Blue Owl Cocktail Room

(212) 505-2583

196 2nd Ave (13th Street)
New York, NY 10003 40.731136 -73.985823

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: East Village, Downtown

www.blueowlnyc.com

Hours:

Sun-Mon 5pm-2am

Tue-Sat 5pm-4am

Last updated 5.13.12

Category:

Bars & Pubs, Singles Bars, Lounges

Payment Methods:

Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Martinis, Drink Specials, Happy Hour, Bar Menu

Bar & Club Special Features:

DJ, After Hours, Romantic Nightlife, Specialty Cocktails, Date Spot

Minimum Age:

21

What People Are Saying About Blue Owl Cocktail Room

Featured Review

Katie Heffernan

Contributor

A staircase descent delivers neighborhood night owls into a golden-lit, cave-like cocktail den. Amber spotlights flare against rough stone walls and reflect upon the low bronzed ceilings and copper-plated bar for a sexy, Old World aura. On weekends, the well-dressed clientele might slosh around specialty martinis while eking out elbowroom or positioning for the pick-up, but weekdays allow for civil conversation on embellished pressed-tin banquets and cushy suede chairs, seemingly configured for intimate chats.

Editor's Tips

On the Menu:
Classically inspired cocktails include a martini named for Roosevelt and a scotch mixture for the Scottish poet Bobby Burns. Cheeses, smoked meats and olives make up the hors d'oeuvres options.
The Extras:
A long, skinny room fits small private parties--with a speakeasy-style separate entrance and secret password--and can accommodate a different soundtrack from the live nightly DJ in the main room.
Save Money:
From 5pm to 8pm on weekdays, select specialty cocktails and all well drinks are just $6; on Wednesday, the "Hump" party runs 'til 3am with assorted drink specials until midnight.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. The atmosphere is amazing.
  2. The private room in the back was perfect, it comfortable held all 20 of my friends.
  3. It's a beautiful spot in a convenient location that isn't drenched with NYU kids.
  4. Place was everything and more than we expected - great atmosphere, very friendly staff, great drinks and music that smacked.
  5. It's fun and worth it if you are looking for a good night out, in a friendly lounge with (relaxed) club music.
  6. More low-impact on weekdays, perfect for a cozy conversation with a date or friends.
  7. creative drinks and a cozy space.
  8. The atmosphere and music are perfect for romantic evenings or conversing with friends.
  9. The scene is bumping, some great looking people, although not to pretentious and good music which makes it all the more fun.
  10. an attractive, pleasant clientele that was fun and not aggressive.
  11. Outstanding drinks and service, great music, and a really friendly, open atmosphere.
  12. have also been here on a date and it was a perfect atmosphere for that as well.
  13. It's a great, great pick up joint because of the atmosphere and the brass-wood interior.
  14. Knowledgeable HOT staff- girls and guys- great cocktails- and a really fun/class vibe.
  15. love the cool vibe, very cozy, very friendly, a great place to meet a friend or a few.
  16. Prices are reasonable and the location is excellent - it's a very short walk from Union Square.
  17. It's all about warm business relations, and the Blue Owl is very good at setting that intimate atmosphere.
  18. place where adults can feel comfortable going without being overwhelmed by a horde of college students and bridge and tunnelers.
  19. Some of the best music Ive heard in the city with a sexy speak easy atmosphere
  20. The atmosphere was great, bartenders cute and could pour a drink.
  21. amazing cocktails, cool decor, and an owner whose belief in great service comes from years of experience in some of the city's top-tier restaurants--and it totally shows.
  22. The crowd was fun & friendly and the waitstaff was, as I said prompt, and very knowledgable.
  23. The drinks at Blue Owl and great and the atmosphere is hip yet classy.
drinks
85.7699966430664% positive
  1. just be careful, most drinks come in martini glasses so take a sip before you walk back to your comfy chair.
  2. Incredible cocktails, (not just drinks) we're talking delicious concoctions with names like "The Flapper"- citrus vodka, lemon grass vermouth, fresh ginger and fresh lemon juice - my recommendation.
