(212) 265-0650

329 W 51st St
New York, NY 10019 40.7633 -73.9865

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Neighborhoods: Clinton, Midtown

Last updated 5.07.10

Category:

Restaurants, Singles Bars, Lounges, Bars & Pubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Bar Menu

Bar & Club Special Features:

DJ, Outdoor Seating, Romantic Nightlife, 21 & Over, Specialty Cocktails, After Work

Smoking Permitted:

No

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Sortie

Featured Review

Kara Zuaro

Contributor

The Scene – Visitors step down from a tree-lined street to the front patio, where a brightly colored mosaic and handful of umbrella tables greet them. But inside the subterreanean space, the look is more dark and sultry. A giant old Pegasus sign, retired from a Mobil gas station, embellishes the brick-exposed wall beside a roomy square-shaped bar. There, neighborhood patrons with decidedly uptown style sit and mingle. Further back, a dining room lined with plush red banquettes accommodates after-work guests who want to rest their feet more poshly. – – The Draw – With…

Editor's Tips

Save Money:
Stop in between 5pm and 7pm for an array of drink specials.
The Extras:
You can grab dinner here, too--the menu offers plenty of small plates, French bistro fare, and seven types of mussels (the house specialty).
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The candlelit sophisticated decor coupled with great music sets a mood right for a weekday stop-in or an all night weekend party spot.”
  2. “Great ambience and delectable food”
  3. “The music was great and the atmosphere was cozy and fun.”
  4. “kitchen is not open, but the drinks and atmosphere is rocking, great DJ music on Saturdays - good place to stop by before hitting a club”
  5. “Sortie is elegant and cozy with a great staff (Brian the bartender) and a lovely drink menu.”
  6. “Great atmosphere.”
  7. “The lighting is subtle, the couches are comfortable, and the staff are knowledgeable and attentive.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “They also have the BEST molten chocolate cake you could possibly imagine - comparable to a dessert at Vosges or any other high-end chocolate establishment, however this one is sans attitude.”
drinks
92.8600025177002% positive
  1. “The martini came in wrong and the beers were warm.”
  2. “Try the weekly special wine and some of their great tasting plates.”
  3. “The food was substantial and passed throughout, the bar was extensive and the DJ knew exactly how to work with the crowd.”
  4. “Sortie is elegant and cozy with a great staff (Brian the bartender) and a lovely drink menu.”
  5. “Could be the best bar in midtown!”
  6. “I'm planning to take more full advantage of their eye-popping beer menu next time but I couldn't stop drinking their house chardonnay during our party, and I'm usually not a wine drinker.”
  7. “lounge/bar/restuarant. It is right by all the theatre and a good pre theatre - chillout place.”
  8. “Says Kinya, "This is my best place for drink club.”
  9. “Could this be the best bar in midtown.”
  10. “Every drink clubber loved the place.”
  11. “Exotic beers (with a bit more Belgian tint than I like.”
  12. “This might be the best new lounge/bar/eatery in New York--and even better--it is a hidden gem.”
  13. “The appetizers were excellent as was the wine.”
  14. “kitchen is not open, but the drinks and atmosphere is rocking, great DJ music on Saturdays - good place to stop by before hitting a club”
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. “ordered my favorite SHRIMP tapa and found out "the kitchen was closed for food cost and evaluation.”
  2. “We order steamed dumplings and an assorted cheese dish; everything came out great!”
  3. “The food was substantial and passed throughout, the bar was extensive and the DJ knew exactly how to work with the crowd.”
  4. “Great ambience and delectable food”
  5. “Also try the calamari salad, the tuna tartare and the dim sum, though all the dishes on the eclectic menu are tasty and well-presented.”
  6. “They have one of the BEST burgers out there, people - and I've tried burgers everywhere.”
  7. “highly recommend the calamari salad- it was excellent.”
  8. “The music is perfect and the style is fresh.”
menu variety
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. “The menu is eclectic and everything I tried was good.”
  2. “Also try the calamari salad, the tuna tartare and the dim sum, though all the dishes on the eclectic menu are tasty and well-presented.”
  3. “I'm planning to take more full advantage of their eye-popping beer menu next time but I couldn't stop drinking their house chardonnay during our party, and I'm usually not a wine drinker.”
  4. “Sortie is elegant and cozy with a great staff (Brian the bartender) and a lovely drink menu.”
  5. “Overall a decent place for a little after work chit chat and a good variety of music which was my plus.”
  6. “The food was substantial and passed throughout, the bar was extensive and the DJ knew exactly how to work with the crowd.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “would definitely go back and recommend as a great date spot or a place to hang with friends, especially now that its nice outside you can sit out in the front area.”
  2. “lounge/bar/restuarant. It is right by all the theatre and a good pre theatre - chillout place.”
  3. “kitchen is not open, but the drinks and atmosphere is rocking, great DJ music on Saturdays - good place to stop by before hitting a club”
  4. “Says Kinya, "This is my best place for drink club.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “would definitely go back and recommend as a great date spot or a place to hang with friends, especially now that its nice outside you can sit out in the front area.”
service
100.0% positive
  1. “The service was friendly, warm and attentive, even once the place started to fill up.”
  2. “The bartender Stacey was great.”
  3. “The lighting is subtle, the couches are comfortable, and the staff are knowledgeable and attentive.”
  4. “They have one of the BEST burgers out there, people - and I've tried burgers everywhere.”
  5. “Sortie is elegant and cozy with a great staff (Brian the bartender) and a lovely drink menu.”
  6. “had done my research, and believe it or not there are very few good places with a DJ and full dinner service in NYC that can offer a lounge vibe.”
  7. “meet great new people that werent all tourist.”
  8. “The service is for the most part attentive and there's NO attitude, which is nice to find in NYC.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

