(212) 505-0301

127 4th Ave (Between 12th Street and 13th Street)
New York, NY 10003 40.7331 -73.9897

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Neighborhoods: Greenwich Village, Downtown

THEFORUMNYC.COM

Hours:

Daily 4:30pm-4am

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Nightclubs, Bars & Pubs, College Bars

Payment Methods:

American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard, Debit Card

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Happy Hour, Bar Menu

Bar & Club Special Features:

DJ, Specialty Cocktails, After Work, Late-Night Scene

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Forum

Featured Review

Justine Goodman

Contributor

In Short – Housed in the East Village location once occupied by Pop Burger, Forum draws a large crowd thanks to its loud, boozy, just-plain-fun energy. As an added bonus, groups of young drinkers get a guaranteed party without excessive wait times at the door or at the 50-foot bar. Though students and young professionals reign supreme after the dinner hour, the over-30 set may drop by after work to watch the game, kick back on the plush red couches, or sip fancy cocktails whilst noshing on high-end bar food. – – Hits: Forum strikes a nice balance between dive bar and hot…

Editor's Tips

Happy Hour:
Sip $4 beers, $5 well drinks and $5 bloody marys while watching the game on one of Forum's flat-screen TVs every day until 8pm.
Food Served:
In addition to its regular menu of small and large plates like the Forum Pizza (foie gras, truffle oil and mozzarella cheese), during the football season a special menu of summer tuna rolls, duck confit empanadas and, of course, the usual fried fare, is also served.
What To Drink:
If money is no object, try one of Forum's $11 and $12 specialty cocktails like the Julius Ceasar (vodka, Grand Marnier, blood orange puree, splash of fresh lime juice) or the raspberries and creme (raspberry vodka, white chocolate Godiva liquor, a touch of Chambord).
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “While I've rooted for it each time (the decor is great and the location is perfect), each time I'm greatly disappointed.”
  2. “The location is perfect, and the bartenders are very quick and VERY cute.”
  3. “Not only is the decor a perfect mix of casual and classy, but the food was also amazing.”
  4. “can not express how much fun I had at Forum or how great this place is.”
  5. “Friendly staff and a good crowd make for an enjoyable atmosphere.”
drinks
93.47999572753906% positive
  1. “There is a huge bar with like 5 bartenders.”
  2. “The bar area is great though with good drinks and bar service, however the dining experience is pretty bad.”
  3. “Yes, the drinks are decent.”
  4. “the scallops were a lil salty but then again i eat blah food :) after dinner we went to the other side of the bar and the DJ started playing good music.”
  5. “Lastly, the drinks are very very reasonable.”
  6. “The bartenders were friendly and personal even though the bar was busy.”
  7. “All of people got in immediately, the drinks were creative and well priced, and the music was fantastic.”
  8. “They have 3 flat screens at the bar and three huge projector screens in the back lounge.”
  9. “The drinks were poured strong by a very cute staff (especially the tall one), the music was great, and the space was beautiful.”
  10. “The tables are fantastic (big and swank), the music was unbelievable, the drinks were on point, and the whole room was rocking!”
  11. “The staff was incredibly helpful, drinks were very reasonable, and the music was FANTASTIC!”
  12. “This is my favorite bar in all of new york.”
  13. “Great music, amazing staff, HUGE bar, nice layout of the bar.”
  14. “The service was excellent, as we never felt ignored by the bartenders who were friendly and helpful with drink and food selection.”
  15. “searched long and hard for a place that would let ALL of my friends in, have reasonable priced drinks.”
  16. “The drinks were very reasonable and the staff was hot.”
  17. “All I wanted was a great place to have drinks, dance, and hang out with friends and this was it.”
  18. “This spot goes from a snazzy rest/bar with great food and cool happy hour prices ($4-$5) to a full blown club Thurs, Fri & Sat after 10PM.”
  19. “think this might be the last place in NY to still have reasonable priced drinks at a "cool" spot.”
  20. “Great scene, great food, great drinks”
  21. “The bartenders were great, very attentive and made a great drink.”
  22. “The specialty drinks were very good but the dj and lounge in the back is what will keep me going.”
food quality
70.0% positive
  1. “This spot goes from a snazzy rest/bar with great food and cool happy hour prices ($4-$5) to a full blown club Thurs, Fri & Sat after 10PM.”
  2. “The food was terrible.”
  3. “The only good thing was the personal pizza which was overpriced and I can make that myself at home.”
  4. “The service was excellent, as we never felt ignored by the bartenders who were friendly and helpful with drink and food selection.”
  5. “We tried the short ribs and chicken empanadas and all left feeling like we had just eaten at one of our favorite restaurants (which this may soon be.)”
  6. “Great scene, great food, great drinks”