  3. have been focused on the Ellison (Gin and stuff) great drink.
  4. After a ridiculous "team-building" session at work, I decided I needed a drink -- BAD.
  5. order whiskey straight up, when the bartender poured the drink he turned his back to me and appeared to pour something else in the glass along with the whiskey.
  6. The atmosphere was great, bartenders cute and could pour a drink.
  7. He not only made 2 bad drinks but then charges me for both drinks!
  8. Thank God for my neighborhood, this is just a simply wonderful "New York" bar, wood furnished, comfy sofa, brass bar, brass fixtures, and mellow.
  9. To be fair, the next bartender over was completely polite and friendly and happily switched the drink without a hassle.
  10. The impeccable service and fabulous drinks are complimented by an impeccable decorated interior.
  11. Excellent cocktails, good vibe, phat tunes, and a staff that makes you feel like you're a member at a private club.
  12. He genuinely wanted my girlfriend and me to enjoy our drinks and our time at his bar.
  13. had never heard of it before but saw people milling around outside its entrance so my girlfriend and I decided it was just as good a spot as any to go in to for a drink.
  14. Great place, friendly bartenders, excellent drinks.
  15. highly recommend it for those who love martinis, cocktails, or just want to relax in a lovely environment.
  16. The space is modern and sexy, the service is prompt and attentive and the drinks are excellent.
  17. It is a really cool lounge with sweet leather box chairs, a copper bar, and softy couches.
  18. Place was everything and more than we expected - great atmosphere, very friendly staff, great drinks and music that smacked.
  19. The sliced meets, fine cheeses, and olives were very tasty and went perfectly with the designer drinks.
  20. the modern interior lent itself nicely to the top-shelf drinks and good looking crowd.
  21. The bar is really nice for happy hour and the drinks are SO good!
  22. definitely recommend this place for a private party, happy hour, date spot where you can order specialty cocktails and martinis, after work spot.
  23. With the gourmet food and unlimited drinks that accompanies the reservation of this room, it's the perfect solution for a small intimate gathering.
  24. figured why not and I must say it quite possibly one of the best cocktails I have ever had.
  25. Between the drinks, the incredible meat and cheese spread, super cute waitress, and the IPOD JACK!
  26. Cocktail waitresses who really attended to me, a GREAT bartneder who actually knows how to mix drinks - not just look good.
  27. The Blue Owl is already a personal favorite for after-work drinks.
  28. The horrible service with the drinks didn't even include her really random seating demands of some friends of our group who came a bit later and grabbed another table.
  29. creative drinks and a cozy space.
  30. Blue Owl has a great happy hour and bar always seems to be all full with beautiful and friendly people.
  31. Sensing that we were on a blind date he really kept the evening well lubricated with delicious cocktails and a mysterious shot that we both loved.
  32. The drinks were delicious, staff was attentive and well-versed, DJ was one of the best I've heard in a while, and the bouncer kept the place from getting too packed.
  33. of their delicious cocktails.
  34. But while it had a good vibe, the drinks took FOREVER to be made and were really weak when they arrived.
  35. When I was there a Dj was spinning good music and i tried exotic drinks that are the Blue Owls own creations.
  36. highly recommend this place to all who are looking for a good time with great drinks.
  37. I'm a huge fan of the olive, meat and cheese options as I like to nibble while I drink.
  38. amazing cocktails, cool decor, and an owner whose belief in great service comes from years of experience in some of the city's top-tier restaurants--and it totally shows.
  39. The unique drink menu is just the start of what makes this place so great!
  40. If you do, however, like to sit at bar with an empty glass and get blasted by cold air when the door opens then you've found your home!
  41. the drinks were delicious and the crowd was, well, cool.
