We've heard this business is closed. Have updated information?

(212) 673-3410

152 Orchard St
New York, NY 10002 40.7207 -73.9888

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Lower East Side, Downtown

Last updated 1.28.11

Category:

Nightclubs, Bars & Pubs, Bars & Clubs

Payment Methods:

Cash

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Dance Floor

Bar & Club Type of Music:

Rock & Pop, Hip-Hop & Rap, Alternative Rock

Bar & Club Special Features:

DJ, Live Music

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Annex

Featured Review

Katie Heffernan

Contributor

The second venture from the founders of Dark Room progresses their style from a hip DJ den to word-of-mouth live music. Rich with golden lighting against mahogany walls, the narrow shoebox of a room tunnels your vision to a tiny raised stage, where mostly indie shows draw swarms of neighborhood scenesters. A few circular booths cradle groups, and a second-story balcony and lounge allows a bird's-eye view of it all.

Editor's Tips

When to Go:
The Tiswas party, a long-running, up-and-coming band showcase, crashes the Annex on Saturday nights. Paul Banks of Interpol has also moved his Dark Room hip-hop party to this club on Wednesday nights.
The Extras:
Check out more Lower East Side nightlife.
ambiance
40.0% positive
  1. “The decor is fine wood paneling with good lighting.”
  2. “Went here a few weeks ago to see a friends band, I liked the atmosphere, all the wood was really nice and the lights were cozy.”
  3. “The vibe and energy are horrible and there's no ambiance what-so-ever.”
  4. “All that aside, this place is not fun to be in.”
  5. “The crowd in NOT trendy, this place is NOT romantic, there is NO dancing, and I will never ever go back.”
drinks
50.0% positive
  1. “There are lots of other places in LES with better everything: better rockin' music, more attractive crowds, better drinks, more polite bouncers, and more respectful partiers.”
  2. “Very smokey & takes too long too get your overpriced watered-down drink”
  3. “Our friends finally met us outside and thanked us for saving them from the sketchest bar and the worst DJ they heard in a long time.”
  4. “The annex is a good spot for a few drinks and some good music but for a table reservation, I would not recommend.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “Sound was great, pbr was average priced if not cheaper than some of the bars in that neighborhood, liquor selection seemed good, and the door price wasnt incredibly cheap but not bad for the size of the place.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “The strange thing is they have a nice place and a great sound system that they play so loudly it's no longer enjoyable and that's why they can act hostile because there's no way they'd ever repeat business.”
  2. “It was cool and a nice place to relax when i was there on a monday, i'd come back.”
  3. “It's just a good place to see shows.”
  4. “Sound was great, pbr was average priced if not cheaper than some of the bars in that neighborhood, liquor selection seemed good, and the door price wasnt incredibly cheap but not bad for the size of the place.”
  5. “The east village has a million great bars so skip right past this place so you can actually enjoy your night!”
  6. “great place to see shows”
  7. “Seriously, nice doorman aside, this place stinks!”
  8. “Has an upstairs area with seating that overlooks the downstairs area; this area would be a good place to sit with a date -- you're at a cool spot but you can sit and talk.”
return potential
50.0% positive
  1. “The crowd in NOT trendy, this place is NOT romantic, there is NO dancing, and I will never ever go back.”
  2. “It was cool and a nice place to relax when i was there on a monday, i'd come back.”
service
42.85999774932861% positive
  1. “awful staff”
  2. “I've never encountered such rude, hostile workers who downright don't give a sh** about music.”
  3. “love these people.”
  4. “best people you will ever meet - the owners, the bartenders, djs, crowd, etc. they are family”
  5. “The staff is rude and mean-hearted people.”
  6. “Overpriced, mind bendingly bad service, hostile attitude”
  7. “The staff there were really nice.”
value
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “Sound was great, pbr was average priced if not cheaper than some of the bars in that neighborhood, liquor selection seemed good, and the door price wasnt incredibly cheap but not bad for the size of the place.”
  2. “Very smokey & takes too long too get your overpriced watered-down drink”
  3. “She jacked the door price and still didn't shell out a single dollar to anyone even after a great draw for a Sunday night with a $10 cover.”
wait time
0.0% positive
  1. “Very smokey & takes too long too get your overpriced watered-down drink”
  2. “Our friends finally met us outside and thanked us for saving them from the sketchest bar and the worst DJ they heard in a long time.”
1 Star Rating: Poor

