Identity Bar & Lounge

In Short – Velvet curtains in the window of this club foreshadow a swanky scene, but the lack of a line outside and the spread-out crowd within hint that this East Village establishment flies under the radar. The long upstairs bar and walls lined with Dali-esque hip-hop artwork provide a festive setting for drinking up before getting down. Couples grind to the DJ's rap tunes on the downstairs dance floor or observe from reserved sideline tables.

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On the Menu:: A bar menu and specialty cocktail list are served up all day and all night.

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User Reviews (35)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“The upstairs is small enough that my crowd of 25 could be comfortable and intimate with each other without feeling like we were on top of each other.” “This is a fun bar with a unique environment.” “Small but cozy and nice atmosphere.” “Great music, fun crowd, and a great hip-hop dj.” “The atmosphere makes it both a great place to talk and hang out as well as get down on the dance floor.” “During the week I sometimes come to this place for a relaxed drink, with good music (the genre varies depending on the night) played at a volume that allows conversation and fun stuff on the televisions ("Reservoir Dogs", a boxing match, etc.).” “couple of Saturdays ago my friends and I came early and ate a good meal at a couple of the upstairs tables, then went downstairs and danced in a fun mob of people until two.”
drinks	93.33000183105469% positive	“Great food, drinks and service.” “Great bar in lower east side.” “love this bar and all that it offers.” “drinks reasonably priced and good looking crowd, went again on Halloween, hot looking costumes, heard they have a pool table downstairs, they must roll it away on the weekends, will definitely try again.” “The manager was incredibly friendly and made killer drinks all night long!” “Great drinks, good looking people, killer music!” “This is a fun bar with a unique environment.” “Met a lot of great people that night, and there were no sketchy guys (a rarity in the usual bar scene.” “Cool bar, very welcoming.” “The drinks were terrible: how hard can it be to make Martinis?” “The downstairs was a perfect space for everyone to dance and scatter, whilst the upstairs bar provided even more room for all the mayhem!” “The drinks are good, the people are always friendly there.” “Identity is by far my favorite bar in NYC.” “During the week I sometimes come to this place for a relaxed drink, with good music (the genre varies depending on the night) played at a volume that allows conversation and fun stuff on the televisions ("Reservoir Dogs", a boxing match, etc.).” “best bar in East Village”
food quality	100.0% positive	“couple of Saturdays ago my friends and I came early and ate a good meal at a couple of the upstairs tables, then went downstairs and danced in a fun mob of people until two.” “It could be a decent spot to watch games on Sunday but the food needs work.” “Great food, drinks and service.”
menu variety	66.66999816894531% positive	“If you love music, hip hop old and new, wicked mixing, ridiculous diverse crowds and super chill fast bartenders - then you might want to throw your next get together here!”
overall	100.0% positive	“The atmosphere makes it both a great place to talk and hang out as well as get down on the dance floor.” “It is also a great place to meet new people.”
service	93.33000183105469% positive	“The staff there are awesome--Lawrence and Laurie will always make sure that you're having a good time.” “couple of Saturdays ago my friends and I came early and ate a good meal at a couple of the upstairs tables, then went downstairs and danced in a fun mob of people until two.” “It is inviting and the bartenders and owners are very friendly.” “had reserved a table in advances and the service was very good.” “It is also a great place to meet new people.” “Many people enjoy this hot spot for its crowd and music.” “Great food, drinks and service.” “The nasty bartender hastily grabbed the bottle of grey goose and started pouring it in, from about 2 feet away (what was she reenacting a scene from Cocktail?)” “The staff is friendly.” “The manager was incredibly friendly and made killer drinks all night long!” “some girlfriends and i came here on a saturday night, the music was great and we ended up having a great time talking to the hot blond bartender.” “The bartender was this awesome quirky pierced chick (who's name I forgot so please forgive me if you're reading this) with a great and welcoming personality.” “Met a lot of great people that night, and there were no sketchy guys (a rarity in the usual bar scene.” “NEED great music and personable bartenders and I got that at Identity!” “The drinks are good, the people are always friendly there.” “The artwork changes, which always leads to interesting conversations, and with the new TVs and sports PPV, people of all interests seem to go there.” “Great drinks, good looking people, killer music!” “The owners are really cool and the people looked good.” “If you love music, hip hop old and new, wicked mixing, ridiculous diverse crowds and super chill fast bartenders - then you might want to throw your next get together here!” “Lori - one of the best bartenders in NYC - hands down.”
wait time	100.0% positive	“The manager was incredibly friendly and made killer drinks all night long!”

06/26/11

Go to physical therapy next day

by pypy89

I went here for my mom's birthday and it was like the best. I had reserved a table in advances and the service was very good. The music was ok. My mom really love it, she had to go to physical therapy next day.

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02/21/11

Really quiet on a saturday night

by looni

Arrived there at 1am on a saturday night and it was stonedead.

One DJ playing with one table occupied and an empty bar.

The music wasnt awesome and the interior was nothing special.

Misleading average grade of the reviews.

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11/12/10

NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE BUT HOPIN ITS FUN

by BRITBRAT

I BEEN CHECKIN IDENTITY LOUNGE/ BAR OUT ONLINE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS NOW IM ACTUALLY HAVIN MY 21ST GET TOGETHER HERE ....I DONT KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE BUT FROM READIN SUM OF THESE REVIEW I THINK I WILL HAVE FUN N ENJOY MYSELF....THEY ONLY PROBLEM IM AFRAID OF IS THE MUSIC BECUZ IMMA PARTY GIRL N I LOVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MUSIC BUT IM AFRAID THAT THEY PROBABLY WONT HAVE MY TASTE IN CERTAIN MUSIC LIKE REGGAE...I LIKE OLD SKOOL REGGAE N NEW SKOOL REGGAE LIKE VYBZ KARTEL,MOVADO,BEENIE MAN,JAH VINCI,JAH CURE U KNOW THE BANGIN ARTIST...ALSO HIP HOP LIKE RICK ROSS ,JAY Z ,DRAKE U KNOW N SO ON ...BUT IM WORRIED ONLY BECUZ I KNOW THESE R THE TYPE OF MUSIC THAT WILL GET PEOPLE OUT THERE SITS N ON THE DANCE FLOOR N I WONT EVERYONE THAT I INVITE TO ENJOY THERE TIME THERE WIT ME N NOT BE BORED SITIN DOWN CUZ I ONLY TIRN 21 ONCE N I BEEN WAITIN FOR THIS DAY FOREVER BUT FROM WAT IM READIN EVERYTHING ELSE SEEM PREFECT N THE PICS R BEAUTIFUL THE PLACE LOOKS NICE JUS CANT WAIT TO SEE HOW EVERYTHING TURNS OUT BUT AFTER MY 21ST BDAY GET TOGETHER I WILL LET U GUYS KNOW HOW IT TURNED OUT SO STAY TUNED LOL

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11/08/10

cool cool place

by StCurtin

chill atmosphere. good prices. had a great time with my friends here!!

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08/14/09

best bar in East Village

by bdawgs

what a special place..this bar has it all.. I love this bar and all that it offers..

Identity Bar & Lounge

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What People Are Saying About Identity Bar & Lounge

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Editor's Tips

06/26/11

Go to physical therapy next day

by pypy89

02/21/11

Really quiet on a saturday night

by looni

11/12/10

NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE BUT HOPIN ITS FUN

by BRITBRAT

11/08/10

cool cool place

by StCurtin

08/14/09

best bar in East Village

by bdawgs

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