  7. “love that this place it always a good time AND they actually have good food too, and its always a good crowd.”
  8. “Not only is the decor a perfect mix of casual and classy, but the food was also amazing.”
  9. “the scallops were a lil salty but then again i eat blah food :) after dinner we went to the other side of the bar and the DJ started playing good music.”
  10. “The food was DELICIOUS!”
  11. “Although I was not expecting the best food in my life I was wrong.”
  12. “would recommend the hanger steak.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The service was excellent, as we never felt ignored by the bartenders who were friendly and helpful with drink and food selection.”
  2. “we ordered about 7 diff things from the small plates menu and EVERYTHING was good.”
overall
85.71000099182129% positive
  1. “we were having such a good time but the celebrant wanted to do karaoke so we had to leave earlier than we wanted BUT came right back coz the karaoke place was bad.”
  2. “It's a great place to meet someone, very inviting.”
  3. “The crowd was great and unlike some other reviews there was a very small line which there should be at a good place in NY.”
  4. “All I wanted was a great place to have drinks, dance, and hang out with friends and this was it.”
  5. “What a great Birthday place.”
  6. “can not express how much fun I had at Forum or how great this place is.”
  7. “great place”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “Lets just say I am a big fan and will definately be back.”
service
98.88999938964844% positive
  1. “Great music, amazing staff, HUGE bar, nice layout of the bar.”
  2. “The bartenders were great, very attentive and made a great drink.”
  3. “The bartenders and doorstaff were terrific.”
  4. “From polite doorstaff who held the door open and closed for the guests, to the friendly bartenders, to the great manager who helped my friend when she lost her phone, to the best music in all of new york!”
  5. “The service was excellent, as we never felt ignored by the bartenders who were friendly and helpful with drink and food selection.”
  6. “am truly blown away by the great staff as well.”
  7. “The door staff was so friendly and nice.”
  8. “The party was unbelievable with great music and super polite staff.”
  9. “Bar tenders are attentive and friendly.”
  10. “Friendly staff and a good crowd make for an enjoyable atmosphere.”
  11. “Once inside the staff was great.”
  12. “The crowd is warm, very friendly and talkive.”
  13. “Courteous and friendly staff.”
  14. “The service and the staff were friendly.”
  15. “The bar area is great though with good drinks and bar service, however the dining experience is pretty bad.”
  16. “The drinks were very reasonable and the staff was hot.”
  17. “have looked for an unpretentious, friendly place for some time now and have finally found it.”
  18. “From the doorstaff telling me to enjoy my evening, to the gorgeous waitress, the dj who ACTUALLY PLAYED MY SONG (this never happens), to the impeccable bathroom attendants, this place is perfect.”
  19. “The bartenders were friendly and personal even though the bar was busy.”
  20. “Lastly definitely meet the manager, he is the man and did some great shots with me!”
  21. “The drinks were poured strong by a very cute staff (especially the tall one), the music was great, and the space was beautiful.”
  22. “Not only did none of my friends have issues getting in but the staff was so polite to us.”
  23. “The staff was incredibly helpful, drinks were very reasonable, and the music was FANTASTIC!”
  24. “The problem seems to be that unlike most other bars that choose from one type of people or another, Forum seems to attract a nice blend of wannabe investment bankers AND awkward miscellaneous people.”
  25. “There is a huge bar with like 5 bartenders.”
  26. “The space is beautiful, the bartenders are so friendly, and the service is great.”
  27. “All of people got in immediately, the drinks were creative and well priced, and the music was fantastic.”
  28. “The location is perfect, and the bartenders are very quick and VERY cute.”
  29. “The bartender was really nice.”
  30. “The staff really knows how to take care of their patrons and the music was great.”
value
47.5% positive
  1. “The only good thing was the personal pizza which was overpriced and I can make that myself at home.”
  2. “They have 3 flat screens at the bar and three huge projector screens in the back lounge.”
  3. “There is a huge bar with like 5 bartenders.”
  4. “This spot goes from a snazzy rest/bar with great food and cool happy hour prices ($4-$5) to a full blown club Thurs, Fri & Sat after 10PM.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “searched long and hard for a place that would let ALL of my friends in, have reasonable priced drinks.”
  2. “The location is perfect, and the bartenders are very quick and VERY cute.”
  3. “really do not know who can find fault with this establishment, but I want to thank Forum for making this the best bday I have had in a long time.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/16/12

Rokkin Euro Fridays

by priscilliaNYC

This Friday April 20th and every Friday thereafter join us for "Rokkin Euro Fridays" At The Newly opened Ultra Lounge Rokkcity with musical performances by a rotation of celebrity Djs.