08/26/09

Terrible for bands - AVOID XIAOTING

by TheBandMan

We had a Saturday night show booked here for months. People were waiting for the show. Fifteen days before the show, we were sent an e-mail saying that we wouldn't be able to play the show anymore because a private party booked that date. They blatantly kicked us out because some last minute private party was going to make them more money. As an alternative they offered us to play a Tuesday night in a week.

This is ignoring other reviews of them blatantly stealing money. Bottom line - bad place for bands.

  • Pros: Location
  • Cons: Money-hungry, don't care about your band
1 Star Rating: Poor

08/23/09

awful staff

by AllisonJoyce

I went there last night during open bar, when I tried to buy another shot for my drink because it tasted like there was no vodka in it, the bartender refused to serve me, took my money off the bar and poured out my drinks. When I asked for my money back he threw it in my face. I asked him what was wrong with him and he put his face 1 inch from mine and said "A lot of things are wrong with me" in the creepiest voice, then balled up a napkin and threw it in my face.

DO NOT GO TO THIS BAR unless you want to be treated like trash.

I'm calling the bar right now to make a complaint.

  • Cons: having things thrown in your face
2 Star Rating: Below Average

05/11/09

Not a place to book a party

by loveshernightsout

I had made a table reservation for a party a month in advance and later checked in to confirm a few days before the party – all appeared to be set. Upon arrival, the doorman did not have my reservation listed, the guests with my party were not all comped at the door as I had been told, and to top it all off, the bottle price was much higher than I had been quoted when making the reservation. Overall, the experience was infuriating and a great disappointment. The annex is a good spot for a few drinks and some good music but for a table reservation, I would not recommend.

  • Pros: Good music / people
  • Cons: Completely unorganized establishment
4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/25/09

we love xiating!!!

by dforpro

We just played at the Annex, and it was great. The staff there were really nice. The sound was amazing. And we love Xiating! She is a great booker. Really patient and easy to work with. Always gets back to us promptly. It's rare and hard to find nowadays.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/21/09

Hard to find but fun!

by mreynolds1

Went here a few weeks ago to see a friends band, I liked the atmosphere, all the wood was really nice and the lights were cozy.. there were even candles! I loved it. Everyone who worked there seemed super nice, contrary to popular citysearch belief.. ha. Sound was great, pbr was average priced if not cheaper than some of the bars in that neighborhood, liquor selection seemed good, and the door price wasnt incredibly cheap but not bad for the size of the place. It was cool and a nice place to relax when i was there on a monday, i'd come back. I'll have to check out a weekend night next!

  • Pros: nice atmosphere, cozy, cool hangout, good sound
  • Cons: hard to find, no shows posted around there?

The Details on Annex

Place Categories:

  • great place
  • rude people
  • amazing sound
  • great bands
  • nice doorman
  • excited place feeling
  • good music
  • awful staff
  • cool spot
  • amazing concerts upstairs
  • good lighting
  • nice citysearch belief
  • love xiating
  • great bars
  • great sound system
  • horrible energy
  • worst dj
  • like dress
  • great draw
  • really nice wood
  • liked atmosphere
  • bad hostile attitude
  • overpriced watereddown drink
  • great booker
  • polite bouncers
Advertisement

Lists In Manhattan

Recent Reviews In Manhattan

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

The Carriage House

219 East 59th Street,, New York,, NY

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

La Zarza Lounge

166 First Ave, New York, NY

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Broadway Comedy Club

318 W 53rd St, New York, NY

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Katra

217 Bowery, New York, NY

Advertisement