13. “Admittedly, the place does have nice views and interior, but nothing spectacular.”
  14. “Went here for a friend's birthday on Saturday night, 6/14 and while we were all impressed with the views, we were not impressed by the rude bouncers and their nasty attitudes.”
  15. “Awesome space conveniently located near Times Sqaure with a spectacular view of the city.”
  16. “This place has great views, a nice breeze, and beautiful people.”
  17. “Except for the views, which we all agreed we've seen better in the city, the bartenders couldnt even pull a decent martini together.”
  18. “the view from the the lounge is amazing.”
  19. “This place was romantic and hopping at the same time.”
  20. “The atmosphere and view was fantastic and the music was great!”
  21. “Nice furniture, very pretty plants and a great view.”
  22. “Not a fun scene.”
  23. “Excellent view of Times Square.”
  24. “From the moment you the elevator doors open, you startle at the backdrop of city buildings bustling in the nighttime sky with a great view of the bright lights of Time Square.”
  25. “The view there of TimesSquare is amazing.”
  26. “The decor is a pathetic attempt at hip, using the cheesiest materials and awful uncomfortable furniture that was tired and sorry looking.”
  27. “loved the decor inside- great lighting and colors, perfect for a date.”
  28. “The view is amazing but not worth being treated like we were.”
  29. “It's a good place to take a member of the opposite sex when trying to impress, but if you're just looking to meet someone and have some fun, there's better options.”
  30. “Lots of nooks and crannies, the views are outstanding (bring binoculars!)”
  31. “It's got a great view, nice decor, and none of the hassles that you normally are greeted with.”
  32. “nice view, but bad attitude”
  33. “The view was admitedly nice, but it wasn't worth the constant barrage from the help, first informing us that we'd probably be asked to move when other parties came, then asked twice in 15 minutes if we needed another drink.”
  34. “Cozy decor (loungy libraryish) and the view from the terrace is divine!”
  35. “Friendly, accommodating staff, awesome view, great music mix, giving a "downtown" vibe to a midtown swanky joint soon to be "A" listed.”
  36. “It's on the roof of the Majestic hotel, the music was great, the view was great.”
dessert
0.0% positive
  1. “THEN when the cake came out, this supposed to be upscale establishment in Manhattan brought the very expensive cake out on throw away picnic saucers and plastic forks!”
drinks
44.43999767303467% positive
  1. “uncomfortable seats,very small place,expensive drinks, really nothing special,dont waste your time”
  2. “mean, the hotel in which this bar is located used to be a Best Western.”
  3. “The view was admitedly nice, but it wasn't worth the constant barrage from the help, first informing us that we'd probably be asked to move when other parties came, then asked twice in 15 minutes if we needed another drink.”
  4. “However, the drinks suck!”
  5. “We got there really early - 6pm - for a quick drink and had to put up with ridiculous attitude.”
  6. “don't know if the view is magnificent, or the drinks fantastic , but I do know this place has got way too much attitude.”
  7. “If you want to be treated poorly by staff at a bar, there are many lesser expensive places you can choose from.”
  8. “(No thanks, I think the full drinks should have said it all.)”
  9. “The drinks are good, although a bit expensive.”
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. “Liked the fact that if so inclined, the terrace was open for fresh air.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “It's a good place to take a member of the opposite sex when trying to impress, but if you're just looking to meet someone and have some fun, there's better options.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Ava has great potential but I'm not sure if it will ever live up to it as the place has been around for a little while now, but still hasn't really caught on.”
  2. “It's a nice place to hang every once in a while or for a special occasion, but that's it.”
  3. “BUT i think it could be a good place for happy hour, not night out”
  4. “am not sure what some of these people are talking about but it's a nice place.”
  5. “view is nice, but this place is overrated.”
  6. “This is also a good place to take people who are visiting or to throw a party (I've had 2 parties here and so far, I've not had any problems).”
  7. “This is definitely a great place to bring a date, or just to chill with a group of friends.”
  8. “Ava is a good place to meet up with a group of friends.”
  9. “It's great place for a date, and the music gets good after 11.”
  10. “It's a good place to take a member of the opposite sex when trying to impress, but if you're just looking to meet someone and have some fun, there's better options.”
  11. “Very nice place great view”
service
67.56999969482422% positive
  1. “The bouncers were incredibly rude and unprofessional.”
  2. “More importantly, excellent service!”
