(212) 532-1123

383 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10016 40.7416 -73.9811

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Neighborhoods: Kips Bay, Midtown

Last updated 6.22.09

Category:

Restaurants, Sports Bars, Neighborhood Bars

Payment Methods:

American Express, Diners Club, Discover, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Private Rooms, Happy Hour, Bar Menu

Bar & Club Special Features:

DJ, After Work

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Van Diemens

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – Although Van Diemens was the original name of Tasmania, this Murray Hill sports bar falls right in line with its neighborhood counterparts. Tall tin ceilings, exposed brick, red leather high-back bar stools and high bar tables surround a long walnut bar made with crown molding. Two enormous 8'-by-4' HD TVs dominate the front of the bar, while smaller screens find homes in the back area and at the upper level bar. Be sure to look out the front window to catch a great glimpse of the Empire State Building. – – Hits: Upstairs (often used for private parties)…

Editor's Tips

Food Served:
The menu offers the usual pub grub suspects--mozzarella sticks, potato skins, wings, sliders, nachos and a few salads.
Save Money:
Happy hour deals vary by night but include the $10 "Choose your own App n' Beer" special, two domestic drafts for $8, two-for-one burgers, and discounted martinis.
What to Drink:
Try a classic Dark & Stormy (Mt. Gay rum and ginger ale).
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “Good beer selection, friendly people, convenient location.”
drinks
88.6400032043457% positive
  1. “The staff were rude and drinks were overpriced.”
  2. “Good vibe, good people, good tunes, cold drinks.”
  3. “the peeps behind the bar were really nice (and the chicks were hot ha)”
  4. “Oh yeah, good drinks by the bartenders.”
  5. “The wings were excellent & they have great beer specials.”
  6. “The space is very nice, but the crowd and service are typical, and it is a bit pricey for the size of the drinks they pour.”
  7. “Good beer selection, friendly people, convenient location.”
  8. “The drink specials are excellent and they have some great finger food.”
  9. “Van Diemens is a beautiful new bar in Murray Hill with a very cool vibe.”
  10. “the space inside is amazing with a very cool loft upstairs with it's own bar and a skylite.”
  11. “Cool people from the door, bar staff, crowd, to the DJ.”
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. “The wings were excellent & they have great beer specials.”
  2. “The drink specials are excellent and they have some great finger food.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “went with a few friends for brunch one morning and they had a lot of excellent hang-over options and everything we tried was great.”
  2. “Good beer selection, friendly people, convenient location.”
  3. “Oh, and don't let the Bud Light be misleading, the selection of brews is awesome.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “best place on 3rd ave.”
  2. “Great people and very good service(and it was crowded) make it a place I'd definitely go back to.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “Great people and very good service(and it was crowded) make it a place I'd definitely go back to.”
service
81.25% positive
  1. “Everything from the unique open spacious layout, to the attentive service, to the excellent music from the dj made my experience at Van Diemens an awesome one.”
  2. “Cool people from the door, bar staff, crowd, to the DJ.”
  3. “And the bartender Dale is beautiful!”
  4. “Oh yeah, good drinks by the bartenders.”
  5. “Really cool layout, frighteningly cold brew, and hot waitresses.”
  6. “Great people and very good service(and it was crowded) make it a place I'd definitely go back to.”
  7. “Good vibe, good people, good tunes, cold drinks.”
  8. “Good beer selection, friendly people, convenient location.”
  9. “The manager was real freindly and the staff is cool (and also hot).”
  10. “The space is very nice, but the crowd and service are typical, and it is a bit pricey for the size of the drinks they pour.”
  11. “Great neighborhood spot to chill, watch a game or just meet nice people.”
  12. “The staff were rude and drinks were overpriced.”
value
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “The space is very nice, but the crowd and service are typical, and it is a bit pricey for the size of the drinks they pour.”
  2. “The staff were rude and drinks were overpriced.”
  3. “The place is huge.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

05/28/10

Surprisingly Good Food

by caryn donohue at Citysearch

I've been here for drinks a few times and always enjoy myself, but what surprised me was their food. I went with a few friends for brunch one morning and they had a lot of excellent hang-over options and everything we tried was great. At the table were burgers, wraps, salads and mac & cheese and it was all gone shortly after it arrived. I particularly liked the buffalo soaked grilled chicken salad and wrap. So good!

4 Star Rating: Recommended

06/13/09

My First Drink In My New Hood

by nattyrebel at Citysearch

I just moved to New York from Ohio - like literally - like yesterday. Van Diemens is the first place I have been so far and I love NEW YORK CITY! And it's right across the street from me. I don't wanna sound like dweeb - but it's just like the movies. I even had a cosmopolitan. Where I'm from in Tiffin, Ohio - you ask for a cosmopolitan - you get cranberry and vodka in a plastic cup. The girl behind the bar Nicole gave me a map of the city on a bar napkin. And a free welcome to the neighborhood shot. They had a dj. The place is huge. It's three floors. There is an upstairs - from where I can see my apartment. And the bartender Dale is beautiful!!! Did I just say that.... ouch.

  • Pros: You're so cool.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/09/09

Great Wings

by TracyDelany at Citysearch

Took my boyfriend here over the weekend to watch a yankee game. The wings were excellent & they have great beer specials. Friendly & accomodating staff. Fun place to watch a game

  • Pros: Great Place to Watch a game
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/09/09

Great Afterwork Destination

by Suaznnesenior at Citysearch

I had an afterwork function here last thursday. They have a great loft space which you can use for private events. The drink specials are excellent and they have some great finger food. We will definately be back

  • Pros: Excellent Drink Specials
1 Star Rating: Poor

03/27/09

Skip it.

by funfmal at Citysearch

I can see why they named the bar after a prison colony because it's as about much fun as one and when I was waiting for my change the bartender disappeared for a while and I was stuck there. I went in there to meet a friend and all the girls behind the bar were dressed like W-Hooters. I asked for a Bombay and tonic and the girl in the boob-tube had a conference with her bar-mate, I can only speculate to ask what the recipe was. Duh!! BOMBAY AND TONIC!!! And my friend asked for a glass of Merlot and we lost the bartender again. We started a running joke that they weren't bartenders. They were bare-tenders, because they were all hanging out of they're tops. I am not hating, ok. I just want a drink when I order it and to recieve my change as soon after I pay. Oh! And even after I told the girl thank you - she answered me, 'Yep.'

  • Pros: None
  • Cons: What are the drawbacks?

The Details on Van Diemens

Place Categories:

  • nice people
  • great loft space
  • overpriced drinks
  • great music
  • rude staff
  • great neighborhood spot
  • already awesome happy hour
  • very good service
  • very cool vibe
  • frighteningly cold brew
  • great finger food
  • excellent wings
  • great fricken
  • excellent drink specials
  • sick space
  • great dj
  • beautiful bartender dale
  • excellent hangover options
  • great beer specials
  • good tunes
  • convenient location
  • love new york city
  • huge place
  • very cool loft upstairs
  • great dancing