Don't miss our new weekly Dance Music Party at New York's Newest Nightclub. We will be featuring dancers, performers, and live artist showcases weekly in addition to the best Djs.

Doors open at 10pm sharp - For guest list and reservations 917-691-8726 (priscillia)

Please note that trendy cocktail attire is mandatory and table reservations for groups are highly recommended.

Rokkcity is located at 22 West 39th Street

*** We also have access to the best bottle specials including free bottle service for large groups - contact us for more information ***

2 Star Rating: Below Average

01/05/12

Hi Everyone!

by kimmi11

Hi all. I am new to this forum.

1 Star Rating: Poor

12/03/11

The worst of the WORST!

by EricK00

YOU MEAN I HAVE TO GIVE THIS PLACE EVEN ONE STAR?!? I live in the neighborhood of Forum and have frequented the bar for over a year now. The bartenders are always good company so I continued to go there. Not any more money in this hole. On few occasions that I've ordered a Jameson it has been anything but. I asked more than one bartender what it was that I just drank because it tasted like bourbon. The bartenders, to their credit, informed me that the owners make it a REGULAR PRACTICE OF REFILLING THEIR TOP SHELF LIQUORS W/ LOW PRICED SUBSTITUTES. Why on earth would anyone replace an Irish whiskey with bourbon?? Because its the same color?? Its just plain idiotic but with the Jersey Shore wanna-be's that frequent Forum I'm sure few are aware since they're too busy puking everywhere.

Which brings me to that terrible odor you smell upon arrival surprisingly is not stale puke from the previous night but the unmistakable scent of decomposing rodents which never seems to dissipate. While I'm on the subject of infestations I'll mention the lucky customers next to me who received a free round because of the cockroach that scurried across the bar. Don't worry; the bar-back killed it.

Next, whoever promotes for this bar should be tossed out with the trash that he brings in. Always jammed packed with wanna-be tough guys and cheesy 19 year old girls who actually like the junk the DJ's play because they're too young and wasted to have anything that resembles taste.

The owners of this dump should be embarrassed to have their names attached to Forum. The "B" rating in the window only reinforces the fact this place will soon be condemned and be used as a toilet for the homeless. Judging by the smell I'd say its already happened. I guess it doesn't matter much to ownership since they're making a killing serving kids $12 Patron shots that are in all likelihood the CHEAPEST tequila they could buy in bulk.

WELL DONE FORUM, YOU'VE SUCCESSFULLY CREATED AN OVERPRICED BAR NONE. BRAVO!

4 Star Rating: Recommended

11/16/11

Good Prices/ Great After Work Spot!

by cityneversleeps

Forum is located right in the heart of Union Square so you have no reason not to go there. Large flat screens behind the bar for whatever game is and at night this place gets bumping. Booked a party for free with AccessGotham and even though the place was packed we got in right away. Bouncer asked us what party we were there with and open seasame. Bartenders hustled and were friendly and this place is awesome when there's a good game on. Will be back the next time I'm in the area...probably this Friday.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/05/11

Great Birthday Party/Better deal!

by shaskins21

In December I threw a 30th bday party for my friend at Forum on a Saturday and it was incredible! The music was top 40, so, there was a lot of dancing, and the scene was a good mix of people...not all out of towners or college kids. It was a little crowded, but we were able to avoid the annoyance of being stuck in the middle of the floor, so, there was minimal shoving and pushing. What made the experience so GREAT was the fact that I booked the party through this website called Birthdaybottleservice and since our party size was around 40 people everyone got in all night, no issues, and, more incredibly, we got a free table and bottle of vodka with mixers! It was crazy, we literally showed up and gave them the bday party name and within a few minutes we were whisked to the back of the club, they kicked out a group of loungers and brought in our drinks. It was a very VIP-ish experience! I was impressed that they not only honored the deal, but that they treated us like we paid the full price for a bottle. Anyway, I can't say enough good things about my experience at Forum, definitely a great party spot!

The Details on Forum

Place Categories:

  • great music
  • great place
  • friendly door staff
  • good crowd
  • very reasonable specialty drinks
  • friendly bartenders
  • great bar service
  • beautiful space
  • cool spot
  • just perfect everything
  • fantastic birthday experience
  • great forum
  • big fan
  • very important bathrooms
  • fantastic birthday
  • flat screens
  • attentive bar tenders
  • polite doorstaff
  • not best food
  • perfect location
  • bland meatballs
  • huge projector screens
  • great food
  • favorite bar
  • enjoyable atmosphere

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