  42. The delicious drinks were flowing, the private entrance and secret password were a HIT, and the VIP bathroom was an added luxury after a lifetime of waiting in line for no toilet paper and sticky floors.
  43. Then the waitress told one of my friends (who was standing) that he had to sit down if he wanted to order a drink.
  44. After chatting with us for about five minutes, he recommended two drinks off the menu.
  45. The drinks are incredible - probably the most creative and esoteric coctail menu around.
  46. but this left us in a very uncomfortable situation, where half of the group that purchased drinks were still finishing their drinks, and the manager harassing the other half of the group to leave the bar for not purchasing a beverage.
  47. The drinks at Blue Owl and great and the atmosphere is hip yet classy.
  48. The cocktails are just terrific.
  49. Knowledgeable HOT staff- girls and guys- great cocktails- and a really fun/class vibe.
  50. the bar was such a refreshing change from the yawn-worthy places I generally get dragged to, filled with superficial snobs who boastfully order the venues most expensive drink just so others will see that he or she has ordered the bar's most expensive dri
  51. Great retro drinks and esp.
  52. The drinks were great!
  53. moved over to the bar to check out the supposed amazing bartenders.
  54. incredible drinks, no idiots, great music, your own space.
  55. loved the cocktails and the vibe.
  56. The drinks are expensive and watered down.
  57. This is really a great place to relax (that is not pretentious) and have a few amazing drinks!
  58. It was only as we were leaving through the main room of the bar did I see the full extent of how sexy and elegant the place really is.
  59. In the private room, there was no bar, it was very hot and being as packed in as we were in there, the service was extremely slow.
  60. True the private back room is a little weird but the cocktails are creative and delicious and the menu is perfect for a before dinner or late night snack.
  61. The bar is nice too if you can grab a seat.
  62. Their interesting cocktails is part of what has me hooked.
  63. haven't been here in a bit but went the other week, really liked the cocktails, I think they change it up during the year.
  64. The Blue owl's discreet and intimate setting makes it a perfect place to meet up with friends and have a few drinks.
  65. Outstanding drinks and service, great music, and a really friendly, open atmosphere.
food quality
98.07999610900879% positive
  1. The delicious drinks were flowing, the private entrance and secret password were a HIT, and the VIP bathroom was an added luxury after a lifetime of waiting in line for no toilet paper and sticky floors.
  2. The sliced meets, fine cheeses, and olives were very tasty and went perfectly with the designer drinks.
  3. of their delicious cocktails.
  4. the drinks were delicious and the crowd was, well, cool.
  5. Sensing that we were on a blind date he really kept the evening well lubricated with delicious cocktails and a mysterious shot that we both loved.
  6. Great tunes, great sultry feel, perfect food compliment.
  7. The drinks were delicious, staff was attentive and well-versed, DJ was one of the best I've heard in a while, and the bouncer kept the place from getting too packed.
  8. True the private back room is a little weird but the cocktails are creative and delicious and the menu is perfect for a before dinner or late night snack.
  9. Incredible cocktails, (not just drinks) we're talking delicious concoctions with names like "The Flapper"- citrus vodka, lemon grass vermouth, fresh ginger and fresh lemon juice - my recommendation.
  10. Between the drinks, the incredible meat and cheese spread, super cute waitress, and the IPOD JACK!
  11. With the gourmet food and unlimited drinks that accompanies the reservation of this room, it's the perfect solution for a small intimate gathering.
  12. We go to New York a lot and are always seeking out fresh new spots to hang, minus the flotsam and jetsam -- this place fits the bill.
  13. I'm a huge fan of the olive, meat and cheese options as I like to nibble while I drink.
menu variety
95.83000183105469% positive
  1. The unique drink menu is just the start of what makes this place so great!
