The Ainsworth

A First Class bar & a visually stimulating decor culminating in the ultimate drinking & dining experience.

(212) 741-0645

122 W 26th St (6th Avenue and 7th Avenue)
New York, NY 10001 40.745079 -73.992073

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Neighborhoods: Chelsea, Midtown

ainsworthnyc.com

Hours:

Sun-Wed 11am-1am

Thu-Sat 11am-4am

Last updated 9.22.09

Category:

Bars & Clubs, Sports Bars, Singles Bars, Bars & Pubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Private Rooms, Happy Hour, Bar Menu

Restaurant Special Features:

Lunch Spot

Dress Code:

Casual

Bar & Club Special Features:

After Work, Private Parties

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About The Ainsworth

The Owner

The Ainsworth

Owner

This 6,000 sq. ft. space brings together the rustic chicness that is the Chelsea Flower district & merges it with the delicate balance of food- flavor -fun that Manhattan is known for. The venue's interior was designed around the needs of a Chelsea neighborhood that was missing "THE LOCAL'S SPOT" to go for food & drinks and also with his corporate clientele in mind designing a space large enough to be able to be able to accommodate product launches or private events. A state of the art sound system enhanced by multiple hi- def TVs located throughout the venue offering diners an opportunity to…

Provided by CityGrid

Read more from the owner

Featured Review

Joshua M Bernstein

Contributor

Chelsea sports aficionados should cheer for this expansive gaming den, featuring a sea of TVs broadcasting baseball, football, basketball--basically, any event featuring a ball. The handsome, 6,000-square-foot lounge is rustic and refined, with wood-plank walls, Gothic chandeliers and leather banquettes filled with bros pounding PBR cans and pints of Bass and Bud. (Beer is also available in 100-ounce tubes.) For discriminating palates, there are eight wines (about $8 a glass) and cocktails like the Pine, made with Wild Turkey Honey, mint, soda and lemon.

Editor's Tips

Food Served:
Fuel up on offbeat sports eats such as lobster po' boy sliders, smoked-pork empanadas and Parmesan-showered truffled potato wedges.
Know Before You Go:
Before big games, make sure you call ahead to reserve a table for you and your fellow rooters.
Fun Fact:
Owner Matt Shendell is also the man behind Murray Hill sports hangout the Hill.
ambiance
90.0% positive
  1. “And it definitely is - the ambiance is nice, the decor is classy, and the menu is pricey.”
  2. “The food was delicious, the interior was classy (it even had chandeliers), and both the clientele and the servers made me feel very comfortable.”
  3. “Besides the fun trendy sports bar atmosphere, they actually have an excellent food menu.”
  4. “Great atmosphere, good food, definitely the new game place for me and my buddies.”
  5. “Nice decor, large enough to host big parties, tasty bar food and reasonable drink prices.”
drinks
91.66999816894531% positive
  1. “Nice decor, large enough to host big parties, tasty bar food and reasonable drink prices.”
  2. “The bar itself is pretty good -- decent selection of draft beers and tasty food (the burgers are excellent).”
  3. “met up with friends for drinks and apps last week and had an absolutely wonderful experience!”
  4. “Good looking people, delicious cocktails + a tasty brunch?”
  5. “I'm also a really big fan of their drinks specials!”
  6. “It's not super crowded yet, and they actually have really decent drink specials.”
  7. “It was typical bad-business and unnecessary attitude that makes you REALLY not want to go back to an obnoxious bar!”
  8. “Besides the fun trendy sports bar atmosphere, they actually have an excellent food menu.”
  9. “great bar”
  10. “also love being able to watch sports center all day long and enjoy a great brunch and good cocktails!”
  11. “personally really enjoyed the specialty drink menu and was also very happy to find that they recently began delivering, which I must try out!”
  12. “Other than bringing 30-40 new patrons to this bar, many of whom absolutely loved it and will be back in the future, I think the best way to thank The Ainsworth for their help at my party last night is to praise them to the rest of the world for their outs”
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. “Besides the fun trendy sports bar atmosphere, they actually have an excellent food menu.”
  2. “Not only was the food hot and delicious (Maple Fondue is DEF the way to go), the service was outstanding!”
  3. “Nice decor, large enough to host big parties, tasty bar food and reasonable drink prices.”
  4. “Then we ordered a margarita pizza, which was excellent, the mac & cheese, another fav, and sweet potato wedges.”
  5. “Just stopped by to have lunch -- yummy neighborhood place.”
  6. “Great vibe, good food, amazing clientèle, an overall good time.”
  7. “Great atmosphere, good food, definitely the new game place for me and my buddies.”
  8. “ordered a good thai salad and my buddy got one of the shrimp quesadilla specials, great place!”
  9. “Good looking people, delicious cocktails + a tasty brunch?”
  10. “had a great experience the food was not what i expected.”
  11. “great service, good burgers”
  12. “One was for a private event, food was great, staff was professional venue furniture was totally moved around from normal set up.”
  13. “The bar itself is pretty good -- decent selection of draft beers and tasty food (the burgers are excellent).”
  14. “The food was delicious, the interior was classy (it even had chandeliers), and both the clientele and the servers made me feel very comfortable.”
menu variety
87.5% positive
  1. “The bar itself is pretty good -- decent selection of draft beers and tasty food (the burgers are excellent).”
  2. “And it definitely is - the ambiance is nice, the decor is classy, and the menu is pricey.”
  3. “personally really enjoyed the specialty drink menu and was also very happy to find that they recently began delivering, which I must try out!”
  4. “Besides the fun trendy sports bar atmosphere, they actually have an excellent food menu.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “couldn't believe all of the TVs they had, great place to watch a sports game.”
  2. “decided to come check this place out after continuous mention about how great this place is, from a bunch of my friends,.”
  3. “came here the other day for brunch while I was doing my apartment search in the area, (luckily I found a great place!)”
  4. “The best new restaurant in Chelsea!”
  5. “and everything was great, I can't wait to come check the place out in person!”
  6. “Great atmosphere, good food, definitely the new game place for me and my buddies.”
  7. “ordered a good thai salad and my buddy got one of the shrimp quesadilla specials, great place!”
  8. “Also a great place for happy hour!”
  9. “great new chelsea restaurant!”
return potential
50.0% positive
  1. “Other than bringing 30-40 new patrons to this bar, many of whom absolutely loved it and will be back in the future, I think the best way to thank The Ainsworth for their help at my party last night is to praise them to the rest of the world for their outs”
  2. “It was typical bad-business and unnecessary attitude that makes you REALLY not want to go back to an obnoxious bar!”
service
100.0% positive
  1. “Nice hostess and friendly knowledgeable waitress.”
  2. “Seriously, every which way you look, you're staring right at a glaring television screen showing a sporting event, which is convenient if you have a large group of people sitting around a table and facing different directions.”
  3. “The waitresses are always total sweethearts, and even the deilvery guy, (and yes tihs place delivers, which is of course another great perk), is really nice and fast another big perk!”
  4. “service is great and everything is priced well too.”
  5. “The food was delicious, the interior was classy (it even had chandeliers), and both the clientele and the servers made me feel very comfortable.”
  6. “great service, good burgers”
  7. “Good looking people, delicious cocktails + a tasty brunch?”
  8. “The staff is always super nice, always has big smiles on their faces.”
  9. “Our waitress was very attentive to us and had a good time overall.”
  10. “Not only was the food hot and delicious (Maple Fondue is DEF the way to go), the service was outstanding!”
  11. “The waitstaff was very friendly and provided great service.”
  12. “The service was also good.”
  13. “One was for a private event, food was great, staff was professional venue furniture was totally moved around from normal set up.”
value
75.0% positive
  1. “And it definitely is - the ambiance is nice, the decor is classy, and the menu is pricey.”
  2. “Nice decor, large enough to host big parties, tasty bar food and reasonable drink prices.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “also love being able to watch sports center all day long and enjoy a great brunch and good cocktails!”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/22/11