  3. “The service at the lounge and especially the adjacent hotel was appallingly awful; they were obnoxious and had tons of attitude.”
  4. “The place has never been overcrowded (reservations are recommended) and the staff and patrons were friendly.”
  5. “Doormen did not honor or care about a group reservations and the establishment's staff members were snippy to guests of the party.”
  6. “Friendly, accommodating staff, awesome view, great music mix, giving a "downtown" vibe to a midtown swanky joint soon to be "A" listed.”
  7. “Not pretentious at all, nice staff and good music, prices are high but expected.”
  8. “City views, DJ parked and spinning, bartenders cool.”
  9. “The staff was very attentive and not overly annoying asking if you needed something evey 5 minutes.”
  10. “The view is beautiful but the service is horrendous, they must only hire people who were shunned as outcasts in high school.”
  11. “All of this plus the friendly staff made my birthday memorable!”
  12. “We sat down at one of the couches along the wall and were greated by a very friendly waitress.”
  13. “will not get into all the details but the service at the rooftop lounge is awful.”
  14. “If you want to be treated poorly by staff at a bar, there are many lesser expensive places you can choose from.”
  15. “Worst of all are the employees.”
  16. “The guy who runs these bars is a down-to-earth Irishman who has created a stylish environment with a friendly, unpretentious vibe.”
  17. “felt bad people freezing outside to get in, just to find the "books" in the "library-esque" area are just painted on the wall (!”
  18. “This place has great views, a nice breeze, and beautiful people.”
  19. “had my birthday party there for about 60 people and I can't explain how friendly and accommodating the manager/staff was!”
  20. “Went here for a friend's birthday on Saturday night, 6/14 and while we were all impressed with the views, we were not impressed by the rude bouncers and their nasty attitudes.”
  21. “The door staff and waitresses are very polite and affable.”
  22. “The main reason I wouldn't recommend this place is the service, starting with the bouncers and ending with the waitresses.”
  23. “Mixed crowd gay, straight, natives, B&Ts. Great service.”
  24. “The staff was amazing, kind, and helpful.”
  25. “The employees are rude and have no reason to be.”
  26. “am not sure what some of these people are talking about but it's a nice place.”
  27. “Rude Bouncers, horrible service, air condition broken, no space to breath or dance”
  28. “This is also a good place to take people who are visiting or to throw a party (I've had 2 parties here and so far, I've not had any problems).”
  29. “bouncers kicked out some of our party but the manager was cool and let them back in.”
  30. “Drinks were good, fairly priced & the service was good.”
  31. “However, the place is never that full and there is a lack of opportunity to meet people.”
  32. “good service.”
  33. “The waitstaff was friendly, bottles flowed freely, the music was decent.”
  34. “Except for the views, which we all agreed we've seen better in the city, the bartenders couldnt even pull a decent martini together.”
  35. “But if there are many people there, its a horrible nightmare, you are on top of each other.”
  36. “The staff from the door downstairs to the bouncers upstairs were moderately polite.”
  37. “Not a bad place but the doormen are uptight and not friendly.”
value
60.0% positive
  1. “The view was admitedly nice, but it wasn't worth the constant barrage from the help, first informing us that we'd probably be asked to move when other parties came, then asked twice in 15 minutes if we needed another drink.”
  2. “The view is amazing but not worth being treated like we were.”
  3. “THEN when the cake came out, this supposed to be upscale establishment in Manhattan brought the very expensive cake out on throw away picnic saucers and plastic forks!”
  4. “If you want to be treated poorly by staff at a bar, there are many lesser expensive places you can choose from.”
  5. “The prices didn't bother me because it's Manhattan.”
  6. “Not pretentious at all, nice staff and good music, prices are high but expected.”
  7. “uncomfortable seats,very small place,expensive drinks, really nothing special,dont waste your time”
  8. “Dont bother going, spend your money elsewhere.”
  9. “The crowd is also pretty decent and the prices are average.”
  10. “The drinks are good, although a bit expensive.”
wait time
40.0% positive
  1. “There was a terrible smell from the minute that I first walked in to the main room that was clearly overly packed and not properly air-conditioned.”
  2. “The staff was very attentive and not overly annoying asking if you needed something evey 5 minutes.”
  3. “We got there really early - 6pm - for a quick drink and had to put up with ridiculous attitude.”
  4. “waiting another 18 minutes to settle the bill which arrived as a flat fee.”
  5. “The view was admitedly nice, but it wasn't worth the constant barrage from the help, first informing us that we'd probably be asked to move when other parties came, then asked twice in 15 minutes if we needed another drink.”
1 Star Rating: Poor