  2. True the private back room is a little weird but the cocktails are creative and delicious and the menu is perfect for a before dinner or late night snack.
  3. I'm a huge fan of the olive, meat and cheese options as I like to nibble while I drink.
  4. After chatting with us for about five minutes, he recommended two drinks off the menu.
  5. The drinks are incredible - probably the most creative and esoteric coctail menu around.
  6. On Monday they had this amazing party to launch their new cocktail menu.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. kind of sad because it USED to be a great place for a cocktail.
  2. The Blue Owl is a wonderful addition to the neighborhood and has been a great place to meet new people.
  3. great place for a date, as well as for meeting people.
  4. This is really a great place to relax (that is not pretentious) and have a few amazing drinks!
  5. In my attempt at finding a nice place for manual release I stumbled upon Blue Owl.
  6. It was a nice gesture, though, and he really chose a nice place.
  7. love the cool vibe, very cozy, very friendly, a great place to meet a friend or a few.
  8. The drinks were delicious, staff was attentive and well-versed, DJ was one of the best I've heard in a while, and the bouncer kept the place from getting too packed.
service
84.53000068664551% positive
  1. The service is excellent and you feel like you are inside a glowing nest of hot people, great music and lovely beverages.
  2. The crowd was fun & friendly and the waitstaff was, as I said prompt, and very knowledgable.
  3. But more than anything the bartender was very pleasant.
  4. tracked her down again and asked her how long it would be and she responded with a really terrible and rude attitude about how she was "doing the best I can" and turned her back on me, so I told her to just forget it and cancel the round and close all o
  5. The staff are friendly and welcoming.
  6. It's fun and worth it if you are looking for a good night out, in a friendly lounge with (relaxed) club music.
  7. The scene is bumping, some great looking people, although not to pretentious and good music which makes it all the more fun.
  8. had never heard of it before but saw people milling around outside its entrance so my girlfriend and I decided it was just as good a spot as any to go in to for a drink.
  9. Excellent cocktails, good vibe, phat tunes, and a staff that makes you feel like you're a member at a private club.
  10. The owner, who's name escapes me now, was super friendly, routinely making the rounds to ensure that everyone was enjoying themselves.
  11. The bartenders are fast and clever and the waitresses are generally friendly.
  12. When we arrived we were known by name by the friendliest door man I have ever encounterd and taken care of by a great cocktail waitress (Amanda we love you!)
  13. It also helped that the staff was so attentive.
  14. love the cool vibe, very cozy, very friendly, a great place to meet a friend or a few.
  15. Knowledgeable HOT staff- girls and guys- great cocktails- and a really fun/class vibe.
  16. The staff is great, very professional and helpful.
  17. Staff is unbelievably rude
  18. order whiskey straight up, when the bartender poured the drink he turned his back to me and appeared to pour something else in the glass along with the whiskey.
  19. The drinks were delicious, staff was attentive and well-versed, DJ was one of the best I've heard in a while, and the bouncer kept the place from getting too packed.
  20. But what makes it stand out most is that the service is as good as it gets.
  21. The Blue Owl is a wonderful addition to the neighborhood and has been a great place to meet new people.
  22. Blue Owl has a great happy hour and bar always seems to be all full with beautiful and friendly people.
  23. Outstanding drinks and service, great music, and a really friendly, open atmosphere.
  24. decided that since I couldn't exorcise my demons with the help of a friendly, heavy handed masseuse I would indulge in some of the libations that Blue Owl has to offer.
  25. moved over to the bar to check out the supposed amazing bartenders.
  26. great place for a date, as well as for meeting people.
  27. Place was everything and more than we expected - great atmosphere, very friendly staff, great drinks and music that smacked.