04/14/08

Good Times

by Eddienet71

great spot to mingle and meet...kitchen is not open, but the drinks and atmosphere is rocking, great DJ music on Saturdays - good place to stop by before hitting a club

  • Pros: friendliness, bartender, Juan
  • Cons: crowded
1 Star Rating: Poor

09/18/07

A CRITTER ON THE BAR!!!!!!

by tea001

I once loved Sortie. Good food and delicious drinks. Until I went there tonight with my girlfriend. I ordered my favorite SHRIMP tapa and found out "the kitchen was closed for food cost and evaluation." To me it sounded like a health code violation. I was a bit disappointed so decided to just have a drink.

I was sitting at the bar conversating and drinking as a FOUR LEGGED CREATURE (LIKE MICKY)ran across the bar past me and back. You figure it out, why the kitchen was closed... We went next door to Vice Versa had a dinner and drinks at EASE!

  • Cons: THUMBS DOWN
3 Star Rating: Average

04/12/07

Cozy Spot

by nessa

This place is definitely good for a cool after work spot. However I would recommend if going in a group to call for reservations because it gets packed and you can?t get a seat. Lucky for my group the waitress made room for us. We had a cozy table in the back and plenty of drinks which were OK. Overall a decent place for a little after work chit chat and a good variety of music which was my plus.

  • Pros: Decor
  • Cons: Drinks
3 Star Rating: Average

03/25/07

Great service, loud venue toward night

by ionic57

Great place for a casual drink and finger food. The lighting is subtle, the couches are comfortable, and the staff are knowledgeable and attentive. I went with a date and ended up staying much longer than we expected. Try the weekly special wine and some of their great tasting plates. We order steamed dumplings and an assorted cheese dish; everything came out great! I highly recommend this place for a date or local hangout, though the music gets a little loud toward the late night if you're trying to hear your date on the other side of the table.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/19/07

HOT TUESDAY PARTY/ SOULFUL & FUNKY HOUSE MUSIC

by elleamckenzie

This bar/lounge/restaurant has NO well liquor. The bar selection is excellent. We happened upon a party when we arrived. The DJ was HOT! It was an Old New York Cool crowd. We did not eat but we did DANCE. We left a little before 1Am and the crowd was just coming in. Check it out.!!!

  • Pros: Tuesday Night Party
  • Cons: Closed on Mondays

The Details on Sortie

Place Categories:

  • good place
  • great dj music
  • great date spot
  • best bar
  • warm service
  • great staff
  • great atmosphere
  • well-presented dishes
  • like exotic beers
  • favorite shrimp tapa
  • impressive djs
  • best molten chocolate cake
  • especially liked red walls
  • best new loungebareatery
  • order steamed dumplings
  • fails never
  • full advantage
  • great midtown spot
  • wonderful world beats
  • great lounge
  • great lovely drink menu
  • great guest dj
  • best hidden gem
  • cozy sortie
  • especially liked low lighting
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