03/26/12

Annoying Manager and Crappy Service

by NKP421

Had set up a b-day party in the private den for which I was told we would have the whole area and was specifically told that my guest would not have an issue getting in (especially because it was raining) and that if we had people get into the private area, security would kindly ask them to leave, etc.

When we arrived, our space was already occupied, we patiently worked with the venue to resolve that situation without annoying the other patrons. However, no one did anything, and Christian Morasco (the manager) was particularly awful and unpleasant to deal with.

Half of our guest did not get in, we could not get the hostess to serve drinks to the private den fast enough, so our guests started going to the bar to get drinks. The manager then told us that our group was not spending enough money (because the only tabs they were looking at were the ones that the one hostess for our group of 40-50 was trying to serve).

Anyhow, truth be told, I am glad I did not set up something bigger and at least saved face on that front. And given that the excuses the venue was making up were particularly bias, I am certain that I (and most of my guest) will not be spending any money there anymore.

On the plus side, the views are nice, the drinks were good (when we were able to get them), and the music was good.

However, the elevator situation does create a huge bottleneck, which is compounded by poor management and the unfriendly door policy.

3 Star Rating: Average

02/04/12

Can't Beat the View or the Service

by cityneversleeps

I was entertaining out of town clients and had a party of about 20. I thought they would love the view of the city here. It really is amazing.

When my clients saw the ropes in front and the line, they got worried, but it had all been taken care of. We were on the list and walked right in.

We had a perfect table to see the panoramic rooftop view. We were comped a bottle of Stoli Vodka with Redbull and Orange Juice to mix. Thanks to AccessGotham I had a very successful night. Their service is free too.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

07/19/10

Decent place but not my scene

by lhoopie

Went here for a joint birthday party so they reserved a table- there weren't any minimums or bottle service, the prices were probably typical of the area, I wasn't shocked but I wasn't thrilled. The staff was fine, waitress was pretty good. I think the dress code is dressier than I usually like but I know some go for that. The roof was awesome but too crowded when i was there but we were able to find some standing room before going back to our table in the main area. It got very crowded after 11 or so- maybe 12. The DJ wasn't anything amazing but we all danced and had a good time. They ran separte tabs for us but asked us to go in on tabs in groups- which I understand and we were all OK with it. Overall I had a good time and I'd go back again without a problem.

  • Pros: Decent service & music, view
  • Cons: food stopped too early/bad selection, drinks little pricey
1 Star Rating: Poor

07/11/10

VERY Disrespectful

by Legacy3000

We went here to celebrate a friend's b-day party. Though he pre-paid for bottle service and a reservation for 10 people, we were treated like scum at the door. Six of us guys got to the door where the black bald dude stated, "I don't care, I'm not letting 6 guys up stairs."

My buddy whose bday reservation it was asked what the problem was and what does it matter? After asking to speak with the so called manager, some short hobit looking fat loser; He tried to change stories by saying we already have people upstairs and are past our 10 limit.He then rudely stated "How about I just Void your reservation and you can go elsewhere!" The nerve of these bastards. I begged my friend to lets just go, but since he already had 2 people upstairs (g/f) and they have his credit card info, he thought it was best to work it out. Long story short, one of his friends left to go home, two snuck in and the rest got on the standard line. WTF is the point of a reservation? Screw this place. Did I mention the elevators were broken and we were stuck in it traveling btwn floors for 20 minutes? Yeeeeah. Negative 9000 Stars.

  • Pros: we eventually got in
  • Cons: Doormen, prices, service, elevators
3 Star Rating: Average

06/28/10

Good View

by Athena Chang , Citysearch Contributor

Came here for a Networking/Happy Hour private event. One thing I was a bit taken back is that they did not have a happy hour special.

But overall, it is another good roof top bar in Manhattan. It has a nice view of the city and the terrace has seating areas as well. Drinks here are pricey as you may have expected due to its location and rooftop setting. I think it is a good date spot or for social events.

The Details on Ava Penthouse Lounge

Place Categories:

  • great view
  • good place
  • friendly door staff
  • worst small place
  • good service
  • good drinks
  • divine cozy decor
  • pretty decent crowd
  • rude bouncers
  • loved ava lounge
  • very friendly waitresses
  • ridiculous attitude
  • great space
  • amazing roof
  • bitter patron
  • beautiful people
  • rude employees
  • great spectacular views
  • awful furniture
  • great rooftop
  • accommodating managerstaff
  • best western
  • great key lime martini
  • great ambience decent music
  • really uncomfortable seats

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