  28. The place is definitely cool- nice people, not too crowded (the bouncer outside makes sure it never gets uncomfortably packed).
  29. The lights were TOO bright and the service was mediocre.
  30. Great place, friendly bartenders, excellent drinks.
  31. amazing cocktails, cool decor, and an owner whose belief in great service comes from years of experience in some of the city's top-tier restaurants--and it totally shows.
  32. Very relaxing, very business, very calm, very friendly.
  33. excellent service
  34. but this left us in a very uncomfortable situation, where half of the group that purchased drinks were still finishing their drinks, and the manager harassing the other half of the group to leave the bar for not purchasing a beverage.
  35. The atmosphere was great, bartenders cute and could pour a drink.
  36. Cocktail waitresses who really attended to me, a GREAT bartneder who actually knows how to mix drinks - not just look good.
  37. The horrible service with the drinks didn't even include her really random seating demands of some friends of our group who came a bit later and grabbed another table.
  38. The bartender was warm and friendly, not obnoxious, bright, or pushy.
  39. The bartenders and cocktail waitresses are very friendly and attentive.
  40. The staff was friendly and helpful before the party and the service during the party was great.
  41. When we moved to a table the waitress was very attentive but gave us enough space to get to know each other better.
  42. Cute space, TERRIBLE service!
  43. Owner and staff were friendly and welcoming.
  44. Service was good, even had a funny back and forth with the bartender.
  45. To be fair, the next bartender over was completely polite and friendly and happily switched the drink without a hassle.
  46. In the private room, there was no bar, it was very hot and being as packed in as we were in there, the service was extremely slow.
  47. even chatted some with the friendly bouncer on the door while i went for my ciggie breaks.
  48. The space is modern and sexy, the service is prompt and attentive and the drinks are excellent.
  49. The impeccable service and fabulous drinks are complimented by an impeccable decorated interior.
  50. We were obviously short a few hundred dollar on what we had agreed, particularly since the service was so slow.
  51. Between the drinks, the incredible meat and cheese spread, super cute waitress, and the IPOD JACK!
  52. Then the waitress told one of my friends (who was standing) that he had to sit down if he wanted to order a drink.
  53. our server was charming and sweet.
value
50.0% positive
  1. We were obviously short a few hundred dollar on what we had agreed, particularly since the service was so slow.
  2. It's fun and worth it if you are looking for a good night out, in a friendly lounge with (relaxed) club music.
  3. have become a bit of a brooklyn hermit these days so when i do brave the other side of the river and toil on the isle of manhattan, i like my endeavor to be worth my venturing out of my neighborhood, and my comfort zone.
  4. the bar was such a refreshing change from the yawn-worthy places I generally get dragged to, filled with superficial snobs who boastfully order the venues most expensive drink just so others will see that he or she has ordered the bar's most expensive dri
  5. I'm a huge fan of the olive, meat and cheese options as I like to nibble while I drink.
  6. The drinks are expensive and watered down.
wait time
20.0% positive
  1. tracked her down again and asked her how long it would be and she responded with a really terrible and rude attitude about how she was "doing the best I can" and turned her back on me, so I told her to just forget it and cancel the round and close all o
  2. In the private room, there was no bar, it was very hot and being as packed in as we were in there, the service was extremely slow.
  3. We were obviously short a few hundred dollar on what we had agreed, particularly since the service was so slow.
  4. No attempt to explain why things might be taking so long, just a bad attitude and complete negligence.
  5. After chatting with us for about five minutes, he recommended two drinks off the menu.
4 Star Rating: Recommended