A great scene

by rina12 at Citysearch

This is where you go on any given night for Hot guys and great sports. There is nothing like this in the city.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

11/13/11

LOVE THIS PLACE

by justme00764 at Citysearch

Went there Thursday night and had a great time....First time I went was opening night and I have been back many times. Great place to go when its really busy to meet cool people or also when its slow to just grab a drink with a friend and catch up

4 Star Rating: Recommended

08/01/11

Definitely coming back here!

by Aspodek at Citysearch

This restaurant is great! The food is wonderful and the service was superb! I really enjoyed dining here, the crowd seemed to be enjoying themselves as well. I would definitely recommend the tuna tartar tacos, very tasty with a kick to them.

Everyone should dine there, I think it has something to offer a variety of different tastes and personalities!

1 Star Rating: Poor

07/25/11

Not good

by RonnieArv16 at Citysearch

The food is overpriced and bad, drinks are expensive, and for something that calls itself a sports bar, it's almost impossible to watch a game.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/07/11

Best Sports Bar in NYC

by TribecaLorne at Citysearch

Hot Waitresses

Great bar food

50 LCD 50" TVs

Who could ask for more?!?

The Details on The Ainsworth

Place Categories:

  • great new place
  • great service
  • good food
  • enjoy good cocktails
  • great experience
  • big sporting event
  • best new restaurant
  • really nice big perk
  • enjoy great brunch
  • great bar
  • nice decor
  • excellent burgers
  • very attentive waitress
  • great atmosphere
  • happy camper
  • impressed every1
  • professional venue furniture
  • excellent cheese
  • very friendly waitstaff
  • like crowd
  • great new chelsea
  • excellent mac
  • always super nice staff
  • excellent food menu
  • awesome free mozz sticks

Message from The Ainsworth

  • Lunch & Nightly Bar Menu
  • Sports Lounge
  • Private Parties & Events

This 6,000 sq. ft. space brings together the rustic chicness that is the Chelsea Flower district & merges it with the delicate balance of food- flavor -fun that Manhattan is known for. The venue's interior was designed around the needs of a Chelsea neighborhood that was missing "THE LOCAL'S SPOT" to go for food & drinks and also with his corporate clientele in mind designing a space large enough to be able to be able to accommodate product launches or private events. A state of the art sound system enhanced by multiple hi- def TVs located throughout the venue offering diners an opportunity to see a sporting event in an unobstructed fashion from any angle in the venue. The antiqued pine walls hung with aged mirrors are complimented by dark chocolate accents around the bar and wrought iron gates around the banquettes. The Ainsworth features savory dishes & creative cocktails.