03/20/12

Best Martinis Ever!

by millerrich26

When I first arrived with my date, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was her idea to come here. The cave-like appearance had me going at first, but once inside, the stone walls add to the atmosphere. The service wasn’t the very best but I think it’s because they were jealous of how hot my date was. The single guys got better service…Anyway, I ordered a Cosmo and it was the best damn martini I’ve ever had. I just wish they’d open a place like this near me.

3 Star Rating: Average

01/16/11

Natasha and I

by HeatherBree2011

Grace had gone out of town with a guy she had been talking to for a while so I got stuck with Natasha. She is very into her self and we came here and I had a great time with her, better then I thought it would have been. The service was great and the place comfortable. Natasha had gotten a man to get her drinks like always, while I sat back and watched because I am with Nicholas of course, well talking to him and was very happy. More than I had probably shown him. But the I also had caught the bartenders eye and had fun myself too!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/30/10

Beautiful space, great service, delicious cocktails

by bigbarenthusiast

Welcoming, comfortable, cool space with what seem to be those rare talented bartenders who really know what they're doing. I've been there on low key nights where it's the best place to bring friends to chill, and on super busy nights where the DJ is rocking the place out, and it's quite the scene. Loved it both ways. The service was great, the cocktails awesome, and the overall experience hard to beat. A real find that stands out among the myriad places in NYC.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/03/10

Hidden, Cool Spot

by izitkewl

Gotta say that Blue Owl is a hidden gem.

Once in a while you find a spot that seems too good to be true - no knuckleheads, cool vibe, excellent cocktails. I hesitate to say too much, lest this spot get discovered and overrun by said knuckleheads ;)

Mum's the word, right?

Me and my crew claimed one of the corners complete with a couch and cushy chairs. DJ was playing some decent tunes for the most part.

Any ways... definitely worth checking out.

1 Star Rating: Poor

03/11/10

Cute space, TERRIBLE service!!!

by artsandsciences

A few friends and I went on a Wednesday night at around 8pm. The place was relatively empty, decor was cute--though it's ridiculously dark in there. We grabbed a few seats around a table shared with another couple until a back seating area opened up for our group. We ordered drinks from a brunette who was easily confused and it took over 20 minutes to get our first round. After finishing those in about 10 minutes, we waited another 15 before we had to get up and go track her down to order more. Place was still relatively empty--there were more people at the bar, but it's not as though she were serving them--so I'm not quite sure what she was doing... After ordering, we waited ANOTHER 20 minutes just to get those drinks. It got to be such a joke that when she finally brought the drinks, I told her to just go ahead and put in the order for the next round now. Sadly enough, despite having pre-ordered our drinks before we had even touched the ones she just dropped off, we finished the round and were waiting about 15 minutes before I went to find her. At that point, our get together was still dead sober and annoyed. Still only about 10 other people sitting in areas for her to serve. WHAT WAS TAKING SO LONG?! I tracked her down again and asked her how long it would be and she responded with a really terrible and rude attitude about how she was "doing the best I can" and turned her back on me, so I told her to just forget it and cancel the round and close all our tabs ASAP. Yeah. Took another 15 minutes for her to come around and she only brought me my check, not the checks of the other 4 people at our table. Yup. Another 10 minutes and my friends just got up and asked the bartender to close them out. Needless to say, her tip was not good--I'm usually a 20% for regular service, more for great, and a $1/drink at a standing bar, 20% seated kind of tipper so my $1 tip for my entire experience there should tell just how annoyed and pissed I was. This was just a crap waitress. I used to be a server so I know what it's like to be in a crunch and not be able to please everybody, but it was NOT crowded in there and she obviously didn't know what she was doing or how to manage customers. No attempt to explain why things might be taking so long, just a bad attitude and complete negligence.

The horrible service with the drinks didn't even include her really random seating demands of some friends of our group who came a bit later and grabbed another table. Apparently, since they knew us, they couldn't take up another table?? Bizarre!

Anyway, it was my first time at Blue Owl and my friends and I will NOT be going back. Ridiculous.

  • Pros: Cute space
  • Cons: SERVICE, SERVICE, SERVICE

The Details on Blue Owl Cocktail Room

Place Categories:

  • great just drinks
  • friendly staff
  • delicious specialty cocktails
  • great service
  • great jazzy club music
  • friendly bartenders
  • cool vibe
  • highly recommend blue owl
  • great atmosphere
  • great normal afterwork party
  • incredible lounge space
  • simply wonderful brass bar
  • friendly owner
  • really cool cocktail lounge
  • fun crowd
  • refreshing play
  • great cocktail waitresses
  • fun pleasant clientele
  • rude attitude
  • great happy hour
  • incredible super cute waitress
  • bad drinks
  • great place
  • beautiful new spot
  • beautiful people
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